09 | Hold onto emotions?

We all three are standing, looking back and forth amongst ourselves, trying to understand what the heck is really going on?

"Oh, Mom!" Ryan says trying to hold back his grin, "The new barista you hired for your shop is actually my friend, Rose. She just moved to the town. " The way he uses both hands to point at me is quite amusing at the same time.

"Oh, that's wonderful, Rose!" She pulls me into a warm hug and pats on my shoulder, "This is the first day after the opening of this cafe, Ryan has shown up here."

I look with disbelief at Ryan who's amusement is now replaced with some deeper emotions.

"It's not a good idea though to be late on the first day of your job." Maria walks to the door with her heels making noise against the wooden flooring, "I guess I'll see you more often here son!"

I focus my attention on Ryan, who is looking at the ground and kicking an imaginary pebble with his black sneakers. I know how humiliating our parents at times can be.

Once when I told Dad about my liking for Aaron, a month before we moved away. He went up to him and asked him, "Don't ever break her heart. She's too good for you." For days I had ducked myself in my room to avoid him but then eventually we had to talk. Though he never brought that topic up, I was still embarrassed.

Does Aaron have these memories in his mind?

Probably not.

I reach for Ryan and bend down a little to match his eyes,

"I like looking at those olive eyes of yours."

"So do I." His reply makes me take a sudden intake of breath.

His hand reaches for my face and he gently tucks the lock of my hair behind my ears. "Those green eyes of yours may drown a man." After placing the coffee cup in my hand, he walks away.

My cheeks are on fire even though it has been four hours since Ryan said those words to me. A little appreciation never hurts and sometimes when you say them to anyone, you can really make their sappy days better.

I have been told, "Actions speak louder than words", maybe I am wrong while I say this but words are mightier than actions. Words can tear you down and can also pull you out of the hell hole. Actions are secondary but primarily words affect a human heart more. As always, you never know what impact your words may have on someone - it may cut loose the only string that's keeping them going or may hold them after all ties are broken.

"Oh my, my...." I know this voice. It's Laurel.

She's looking at my boots and I guess she felt the same awe when I saw them for the first time. A laugh bubbles up at the back of my throat on watching her like this. It's like she's a child who has been shown her favorite candy.

"You are going to run wild in some boys' dream wearing nothing but those."

I burst into laughter. "That sounds nowhere like a compliment."

"Well, I guess she has point. You may run in mine. " A tall, well-built guy who was sitting closely, says with lust in his eyes.

"Back off, Mason." Aaron walks in, "Don't flirt with her until you want your ass beaten up."

Is he really doing this? Scaring away guys at my workplace?

"Sorry, sir! " I move to the guy, "Let me know what can I get you ?"

"Black coffee."

I note down his order and go to Aaron. "This is none of your business." I hiss under my breath so that it's only audible to him and walk to Laurel.

I am trying harder to keep my eyes off Aaron but damn this boy!

Aaron gets under my skin like no one else. With just one look of his, I feel my own presence. His mere touch sends shivers down my spine and makes each and every nerve of my body aware of his presence. But as far as I have witnessed, he tosses away girls like being physical with them means nothing.

Then there's this guy Ryan, who treats me in a way every girl wants to be treated. Words that come out of his mouth, makes my heart flutter. His every gaze caresses me against the bitter cruelty of my life.

There's definitely no room left to decide who's going to cherish my heart. Sometimes the right thing to do lies right ahead of you and yet you are supposed to make that life-changing decision.

Aaron is the danger and nothing about Ryan will ever haunt me. One might toss me away like I mean nothing and put me in a situation that I might doubt my worth, while there is another guy who genuinely cares.

"Just hold onto the last thought. " Laurel catches me staring at Aaron, who's seated by now in the wooden chair by the tainted walls.

"What you'd like to have ?" I fumble with the pen until I can really get a hold of it. Is covering up things is this tough?

"Get me sprinkling water only. I am kind of full already. He insisted me to come here. I guess I know why."

Does this make any sense?

"Hold on Rose. Someday soon the mask will fall off." As soon as those words leave her mouth, I know she's talking about whom.

I walk into the kitchen with a tornado of thoughts in my head. Aren't they something? Why did she ask me to hold on and to what?

My attention divides when Maria walks inside with a charming smile stretched wide across her face. She talks to a few other workers before asking me to wrap up for the day.

"Tomorrow onwards, I'll start your training. I ran short of time today. " Her words are sincere so I just nod forcing a smile on my face.

As I walk out the door I throw one last look at them. Aaron's eyes are locked with mine and his spine is stiffened while Laurel looks angry. She says something to him and then places her hand over his. I hate how easily she can touch him!

I immediately turn away and step out of the door. I let the cold air crash against my skin and make it feel numb. I wish they could do the same to emotions too...