Through Your Notes

Saturday

Saturday

12.59 a.m.

I hold my coffee cup with both of my hands. The vapour from the coffee mixes with the vapour from my breath. They seep into the air.

You.

You hold your coffee cup with both of your hands. The vapour from the coffee mixes with the vapour from your breath. They seep into the air.

Butterflies. They are flying in my stomach.

You are so close to me.

"I'm Nathan, by the way." You say. "Nathan Gallagher."

"Oh, all right." I laugh lightly. "We're introducing ourselves now?"

You laugh. "Well." You shrug.

"Klara, with a K. Klara Miller."

"Oh, so you're Klara?"

"Yeah." I nod. "How do you know who I am?"

"Aren't you the daughter of Albert Miller?"

I nod.

"I'm so - "

"Don't." I say. "They all say that. Don't say it if you don't mean it."

"But, I do. I mea - "

"Even if you mean it." I take a sip of my coffee. "That won't bring him back."

Silence ensues. It's awkward but endurable.

"So, how long have you been playing?" I ask.

"Beg your pardon?"

I point at your guitar case.

"Oh." You nod. "Hmm... 8 years."

"How old are you?" I ask.

"19 in April." You reply. "You?" You ask.

"I thought you'd knew." I chuckle.

"No, I don't." You smile.

"19 in August."

"You draw portraits?" You ask. "Or, do you draw me only?"

I turn to look at you with wide eyes.

"I am just joking." You laugh.

I join you. "Yes, I do draw portraits but not you only. I draw my dad too. I sketch sceneries too."

"I can see that."

"You went through my sketch book?"

"It opened when it fell. I can't help myself to look at it." You smile. "They are amazing."

"Thank you." I say. "I still can't forgive you for intruding my privacy, intruder." I mock you with a cheeky smile.

"I don't need your forgiveness as I am not apologising." You shrug.

I gasp. "You're impossible!"

You laugh. I can't help but laugh too. Laughter is contagious, they say.

No, only your laugh is contagious.

"How long have you been hiding behind those big smiles, Klara?" Your voice low.

"Uhh - I - Uhh..." I hum. "I think I should go now. It's getting late."

"Ye - Yea - Yeah." You stutter. "You should. It's not safe for girls to walk around like this at midnight."

I stifle a laugh. "Right." I nod. "Goodbye, Nathan."

"Bye." You wave.

I walk off.

"Hey, Klara?" You call out.

I smile to myself and turn to face you. "Yeah?"

"See you at midnight, then?"

"See you at midnight, then."