Natalie has lived on Forest Ave street for four years and doesn't expect anything interesting to happen. At least, not until a new family moves in a house only one look from her window away.
Not that I'm one to care about ranking but this story was...
We drove to a cafe, parking just outside of it. Charlie and I didn't talk much on our way there, even though I started a conversation many times. I instantly knew something was off.
Having entered the cafe, we looked around, and I noticed a lonely table by the window deep in the room.
''I see a place,'' I said, smiling, and lead the way.
I sat down, taking off my jacket just to realize that the shirt I had picked out had something spilled on it. I leaned closer so Charlie couldn't see it. He sat opposite of me.
I looked at the menu in front of us, sometimes glancing at Charlie.
''So I think you're in a very thoughtful mood right now,'' I said quietly, looking up from the menu.
Charlie nodded slightly, sighing.
''That noticeable?''
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''Not that everyone needs to be cheerful all the time... but I can see something's up,''
Charlie nodded again, looking at the menu as well. Although, his eyes seemed to scan the page more than actually focus on anything.
A waitress walked up to our table.
''I'll have... the salted pistachio eclair and a cup of cocoa,'' I smiled, looking at her.
''I- I need a minute to think,'' Charlie quietly said.
''Oh, I wouldn't have ordered yet,''
''I'll come back and then we'll make yours, Miss,'' the waitress replied.
''Great!'' I smiled back.
When she was gone, I turned to Charlie.
''Come to think of it... you weren't really that quiet when you walked up to my window. What happened?'' I asked.
''I just kept thinking more about the old place and how my life was different there. It's not... bad here, but it's really different, you know? I didn't think the change would be so big for me...''
''I understand... so you're homesick?'' I asked.
Charlie shrugged but then his face frowned.
''I think having come here, I realize I'm not half-good as the others on my team, at school,'' he continued.
''Charlie...''
''No really, I feel like an idiot-''
The waitress' steps stopped Charlie.
''I'll have the burger and tea,''
''What kind?''
''Just black,''
''All right,'' the waitress replied. ''I'll be back in a bit.''
