Over My Head

Piper's

“Did it get colder?!” Savvy questioned while looking up at the grey sky as if she expected to see an answer written in the clouds.

            “I’m not sure, it feels like it though,” I stand up and reposition my backpack. Savvy crosses her arms and rubs the opposite arm trying to warm herself up, “You ready to hit Piper’s? A hot coffee is just what I need!”

            I nod my head in agreeance as we start the three blocks to Piper’s. Almost immediately Savvy begins rambling about her day and a block and a half later I realize that I’ve lost myself in thought about Connor and haven’t heard nearly anything Savvy’s said since we’ve left school. It wasn’t until Savvy gently shook my shoulder that I realized I had been zoned out. I lightly shook my head and came to, looked at Savvy and saw a raised eyebrow and a quizzical look.

            “Sorry,” I said, looking forward again. “I’ve been in and out of it today…” I explained, my sentence trailing off again.

            “Hey!” Savvy exclaimed to keep me from slipping away again. “What is up with you?! Did something happen during school?” She looked mildly worried, but her voice sounded more curious than anything else.

             “No, nothing happened. Well, I don’t know honestly. I can’t tell. Maybe? Probably not though, I’m probably just over thinking it.” Keeping my gaze on the sidewalk ahead of us, my expression transitioned in to thinking.

            “Well why don’t you fill me in so I can help you figure it out.” Savvy confidently hooked her arm through mine, so we were arm in arm as we continued to Piper’s. Only a few seconds had passed before Savvy already was questioning if it was about a guy at school. “Who is it!? Is he in our grade?! Is he older?! A junior? No, it’s a senior isn’t it?! Who could blame you though? The senior class has a few that have even caught my eye.” She said fanning herself off with her hand. I chuckled and shook my head knowing that there was officially no way around this conversation now. I might as well just start explaining. Besides, Savvy isn’t experienced with guys per say, but she definitely has more knowledge on the topic than I do. I begin with a brief description of who I think is Connor, then continue on to explain the “moment” in the commons before finishing my paper and after school on the bench waiting for her before we left.

            “Connor Bennett?!” Savvy had stopped in her tracks with her mouth so far open, if it were summer, she could catch a few flies.

            “I’m not entirely sure? I think so. I thought his name was Connor in the commons, but I wasn’t positive.” I hook our arms again and look down at my feet as we slowly begin to stroll. I glance up and see that we’re only about half a block away from Piper’s already. I can see the chipping teal paint on the corner, with high schoolers already crowding the entrance.

            “If you’re talking about Connor Bennett, he plays basketball and football. I heard that he’s been on varsity teams since he was a freshman. He spends a lot of time in the library. I see him there almost every day during my English Literature class, second period.”

I don’t say much in response as we’re just approaching the doors of Piper’s. We navigate through the crowd of our peers conjugating outside and slip through the doors. My senses are hit with all my favorite things of a bustling coffee shop; indistinctive chatter from every direction, orders being called out over the crowd of customers, the light sound of clatter between cup and saucer and the strong aroma of espresso blended with various freshly made pastries. Savvy and I begin skimming the shop for an empty table. Savvy spots one nestled in the corner against the window. Tables by the window tend to be a little colder on days like today but I was okay with it because I was in the mood to people watch. I take Savvy’s bag and make my way to our chosen table while she goes to place our usual order. I climb the few steps up to the split-level part of Piper’s. The whole back wall of this side was filled with books that was divided into two sections, check-out and available for purchase. It was also nice because it gave you a nice boost over the rest of the shop to people watch, as well as the window. I slung Savvy’s bag over one of the chairs and took the seat with my back facing the wall of books, so I had the best view of the people inside as well out people who were coming and going outside. While I wait for Savvy to return, I take out my phone and quickly text my mom that we were both at Piper’s before I start scrolling through my f*******: feed.

“Oh my god, the colder weather must’ve drove everyone here. I swear I saw my entire fifth period class up there,” she sets down my drink, a vanilla caramel breve. I usually get it iced, but I’m happy she assumed I wanted it hot today; she wasn’t wrong. Savvy took her seat across from me and took a small sip of her vanilla latte. She peers outside for a moment, collecting her thoughts. It doesn’t take her long to remember that we had been discussing a guy before entering Piper’s. She clears her throat and looks me dead in the eye while crossing her fingers on the table and slightly leaning in. I take a sip of my coffee and raise an eyebrow at her. I pull my lips away from my cup and hesitantly ask, “What…? You’re freaking me out.” I chuckle before taking another small sip.

“I really hope you don’t think you’re gunna get off that easy!”

“Get out of what, dare I ask…?” I say as if I don’t know exactly what she was referring to.

“Connor! Hello! You can’t just tell me what you did on the walk over here and then think that would be the end of the discussion.” Attitude seeps off her words while she rolls her eyes at me. I panic at how loudly she said his name. This place was crawling with people from our high school and if we were talking about the same guy, the last thing I wanted was for people to see me as another underclassmen who had a crush on an upperclassmen varsity athlete. Oh my god, did I just say I had a crush on Connor? What the hell is wrong with me? I wasn’t even sure of his name fifteen minutes ago.

“So, do you think he was flirting?” Anticipation dripped off each word and eyes filled with excitement and curiosity.

“To be honest, I’m not sure. I doubt it though, honestly.” I honestly didn’t know. I know I’m not bad looking but I’m no where as pretty as Savvy or even half the girls in my school. I ran my fingers through my hair and flipped some layers over to the other side. “Look, I know you’re super excited about all this, but I’d rather just let it go. I really don’t want to read into it. I’m sure it was nothing.”

Savvy’s face fell with disappointment. She looked at me a minute longer before slouching back in her seat and softly sighing. “I understand. But promise me you’ll let me know the SECOND something else happens!”

I scoff a little and half smirk while picking my coffee up again. “Nothing else is going to happen.”

            Savvy raises an eyebrow at me while taking another sip of her latte before answering. “You never know Mia!” She smirks at me while giggling and setting her coffee back down. I smile and roll my eyes. We begin chit chatting about our days and classes. We breezed through the topic of homework assignments and parents. Before long I glanced up and notice that Piper’s, while still maintaining a steady flow of patrons, had died down a reasonable amount. I check the time on my phone. 4:37 p.m. I also see that I missed a text from my mom.

            Mom: Alright sweetie. Are you and Savvy still planning on going to the mall?

            I quickly unlock my phone and type out a response back.

            Me: Yeah, I think so. I just want to get a few things.

            Within seconds my phone buzzes again.

            Mom: Okay, do you guys need a ride? It’s pretty chilly out and I’m just about done at work.

            Me: That’d be great, thanks!

            Mom: Okay, I’ll pack up my things and head to Piper’s. See you soon!

            I lock my phone and set it face down on the table again. I look up and see Savvy relaxing and scrolling on her phone. “Did you still want to go to the mall? My mom said she can pick us up if you want, since it’s pretty cold out.” 

            “Is that even a question? Of course, I still want to go!” I laugh and inform her that my mom is already on her way and should be here soon. We pack up our things and Savvy puts her scarf back on as we wait for my mom to pick us up.