And The Moon Rises

***Elena*** 8am. The alarm I had grown so used to hearing rings out, calling me and reminding me about the day ahead. Another day in my own version of hell. Great. I sluggishly turn over to turn off the alarm, grazing the glass of water I had brought up to bed with me the night before with my arm. It sits, teetering on the edge of my nightstand. I lazily push it back to its original place and force myself out of bed,heading towards the bathroom. I sit there, on the edge of the bath, questioning wether I really need to go into work or if I should get back into the warm embrace of my bed and forget about the world for the day. I reluctantly decide that I need the money. I mean, I have bills to pay. I get ready and leave my room, heading straight for the kitchen, my nose tingling at the scent of freshly brewed coffee. My mom always makes my coffee in the morning. She’s my life line, my only true friend. I drink the perfectly made coffee in a hurry and snatch a muffin off of the breakfast bar on my way to the front door. “See you soon hunny! Don’t forget your glasses this time! They’re on the table in the living room!” My mom beckons at me down the hallway. “Thanks mom, love you. I’ll be back around 4:30.” I reach my car, only to realise I had forgotten my phone on the bathroom sink so I hurry back in and up the stairs to fetch it. Finally, I get into my car and set off to work. Years I’ve been at this place, 4 to be exact. My very first, and so far only, job since I left college. The local café, ‘Edna’s tea and tasties’. I hated it here. The regulars come in like clock work, same time every day ordering the same thing. One particular regular was Mr. Falcrow, my old college tutor. He’d come in for a vanilla latte and a croissant every morning before taking off to the college. He entered the café not long after I started my shift. I had been behind the counter around 10 minutes before he turned up. “Good morning Elena, the usual please.” He said. “Of course Mr Falcrow” I responded. “How’s your mother? I bet she’s still her usual self.” “She’s very well, Thank you. I’ll tell her you said hi.” Mr. Falcrow and my mother used to have a thing for each other back in their dating days, but my mother moved away when she met my father. “All the best to you both, Elena.” He said as he headed towards the door. A couple hours pass by, I’m about to take my lunch break, when a customer walks in. A man I had never seen before, not even in the neighbourhood. He was tall, with dark, almost black hair and the most amazing set of lips. I felt a little nervous as he walked up to the counter, fumbling around in his pockets to find out his wallet. “What can I get you sir?” I asked politely. “Coffee, Black, no sugar.” He grumbled while looking down still trying to find his wallet. “Of course. And would you like any of our sweet or savoury options today?” Just then, he looks up at me and stares for a moment, a pretty long moment too. “Sir?” I said, trying to hide the flutters in my stomach as best as I could. “What would you recommend?” He finally asked. “Personally, the raspberry donuts are my favourite. They’re made fresh everyday and one of our best sellers.” “Then I’ll take two please.” He replied without any hesitation. “Of course, would you like them wrapped separately or together?” “Separately please miss.” I wrapped the donuts up as neatly as I could. For some reason I felt the need to impress him, yet I didn’t even know him. “That’s £4.10 please sir.” He hands me over a £5 note and tells me to keep the change. He picks up his coffee and only one of the donuts. “Sir your other donut!” I exclaimed, waving him down trying to catch his attention. “You said they were your favourite.” He explained. He continued to head towards the door, turning to catch my reaction as he opened it. He smirks at me as he makes his way out of the café. I blushed and took the donut from the counter and headed to the break room to enjoy it. Finally, home time arrives and I put away my apron and wash my hands before putting on my coat and picking up my bag. I head to my car and put my bag on the passenger seat. I shut the door and just as I turn to walk to the drivers side, I bump into someone getting into the car opposite. It was him, tall mysterious donut guy. “I’m so sorry sir, I didn’t mean to bump into you!” I apologised, my cheeks glowing red from embarrassment. “It’s ok. Did you enjoy your donut?” He asked with a smile. “Yes, very much, Thankyou. You didn’t have to do that sir.” “My name is Alex, and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Maybe you’ll let me take you to my favourite donut place sometime. Strictly business of course, you have to know what the competition is like.” My stomach summersaulting, I started to blush again. “Yeah, maybe.” I said with a smile, “I’m Elena. Nice to meet you Alex.” “Here, take my number and drop me a text so I have yours, that way we can talk about this business further and maybe arrange a time and date?” I hurriedly took out my phone from my pocket and started to take his number. I asked him to read through it one more time so I knew that I had it down right, mostly because I was so giddy I was unsure if I was actually listening properly. I sent him a message so that he had my number to. “There.” He said. “Now I can update you on all the places that sell donuts better than yours” he said, chuckling near the end of his sentence. “How kind of you. I’ll keep an eye out for your messages.” I replied. He reached out his hand and I shook it. His grip firm, yet gentle so that it didn’t feel uncomfortable. A tingling sensation rides up my arm and starts to crawl across my chest. It was like fireworks on my skin, but without the burning. Just the sparks. You get what I mean.