four am, her watch notified brightly, the intense glow of her phone told her she had four more hours of sleep. but of course, she just had to wake up four hours early, disturbing her calm state of mind and body as well as her mental sleep schedule.
the strangled bed sheets and scattered blankets were left to fend for themselves, abandoned while the girl slowly got up. subtly stretching, taking her circular glasses on, her eyes fixated on the dead midnight hue. the slight chords of owls singing their song, breezes wavering through verdant green leaves like an invisible carpet.
her feet fit snug into her slip ons, a minimal pajama set of a tee and sweats. for the calm night, she didn't mind feeling a bit chilly. in least it was a sign she wasn't dreaming, or nightmaring?
tenderly, she swung the door gently open, the night wind hit her face, hair clinging onto her scalp as she let in a fresh breath of oxygen. she loved the feeling of life, when it was there of course. though barely it was.
strolling down the pale sidewalks, her neighborhood had a 24/7 cafe near the block. one she had rarely shown interest or even had taken a glance at. a small burst of curiosity scrounged to be let out, pursing her faintly chapped lips.
surely it wasn't really 24/7, the poor workers, no one would be up this late...
well, she could be an exception?
ambling down toward the corner, she peeled her head over. seeing the well-lit sign that flashed at the quiet roads that planted in front.
it seemed to be open, she thought before taking a few more steps toward the cafe. her shoes hitting the grass which spiked her ankles with itchy feelings.
rather than a cafe, it seemed more of a vintage cottage, wooden planks built into a mini porch. glass windows covered with quilted curtains. it had the welcoming vibe to it, the one that drew her in quite nicely. her strawberry tinted lips turned upward, a half-smile forming as she hesitantly reached for the door handle, the odd warmth of it had told her she wasn't going to be alone.
"you might as well try" she murmured to herself, biting her bottom plump lip as she whisked the door open. the scent of coffee beans and cinnamon had engulfed her senses, her doe brown orbs briskly scanning what was in front.
or who was, most of the wooden tables and chairs were empty besides one. a petite teenage girl, one who looked about her age sat with a familiar can of soda, smiling at her slick device before lifting her eyes at her.
"how rude, i'm sorry, i didn't think anyone would be up at this hour" she apologized before standing up and walking behind the counter. the gray painted walls had many photos and menus. it was like memory lane but memory cottage. a couple of blotches leaked vacant, waiting for more memories.
"oh no it's fine, i didn't think anyone would be up either," a light chuckle escaping her lips, "well why are you up?" the now cashier had bluntly asked, the chaste look plastered on her face, matching the cute freckles dotting her cheeks.
"just couldn't sleep..." she paused before fiddling with the hem of her shirt, "can i have a ginger ale?" she meekly ordered, sliding over a dollar or two across the smooth counter.
"of course! it's cool to know someone also likes ginger ale, most order coffee or coke, but personally, i can't stand them" she offered a dimpled smile, "that came off as a surprise too, i never drink anything besides water or ginger ale, that's cool to know"
"you know what? here," the cash she once paid was placed on her palm with a receipt, the same bills lying on her hand with soda on the other, "it's hard to find someone who likes ginger ale over here so i'll give it for free. no one else really drinks it besides me, but now that you're here"
the girl was about to protest before gazing at her receipt where a typed note was written at the bottom.
text me, i think we'll be great friends ###-###-####
"we can drink ginger ale at four am together!"