I was never one to hallucinate but this gash was clearly there. And the most disturbing thing was that it looked healed. Like it happened weeks ago and the new skin finally stopped growing over. But I swore to myself that I never got that cut.
I slid on the white shirt with the cafe's logo. Magic Mayhem. You would think there would be more creativity in that. I slid on a pair of jeans and started to walk to my new job. Not even an interview was needed. This woman does own the place anyway. She could hire the sloppiest person and nobody could object.
The walk was insane. The park was jam packed and the people dressed as disney characters were everywhere. I used to love movies as a kid about talking animals and fairies but it definitely wasn't my thing anymore. I even gave Captain Hook the stank eye when he tried to strike a conversation.
I pushed open the glass doors of the cafe and saw the tiny paintings on the raised ceiling. One of winnie the pooh in one spot. Daffy the duck. Sleeping beauty. Probably 20 more characters. All hand painted. The guy at the front must have noticed me staring at them and said "You know the disney geeks always get a kick out of my work." I looked forward and saw the guy with a towel slinged around his very muscular shoulder which was barely covered by the white shirt. He had a large grin which made slight dimples show. He stroked his light brown hair and put the towel down.
"Wait, you painted these?" I asked in disbelief. I have always had a thing for painting and even dreamed of going to college for it. Anyone who said you couldn't be both artistic and sporty was just put to shame.
"Yup one by one. Took me weeks." "Wow they are amazing. I wanted to go to collage for art." "Glad you like it new girl. It's Mercury right?" I hated when people called me by my full name. My father never told me why he came up with the name Mercury but I always just thought he named me while he was drunk.
"Just Mer." I said. "Alright just Mer, your shift is actually on schedule with mine so I guess we are working buddies." He smirked finding my facial expression amusing. It was going to be kinda hard trying to focus with him around. "Does my new working buddy have a name?" "Cason. You're not the only one with an interesting name. Except I don't think I could beat a name like Mercury."
I shrugged and stepped behind the counter. He flipped a switch which turned the open sign on and people started to come in after a few minutes.
"What brought you to California Mer?" "What makes you think I'm not from California?" "Well it's summer and you're not the tannest girl i've seen." "New York. Across the country." I said wiping a table clean. "Well that wasn't my question but i'll take anything I can get about mysterious Mer." I rolled my eyes. "Can you surf?" He asked smugly. "Do you think I can surf?" "I don't know you might surprise me." "My dad actually taught me when i was younger but i kinda suck." "Well a few friends and I are going surfing tonight. You're welcome to join." "I can't, I have to get back to my brother. He ends school at 3 and I have to pick him up." "But that's at three. This is around 7. Unless you're scared." He gave a customer their coffee and was staring me straight in the eye.
"I'm sorry Cason but I really can't." I didn't trust my mother staying home alone with Cal and I didn't trust this guy. Nobody actually tried to hang out with me unless I engaged first. Ok maybe I have trust issues but that's on my father.
"Alright maybe another time." He said, smirking. "Ya sure." Two more workers walked in to take their shifts and cason and I left the shop. "You live far?" "Just like 15 minutes. It's not bad." "You want a ride?" "Nah it's ok I got it." He just lifted his eyebrows.
"Why are you trying to hang out with me?" "What?" "It's just- I know I'm fabulous and all but nobody is ever this eager to get to know me." I pulled on my thin sweatshirt and looked at his grinning face. "Well I moved here myself one year ago and I guess it was harder to adjust. I wished then that someone would be welcoming and now I can give that to you." I took a deep breath. Maybe I was just pushing him away because I was scared of having a normal life.
"You know what? I need something normal in my life. You said it was at 7?" He smiled and nodded. "I'll pick you up at 7 on the dot. Bring a swimsuit." He hopped in his car and I waved goodby. The sun was bright in the sky and I started to sweat 5 minutes into my walk back. I cursed myself for not taking his offer for a ride. The little shops were flooded with people and tourists. One little girl jumped into the arms of Tigger while her brother hid behind his parents legs.
I wondered how it used to be.
Another lifetime ago without the worry of food and when we could just be kids. Maybe it would be different now.
There were vines crawling up a building over a painted mural which must have been beautiful a while ago. The wings of the painted bird were every color which glimmered in the light. I couldn't take my eyes off it which made me crash into someone and fall to the ground. They must have been running because the impact was absolutely terrible.
"Watch where you are going Mercury dear. You are quite a clumsy one." I turned my head to look at a man with dark brown hair which was slicked back with dark brown eyes. He is in some kind of medieval suit costume. I shook my head and processed what just happened.
"How do you know my name?" This guy knows my full name. I was still on the ground and people started to stare. He held out his hand and right as my fingertips brushed his, a shock ran through my body. "Because I know who you are." He said with an evil smirk. I stood up and squinted to see if he was an old classmate but I have never seen this man in my entire life. His muscles popped through the tunic and he could probably be a model. The first thought that came to mind is that this man would probably never be talking to me in the real world.
"Did someone set you up?" I couldn't think of anyone who would set an actor to bug me because everyone i knew was left behind in new york.
"No love, we know each other from another land. Accept your memories do not process the same as mine do." He pushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear and I realized that my body was pushed against a garbage can. "But I'm hoping to change that." All the blood rushed to my face but I couldn't help it.
"Umm I think you have the wrong girl. I-I have to go. Umm pick up my brother so if i can-" He took my arm in his hand gently and smiled. His eyes were a swirling dark green mixed with brown. A crazy Hazel color.
"Mercury." He said my name like it was a poem and I swear his eyes glowed a little bit when he said it. I must have been sweating 10 times more now because something wet was dripping down my spine. "Don't go to the party tonight."
"What? how do you know about the-" "Don't go Mer. It won't end well." "Why the hell should I listen to you? And how do you know about it?" My breathing increased and I was gripping onto the lid of the garbage can for dear life. He scanned my body and smiled when he saw the logo on my shirt.
"Wait did you-" "You look cute in a sweater." My face must have scrunched up in confusion because he laughed. Then a horn blew behind me and some kind of parade started. I jumped, banged my foot on the trash can, and I looked back at where the man was but he was gone. I scanned the trees and all of the people but he disappeared. He had to be an actor. But he knew about the party.
At this point I knew that there was no chance that my life would suddenly be normal. Something is going to happen and I will be stuck where I always am.
Square in the middle.