* Cinnamon Scars by The Hanks (available at myspace.com/thehanks)
* Sewn by the Feeling (available at projectplaylistDOTcom)
****************************************************************
Oxygen
After the police arrived at the scene, Jander (Jessi + Xander) had given their statements and found a cottage-like cafe just blocks away.
"This is my favorite place to go. I was actually on my way here until well, I got side tracked as you know." Xander huffed out a teeth bearing grin as he opened the door for Jessi.
Jessi blushed as she walked past him while crossing the entrance into the cafe. She forced out a small smirk in efforts to cover up the evidence. His tan skin was marble smooth, wrapping around his slightly chiseled mold. His hair was off black with criss crossed half inch spikes sitting on top of his head. His sides and back were buzz cut with short side burns to complete the look - but he wore the style well. Jessi couldn't help but notice how ruggedly beautiful he was. They found a booth in a secluded corner. Jessi liked the red leather cushioned seating. The rustic interior and the dim lighting of the cafe was like a dream to her.
It didn't hurt to breathe anymore.
"So we know why I'm out so late. But why'd you go trailing down my dark alley?"
Jessi's eyes trailed off Xander. She looked around hoping they wouldn't get into details. "I just needed to get some air." She tried her best to be vague.
"You live around here?" Xander noticed that Jessi was well kept so the thought of her living in such a rundown area was surprising to him.
"27.35 miles away." She blurted out as her eyes gazed out the window to the left of their booth.
Xander chuckled, amazed at her accuracy. "Wait. Don't tell me -you walked all the way out here?!?"
"Like I said, I needed some air." Jessi said impatiently as she locked eyes with Xander. She worried he would keep digging.
He grinned in fascination of her mystery. "It's ok if you don't want to talk about it."
"What?" Jessi was amazed at his intuition. Am I that obvious? Jessi thought to herself.
Xander leaned in across the table. "I can see you're not exactly gung hoe about going into details. We all have bad days." He read. He kinked a brow and smiled a crooked smile as he leaned back. "But you look like a strong girl. You'll bounce back." He gazed at Jessi's navy baggy sweater chuckled. "And I'm sure you'll bounce out of that horrendous sweater."
Jessi frowned as she examined her sweater, surprised by his random comment. "I like this sweater."
Xander kept smiling, and again, Jessi couldn't help but smile back, shaking her head. What a dork she thought. She noticed his hazel eyes beamed under his hovering brow bones. Her face became heated, her heart beat sped, and she began to realize, she was already getting attached to the stranger. She broke her gaze away to the blonde waitress who was approaching.
"What can I get you two?" She grinned with a ready pen pad.
"We'll both have your specialty hot chocolate." Xander intervened.
"Coming right up." The pretty waitress winked at Xander, whipped around, and strolled away to carry out his orders.
Jessi shot an annoyed gaze at Xander. "I can order for myself you know."
Xander smiled at Jessi's expression. "I'm sure you can, but I want you to try the incredible hot chocolate they make here. They put a spice in it and I wanna see if you can figure out what it is."
Jessi was intrigued. She always loved a challenge. "Fine." Jessi responded with a determined grin staring her challenger down.
The waitress arrived seconds later. Jessi was slightly excited.
"Here you are." The waitress smiled as she handed Xander his cup. Before the waitress was able to reach for Jessi's cup, Jessi took the liberty of lifting it off the tray eagerly. The waitress rolled her eyes as she retreated.
She sipped the drink too fast. "Ouch!"
Xander laughed rocking his body back. "You should probably blow or give it a chance to cool." He patronized.
Jessi shot him another annoying look. "I know." She lied. She really had forgotten. "I'm not a child." She mumbled out defensively.
Xander chuckled quietly and held a toothy smile. "No you're not." His smile shrunk into a small grin. "You're beautiful."
Jessi was slightly frustrated at his powerful sway for she began to smile yet again, but she hid it behind her cup as she sipped the hot chocolate again. She refused to show gratitude for the compliment so she began to analyze the hot chocolate's contents. "It's hardly one spice. It's more like 5." She retorted in confidence. "I can taste ground star anise, ground fennel seeds, crushed cassia, crushed Szechuan peppercorns and ground cloves." Jessi smiled pleased with herself.
Xander stared at Jessi bug eyed.
Jessi's smile broke. "Did I miss anything?" She sipped the hot chocolate to investigate.
Xander finally formed words. "N-No. You got everything. I was hoping to dazzle you with the list of spices but y-you've ruined my presentation." Xander raised his eyebrows gave Jessi a wide humble smile.
"Sorry." She smiled back infected by his cheerful aroma.
"You, you sure you haven't been here before?" Xander still couldn't believe her accuracy. He was slightly intimidated.
Jessi smiled, feeding off his awe. "Nope. I promise."
They nearly finished their drinks. "Oh NO!" Jessi snapped.
"What's wrong?" Xander worried.
"It's 11:30 that's what's wrong. I need to go - now." Jessi shot up and away and Xander followed after leaving a 10$ bill on the table.
They reached the parking lot of the cafe and Jessi began speeding away.
"Well!" Xander resonated. Jessi stopped and turned around. "I guess I'll see you around?" Xander offered slightly disappointed that their time was up.
Jessi took a few steps back toward Xander. She didn't want the night to end either. She nodded. "I'd better get going - my parents will worry. And I have school."
"Yeah, me too. I start up at a new school tomorrow." Xander agreed, still harboring disappointment.
"Yeah? What school do you go to?" Jessi inquired. Maybe he went to a school near her.
"Uh, Beachwood High?" Xander struggled to remember.
Jessi laughed. "Rrreally!" Jessi sounded sarcastic, but truly couldn't believe the coincidence.
"What? Did I miss something?" He didn't get the joke.
****End of Chapter 2****
