Here's my Valentine to all of you...
My Love
by Jill C.
Sam stood on the narrow bench, peering over the wall to the bus stop below. The umbrellas of the patio tables behind him cast bizarrely shaped shadows over the sidewalk, but left the turquoise bus insignia glaring. Sam squinted against the light. Barely visible were the grubby purple cap and long tangled blond hair leaning against the sign post. Sam smiled to himself. He hopped off the bench and down the few steps, leaving the patio cafe behind as he moved toward the bus stop. Sam skidded down the few meters of mulchy hill, then halted just behind the hunched figure.
Beautiful, Sam thought. He raised his hand slightly, and placed it on the slender shoulder swathed in a scuffed black leather jacket. "Hey," Sam said as Alex turned to face him.
"Hey," Alex replied, cheeks red. He adjusted the guitar case resting on top of his foot. "How've you been?"
"Good, good," Sam answered, removing one glove to pick at a string on the other. "You want to grab a coffee while you wait? You can hear the bus up there. Or see it from the window, if you want to go inside. It's warmer," He motioned to the patio cafe.
"Um," Alex stalled. He pulled a pink, chapped hand from his pocket and rested it on top of the guitar. "I don't know if I have enough change for bus fare..." He moved the hand to the hair on his shoulder, combing with his fingers until he met a tangle. Both hands moved up to unwind it, and the guitar tilted toward the ground.
Sam caught it before it hit the sidewalk. "Oh, god, thanks," Alex said, flustered, "I should go."
"Hey, it's cool," Sam soothed. "The bus won't be here for ten minutes or so. Do you want a coffee? I'll buy."
Alex quickly removed his raw hands from his mouth where he had been attempting to warm them. He took the guitar back from Sam, and scrubbed the moisture from his scrubby moustache on his sleeve. "Um, okay," He said.
They climbed the steps to the cafe and crossed the patio to the small, steamy building. Sam ordered drinks, and Alex sat uncomfortably at a table by the window. Sam joined him a minute later with two cappuccinos. They drank in silence for a few minutes, gray eyes meeting brown ones across the table.
I love you.
I know.
I've talked to you exactly four times.
Why are you so nice to me?
Because I love you.
"It's boiling in here," Alex muttered, standing. Sam stood too, and they exited to the patio.
"And it's freezing out here," Alex continued as he leaned his elbows on the wall, looking for the bus stop below.
"You have to stand on the bench," Sam said.
"Huh?"
"To see the bus stop. You have to stand on the bench." Sam blushed.
"Okay. And why do you know that?" Alex asked, blushing too. He thought he already knew the answer.
"Um, because of you. I watch you waiting for the bus. Sometimes. All the time." Sam buried his face in his gloves.
A soft, yet strong hand pried Sam's wrist down from his face. "I like to watch you, too."
Rough moustache met soft upper lip in a tender kiss. Glove met stubbly cheek, and cold, rough hand met smooth skin.
"You're frozen," Sam whispered, taking Alex's hand in his gloved ones. Alex pulled away, shoving his hands in his pockets. "No, here," Sam said, pulling off one of his flannel gloves and holding it out.
Alex took it reluctantly, and, a little confused, slipped his right hand inside.
"There," Sam said, gently reaching out with his left hand, the other safely in his pocket. Their fingers intertwined softly, happily.
A screech of industrial brakes broke the serene silence.
"There's the bus," Sam commented.
"I think I'll wait for the next one."
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Isn't that just the most romantic thing ever? Adapted and expanded from the sight of some guys walking around campus. :)
