The Coffee

I watched this teenage kid behind me flinch in the cafeteria line as hot coffee went flying. 

I looked back.

A fairly handsome guy was apologizing to the kid while attempting to wipe him down.

I laughed under my breath.

Wiping down a torrential coffee monsoon with cheap napkins?

Total fail.

But this was the result of trying to cut the line.

One look at him and I knew his type. 

Charismatic.

Smooth with the ladies.

Used to getting his way.

And probably not learning a thing.

The typical young male student learning English at the Cultural Center. 

He gave up on the coffee-drenched kid and pushed him aside.

“Excuse me, are you a student here?” 

I debated whether to answer. 

It was a boring Wednesday morning, and I could use the entertainment. 

“Yeah. Why?” 

He moved in closer. 

“I need some help with my homework. I don’t understand it.” 

I looked at him from top to bottom. 

“You mean, you need someone to do your homework.” 

I raised an eyebrow. 

He smiled. 

He had a beautiful smile.

“No, seriously, can you help me? What level are you in, by the way? I need someone who’s a few levels above me. This stuff is complicated.”

I chuckled. “I’m in eleventh level.” 

He looked at me, surprised. “You? In 11th? Nah, that can’t be.” 

My eyes narrowed. “And why is that?” 

He backpedaled. 

“No, I mean, you look too young to be in 11th. Let’s sit down so you can help me.”

Was I really that bored?

I followed and sat. 

He opened his workbook to a place that was impossible for him to be at. It was way too early in the course for that lesson. 

I poked. “Are you sure that’s where you are?” 

He smiled again. “What’s your name? I’ve seen you walking around. I was curious…”

He stopped mid-sentence and looked up behind me. 

I turned around.

“Hey Ulises, what are you doing with Miss Bessy?” one of my friends asked. 

He looked at me, confused. “What, Mr. Rolando?” 

His eyes darted between Rolando and me. 

“This is Ms. Bessy. She teaches eleventh grade.” 

Rolando continued,” Bes, this is one of my students from the 3rd level, Ulises.”

He was on his feet, gathering his stuff. 

The cool was gone. 

He was clumsily trying to find an exit.

I felt bad. 

“I have to go,” he mumbled. And then he was gone.

The morning went on as expected. 

I walked around the desks, listened in for pronunciation, and every once in a while, that smile would pop into my head uninvited. 

The final buzzer went off, and I began to pack my stuff as students stopped at the desk to ask final questions.

I headed outside.

There was nothing like the bright noon sun in El Salvador to bring you back to life. 

As I crossed the street, I heard a voice. “Ms. Bessy. Wait.” 

I recognized the voice. I knew the smile in front of my face. 

“Which bus are you taking?” he asked. 

“I don’t take buses. I walk.” 

He looked at me. 

“In this sun? At this hour? You’ve got to be out of your mind!” 

Why was he so annoying? 

“Good thing you’re not walking then. Huh?” I pressed on, stepping up to pace. 

He followed behind.

“How far are you walking?” 

“Oh, it’s a hike.” 

“Can I walk with you?”

“Nuh-uh.”

“Why not?”

“Because, for one, you’re annoying. Two, you’re a player. And three, I’m going really far.”

He ran to catch up and get in front of me.

“You don’t understand. I’ve been watching you for two weeks. I’ve been trying to find a way to talk to you, and today, today, was so messed up,” he finished softly.

I looked at him.

He was looking down at his feet. 

“I am sorry about that.” I offered.

He looked up and smiled, “Good! Let’s walk together then!” 

He grabbed my arm and started leading. 

I took his hand off my arm. 

“You can’t walk with me if I don’t want you to.” I protested.

He smiled. 

Damn him and that smile.

“This, young lady, is a free country, and I can walk anywhere I please.” He flipped his hair up. I could see his face glistening with sweat.

“Oh, you have no idea who you’re messing with,” I warned.

He turned around to face me and placed his hands gently on my arms. 

He looked deep into my eyes for what seemed like forever. 

Then he softly said, “That’s exactly why I’m here.” 

He gently touched my face, turned around, and started walking.

How could someone be so infuriating?

I watched him walk on without moving.

He turned around, hands on his hips, and gestured, “Come on!”

My heart pulled.

I told it to shut up. 

I started to walk without a single clue of where this would end up.