One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes go by, yet time has seemed to stop. The world around me is changing, but I can't move. All I can see is him, my thoughts are invaded by him. The pitch-black hair was the first thing to catch my eyes, but his eyes, those bright green eyes with blazing gold specks are what drew me in and his smile that could light up the room. I guess whoever said love at first sight isn't real, was lying. The world around me is still moving but I can finally move with it. I was able to gather my thoughts and I needed to gain the courage to talk to him. Then the what if he doesn't see it. What if he doesn't see what I see, feel what I feel. But that's a chance I need to take. Not everything is easy in life, maybe that's why the world works the way it does. I guess we need courage to do something in this world and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Gain courage. It might take a while but when will I actually see him again?

Love. It's a funny thing and works in mysterious ways. Love has caused war, maybe it wasn't able to stop the war, but love is what kept soldiers fighting. The love for their country or their loved ones. Who am I kidding, I don't know. All these ideas pop into my head, sitting here in History class. I still can't keep my mind from what I felt. It's been a week since I first saw him, and I am still stuck in the same situation. We have passed each other in the halls, a few glances here and there but nothing more. Even in classes my mind always drifts back, it may not specifically be about him, but about the thought that ran through my head when I saw him. But then I remember I'm in class and haven't paid attention to a single thing that has come out of my professors' mouth. Well, there goes my grade.

Two more weeks pass and I'm getting back into my regular routine. School, work, then home to study. I'm trying not to think about my situation as much. Maybe that will help calm my nerves. I don't see him in the halls as much as I did. Still only a few glances or a smile but no progress has been made. I am still working on my courage to talk to him, but will he and his friends laugh at me if I talk to him first. Does he even realize I exist? That's still a question I don't have the answer to.

Another week goes by and I still haven't had the courage to talk to him, maybe I'm not trying hard enough. Maybe I'm overthinking it. It might be as simple as saying "hi". A simple conversation could make a difference. I still don't want to figure that out just yet. I need to focus. Focus on work that I need to be doing right now. People may think that working at a coffee shop may not seem hard, until you work at one. See, that's what I thought but here I am. Taking orders from the people in line then making the coffee exactly how they want it, "remember the extra dash of cinnamon". Working to make the coffee, I hand it over to her once it is finished. Today work seems to be quiet. Nothing much happened, it was a rather slow day. When night falls and eight o'clock rolls around, I decide to start closing the shop suddenly, I hear the door open. I go to acknowledge the customer, but I realize its him. He is laughing with his friends when he walks in but then our eyes lock, and I immediately look elsewhere. I greet them in but continue my work. As I'm working I can feel them walking towards the counter. Thing seem to move in slow motion, like time is slowing down. Each step he takes toward me, I can hear my heart beat getting louder and louder. But then his friends decide to order first. I let out a slow breath. I take their orders one at a time but realize he is still looking at me but this time with a smile on his face. I can feel a slight blush creep onto my face as I return a small smile back. But what surprises me the most is he blushes back. Maybe he has noticed me. Once his friends' drinks are ready, I hand them over. His friends all look at him then walk out. Strange, but who am I to question it.

Now I start to freak out, I've gone a few weeks without talking to him, without actually needing to have a conversation and then this happens. Not only does he come in when we are closing but now his friends have left, and we are all alone. Fate works in mysterious ways I guess. But now is not the time to freak out. I guess it's time for me to gain the "courage" I've been trying to build. He walks up to the counter and I finally must talk, "Hh-hhow can I help you". I think in the back of my mind, of course I must get nervous and stutter. But then he smiles. And that smile could light up anyone's day. He gives me his order and I prepare his drink. I have remembered his friends had walled outside so, I decide to take my chance. My favorite quote pops into my head "She may be little but fierce" by Shakespeare. That's exactly what I will be, fierce and finally gaining the courage to talk. I gain the courage to speak…

"My name is Ridley"

One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes go by, yet time has seemed to stop.

He smiles, "I'm Eric, nice to finally meet you"