I stare silently at the vending machine, my memories of Naomi replaying inside my head. Now they are tainted with sorrow, because instead of being with Naomi, I am alone. The moment when we would be meet again was so close, but it simply slipped between my finger. For the stupid reason that she was sick, why did I have such bad luck? Natalie promised to invite Naomi over to her house, where I could win her over with a grand gesture. But she had called in sick and my grand gesture was left undone. Will I ever see again, my beloved Naomi? This time as I fed the vending machine a dollar, it mercifully yielded a coffee. The bitter coffee tasted as sweet as Naomi was beautiful.

"The vending machine doesn't hate you anymore," chuckles honeyed voice. The person I wanted to see most stepped into view. Her white hair stuck out in the most awkward, adorable way. Her red eyes sparkled despite the sickness. She looks gorgeous in baggy sweatpants and a pink shirt.

"H-hi, Naomi," I stammer, my chest tightening at what I was about to say. Doubt creeps into my mind, reminding me of rejection. The speech I had prepared rapidly disappearing from my memory. I have to do this! I'll always regret if I don't do it now. "Naomi..."

"Yes?" she replies quickly, but I miss the eagerness in her voice.

"I need to tell you something. Please don't think I'm a stalker..." I began, my voice trailing.

"I won't, just tell me," Naomi insists, her tone betraying her excitement. Feeling slightly encouraged, I continue, but I've forgotten my speech.

"Naomi... I'm completely in love with you! I know we just met, but I can't stop thinking about you. I love everything about you; your eyes, your hair...everything!" I blurt. She stares at me with wide, sparkling pools of red. Her face a tomato red. Her broad grin should have given me confidence, but her silence worried me.

"Naomi..?" I start, bracing for rejection. She walks toward me until her face is inches from me. I stiffen as her hand touches my cheek. "Naomi, I'm-" My words are cut off as she presses her lips against mine, pulling me into a short, sweet, but meaning kiss. Her red eyes filled with nothing, but love as she looks at me.

"You talk too much," she giggles. I open my mouth to reply, but she puts her slender finger to my lips, silencing me. "I already love you, you've already won me over."

* * *
Many years later...

She squirms excitedly on my lap. Her brown hair curling delicately around her pale skin and the reddish brown eyes that she inherited from her mother stares up at me. "Daddy, please tell me," she pleads.

"Tell you what?" I laugh, playing dumb.

"You know!" she squeals, pretending to be mad.

"I don't know," I shrug, grinning.

"How did you and mommy met!" she says.

"Oh, why didn't just say so?" I smile. She gives me a pouty face, obviously done with my games. "Okay, okay. I'll tell you."

"Finally!" she say, bursting into giggles and squeals.

"Well, I meet your mommy at a vending machine..."

The End