The sun was just coming up and I rushed to get ready for the day. I was so excited to go to the shop in hopes that I would perhaps bump into him again. I shouldn't get my hopes up like that but I have never had any man much less a boy look at me the way he did. And to say my name aloud the way he did, it made my insides flutter. Sadly, I didn't see him the whole day or even the next day. I was a little disappointed and my heart was sad. I knew that I shouldn't get my hopes up. Heck he probably was lying and already back home in some fancy house with a swimming pool and maybe even some personal maids. I always wondered how other people lived, especially the people that tour the town. I just knew all these people had to have money.

I have heard stories about other places. How pretty the world is outside of this town. Yes, it is pretty here. Who wouldn't love the mountains, forest and the rivers not to mention the wonders of the deep caves around here. I have always been so fond of the mountains but what I would give to see a big city or even the ocean. However, deep down a part of me knew that I would never make it to see those things. My pa and ma always said home is where the heart is and there's no reason to go all over the place when you have everything right here.

I spent most of the days dusting and waiting on people. When time was really slow, I would pick up some of the glass sticks and make a few extra pieces. By Saturday all hope was gone. I knew that he was gone. As noon rolled around, Ember was in the middle of making a yellow glass bird for an older woman. I walked over to him and leaned on the counter. "Do you want anything from the café?" I ask.

"I don't have time to go right now, Aura. I should be done in about another hour then I can go."

I sigh, "You know I'm not a little kid right. I know how to walk across the street and back safely. So, I will be back shortly. I will even pay." I hold up my twenty that I still had.

"Aura, I know pa would be mad if anything happens to you." He looks up at me to see that I am not budging. "Fine...you go straight there and back. Bring me back a turkey and cheese, hold the mayo ok."

I beam ear to ear. I fold the twenty and place it in my pocket while walking to the front door. The heat slaps me in the face and today there is no wind blowing so it feels a little sticky from all the humidity. Cars line the street and I have to wait a few seconds before crossing the street. Once across, I make my way to the front door of the café. As I open the door, the cool air brushes against my warm skin. It feels amazing. Our air in the store is not this cold because Pa says there is no reason for it to be. If it was up to him, we wouldn't even have any however he knows the costumers will complain about it. I head to the bar and sit on one of the shiny red stools before reaching over and grabbing one of the menus. There are so many things to choose from.

As I scroll down the menu, I feel someone come up to sit beside me. I assume it is a guy considering the person has on a nice pair of faded jeans and a pair of Nikes. I try not to look up and force myself to look at the menu until I hear the waitress standing in front of me. "Good afternoon, what can I get for the two of you?"

The two of us? What the heck is she talking about. I glance over to the person and it is the guy that was in the shop over a week ago, staring back at me. I slowly shake my head. "We are not together. I actually need to get my order to go."

"Oh, so sorry about that, I just assumed the two of you were together. Well, sugar what can I get for you today?"

"I need one turkey with cheese, no mayo and for me...can I just get a cheeseburger with fries. And maybe two Root Beers, please."

"Of course, sugar; I will get that right in. Might take about ten minute or so." She smiles ear to ear back at me and then asks the guy what he would like. "What can I get for ya sir?" I noticed her voice, how it changed a pitch and I can tell that she must think he is a little attractive by the way she kept looking back at him.

He however continues to look at the menu and then hands it too her. "Can you please get me a cheeseburger as well, that actually sounds delicious now."

"Of course sugar, do you want fries as well?"

"Sure, why not and not sure I had a Root Beer before so I'll try that as well and that will be for here."

I quickly looked away when he looked back over at me. Once the waitress left to drop our order off at the window, he cleared his throat and swerved his chair in my direction.

"It's you...the glass blower, right. What was it...Aura?"

I nod my head in agreement.

"That's a pretty cool name. I like it."

I felt my cheeks heat up, not to mention this little lump that found its way into my throat. This guy is actually here, sitting beside me and talking to me.

"I didn't mean to embarrass you. I really do like your name. By the way I don't think I got to introduce myself yet, I'm Finnley Schmid; my friends all call me Finn." He holds his hand out for me to take. I hesitate at first but then reach over to shake his hand quickly and then let go. "Well, it's nice to see you again, Aura."

I have no words. I've never really had a conversation with a guy, so I have no idea what to even talk about.

"I'm going to the local college here and staying with my uncle for the time being. Going into law." He rolls his eyes while smirking. "My family thinks we need a good lawyer in the family, so they all chipped in and paying my way through college. So do you go to school here?"

"I just finished school and no I'm not attending college. My pa doesn't find it necessary to go, says it's all just a waste of money. We have all we need."

"Oh...well what about you. I mean you might have your own dreams. Surely you don't want to live here for the rest of your life making glass art."

I did have dreams or I should say use to have dreams about moving far away and become a dancer or maybe even one of those actresses out in Hollywood but it was all a dream, not reality. In reality I knew this was my home and I was never going anywhere so why even bother spending money that I didn't even have to go to college. Besides, making glass pieces was fun and pretty easy. "There's nothing wrong with living here. Do you not like it here?"

"I didn't say that. I just thought that you would be tired of this place. Maybe ready to venture out in the world."

"Well maybe you shouldn't assume about things that you have no idea about," I shot right back a little defensive.

"Ouch...you are a little spitfire, aren't you?" He moves back a bit. "So, I have only been in town for a couple of weeks now. Maybe you should show me around the area...maybe I will grow to love it here."

"I'm sorry that will not be possible. I am always working or at home and beside my ma and pa are not going to let me just go out."

"Oh...I thought you were an adult and can do whatever you wanted. So how old are you then?"

"I'm seventeen, almost eighteen in a few months."

"I see." He looks down at the floor for a few seconds. "Maybe you could find time to hang out with me anyway. I could meet them and explain that you are just being helpful showing me around."

I let out a short chuckle, "You don't know my ma and pa and there is no way that I could introduce you to them."

"Well, you go to work every day and they are not watching over you, not unless that guy you work with tells them everything."

"Ember, no, well maybe he does I don't know. This has nothing to do with him."

"So, we could just meet here for lunch and maybe when you are ready to show me around you will."

"I feel like you are going to keep on until I say yes."

His eyes sparkle back at me. "So is that a yes?"

The waitress comes back at over at the counter. "Here your order sugar, can I get you anything else?"

"No ma'am." I hand her the twenty but he quickly gives her the money for my order along with his. I turn to look back at him. "You really didn't have to do that. I can pay for it."

"I know, let's just say it's my little treat. Maybe next time you can get mine."

"Well Finn it was nice to meet you. Maybe one day we will cross paths again. Thanks for lunch." I hold up the bag and smile as I walk away.

I hear him call my name from behind me, "Aura, take care. I hope to see you again soon."