There’s a person I’m interested in.

It’s somewhat, no, probably completely, irrational. First of all, I don’t even know his name. I’m not sure if he knows mine, either. But he interests me. The coffee shop has a lot of regulars, but he’s always the one who catches my eye. So despite the fact that I don’t anything about him that is probably important, I like him. I’ve liked him for almost a full year

He’s young, and goes to the same college as me. Sometimes, he wears the college sweater when he comes in. I know for sure he’s not in the same class, I’m never seen in any of my buildings and I think he’s a sophomore or junior. He comes in around four in the afternoon, and doesn’t leave until we close. He’s an artist. Every time he comes in he brings his sketchbook and art supplies. He always orders the day’s special and goes to his table next to the window in a corner of the shop. He spends the entire time drawing.

I like watching him draw, he always looks so happy and content. I think he draws inspiration from the drink-of-the-day’s theme and know for sure that he takes some from the shop and the people surrounding and in the place. He would gaze at the window or some random customer when all of his sudden he would smile and his face would light up and he would turn back to his sketchbook. He has always used the same sketchbook so I know that it is important to him, a class portfolio, maybe.

And that’s why I’m wondering how in the world he forgot it. Sure he seemed to be in a rush after getting a phone call, but still; I’ve never seen him without it. Lightly sighing at his carelessness, I carefully picked up the sketchbook and ran my hand down the well worn but cared for cover. Praying to find a way to return the item quickly, I turned to the first page.

Iris Videl.

Smiling, I repeated the name in my mind. Didn’t Iris mean color or something similar in some language? All in all, it fits him well. Reading further, I was relieved to find that he had left his number on the page just in case. After a few quick taps, his number was dialed in and the phone was ringing.

“Hello?”

“Ah, hi! Iris, is it? I don’t know if you know me, but I’m Leanne. From the coffee shop?”

“Le-,” I held the phone away from my ear as the volume suddenly exploded, “Leanne?!”

“Yep... is there something wrong?”

“N-,” his voice cracked and he quickly cleared it, “No, sorry. How did you get my number?”

I was smiling, I just knew it. He was really cute. “You left your sketchbook here and I called so you could get it back.”

“My sk….Aah, oh no! I didn’t even realize I left it. Thanks for letting me know, I would have panicked once I realized it wasn’t with me.” He paused, “D-did you look inside?”

“You’re welcome! I haven’t looked inside, but may I?”

“...”

“Iris?”

“Oh, um, sure..I guess.”

“Yay! Thank you. Shall I return it today or tomorrow?”

“Ah, I’ll go over there. Thanks again.”

“Anytime. I’ll leave the front door unlocked so when you arrive you can just go in when you arrive.”

“Okay, see you soon.”

“Bye!”

My cheeks were hurting from how wide I was grinning. I wanted to squeal and jump around like a kid, I was so happy. I was so lucky today! Not only did I learn his name, I had an actual conversation with him! And he was utterly adorable. I mean, I already knew that, of course. Whenever I gave him his drink he thanks me with the cutest smile. But he was even more adorable than I imagined! I wanted to hug him and never let go.

I was also way too giddy.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm down so when he came I wasn’t grinning like a maniac. Somewhat succeeding, I carefully flipped to the second page. I would die if I accidentally tore a page or smudged a drawing.

His drawings were amazing. Some were colored, some just sketches, and most were shaded. The drawings ranged from detailed short comics to a simple sketch of interlocked hands. I loved all of them. The shaded was realistic, the expressions vivid, the lines different depending on the scene. Smiling at an adorable sketch of a cat staring cross-eyed at a ladybug on it’s nose, I turned the page.

Instantly, I knew the psychotic grin was on my face again.

I couldn’t help it! Afterall, he had drawn me. It was impossible to describe how flattered I felt. He thought that me, plain, typical girl me, was good enough to draw. And it was gorgeous. I was smiling, probably at an unseen customer, and wearing a simple blouse with a plaited headband. There weren’t a lot of lines, but it was enough to capture everything. Grinning, I traced the outline, finger hovering above the sketch so it wouldn’t smudge, and sighed happily. He had drawn me! God, I just wanted to scream and hug him and thank him and, knowing me, babble on and on about how amazing he is at art.

“Leanne!” I jumped at the loud bang of the door slamming and turned to face Iris.

“Iris?” My eyes widened as he leaned on a table and caught his breath, “You didn’t have to run, I don’t mind waiting.”

“I know,” he looked at me, smiling shyly, “but if I didn’t hurry I would feel guilty.” “H-how far have you gotten?” he asked, eyes flickering to the sketchbook.

“Only the first half but,” I mentally flinched at the incredibly obvious rise of tone in my voice, “you’re so good! The shading is so lifelike and the colorings are so pretty and your sketches are beautiful and I love everything you’ve drawn and I know I’m rambling but everything is so pretty and-” I paused to catch my breath, blushing at his amused stare. “And I should probably get you a drink so um waitrighthereandI’llberightback!”

I ran to the kitchen and, the second I was safely hidden from view, fell to the floor. Letting out a shuddering breath, I touched my cheek and found that it was indeed very hot and I was most likely red as a tomato. Heaving a large sigh, I banged my head against the wall.

“Good going, Leanne,” I berated under my breath, “If he didn’t think you were weird before he definitely does now.”

“Leanne, did something happen?! I heard a loud sound.”

“I-I’m fine! Nothing wrong here!”

Oh god, I should hurry; he ran all the way over here. Rushing, I scrambled around the kitchen trying to find everything and hopefully not trip. Water? Check. Ice? Check. Lemons? Check. Mint? Check. My eyes landing on the fridge, I hurriedly picked up a plate of leftover macaroons, closed the door, picked up the lemon water, and sped walked back to the table.

“Here you go.” Smiling nervously, I placed the water and treats on the table, “I hope you liked macaroons!”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he questioned, gazing up at me worriedly.

I plopped onto the seat opposite him and grinned at him, “Yep!”

He looked relieved and, with a contented hum, drank some water. There was that smile again, a little childish due to how carefree and happy it was. Desperately, I fought off the threatening, maniac grin.

“Good?”

“Mhm.”

I wanted to coo at his blissful expression but decided that doing that and staring for much longer would be creepy, not to mention rude. Instead, I reached for the sketchbook lying on the table and flipped to where I was.

“Wait!”

I started to look up at Iris, but, out of the corner of my eye, I realized that this one was colored and I loved his coloring. This coloring was of a pretty lady smiling as she mixed a drink. She looked really familiar but I…

Oh, it was me.

Blushing, I ignored the fact that he had drawn me twice and that this was now the happiest moment of my entire life and turned the page in hopes of being distracted enough to stop blushing.

This time it was a quickly shaded sketch of a girl who was… also me.

Bright red and surprised, I turned to the next drawing. Me. Me, me, me, me, me, me. I looked at him, my face crimson red, “Um, uh, wh-why are there so many d-drawings of...me?” I already had an inkling that I so wished would be right but if it wasn’t then I would be too mortified to look at him ever again.

“I...ah.” His face was red and he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly before looking at the ground and mumbling, “Ilikeyou.”

With a clatter, the chair toppled to the ground as I stood up and grabbed his hands. My eyes were a little teary and I was sure I was gripping his hands way too tightly but none of that matter.“Say that again.”

“I… like you.”

“Really?!” tears were definitely forming and my throat felt clogged. Please, please don’t let this be a dream. I’ve liked him for so long already- if this was a dream I would be devastated

“Yes,” Iris’s voice sounded firmer and I wanted to scream I was so happy. With a few steps, I rounded the table and hugged him, burying my face into his shoulder.

“Leanne?”

“Hm?”

“D-do you like me, too?”

I shook my head, staring at him and giving him a watery grin.

“I love you.