They said it was like butterflies fluttering around in your stomach. That you’d feel the spark when you met their eyes. Fireworks would shoot up into the sky every time you kissed. They couldn’t be further from the truth for Aiofe. A girl who at first, didn't believe in falling in love, especially at first sight. It was a silly feeling, love. Chaotic in so many ways, always changing and evolving.
Aiofe was walking to a bookstore, enjoying the feel and smell of books. She read many stories, some had love but she preferred books of heroines, strong female leads who didn’t need a love interest to save her. A woman who was strong and wielded a sword to protect and fight for her own honor.
The sun's warm rays lit up the small town. The streets are far less busy than in the cities. The wind was gentle as it blew through her raven colored hair. Each step she took had an excited bounce. Her almond colored eyes sporting oval shaped frames. The door to the bookstore got bigger as she got closer.
The door swung open just before she got to close, an older woman rushing out, going who knows where. Aiofe stepped out of the way before stepping into the building, letting the door close behind her. The sound of soft instrumental music meeting her ears. She took in a slow breath, enjoying the peaceful moment before going to her favorite section. Fantasy.
She had spent hours in that specific section, grabbing a few books to take home and add to her growing collection. She had walked out of the store, one book open in her hand while the others sat safely in a bag she held. She was usually hyper aware of her surroundings, even if her nose was stuck in a book. Her feet taking steps after step on the sidewalk, back home.
“She was covered in sweat and dirt, raising the sword to her enemy. She swung it, aiming for-“ her reading was abruptly halted as a body collies with hers. The breath was knocked out of her as she landed harshly on the ground. The book she was reading squished between her and someone else’s body.
She struggled to breathe for a moment, her eyes open wide in shock. A pair of grey worried eyes stared into her brown ones that held confusion. The other person gently rolled off of her, looking over Aiofe to make sure she was ok.
Aiofe finally able to breathe properly, slowly sat up and looked over at the stranger. She felt one of her eyes twitch with annoyance. She was just getting to a good part of the book.
The stranger had curly cinnamon colored hair that stopped just at the nape of her neck. She was speaking but Aiofe was so annoyed she almost didn’t hear.
“You probably shouldn’t be reading and walking across the street. Some drivers don’t stop at crosswalks.” The stranger's voice said lightly, holding concern.
Aiofe looked at the crosswalk she almost walked across. She then looked back at the woman and grumbled a bit before speaking, “Thanks…”.
“No problem. I’m Jayda. Are you hurt?” Jayda, who was a stranger just a few seconds ago, spoke.
Aiofe looked down at herself before shaking her head. She felt fine and ready to get back to her book. It seemed Jayda was chatty and still worried. Jayda stood, holding a hand to the raven haired bookworm.
“Aiofe.” She said, grabbing Jaydas hand, letting her be pulled up. She dusted herself off with her free hand, holding the bag of books and the book she was reading, in one hand. She gave Jayda an appreciative nod before starting to walk off.
Jayda was confused and intrigued by how quick Aiofe was to just leave after being saved. She didn’t try to stop her though, shrugging it off and hoping the woman would be more careful next time.
•A week later•
Aiofe held a book in her hand as she walked into the small cafe. The smell of baked goods and coffee meeting her nose. Her eyes scanned one of many pages in another book. Having finished the one from last week shortly after she got home.
“Well, if it isn’t the bookworm.” A familiar voice called from behind the counter of the cafe.
Aiofe looked up from her book, her eyes meeting familiar grey ones. Why were they familiar? Aiofe put a bookmark between the pages, closing the book as she walked up to the counter. A slight tilt of her head as the barista beamed at her.
“New book already? Not blindly crossing crosswalks still are you?” The barista teased lightly.
Realization hit Aiofe like a train. Her cheeks burned with a blush of embarrassment. She had almost forgotten that… What was the woman’s name?
“Jayda?” Aiofe guessed, hoping she got her name right. Jayda grinned, giving a nod. Aiofe relaxed a bit, her cheeks still red.
“And for that, you get a drink and a muffin on me. What can I get for you?” Jayda asked, smiling as she awaited the woman’s order.
•A month and many coffees later•
Aiofe had frequented the cafe, getting a coffee and a muffin almost every day she went. Some days she was met with Jaydas bright smile while others were met by a monotonous barista. She was often annoyed by Jaydas talkative personality, wanting peace and quiet as she read and had coffee and a muffin.
“You know, you’ve probably said a total of 10 sentences to me. Not including your orders. And most were telling me to shut up.” Jayda said, sitting across from Aiofe who was reading the 5th book she bought earlier this month.
Aiofe let out a sigh of annoyance, bookmarking her spot before closing the book. She folded her hands over the book, her brown eyes boring into Jaydas soul. She blinked slowly, trying to think of a sentence to say that wasn’t ‘Shut up, Jayda.’.
“Why do you keep trying to talk to me when I constantly tell you to be quiet or leave me alone?” Aiofe asked, genuinely curious. Most people did as told, leaving her alone to her world of fantasy.
Jayda was taken aback by the question. She wasn’t sure why wanted to be friends with Aiofe. There was just this feeling in her heart that tugged towards the bookworm. Was it curiosity or something else? She wasn’t sure what to say, so she did what she felt was best. She got up and went back to work.
Aiofe watched the grey eyed woman get up and leave. Aiofe was shocked to say the least. What happened to the chatty woman with a smile that never disappeared? Aiofe grabbed her book, leaving the cafe.
•Two weeks later•
Aiofe had been thinking about the chatty barista constantly. She had avoided the cafe for a bit, unsure of why Jayda just walked away after her question. Why was this bothering her? All she did was try to shoo the woman away and now that she has, she feels this weird thing in her chest. Was it guilt? No… Maybe it was longing for that feeling of having someone constantly try to reach her? She couldn’t take it anymore. She had walked into the cafe, her nose wasn’t in a book like usual.
Jayda was behind the counter, a bright smile on her face as she helped a customer. Once the customer walked away, her grey eyes met the raven haired bookworm. Her smile faltered for just a moment before her heartbeat sped up. Her stomach twisted with anxiety as Aiofe walked up to the counter.
“My usual, please.” Aiofe said, sliding over the money before going to her usual seat. She sat, looking out the window as she waited for Jayda. The drink and muffin was just an excuse.
A few minutes pass before the order is placed on the table. Jayda sits across from Aiofe, a soft genuine smile on her face. Her eyes filled with happiness and worry.
Aiofe was ready to ask a million questions. The words at the tip of her tongue. Yet she felt her tongue get twisted, the feeling of a zoo rampaging in her stomach. The grip of nervousness tightening around her. She was usually nose first into a book of fantasy. This wasn’t fantasy though, this was real.
“Do you believe in love at first sight?” Jaydas voice cuts through the air, like the heroine's sword that swings at her enemy.
Aiofe was at a loss for words. No, she didn’t. She didn’t believe such a thing could exist. It was a different kind of fantasy, love at first sight. What did that have to do with this moment though? Or any moment she shared with Jayda.
“I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. Your nose in a book as you were about to walk onto a busy street. Even after you walked away I was so intrigued by you. I let you be, knowing if it was truly meant to be, I’d see you again. And I did. I was so excited when you walked in, amused by your nose in a book yet again.” Jayda spoke with truth, genuine truth. You could hear how in love she was with each word. A hint of sadness as she kept speaking.
“So when you asked me that question, I was afraid of how to answer. I wasn’t sure nor did I want to scare you away. Then you stopped showing up and I felt like my heart got ripped out… I shouldn’t have been so lost when you stopped coming but I was.” Jayda continued, looking into Aiofes eyes. She couldn’t read her, Aiofe wasn’t an open book.
Aiofe soaked up the words like she would from one of her books. They replayed in her head until she could fully understand and react. Her heartbeat sped up as she understood what was being said. She didn’t believe in love at first sight… She did however believe that one could fall in love as time went on. As Jayda spoke though, she believed that love at first sight was real for some.
“Jayda. I love you too. I didn’t realize it until you walked away, not answering my question. I love that you talked to me even when I was reading. I love that you draw smiley faces on peoples drinks because you want them to have a good day. I love that sometimes you snort when you laugh at your own jokes. I love that you’re genuine in a way that even if someone is annoyed, you can warm up their cold little heart with a smile.” Aiofe expressed how she felt, being honest to Jayda and herself about her feelings.
It took until now to realize that Jayda was growing in her. Jayda had opened up her eyes to a world that wasn’t fantasy. Aiofe felt her chest tighten for just a moment, hoping that Jayda knew she spoke the truth as well. It was hard for Aiofe to speak of her feelings but she so freely spilled her heart out to a woman that smiled like the sun.
•A year later•
“You may now kiss the bride.” The man said, holding his hands up as the crowd cheered.
“We’re not watching another romance movie… You know I hate those, Jayda.” Aiofe said, clicking off the television. It was the 5th romance movie she had to suffer through this week. Her girlfriend, Jayda, loved romance and Aiofe’s suffering apparently.
Jayda let out a snort before pressing a gentle kiss onto Aiofe’s cheek. She stood up from the cozy couch, stretching her body. She looked down at Aiofe, smiling happily. It's been over a year since they started dating. That day in the cafe bringing them closer together after they both spilled their guts.
“Fine but first let’s go eat something, I’m hungry.” Aiofe gave in, the grey eyed beauty not having to say a word.
•an hour later•
The pair were at a park, sitting on a bench table as they ate their food. It was a bright sunny day with no clouds to darken the park. A few people scattered across the park soaking up the sun.
Aiofe was shoving a handful of fries in her mouth, her eyes busy looking at the pond nearby. Ducks waddling and quacking loudly to let people know they exist. She reached for more fries as Jayda stood up. She kept looking at the ducks not realizing that Jayda had moved closer to her.
“Hey Bookworm. You know how I said I believe in love at first sight?” Jaydas voice caught the woman’s attention.
Aiofe looked behind her, her eyes dropping down to Jayda on one knee. She held a ring in her hand, a small emerald placed in the middle. Aiofe’s eyes widened, almost choking on what food she had left in her mouth. She quickly cleared her throat.
“I know you didn’t want anything big and flashy… and waiting for the ‘right time’ was killing my patience. Every time with you feels right. I’d wait forever to do this but why wait when every moment with you is a moment of genuine happiness. I want our next chapter to start now. So… will you write this next chapter with me, as my soon to be wife?” Jaydas words were spoken with excitement, nervousness and love.
Aiofe felt tears start to form, a hand over her mouth as she nodded, unable to speak for a moment. She held out her hand, allowing Jayda to slide the ring onto her ring finger.
“I can’t wait to write many chapters with you.” Aiofe’s words came out in a whisper as Jayda swept her into a hug.
- by lluvia
Enjoy!
