Elysian

November 13

7pm

"Adam."

Hearing the snap of his mother's voice, Adam reverted his attention to the middle aged, blond-haired, blue-eyed woman staring at him.

"Ma'am?" He leaned forward, careful not to let his elbows touch the table.

Giving him a soft look, his mother smiled helplessly.

"You okay, darling? You seem to be somewhere else," she placed a hand on her hip.

"I'm fine, mama," he sighed softly.

"I need you to go to the strip for me. I need some sugar, some peppers and some onions," she grabbed her purse, pulling her wallet out.

"Keep your money, mama. I got it," he insisted.

Smiling at her only son, she sat her purse down.

"Aw, well thank you, sug," she tugged at his left cheek. "Now, hurry back," she patted his right cheek softly.

Chuckling quietly, he nodded, "yes ma'am."

Slipping on his coat and scarf, he headed out the door, stuffing his hands in his coat pocket. The wind howled and whistled, but the night sky was such a beautiful sight. The stars twinkled brightly in the dark sky, as shades of purple and blue ombre faded to black.

Finally reaching his destination, he made his way inside, wasting no time. It took him no time to find what he needed, and it took even less time to check out.

"Have a nice night," the middle-aged, ginger-haired male nodded.

"Thank you," Adam nodded, putting his wallet away. "You too. Stay warm out here," he nodded before exiting the market.

He made his way back out into the cold, heading back towards his mother's; the smell of baked goodies teased his nostrils, warming and melting his heart. Breathing in the scent, he groaned underneath his breath soon after.

As he walked the strip, a familiar, petite frame caught his eye. Approaching the window for a closer look, he realized the young woman he couldn't seem to forget—not that he ever tried, nor wanted to—she sat alone in the bakery. She was so focused on what she was doing on her phone, that she didn't notice him until the baker spoke to her, causing her to look out the window with furrowed eyebrows, until she saw Adam.

Her face softened, and she smiled and waved at him, earning a smile and a wave back. Standing to her feet almost instantaneously, she slipped into her coat and made her way outside of the bakery.

Feeling his heart beating through his chest, Adam struggled to steady his labored breathing, not at all knowing just how nervous the young beauty's own actions were making her as well.

"Hi," she smiled sweetly, finally approaching him.

"Hi," he smiled, the feeling of ease and comfort gradually washing over him.

"We seem to keep doing this, huh?" She motioned between them, laughing softly.

It was clear that she was a little more comfortable now as well. Earning a chuckle from Adam, she smiled. He nodded.

"Yeah," he smiled, "I'm Adam," he extended his hand, speaking after a brief silence.

Noëlle," she shook his hand, smiling.

"So, what's got you out in the cold so late?" He asked as they slowly headed in the opposite direction of his initial destination.

"Well, I love the cold, and I've got a bit of a sweet tooth," she let out a soft, guilty chuckle. "What about you? What're you doing out?"

"I had to pick up a few things for dinner," he held the bag of groceries up.

"Mm," Noëlle nodded, "I see."

"Yeah," Adam nodded. "So, you own the bookstore, right?" He broke the brief silence.

"Partially, yeah," she nodded. "It was my father's before he passed. He left it to me and my sister in his will."

"I'm so sorry for your loss," he looked down at her, looking for something to read.

"Thank you," she looked up at him.

He could see pain in her eyes, but only because he knew it himself. Otherwise, he'd have never guessed. She masked it well.

"Of course," he sighed, thinking of what to say next.

“You read a lot," she beat him to the punch. "What's your story?"

"Well," he shrugged, "I dibble and dabble in a few things, but reading's just always been a guilty pleasure of mine."

"Yeah, your selections never cease to amaze me," she smiled. "You're full of surprises, you know."

"Really?" He smirked.

She nodded.

"Mhm," she hummed. "Well, this is me. Just around the corner."

Noticing that he'd practically walked her home, he chuckled softly as they stopped walking.

"Oh? I could walk you the rest of the way, it's no big deal."

The thought of something happening to her if she walked the rest of the way alone, weighed on him rather heavy.

"Oh, no you're fine. It's not too far of a walk," she shook her head.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, no, really it's only a few feet away. Thank you for walking with me, though. I know it's out of the way," she smiled, apologetically.

"No worries," he smiled, "I enjoyed it."

"Yeah. Yeah, me too," she returned the favor, nodding.

"Have a safe night, Noëlle," he smiled.

"You too, Adam," she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "I'll see you around," she sent him a small wave before taking off around the corner.

He took his time walking down the strip, listening in just to make sure she'd be alright getting home. After waiting a while, he picked up and headed on back to his mother's, hoping that he'd see her again, sooner rather than later.