Beginning

Beginning

Sydney stares into her cup of untouched coffee, grasping the warm cup with both hands.

Her and Maverick have hardly spoken any words after they finally met at the street corner.

It was like they were waiting for the other to talk first, to break the cold silence between them.

Maybe it’s because there are just too many words to say, unsure of what words to say first.

Sydney watches as Maverick takes a small tentative sip of his own coffee from a blue mug.

Maverick is buying his time, stalling, calculating the words that he needs to say, the right words.

This is on Maverick, Maverick has to be the first to speak, Sydney decides, this is his idea.

Sydney takes a sip of her still hot coffee, waiting for Maverick to speak first, growing impatient.

The anticipation was heavy in the little coffee shop on the corner.

Despite the crowded space, it feels like there is no one else but them.

All of the chatter of strangers is just a quite distant background buzz.

Maverick wants Sydney to speak first, to break the ice, but it’s only right if he talks first.

But he fears he will just say the wrong thing and mess everything up again.

Possibly lose her completely this time and never get this chance again.

Maverick needs to get Sydney to understand the things he has done.

He needs her on his side.

His words have to be carefully selected.

They sip on their coffee in this uncomfortable tension between them

Sydney wonders if anyone else can feel, can notice it.

Maverick clears his throat.

“So let me start from the beginning…”