• I was watching her again. As always. I don't usually catch myself doing these things... I don't usually notice it. Watching her.... Watching Sam... It feels so natural. This... This is my all-time- number-one worst habit. Of the century.

    Today, however, was different. Much, much different. I was no longer just a lurking shadow. For the first time -well, since that first first time-Samantha Drowning had looked my way.

    And it wasn't just a fleeting look... It was a gaze. Confusion. Suspicion. But yet, not anger. That's what got me. That's what got me real good....... She..... looked away.

    I did not.

    If anyone were near me remotely, I'd bet anything they'd hear the pounding of my heart. And I wouldn't care. I love her. I want the world to know. I love her. But mostly... mostly...I want Sam ...to know...

    And why can't I tell her? Well, well.... I'd like to. So very much, I'd like to... Perhaps someday, I will. Someday....

    Damn. I'm such a coward....

    I coward, even for a coward. I never show my fear. Nor my sadness... To her, I must look like an average guy... A man passing her way on the trip to work. How could she ever begin to catch on to me? Why is it that I... want her to catch me?

    "Sir? May I share this seat? I'm waiting for a man today... He hasn't shown up, yet. Silly. He's always late at times like these."

    I could kiss you right here, Sam... That's what I want to say. She's almost a stranger to me. One cup of coffee. Thirty-two minutes. Is that enough time to find the love of your life? More than enough.

    Hopefully, there'll be another...

    "Of course. The chair doesn't have my name on it."

    No, no, no. No! That sounded so snide.... Help me, God.

    Why is it that we say the stupidest things, at the most important moments?

    "Hm, that's true! Does this mean I have an invitation to join you whenever I'd like? Because, you know,"

    Breathe.

    "I'd like to"

    An invitation? As if I'd meant it like that at all......... "Sit here". That would be the proper way to say it. The things I say don't usually come out proper, though.

    "One more invitation... Would you mind?"

    "Not at all."

    Don't be a turtle, now....

    "Kiss me, Samantha Drowning"

    "I'd love to"