One Day in California

The coolness of the early morning is deceptive, the sun is rising and this altitude is always cooler. My life at Los Angeles is –get up early and get myself ready, a healthy morning walk to the café, working for few hours, and go home at 5. Plus day break for vacations.

"Goodbye everyone" I wave my hand as I've finished the dishes and shift my bag on my shoulder.

"See you tomorrow" Cara shouted, waves her hand really hard in the air while she was busy wiping the table.

I flip the CLOSE sign and disappear behind the door. The air is so cold yet the trees are on fire. Only weeks ago the air was warm and the streets in the wide avenue were in deep summer green, I long the first warm rays of the spring in California. Somehow, I was craving for ice cream since morning when I saw the kids running with ice cream on their hands as their mom were busy catching them up and say "watch your step" to her naughty children.

I saw an ice cream stand near the café last week when I was on my way to fix my laptop. Hope I didn't get myself wrong, since I pretty sure I have a good memory. L.A. can get really crowded sometimes, but during this month the air is more breathable and the crowds are less oppressive. Lily's birthday is a week ahead, I plan to surprise her but still thinking what's perfect for her.

Here they are ! It wasn't that far, I feel proud of myself for a moment. I walk cheerfully towards the lady with pink apron and white shirt with a pair of glasses waiting for someone to order, as I come near her stand, she greeted me with a warm smile, "May I help you?".

I lower my head looking at the menu, Strawberry or Seasalt ? Strawberry or Seasalt? –in my mind, the lady waits patiently, Geez Steffi the lady is waiting for you. I pointed the menu as the lady catch my finger pointing at the picture of Strawberry ice cream, next time will be Seasalt.

"Strawberry Shortcake please" I repeated, still looking at the picture of strawberry ice cream with sprinkles as seen on the menu.

The lady tilted her glasses and then she scoops the pink ice cream, place it on the cone which is half chocolate –dipped, some sprinkles and cherry at the top. The strawberry ice cream is served exactly like the picture they had on the menu. "Enjoy your day" she said with a big smile on her face. Somehow a poke on my shoulder startled me a bit. I tilted my head and the same guy earlier at the cliff with his red hoodie, of course I never saw him wearing this. He was smiling widely, sending me the best smile he had.

"Noah" I said. Like finally I call him by his name

"Sabrina" he called back with my fake name and feel hilarious at the same time, but I hold my laughter. Should I tell him the truth later? Right Steffi, tell him later.

I plan to treat him an ice cream, even though he is rich. As an apology of my previous judgements against him. I lift my head looking at Noah towered over me, his eyes are hazel, shining in autumn's sunshine and I lost in his shadow.

"want some?" I asked.

"Mango?" he widened his eyes, looking more excited.

"Mango ice cream please" I twisted my body and soon told the lady. The lady starts scraping the ice cream and press it to the cone, put some toppings at the top, then pass it to Noah. Noah looks delighted, like a child finally get the toy he wanted so bad.

We walk home together since we are going on the same path. Everything is just normal right now, we're not enemies, we're friends. So I don't need to hide or confuse while we bumped on each other randomly.

"So..." I started a conversation. Noah tilted his head looking at me, his tongue is busy licking his ice cream. The weather is nice, the wind blew at some time. It brings good –mood to me.

"have you finished your movie ? The Male Lead?" I asked, to ice break the situation.

"hmmmmmmm" he mumbles, "done few days ago, bet you didn't see me at the café for a week, is that why you asked?"

"yes" I take a bite of my ice cream which froze my teeth and cause me brain freeze when I swallowed them. Noah giggles when he saw me scrunching my eyes tight.

"So, how's your day without us bumping on each other?" Noah teased, he finished the scoop and about to bite the cone in dipped dark –chocolate and froot –loops.

"like usual, go to work, go back home, evening walk. And there's nothing special bumping on you, fyi.." I answered sarcastically, was trying to mock him.

"Alright" he moaned desperately, head looking up to the sky then he turned his head looking at me with eyes narrowed "don't tell me you go to Griffin by yourself" he assumed, the place we watched the night view earlier in Mt. Hollywood Drive.

I chuckle "nope, hasn't got there since that time. Why would you worry too much?" I teased.

"Just, really, you didn't scare at anything I think. Anyway want to see the night view again?" Noah asked, which cause me a heart –throb. I broke an eye contact and look down. Has he got out of his mind? Is this actor really asking me for a night date? Am I out of my mind? No, we are just friends. Friends treat and hang out, so this is normal. Steffi, you take too much time alone, that's why you feel this way while a guy asked you out.

"Is that what you're gonna answer me ?" Noah smirked, I tilted my head and he bites his final cone. I was caught imagining things, did he really notice it ?

I didn't realize that we've arrived in front of my apartment, he paused, turning his body with his hand inside his hoodie.

"pick you up at 7" he said, "bye" waving his hand

"bye" I move my hand awkwardly, my brain, body and heart couldn't cooperate, which is bad.

I rub my face with facial soap and rinse them gently. I was standing in front of the mirror for more than 10 minutes to create a perfect arched eyebrows,  while I usually only need about 2 -3 minutes. I lift my hand, the hour –hand in my watch turned itself to 6.55. I took my coat and run to the lobby, Noah must have arrived on time since his apartment is only few feets ahead.

When I place my palm on the wooden door and push it quickly, I saw Noah parked his car in front of me, he waved his hand as he saw me running towards him. I jumped into his black jeep and Noah greeted me again "Hi" with a big smile, facing me. "On time huh?" he sneered and started the engine.

"of course I am. I was trained to be" I answered. He gave me the best smile he had. My heart pumps faster again, something is wrong with me. He shifts the gear and step on the gas pedal, we are on our way for a night city view.

The night is so chill, I just noticed Noah has tidy eyebrows, did he shave it regularly? He has a pair of beautiful eyes and lashes, his lashes are thick but not curled up like Lily had, but still.. he has a pair of beautiful eyes that will kill your heart anytime while he is staring at you. And he has a pointed nose, also freckles below his eyes.

Noah turned his head suddenly, which startled me. I watched him too long.. he might feel awkward and humiliated at the same time. "Miss me?" he teased and laughed. Well, means... he doesn't.

I moaned and rolled my eyes at him, Stop looking at him Steffi, you are the one that make it weird, Dummy !

A pop rock song with the title Lauv –I Like Me Better on the screen. I feel the music is teaching my brain how to flow, how to be so peaceful, the melody creates sweet vibrations in my chest. I watch the trees passing the road as the melody follows its leads.

Noah clears his throat, "so, where are you from?" he asked

"Indonesia" I answered, eyes still watching the trees.

"coming here for studying?" he guessed.

"nope" I shook, turning my head towards him and he does the same which brought us to an eye contact "so?" wearing a curious expressions.

"just to enjoy my life, since I got bored of working in the office" I shrug my shoulders. He nods several times in slow –motions "I see, so you are an office employee back to Indonesia?"

"I was"

Meanwhile, he is rummaging his hoodie's pocket then he pulls out a chocolate bar, hands it towards me.

"for you" he said, eyes looking straight to the road while the other hand is still controlling the steering wheel. I stare the chocolate bar for a second, stretch my arm slowly to I accept it, I could feel my heart beat... every single pound in my chest, I think my chest will burst.

"as a thankyou for your ice cream earlier" he smiles and my face warmed itself, don't even know why.

"thanks" I thanked him and keep his small gift inside my tote –bag, throwing my face to the trees passing view.

We've arrived at the spot, the same spot we had few days ago. Noah parked his car and carry out a picnic basket from his backseat.

"A basket of what?" I teased. I wonder he cooks chicken wings or fish.

"you look like a grandmom" I snorted a laugh

"yeah yeah you gonna die for a sandwich by Noah Hoskins" he sniffed.

"asking for more more and more" Noah added, with his silly mocking expression.

His hair blown softly by the wind, I noticed he has cut his hair shorter than before. He seems pleased to have a picnic right now. We sit down with the basket between us, Noah stretches his legs and I sit crossed –legged looking at Noah rummaging the basket. He pulled out a lunch box with sandwiches and pass it to me, "Here" he said, I hold it then take a bite. This is actually delicious than any sandwich I have ever taste. He smiles greedily as my expressions changed while tasting the sandwich he made.

"see? Told ya. I'm a good and handsome chef" he snorted loudly

I rolled my eyes on him.

"I admit it, this is delicious. How could you make it so delicious" talking with my mouth full.

"people usually just add add and add, while I basically toast them first, I think it is more delicious this way, and of course I fried the ingredients and put some seasoning into it. Hard to explain it, better show it to you one day while you visit my apartment" he explained with his hand gestures.

"I see" I took another bite. He rests his arm behind, head looking upon the sky where the stars are shimmering like tiny diamonds.

The night view feels more special with him...

We spend the night together, laughing, chit –chatting and enjoying the night view. We also talked about the La La Land movie and others I never watch. Plus the moment he rubbed his forehead when I told him I haven't touch any American movie since 20 years ago. He was pissed at first, because I don't know anything about his country, but ...

"it's nice hanging out with you" Noah talked as he played the grass he plucked from the ground. I followed his gaze, then his eyes were sharply caught mine, his eyes were controlling my body as my body froze while he stares.

"How about in some day.... we watch movie?" he looks serious, he doesn't blink or smile.

Does he mean go to the theatre ? is it going to be .....like a date?

"make it clear, I mean maybe inside your apartment" he said with a short smile and I was relieved. People will notice if we really go on a date. Steffi, stop talking about the date. What is wrong with you?

But I don't have a TV, "alright, too bad to admit it. I have no TV, I watch movie from my laptop" I said with a shrug on my shoulders, pretty sure I look pathetic right now.

"Do you think I will mind that? I might be rich, but I don't mind as long as I watch it with you" he spoke with his serious kind of expression without blinking an eye, alright stop Noah, my cheeks burned even hotter.

"You blushed !" he teased and snorted a loud laugh. This is his new strategic to tease me. I should have known he is a romance –expert.

"It's suddenly so hot !" I fan myself with my hands, which makes me look even dumb –er, but with the face of "I'm gonna eat you Noah".

Noah still laughing, "alright, then what movie do you want to watch?" I asked, cutting his crap off.

"why do you ask me? I am the one that should ask you" he laid his elbow on the basket "You are the one that haven't watch any American show for 20 years" he spoke as he lifts his eyebrow.

"I don't know anything about it"

"alright" he sits straight, pointed out his fingers "then which one do you prefer? Romance or Drama?"

"I prefer... Horror?" I lift my eyebrow. I love Horror, which terrifies me and makes me forget about the bad –luck things I had since most horrors were talking about how shi**y the life they had, and they still have to solve or live that life while I'm already in California enjoying my life, the true happy ending for Steffi. I should be grateful, I'm better than the characters from Horror Movies.

He seems worry, I'd like to think there's a little hesitation from his expressions. He takes a deep breath and exhales "Okay" he approved.

"But after my photoshoots ! 3 days starting from tomorrow"