Dr. Shaw wanted me to push myself, but I didn’t see anything good coming of doing so. All that would do would set me into panic.
It wouldn’t matter how many times I tried to speak with real words anywhere but with a select few people, my heart would pound too quickly in my chest and I’d freeze up. I didn’t see it changing any time soon.
It didn’t help matters that I chose the place to try, either. The coffee shop was fuller than the Sunday before, and I already regretted picking this place today. I had thought that it’d be easy and quiet, since there was only one other time that it’d been busy.
“You got this,” Dawn spoke low enough that only I could hear.
No, I really didn’t. My heart was already pounding a mile a minute in my chest.
“You know the plan, Koda. Youcando this.”
Right. The plan. Dr. Shaw and Dawn both knew I wouldn’t be able to get words to work with me, but there were other ways to tell the server my order. Many ways, really.
With that thought, I forced my feet to lead us to the counter. It took all my focus to ignore the large group towards the right of us,even when laughter caused me to jerk and nearly trip over my feet.
Dawn easily gave her order, which gave me time to get my hands to work with me. I almost dropped my phone while pulling up the notepad app, where I already had my order typed out.
With shaking hands, I turned the device to where the lady could see the words.
She repeated the order, and Dawn confirmed for me, before paying for both of our drinks.
I really did it. Without panicking. Well, more than normal, anyhow.
I flashed a bright smile at Dawn, feeling warmth at achieving something I was so sure I’d fail at.
I freaking did it.
“Told you that you’d get it,” Dawn said, pleased just as much as I was. “You don’t need to doubt your abilities, kiddo.”
I shrugged, taking a seat and waiting for the drinks to be made. Dawn would at least grab the drinks.
“Well, that’s a nice smile.” Jasper helped himself to sit across from me, arms folded on top of the table. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, showing off tattoos my fingers wanted to trace. “I have to wonder why I haven’t seen it before.”
“I ordered my drink.” The words were out before I even thought of them. But once the last word passed my lips, I clamped my lips tightly together.
“That’s amazing.” A smile spread across his own face. “That’s a great reason to be proud of yourself.”
I really was.
I didn’t know something so simple to achieve could make me feel so…happy.
“Hello Jasper.” Dawn sat my drink in front of me before she took a seat beside me, as if it was every day that we met the man here.
“Hey. So…Koda ordered his own drink. What is it?”
I looked at Dawn, hoping she’d answer for me.
“I’m not answering that.”
I huffed, looking down at the drink and wrapping my fingers around it, feeling the warmth seep into me.
“White…. chocolate….mocha.”
“I figured you’d go for something more on the sweeter side, but that’s a good one for a cold day.” Jasper didn’t miss a beat, not drawing attention to the fact that I talked to him twice.
Holy cow.
I glanced up at him wide eyed, then towards Dawn.
