Over coffee

The noise of the city surrounded Scarlett in an overwhelming blanket of traffic, long awaited catchups, business meetings and other scattered noises.

Scarlett didn't mind the noise, although, she would rather it not be there, it reminded her of why she was such an inside person, yes, she went on morning walks, but only to make the effort to pick up her daily coffee, before she wanders back to her lonely apartment block, curls herself up in bed surrounded by pillows and blankets, reading her favorite book.

Everday, she would do this, and every day when she would finally arrive home, she would greet her baby hedgehog, Christian, with an exhausted sigh and a fresh croissant in a little brown paper bag, slathered with warm butter, (which by now, without a doubt had melted and soaked into the fresh croissant, giving it a delectable taste and texture, which Christian enjoyed very much).

She was happy.

Aaron, on the other hand, was not.

He did not have his dream job, he did not have a hedgehog named Christian who would ignore her but randomly, when they felt like it, cuddle up next to you and occasionally give a nuzzle or a snuffle, and he most certainly, did not have a life worth living.

Every grueling morning brings another gruel walk to nowhere, because he simply had nothing better to do. Every morning he would walk as far as the park and back, and possibly treat himself to a black iced coffee along the way, music blasting in one ear, (through a rather lonely airpod, as the other was lost many years before) and the cluttered noise of the city in the other.

The funny thing about all this, was that Aaron was an extrovert.

If he had friends (true friends, I'm sure that if you go through his friends list not 1 wouldn't be an absolute bitch or an utter dickhead who he just put up with) he would not hesitate to go for coffee, hang out at the beach, and all things like that that look good on Instagram.

Both Scarlett and Aaron where unaware of their surroundings at this point, which is never a good thing for these kinds of people.

Scarlett waltzed up the path towards the coffee shop, watching her ugg boots dance away at her command, as if in a trance.

Aaron, on the other hand, was in a hurry, he had just gotten his iced coffee for the week, and he was now on his way home, as Aaron forgot to submit his resume for a job, which might fill his empty days, and give him money for an apartment, one that didn't smell of mold would be nice. And that didn't have neighbours who would have parties upstairs, and preferably with thicker walls so he could not hear every drunken thump and spilt drink and singing that sounded like a dying goat.

Suddenly, a large SMASH, bringing both people to an embarrassing tumble.

"Oh, shit", yells Aaron, feeling his forehead.

"Oh my god, I am so sorry, I-I didn't see you coming, I-it's my fault, I should've been more focused on my surroundings" Scarlett stutters, she was so nervous at this point, she hasn't spoken to anyone in over a month, other than to order her food.

"No, no, its ok, it's my fault, my stupid music was blasting in my ears, I barely knew where I was-" Aaron looked up to see an exasperated, short, brown-haired girl, with green eyes.

Scarlett looked up also, to see and annoyed

"Umm, hi?" unsure what to say after stopping mid-sentence.

"Hi, um, oh, no you spilt your iced coffee, I'm so sorry, "said Lyn, at this point she was blushing from both embarrassment and the beautiful girl in front of her.

"Oh, I guess I did" replied Sylvie, only now becoming aware of the huge puddle of whipped cream, ice and coffee underneath her.

"Can I get you another one?" exclaimed Lyn, it seemed she had completely forgot about how much of an introvert she was and just wanted to look at this beautiful girl.

"Yes, I mean, yes please." Sylvie replied, quicker than a bolt of lightning.

Lyn giggled over this sudden reply,

"ok" Lyn had a slight smile on her face.

"Ok, um" Sylvie had completely forgotten herself by now, she hadn't even told the girl her own name.

"I'm Lyn, by the way" Lyn held out a kind hand.

"Sylvie" Sylvie shook Lyn's hand, noticing how soft it was.

"Wow, your hands are really soft" Sylvie couldn't resist but saying so.

"Uh, thanks, skin"

'Skin?? Really? What, are we from Ginny & Georgia now? Geese, it really has been a while since we've talked to a woman.'

"Oh, nice"

"Yeah,"

As Sylvie stood up, she held out her right hand and pulled Lyn up.

They started walking back up the hill, people kept looking at them, not like, ‘oh, they look good’ but more like ‘ugh, what’s wrong with them’ kind of look.

They ignored it at first, but after a while it became strange.

“Why are they staring at us?” asked Lyn.

“I don’t know, people ae just weird, I guess” Sylvie replied.

Eventually, they had had enough, they started looking around franticly, until it dawned on them.

When Sylvie looked down, she noticed they were still holding hands, at this sight Sylvie suddenly let go and pulled her hand to her side at a jolt, clearly embarrassed and avoided eye contact.

Lyn did the same, after of course, a bit of shock of how they didn’t notice.

Upon arrival, a 14-year-old girl greeted them at the counter and asked what they wanted to eat, the girl’s name was Lara, and she was in year 8 of schooling.

She was enjoying this job, although it meant many early starts and people thinking they should just get a coffee instead of just pay, but what she really wanted to do, was to be in a musical.

For her HSC she chose everything to do with the arts, she had always had a strong passion for the arts, but instead she was here, serving coffee, asking what these 2 girls what they wanted to eat.

“Um, I’ll get a large pumpkin spice, with whipped cream and cinnamon, one butter croissant, and”

Lyn nudged Sylvie to look up from her phone and say what she wanted,

“Make that 2” Sylvie smiled at Lyn, then quickly looked away to avoid blushing in public.

“2?”

“Pumpkin spice lattes”

“Whipped cream and cinnamon?”

“Uuh, yeah”

“That’ll be $24.50” Lara said as she pushed the Eftpos machine over to the girls.

“Oh, cash ok?”

Lara looked confused, in a good way, most people would pay with their phones or a credit card.

Lara nodded her head and pushed back the machine and opened the register and held out her hand.

Lyn opened her wallet and started rummaging for a $20 note, and some coins.

As the rummaging turned into vigorously searching to no avail, Lyn looked up, blushing and said, “We’ll be right back” and grabbed Sylvie’s arm and pulled her aside.

“Are you ok Lyn?” Sylvie smiled and looked at the anxious girl in front of her.

“I- uh, I don’t have enough money, I only ever bring enough for what I usually get.”

Lyn looked down again, embarrassed and worried.

’“Oh, um. It’s ok, you don’t have to-”

“Did you want to share?” Lyn felt like she was putting everything on the line by asking this simple yet significant question.

‘Say yes say yes say yes say yes say yes,’ She thought to herself.

“Um, ok,” Sylvie raised her shoulder and smiled as if it was a question and not an answer.

YES!

Later Lyn went to sit down after Sylvie insisted on waiting in line for her number 313 to be called.

Lyn began to think to herself, about Sylvie, kind of like when parents conduct an investigation to find out who your meeting up with.

'I really like her so far, she's funny, and super cute too, but she did seem a little closed up, probably an introvert, although she did seem agitated, so maybe an extrovert who hasn't had the chance, I could get used to that though, I wonder if she goes to Uni? Doesn't seem the type, probably works at a bank or advertising, although I can't imagine Sylvie working, but she has to have a way to pay bills, ooh, maybe an online shop ' Lyn thought to herself, smiling and giggling at her thoughts.

'Lyn seems nice, kind of quiet, but that's fine, maybe I should ask her for her number? Nah, too sudden, maybe after we have our coffee, but I don't want to be forcing, but I might never see her again, kind of like an airport soulmate kind of thing, I don't want to waste my only opportunity on being too stupid or shy, that's it, I will ask her for her number! But what if she's straight? I don't want to ruin a chance of being friends with the first cute girl, but asking for someone's number doesn't mean you think they're hot, does it? I mean, she is hot but- oh Jesus Christ just grow a pair and ask her! But what if she doesn't like me? '

After Sylvie sat down with the drink, croissant and 2straws, she awkwardly started to stare out the window.

Lyn pulled the drink towards her and had a sip.

"So, uh, what's your favorite colour?"

"Uhm, green" Sylvie looked over nervously, tapping her knees. "What's yours?"

"Hmm, I'm gonna have to say orange." Lyn smiled and to her surprise Sylvie smiled back.

"Ah, and let me guess, your a very aesthetic festive person?"

"Ha, your spot on, November 1st, you're in for a treat."

'This is so good, she said I'm in for a treat November 1st, that means she wants to be with me then, this is a fucking dream.'

"I got you on this one, favorite holiday" Sylvie chuckled and moved the drink to her, taking a sip.

"Oof, your right you got me, um..." Sylvie nodded as Lyn struggled at this question.

"Oh, god I'm sorry, but I have to go Halloween" Lyn leaned back, shrugging, blushing ever so slightly that her cheeks had a pale rose tint.

"Really? I've gotta be honest I thought you were a Christmas kinda girl."

"Oh, no, Christmas is a close second. But Halloween's just- I don't know how to put it."

"Better?"

"Yeah." Lyn blushed even more as Sylvie looked wonderingly at her.

She picked up her phone and checked the time.

"Oh, shit I gotta go."

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah, I just, completely forgot about Christian."

Sylvie's heart sank for a moment. "Who's Christian?"

"My pet hedgehog, I always get him his croissant every morning."

"Do you want me to come too?"

"Please? If that's ok with you." Lyn held the brown paper bag and lifted her shoulders as a sign of innocence.

"It would be an honor" Sylvie bowed and Lyn gave a little curtsey and they walked off, Sylvie holding the drink, and Lyn holding the Brown paper bag.

After about 7 minutes of walking and happy chatter they arrived at the apartment block.

Lyn jingled her keys around until she finally got the key and raised it in the air with a triumphant "Aha!" and opened the door.

After they walked into the building they entered the elevator, and Sylvie asked, "Number?"

"It's ok, I got it." said Lyn leaning over and pressing a glowing button with a faded number 8 on it.

As Lyn leaned over, Sylvie started to blush, smiling to herself.

Lyn was blushing also, she thought it was sweet she offered, but by doing this it gave her a chance to be flirty.

As the doors began to close, a rather large woman started waddling over, seeing the door was about to close, she yelled "HOLD THE DOOR" no please, no thank you,