04. ESPRESSO AND CREAM
☀☀☀
[hana | liam ]
[The scene opens on an early Wednesday morning, at a small coffee shop off of Main Street. A handful of customers wait in line, while others lean back in their chairs with lazy smiles, sipping drinks in a nonchalant, carefree sort of way. At the front of the store, a boy with tousled brown locks slings a gray backpack over one shoulder and grabs his order of espresso off the counter. He hardly takes notice of the bleary-eyed blonde in the corner booth until she looks up from her calculus homework and calls out to him with a wide grin. ]
❝Morning Liam!❞
❝Wilkes, remember?❞
[She shrugs in response and waves at the seat opposite of hers. He looks down at the overflowing table with distaste and settles for sitting down at the one next to it instead.
She notes, a little sadly, that the magic from last night seems to have disappeared. He wonders why he sat down at all or if, perhaps, he should bring up her family again and lend an ear. Instead, the two of them sit for a few moments, lost in thought. He's relieved when she starts with cheerful small talk, albeit a little disappointed and unsure of what it is that bothers him about her peppy demeanor. She figures that small talk is safe - she doesn't want him to stay out of sympathy or pity.]
❝What'd you order? ❞
❝1 oz. of espresso.❞
❝Do you come every day this early?❞
❝I only sleep four hours and the house is empty in the morning anyway, so yeah - usually.❞
[He takes a sip, marveling at the way it scorches the tip of his tongue. She scrunches her nose and quirks an eyebrow at him with a curious expression.]
❝Plain espresso.❞
❝Plain.❞
❝But there's mocha. And cappucino. And caffe latt-❞
❝So you're a part-time barista, babe, I get it. I prefer it black.❞
❝Mr. Grouch-o likes to espress himself through his espresso huh?❞
[Needless to say, he's not amused by her attempt to be witty.]
❝And I'm presuming you like heavy cream and copious amounts of added sugar in yours?❞
❝I prefer the smell of coffee. Freshly brewed beans and morning air are enough for me.❞
[He rolls his eyes and gestures at the muffin and cup of hot cocoa in front of her.]
❝So what's all this?❞
[She looks slightly miffed as he smirks and breaks off a chunk of muffin.]
❝I needed the sugar today.❞
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