Maybe it's the weird, outdated architecture of the building. Maybe it's the warm light from the lamps on each table inside. Maybe it's the rumor of a cute girl from school waiting tables there from time to time. Whatever it is, Sam can't resist the pull of the old-fashioned coffee shop on this one-lane side-street.
In a city that's getting more gentrified and modern by the day, this place had captured her attention exactly because of how boring it seems at first blush. But, as unremarkable as it may look, something about it draws her in.
She steps inside, and the breeze from the overhead fans hits her. She lets the cool air wash the September heat away before grabbing a table. A few old men sip coffee at the far corners of the dining area with a young guy, probably close to Sam's age, brewing a fresh pot behind the counter. His eyes meet hers. He flashes a smile. Sam scowls. Unfortunately, there are no cute girls in sight.
Sam shrugs off her disappointment and takes out her sketchbook. The place may be filled with geezers, but it has a calming vibe nevertheless. Sam flips to an empty page. She draws a few perspective lines and blocks out the rough shapes of the shop's interior. As she's slipping into her zone, the young guy sidles up to her table.
"Hi, haven't seen you around here before. Can I get you something to drink?" he says as he flips his long bangs out of his face.
"Black tea." Sam keeps her eyes locked on her drawing.
"Alright, cool, no problem. Anything to eat? We've got some pastries and, like—"
"No."
The barista's confident smile drops. He walks off. Sam adds detail to the rough shapes. She starts moving to line work when the barista returns with her tea. He hovers for a moment, looking over her sketch.
"Have you been drawing for a long time?"
Sam grunts in response. She glances at the cup of tea in front of her, then quickly adds it to the foreground of her drawing.
"It looks really good so far. Like, I know it's not done, but it's pretty solid, ya know?"
Sam sighs. She brushes her black hair out of her face and looks up at the barista. Her gray eyes are in stark contrast to her brown skin. The barista's cheeks burn red as he takes in her features.
"Hey."
"Yeah?" The barista perks up, hopeful.
"Piss off." Sam returns to her drawing. The barista stands for a moment, stunned, until finally trudging away.
One hour and two cups of tea later, Sam has finished her drawing. The sun rests beneath the tall buildings around her and will soon find its way past the horizon. Sam reviews her work; a semi-realistic version of the shop fills the page, the welcoming atmosphere amplified as if the venue had been plucked from this reality and dropped into a happier, carefree utopia. Sam immerses herself in this new world, setting her mind loose in a place where her worries can't follow.
Sam eventually comes back to earth with a sigh. She puts away her sketchbook and walks up to the front counter to pay. The barista moves quickly through the transaction and doesn't bother asking if she plans to tip. She walks out into the street. The constant buzz of traffic and distant conversations fill the air.
She takes only a few steps before noticing a girl jogging toward her carrying a large backpack that rustles at her every step. Her hair, dyed a light silver, is tied in a messy bun on top of her head. Sunlight slipping through cracks between buildings flashes across her light brown face. Sam holds her breath as she approaches. There she is.
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Three Hearts
Romance[Lesbian + Polyamory] Sam is a loner with a bad reputation. Quin is a trans girl fighting her anxiety. Dina is a workaholic trying to get by. As their lives become more intertwined, they realize how badly they need each other. {Content Warning: This...
