How Did We Get Into This Mess - KOTLC Oneshots

Not So Straightforward

( A message in a bottle is all I can do- standing here, hoping it gets to you )

"It's no big deal, really," the barista assured again. "I'm way more of a klutz. Don't worry about it!"

Biana leaned over to look at the scene, taking in a large puddle of coffee and the blonde's name tag, along with a pink, blue, and yellow pastel bracelet. Her name was Sophie.

"I'm so sorry, I do have to rush to my conference, I'm so, so sorry-"

"Go! You don't want to be late!"

"Thank you!"

The bell chimed as the suited man ran out, frantically hailing a taxi.

Sophie knelt to wipe up a coffee spill in a grid of sunlight, blonde hair hanging over her shoulder like a curtain and practically glowing in the light. She sat with her legs bent off to the side, sneaker laces lazily drooping over her converse. Thanks to Slurp and Burps, her apron was a faded rainbow of colors.

Biana found herself transfixed by her long eyelashes and chapped pink lips, gazing at the girl over her latte. She wished she could paint, just so she could capture the moment on canvas.

"It isn't too late to give her your number," Maruca pointed out. She sipped slowly on her mochaccino. "In fact, I could even do it for you."

"No! It's creepy when people hit on baristas. I'm sure it's super uncomfortable to be on the other end of it for most."

"You could spill your drink?"

"And make her clean it up? No, I'm not doing that."

"Write a heartfelt note and slip it in her apron pocket?"

"I'm not invading her privacy."

"You could always just give her the note. You're both making this way harder than it needs to be," Stina interjected.

"I don't even have a piece of paper!"

Maruca dug around in her purse, intent, and handed Biana a legal pad.

"What about-"

She held out a pen.

"Simple and straightforward, see? No elaborate schemes."

Biana and Maruca rolled their eyes simultaneously.

Hey! It's the girl who ordered the oat milk caramel latte? Brown hair, teal eyes? Anyways, I don't know if it's a customer service thing or not, but you were really nice to that man who spilled his coffee, you're otherworldly-level pretty, you were wearing a pan bracelet, and your shirt was from the Foxfire uniform, where I'm guessing we both go to school. Thought maybe we could give it a shot? XXX-XXX-XXXX

Later that day, Sophie unfolded the note, running her fingertips over the loopy handwriting.

Her cheeks grew far more pink as she read on, smile dorky and wide.

Without stopping to hesitate, she meticulously entered the digits into her phone, triple-checking the sequence. Before she could regret it, she hit the green button.

"Hey, is this a girl who ordered an oat milk caramel latte by any chance? Brown hair, teal eyes?"

"I happen to fit the bill."

"Good . . . because I was wondering . . ."

"If I was free next Saturday?"

"Yes."

"I am. But the real question is, are you?"

"Definitely. I mean-"

"No, definitely is good," the girl laughed, melodic. It was a positive response, and she would take it. 

"I never happened to catch your name?"

Mm, subtle, Princess Charming. Though Sophie gave off more of a Cinderella vibe, blonde, humble, adept at cleaning while looking enchanting, the list goes on.

"It's Biana. Biana Amberly Vacker."

"Oh, so we're going full legal names now?"

She could practically hear the smirk through the phone.

"I was going to finish off with an 'and my friends call me,' but you and your raised eyebrows beat me to it."

"You can't even see me!"

"I didn't need to."

"Well, I'm Sophie Elizabeth Foster-Ruewen. My friends call me Sophie."

"And possible candidates for Girlfriend?"

"S-Soph. I mean-"

"Soph. Sounds perfect."

( Not me channeling my anxiety through my writing again. Nope. Couldn't be me. Anyways, I'm going to try to have a cOnSiStEnT update schedule, especially since my format doesn't show when my last update was accurately. I'm going to try and update every other week, and I'll make it weekly if it works out. So . . . feel free to ping/tag/at me when I haven't updated. Or if you're bored. I- I'm going to shut up now. )