Liberty Coffee Avatrice

chapter 3

Beatrice made it a habit to go by the Firefly at least a few days a week before work, and Ava made it a habit to leave notes on the side of the cup. And Beatrice - practical, no nonsense Beatrice - saved each cup without really knowing why.

The notes were simple : " Have a good day at school :)" or " I hope you're reading a good book :)". They were nothing special but Ava took the time to write them each morning so they were special to Beatrice.

Even more so since Ava was pretty much her only friend here, especially because she had been avoided Mary and Lilith since their awkward lunchtime conversation, she was ashamed of her reaction to a seemingly innocent question.

"Oh Beatrice, good you're here !" Called Camila as soon as she stepped inside the cafe.

"I am ?"

"Lilith was asking about you." Camila pointed to where her girlfriend was standing a few feet away talking to Ava.

"She was ? Why ?"

But Camila was already back behind the counter making coffee and was soon joined by Ava, which left Beatrice standing with Lilith in awkward silence.

"I don't normally do that but Camila said I should so, I'm sorry if Mary and I said something that offended you the other day."

Beatrice was confused as to why Lilith would apologize, if anything she should be the one to do it. But she couldn't help slightly rejoicing in the fact that she had noticed Beatrice was avoiding them, it meant her absence had been noted. Because she knew all too well that it would have taken Alice and Olivia weeks to notice Beatrice wasn't there, or until one of them needed her for something.

"No please, you don't need to apologize, you didn't even speak to me during that lunch."

Lilith sighed, "was that the issue ? It usually is."

"What ? No, of course not," Beatrice scrambled to correct her, not wanting to hurt her, "there was no problem at all, I just - I'm sorry."

If Lilith was planning on answering it got cut short by Ava and Camila bringing them their drinks.

Beatrice couldn't help but blush when Ava wished her a good day and flashed her her brightest smile, so she hurried to leave, being late at work was not an option.

Back inside, Lilith and Camila shared a look, this was an interesting development. And, as Lilith was kissing her goodbye she took it as an opportunity to remind Camila to leave them alone and not meddle.

***

On today's cup there was no note to be found and the professor felt a small pang of disappointment, she had come to really enjoy those messages Ava left for her.

Upon closer inspection Beatrice realized there was indeed a note but there were no words which had led her to miss it. It consisted of eleven digits scribbled on the bottom of the cup, because of course Ava wouldn't write it on the side. 

Beatrice felt relief wash over her, thank goodness she hadn't thrown away the empty cup without a second - fifth- look. 

With that she realized that despite having been there a month she didn't have anyone's phone number yet. The bookstore and the school were the extent of her social life.

A student called out to her and Beatrice realized she had been staring at the number on the cup, she quickly shook it off and got back to her class, ashamed of her reaction to Ava's stupid coffee. Only thing stupider would be blushing, oh God was she blushing ? her cheeks felt hot all of a sudden.

"Miss Young are you okay ? We've already read this paragraph." Called out a second student.

"Right, I apologize, let's just get back to it."

She put on a smile for her students but hated how distracted she was for absolutely no reason. It was scaring her, she did not get distracted, ever. 

***

When lunchtime rolled around both Mary and Lilith walked into her classroom and settled at her desk to eat, much to Beatrice's confusion.

"You're not eating in the lounge anymore, so we're having lunch here." Shrugged Lilith in lieu of an explanation. 

"Oh, alright, thank you I suppose."

"Actually, we're also here because my wife and I are having a dinner party next week and you're invited," said Mary, "and by invited I mean you don't have to come but we really hope you do."

Beatrice's first instinct was to refuse the invitation, she had never had much luck in the friendship department, in hindsight Beatrice wasn't sure she had ever had friends before. Saying no was the safe path, if she didn't make friends they couldn't hurt her, they couldn't relay her every move to her parents, they couldn't betray her trust. 

But the entire point of being here was to step off that safe path, to do things her own way rather than the way she had been taught. 

She took a deep breath, convincing herself she was giving the right answer, "Thank you Mary, I'd love to come."

***

The cafe usually got quieter around three, lunchtime was over and most people were still at work or school so Ava often used this time to join Shannon in the kitchen and bake with her. Shannon and her wife Mary had taken Ava under their wing when she had arrived, not that she had needed them to but it was nice to have a family of sorts for once. And sure Shannon's mothering and Mary's teasing could get annoying sometimes but Ava wouldn't trade them for the world.

"Alright, what's going on hun ?" Sighed Shannon visibly done waiting on Ava, " you've been staring at your phone for the past twenty minutes and you're unusually quiet."

"What ? Because I'm usually annoying." Snapped Ava, immediately regretting it.

"Hey," Shannon stopped her from overtaxing the batter and made her turn around with a gentle hand on her arm, "you know that's not what I meant. Talk to me Ava, what's wrong ?"

"It's stupid Shan. I just did something and now I'm second guessing myself. I um - I gave my number to Beatrice, well I wrote it on her cup and she hasn't texted me and now I'm worried I made a mistake or something."

"When did that happen exactly ?"

"This morning."

"Good Lord Ava." Laughed Shannon, "she's at work, teachers aren't on their phones during school hours, maybe wait a bit before you start panicking Aves."

Ava shot her a death glare, how dare Shannon laugh at her in her time of crisis, now she felt even stupider, rationality really sucked.

Shannon hugged her, "Don't worry I get it, I was so nervous when I first asked Mary out."

Ava's eyes widened almost comically and she broke the hug. She did not like Beatrice - well she did but not in that way, they were friends, sort of. And sure objectively speaking Beatrice was absolutely beautiful, you'd have to be blind to not see it, and she was also smart and funny and kind and had the cutest freckles and a really hot accent and a bright smile and a nice laugh, but Ava absolutely did not like her.