Paradise Is Here

Someone Likeable (Gwen II)

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It was past noon and Josephine just finished eating lunch. Her mother had already left for work and her brother is most likely in his room doing god knows what. She also hasn't seen Gwen. Josephine thought that she had already left early in the morning or something, but she couldn't care less. The woman was going about her day, staying at home to revise for the exams she has and going to work later at night as a waitress.

When she was washing the dishes she heard footsteps nearing towards the kitchen, her head turned to look and there was Gwen, "There's some lasagna if you want, you can reheat them in the microwave." Josephine informed the dark headed woman.

"Mm, no thanks, I'm trying to cut on some weight." Her eyes scanned the cabinets and drawers as if she was looking for something. Josephine would be lying if she said that Gwen and George were far off from each other. Her brother doesn't like to gain a lot of weight and the girl he brought might be the same.

Not wanting her special guest to starve, Josephine whips out a whole grain bread from the cabinet beside her and it caught Gwen's attention. "Here, I'll toast them for you, do you want some coffee or tea to go with it?"

"Coffee." Josephine didn't say anything back, just nodded her head and went straight to making the food. Two slices of bread were placed in the toaster and while the bread was being toasted, Josephine began preparing the coffee.

Without anything being said, Gwen walked over to the dining table where Josephine was studying and had her stuff scattered all over. A poetry book caught her eye and reached out to grab it, then she realised that most of the books that were on the table were poetry and famous English literature.

Once the bread was done, the woman took them on a plate and spread some butter on them, then carried all of them to where Gwen was. "There you go." The tall woman's eyes fell on the cup of coffee.

"How did you know I like black coffee?" Gwen asked and Josephine simply shrugged her shoulders as she took a seat in front of Gwen.

"Just a hunch, everyone seems to like black coffee."

"And how do you know that?"

"I work as a waitress and everyone asks for a black coffee." Josephine's interest was taken off from Gwen and back to her sheets of revisions. The raven haired woman eyed the woman in front of her while taking a sip of her coffee, the coffee was better than what Gwen expected, most people couldn't get it right. Gwen guessed it must be from experience as a waitress.

"So you're really into literature, huh?"

"I suppose, it allows me to be creative, that's how I express my thoughts. Growing up with not a lot of friends, not having a good relationship with my brother and mum being mostly at work, you'd learn to find alternatives."

"Alternatives?"

"Yes, like...your way to cope with...loneliness. My way of coping is writing, others might turn to painting, reading, working, drinking and so on." Then silence fell in between them and in that silence, Josephine suddenly asked herself why did she tell Gwen that. Out of the blue, just opening up to a woman she barely knows.

Gwen feels intrigued by Josephine, there was something about her that was interesting. It's clear that she was strong by heart and would stand up for a person, perhaps Josephine wouldn't win in a physical fight, but after the drama the other night, George was finally given a good scolding, Gwen doesn't even know why she stuck with that guy. However, if she didn't, Gwen might have not met Josephine, who caught her curiosity.

"Do you have work today?" Gwen raised a question.

"Yes."

"Where do you work?"