Ella readjusted her black cropped tank top for the 4th time and her plaid dark flannel that was thrown over it to cover her shoulders. She suddenly cared about what Joe thought of her casual outfit. It wasn't like completely slacking but it wasn't giving off first date vibes either. Just two acquaintances getting coffee together and talking. That's it. No other reason to think it deeper than it is. Ella's eyes shifted to the large window that viewed the busy outside streets of New York, noticing the familiar lengthy man walking past and in the door. Ella quickly sat up straighter, combing her hand through her hair a few times before pretending to lazily scroll through her phone as if she wasn't hawk eyeing the door the whole time after receiving Joe's text.
The sound of his voice made her look up, giving Joe a warm smile as he sat down.
"Please I was just thinking how I wish some talkative person would come take up the chair across from me" She joked as the waiter came over. "Ah- three sugars, for mine" she corrected him before smiling sheepishly.
Her eyebrows furrowed for a moment though as she looked to him.
"Funny, I didn't take you as a runner. I am absolutely terrible at it and that's why I don't go for the athletic guys" She teased placing her elbows on the table and resting her chin in the palm of her hand. She frowned though at the mention of her neighbor. It has been quite weird not seeing Ms. downer's morning face or being able to go over to her apartment for an early breakfast together.
"Yeah I mean, It's inevitable right? You grow old and your body you spend years taking care of suddenly betrays you out of nowhere. It's just awful you know? I'm sure older people imagine dying peacefully around their family but..I can't imagine being at home and falling and not having any help.." she said, a cold shiver running up her spine as she she shook slightly, shaking her head. "Gah I don't even wanna think about it. And the cops had the audacity to assume it wasn't accident, like it was a homicide. Who would do that to an old lady? Ms downer was fiesta but she had no enemies.."
Ella went on, glancing to the table with a sad glint in her eyes.
"After Guinevere beck, everyone thinks everyone is out to get them.." she trailed off before looking back to Joe, a questioning stare. She followed his lead, looking around the table before realizing it was Evan he was talking about. How did he- sure they went to the bookstore together one time but surely that didn't make them inseparable sidekicks?
"Boyfriend?" Ella choked slightly. "No no. Evan isn't a boyfriend-I mean he's a boy and he's a friend. But not like a boy boyfriend" she said quickly before smiling softly. "He was like my first friend when I moved here and we've been close since like day one. He's like...my other half is a total platonic way" she laughed before clearly her throat. The waiter eventually came back with both their hot coffees, Ella smiling a thanks to him before leaning against the table slightly, debating her next words.
"W-what about you? I'm sure your girlfriend is totally threatened by you spending time with a gorgeous, funny, unique individual like myself right?"
