off limits ✧ zb1 applyfic

✧ twenty three

Lilah had always prided herself on her common sense. Even through the early years of teenagehood, that strange period of time where everyone seems to make the worst decisions possible, she'd held steadfast to her self-preservation instinct. Whereas classmates would dress in short-sleeved shirts during the pit of winter, convinced they were immune to colds, she made sure to cover herself up in several layers. When a sketchy guy had asked for her number at the mall, she'd had the quickness of mind to give him a dud, unfazed by the attention. She always instinctively waited for people to exit elevators before she would enter one. She never failed to look both ways before crossing the road. All common sense, really.

Yet today, it seemed to have failed her, for the first time in a while. Against her better judgement, Lilah had accepted Gyuvin's invitation to a café. She wasn’t quite sure what had gotten into her mind when she'd said yes, but here she was. Shielded from the sun by the colorful awning at the front of the coffee shop, Lilah waited, her back against the glass. He was ten minutes late.

Common sense had told her not to accept his invitation. It had told her to cancel a few days ago. Even right now, it was telling her to go home, and not bother with this. And yet, her feet remained firmly planted into the ground. Why was it that, for once, she simply couldn’t listen to her brain? More importantly, why was her brain even telling her coming here was a bad idea? Gyuvin was a kind guy, and she trusted him fully. They wouldn’t have a bad time. But somehow, she kept thinking that she was about to open a can of worms she wasn’t ready for.

Maybe she was just scared he'd show up with Eumppappa. That would be the worst.

Pulling her out of her introspection, she noticed a familiar silhouette running in her direction. His hair completely messed up, Gyuvin seemed to be in a hurry. As he should have been, since he'd made her wait. When he finally reached her, he stopped to take his breath, a hand on his heart. She simply stared at him, trying to stay mad.

But it was hard, especially when he looked up at her with a cheerful smile. "Sorry for being late! Had to pick Eumppappa up from the groomer."

Well. At least Eumppappa wasn’t here. That would have been a bit too much for her to swallow at once.

"It's fine," she murmured, pulling away from the window she'd been leaning on. "But I'm hungry, so let's just go inside."

"Of course!"

Joyful as ever, Gyuvin hurried to open the door for her. A wave of pastel colors hit her right in the face. He hadn’t lied, this was quite a cute place. The exact sort she was into. Was that also his type, or had he brought her here specifically knowing she would like it? That simple thought sent tingles to her fingertips.

The two of them sat down at a booth, not uttering a single word as they were given a menu. Lilah skimmed through the long list of desserts, all sounding tastier than the next. She could already feel her jeans tightening around her waist.

"You said they had the best cheesecake in town, right?"

"Totally. I've eaten so many of them I don't think I can even look at one anymore without feeling sick," he joked. "No regrets."

"That good, huh? But a double chocolate chip cookie does sound great right now..."

Lilah didn’t have more time to contemplate her options, for a waitress had already come to their table to take their order. She would simply have to come back again, if she wanted a taste of every dessert on the menu.

"I'll take a slice of cheesecake," she finally said, following Gyuvin's recommendation.

"And I'll take one double chocolate chip cookie. Wait, no, two cookies," he hurriedly added.