Bluebird

William - 1

"Did you think that rats do not have hearts?"

-Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux

Reign was defeated. Sam and Ruby left in a whirlwind for Metropolis to get away from the danger in National City (though Avril wasn't entirely sure how Metropolis was an improvement). Winn had left for the future, and the Super Friends were left with Brainiac 5, who, although being a useful addition to the team, Avril wasn't quite used to yet. But the city had been calm for a long while, so Avril was just Avril.

The bell above the door tinkled merrily when Avril entered the Thinking Cup cafe. Ignoring it, she went straight to the counter.

"Medium coffee, milk, no sugar. And a blueberry scone, please." She said to the man at the counter.

"Jeez, doll, I know your order. You come here so much I almost think you come here just to see me." the man at the counter said unctuously. He wiped his equally greasy hands on his apron.

"Just make my coffee, Justin." Avril said. Justin chuckled and began preparing her order. Avril rolled her eyes in disgust and went to stand by the window to people watch, and wait for her coffee. The bell on the door continued to chime as customers went in and out, though Avril paid them no mind. She was thinking about the stacks of books waiting for her at the bookstore.

"Order for Avril, if you'll go on that date with me, gorgeous." Justin said. Avril wished she could slap the disgusting smirk off his face. Head down in embarrassment, she went up to the counter. Focused on the black and white tile floor, she did not notice the dark haired man look up at her at the sound of Justin's flirting. Avril paid for her coffee and tried to take it from Justin, but he grabbed her hand. She pulled away, trying to get the coffee and scone, but he would not let go.

"Let go of me." Avril hissed.

"Woah, princess. Remember when you said you'd go on that date with me? I even gave you my number." A smile spread like mayonnaise across his face, thick and repellent.

"I threw your number in the trash, and I never said I'd go on a date with you, now let me go."

"Is there a problem here?" Unseen by Avril and Justin, the man with dark hair had gotten up from his seat in the corner of the coffee shop.

"No problem," Justin shrugged in a genial way, surreptitiously dropping his hand. Avril snatched her order over to her side of the counter, finally free.

"Right then," He glanced at the barista's nametag, "Justin," The stranger nodded, smiling all friendly. "I ordered my coffee a while ago, mate. I think it's ready now." Justin nodded and put the finishing touches on the stranger's coffee. Avril marched out of the coffee shop.

Once she was on the street, she leaned against a streetlamp, breathing heavily.