An Espresso shot

3

With the lost receipt that Canada found, he ultimately didn't message anything to Ukraine, which she found as a sign that he didn't want to get to know her, even though she was like, the only customer. Either way, like a ritual, she goes back to the coffee shop like usual. But this time, with a sacrificial lamb, Poland. She is determined to prove that this Canada boy exists, and is possibly smarter than the both of them, not that Poland mind much. He just found it sad that she needs to make it known that she is smart. But with her dead father still lingering behind her head, as well as her brother harassing her, what could she do.

Bitterly like the shot she drinks, she pushes open the door and the bell rings, making Canada look up. His eyes sparkle, glad that he has not made her leave for losing her number. Ukraine is probably the only reason why the shop is still operating. Her and her espresso shots that Canada will gladly serve for her. But this time, Canada finds her dragging along Poland. Ukraine always sits at the back, it's a surprise that she had a friend.

Canada is taller than the boy Ukraine was friends with. But his scar that ran across his face made Canada curious slightly. It looked cool, he might have even seen him before in a haunted house. Poland has a serious face while Ukraine has a determined one. She brings Poland up to the register where Canada is standing behind, mindlessly wiping down the mugs.

"The usual?" Canada asks Ukraine with a polite tone. She already has her phone out to digitally pay for her drinks.

"As well as for my friend. Poland, what do you want?" Ukraine answers and turns to the scarred friend. He has his eyes on the menu up on the wall behind Canada, the chalk is thinning out from years being left alone like that.

"Hmm, I guess hot chocolate." Poland says and looks down at Canada as he nods with a smile and punches some numbers to the machine. "We'll pay together." Poland adds.

Poland's voice is calm and collected, his hands hidden underneath the pockets of his loose pants. But Canada can't help but have a feeling of someone glaring at him. With a quick look up with only his eyes, his head down, Canada finds the source of it. Ukraine stares at the young server like she was about to declare a war with him. A cold sweat rolls down the back of his neck as he gives the receipt to her. Biting the bullet, Canada speaks up.

"Uhm... I'm sorry I lost your number you wrote at the back of your receipt." Canada apologizes, thinking that was why she was angry. But Ukraine's and Poland's eyes widened from his words. "A drink accidentally spilled over it." He lied, telling himself that sounded better than the receipt getting thrown away. It was a simple white lie.

Silence falls between the trio as Ukraine looks at Canada, while Poland looks at her. Canada is stuck looking at the both of them, thinking he messed up somehow.

"... You gave him your number?" Poland finally breaks the awkward silence as he looks at Ukraine in disbelief. Something in Canada clicks as he watches the two of them interact. Ukraine was flustered while Poland was in shock.

"No, it's not like that-!" Ukraine turns to Poland, shutting his thoughts down with a light blush on her cheeks. No, she wasn't trying to flirt with Canada. She gave him her number if ever she needs help with the math questions. It is as innocent as that.

"I'm sorry, are you two dating?" Canada steps into the conversation, stopping the bickering between Ukraine and Poland. That was what Canada sensed, but what the hell does he know. Clearly not enough since the two of them snap their head to him, a disgusted look on their faces.

"What-?" Poland gags as Canada stiffens from the action.

"Ew! No, he's like my brother!" Ukraine cuts off Poland as she looks at Canada. Somehow, that makes him a bit more relieved in his heart. But then Ukraine shakes her head.

"It's fine about losing my number." Ukraine says and shrugs it off, even though she wants to rant at him about how much courage it took her to do so. She wants to nag so much his head pops off like a Lego. "I didn't need your help anymore anyways, I figured it out by myself." Ukraine clears her throat as she crosses her arms.

With that revelation, Canada let out a warm smile. A smile that Ukraine could clearly feel the aura. Somehow, Canada got brighter, making the coffee shop seem brighter. And she wasn't the only one feeling like that as Poland feels a bit blinded by it too. Their world is filled with gloom, so seeing such a warm smile is comforting for both of them.

"I'm glad that you did." Canada nods and grabs the cups he needs to use to make their paid drinks. "Because I could circle all the mistakes you made on that page." Canada teases her and once again, her mood turns sour as she is reminded that she isn't the smartest.

Poland and Ukraine walk to the usual spot she sits at. They did come here to prove to Poland that Canada indeed exists, but it is also the time that they could study together to help each other. But as they study, Poland could not for the life of him forget the fact that his best friend, the most anti-social person he knew, gave the server boy her number just like that. It is almost impossible not to tease her about it.

"I thought you hated him. Yet you gave him your number." Poland snickers under his breath as he flips the pages in his book. Ukraine eyebrows furrowed deep down as she senses that she would not be spared from this.

"I told you, it's for getting more help." Ukraine quickly reminds Poland as he shrugs playfully, not believing her words. Ukraine spots Canada coming towards them and placing the cups on the table in front of them. And Canada glances over to her papers.

"That makes two, not five." Canada whispers to her ear from behind as he points to the mistake he found. A shiver runs down her back as she feels how close Canada is behind her. Instantly, she gathers her papers together, almost crumpling them badly as Poland laughs and Canada stands back up straight with a cheeky smile.

"Keep your nosy nose to yourself!" Ukraine almost shouts as Canada raises his index finger over his lips, telling her to keep it down to not make too much noise as people enter the coffee shop. Ukraine's reaction is something fun that he likes to see.