𝐿𝑒𝓈𝓈𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 - (𝓌𝓁𝓌)

six

Moe was sitting at a corner table in the coffee shop, nursing a cup of black coffee. She was flipping through one of her textbooks, two notebooks open, and her pens and highlighters were spread across the table. She lifts the coffee cup up to her lips, curling her lips in disgust. This coffee needed more sugar.

The door to the coffee shop chimes as Moe stands from her seat to walk over to the counter. Kiana, visibility upset, rushes through the door, her eyes frantically scanning the shop for Caleb.

Lost in her thoughts, Kiana doesn't notice Moe as they both head toward the counter side of the store. In a twist of fate, she bumps into Moe, causing the hot liquid to splash over both of them. They both bounce back, wincing as the hot coffee burns their skin.

Kiana gasps as she looks down at her feet before her eyes travel up Moe's body. "Oh my god. I'm so so sorry." She rushes out.

"It's totally fine. I should've been watching where I was going. Are you okay?" Moe responds, a friendly smile on her face.

"Yeah, I just...," Kiana shakes her head and turns to the counter to grab a handful of napkins. She bends down and immediately starts cleaning off Moe's shoes. "I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention. I'm sorry."

"It's," Moe notices the distress in Kiana's eyes as she stands up. "It's really okay, I promise." She looks down when she feels Kiana frantically cleaning off her arms. "Hey, I understand. We all have those days."

Moe reaches down to grab Kiana's mound of napkins. She tosses them in the trash before grabbing a few more, returning the favor, and helping Kiana clean herself up. "Do you wanna sit?"

Kiana hesitates, glancing around the coffee shop as if expecting to see Caleb appear at any moment. But she can't find him, and Moe's calm and genuine demeanor calms her nerves.

"Sure." She simply responds.

"I'm gonna grab a new coffee," Moe says. "Do you want anything? A tea or..? I'll pay."

Kiana shakes her head. "That's not necessary. Let me pay; I'm the one who ran into you."

"I insist." Moe smiles.

"Uh, okay,...Green tea. Please."

Moe and Kiana return to Moe's table after acquiring their new drinks. Moe quickly cleans up the table, allowing room for Kiana to set her tea down. Moe takes a long sip from her new coffee; this has enough sugar, she thinks before speaking up. "So, what's got you distracted today? You can share if you want."

Kiana takes a deep breath, shrugging her shoulders. "It's just been...a day," She says. "I was looking for Caleb, but...I can't get in touch with him."

"Hm," Moe sits back. "Well, I've been here since seven and haven't seen him."

Kiana nods. "It's just my mom...she's so judgy sometimes, and I just can't understand it, you know? Like...I'm trying my best, I've always tried my best, and it's never enough. It will never be enough." Her voice quivers with the weight of her emotions.

Kiana can feel her eyes burning with tears; she looks down at her tea, wiping at her eyes. "Sorry. I didn't mean to like... word-vomit emotions on you. You barely know me."

"Hey, I asked." Moe's voice is gentle, her eyes filled with understanding. "It's not easy to feel misunderstood. Or feel like we're constantly being graded or some shit. Have you tried to talk to her about it?"

"I have, but...it usually ends in a fight," Kiana wraps her hands around the warm cup of tea. "She thinks I'm being dramatic or... overreacting."

"Could I ask," Moe starts, hesitating a little. "What it is you guys are arguing about? Of course...like slap me in the face or something if I'm overstepping."