Ophidian's Genesis

CHAPTER 15

Seline walked around the more peaceful part of town—situated at the very back of the city, near the mountains. Stopping by outside a café as she trekked uphill, passing by other shops. Reminiscing how she would only be able to come by this place if she were with her mother. Putting her hands in the pocket of her jacket, she took a good look outside a coffee shop before heading in.

Inhaling in the scent of brewing coffee gave her a sense of home. Looking around the cozy rustic feel of the café, her heart swelled as she smiled. Remembering how she, Jessica, and her sister would get snacks and drinks here after school. 'Simpler times...' She thought to herself.

"Oh, it's you!" A happy, familiar voice greeted her from behind. Seline froze slightly, slowly, she turned her head, there stood her mother with a smile. She blinked once before smiling, pretending to be a stranger once more, "Excuse me?"

"It's me, Melanie. You saved me last night from that guy who drugged me." She flashed a kind smile. Pretending again to recall then remember the incident, "Oh! Right, sorry..." Seline shook her head with a sheepish smile.

Melanie waves dismissively, her smile never fading, "It's alright, where's your uncle?"
Oh right, Oscar was with her that night. "Um... he had to meet a friend of his and he let me roam around town." Seline spoke to save her skin.

Melanie only nodded in understanding, "I owe you my life that night. Let me at least treat you to coffee." She smiled. Seline studied her mother's self, it seemed she just got out of work. Disheveled sea green scrub bottoms and a simple white tee. Her eyes tired and visibly aching for some shut eye or coffee.

'Oh what the heck, right?' Seline thought to herself. Alana wasn't around, Oscar could care less (probably), and she drank glamor potions in her tea well enough to not be spotted by her mother. The teen nodded, "If it's not a bother."

"Don't be ridiculous! You saved me, let me at least give you an act of kindness!" Her mother held her arm gently before leading them to the cashier to order. "What will it be?" Melanie asked.

Seline hesitated, if she ordered a matcha, would her mother see through and know it was her? Impossible and it could only be seen as a coincidence... but what the heck anyway? "I'll have an iced green drink." She smiled a little.

    Melanie's lids twitch a little whilst she adjusted her glasses, "You ordered the same drink my daughter orders." She happily spoke but there was a hint of longing there. Seline only awkwardly smiled, "Oh nice." Not knowing what to say.

    Melanie smiled a little before taking one good look at the menu and immediately as she spoke, Seline's thoughts synced to her words:

"One caramel macchiato please."

    A classic drink her mother never changed whenever she ordered at this coffee shop. There was an awkward change of air between the two. Seline watched her mother pay and led them to their usual table.

"How was your tournament? Did you win anything?" Melanie asked as they both sat. Seline fidgeted with the teeth and puller of her zipper–her usual habit. Melanie seemed to notice it with how her eyes suddenly shifted down to the girl's hands. Seline's hands froze and the girl looked down before tucking her hands between her thighs.

Her mother often scolded her for her nervous habits. Seline could remember it all–her mom slapping her arm whilst telling the girl she looked weak doing those and how no one would want to see that. With how those memories slid in, she almost forgot to respond to her mother's question, "Oh, um... no, I got beat in the final round." Shaking her head as she spoke sheepishly–acting out awkwardly as if she wasn't speaking to her mother at all.