Reel Love

02 AI

Lisa settled into a cozy corner of the cafe, her laptop open and a stack of notes spread out on the table. The cafe's ambiance was warm and inviting, with soft light filtering through the large windows and the rich aroma of coffee and freshly baked pastries filling the air. She wore a comfortable sweater and jeans, her hair pulled back in a loose bun, as she tried to immerse herself in her work. The gentle hum of conversations and the clinking of coffee cups created a soothing background noise.

As she sipped her latte, focusing on her notes, a sudden movement across the room caught her eye. Casimiro, dressed in a faded hoodie and well-worn jeans, was making his way toward her table. His hoodie was pulled over his head, casting a shadow over his features, and he wore a pair of scuffed sneakers that seemed to match his casual attire. His expression was neutral, but there was a noticeable hint of discomfort in his stride.

Lisa's heart sank as she saw him approach. She set her latte down and glanced at her laptop screen, hoping to appear engrossed in her work. Casimiro's presence seemed to cast a shadow over the cozy corner she had found solace in.

"Hey, Lisa," Casimiro said as he reached her table, his voice lacking enthusiasm but carrying a hint of awkwardness. His eyes, though tired, tried to meet hers. "Mind if I sit?"

Lisa's initial impulse was to decline, but she forced herself to be polite. "Uh, sure. Go ahead."

Casimiro took a seat across from her, placing his coffee—a plain cup with no frills—on the table. He looked slightly disheveled, his hair a bit tousled, and his gaze was mostly downcast. Lisa shifted uncomfortably, her own posture rigid as she tried to focus on her laptop while Casimiro settled in.

"So," Casimiro began, attempting to break the silence, "I didn't expect to see you here. How's your day been?"

Lisa glanced up from her notes, her expression cool and distant. She wore a simple, expressionless mask. "Busy. Just trying to get some work done. How about you?"

"Same here," Casimiro replied, shrugging his shoulders slightly. He looked at his coffee, swirling it absentmindedly. "Just needed a coffee break. I'm trying to catch up on some reading."

Lisa nodded tersely, not making any further attempt to engage. Her eyes darted back to her laptop screen. "Sounds good."

Casimiro seemed to pick up on her disinterest but pressed on. "I wanted to apologize for last night. I know it was kind of... awkward."

Lisa raised an eyebrow, her tone growing colder. Her fingers drummed impatiently on the table. "Really? Because it seemed like you were pretty excited to be there."

Casimiro's gaze dropped to his coffee cup, his face flushed slightly with embarrassment. "Yeah, I guess I wasn't the most engaging. I've just been dealing with a lot lately."

Lisa's expression remained guarded, her patience wearing thin. "Dealing with what, exactly?"

Casimiro hesitated, glancing up at her with a hint of vulnerability. His shoulders were hunched slightly as he spoke. "My ex. She, uh, cheated on me. It's been tough, you know?"

Lisa's expression was a mask of indifference. "I'm sorry to hear that. But that doesn't really excuse how you acted. I didn't want to be there either but my best friend asked me to go and so I did. I also tried to make the best of it because I'll be damned before I waste my time being unhappy. Which I guess didn't work in my favor since I'm now behind."

Casimiro nodded, looking visibly uncomfortable. His hands fidgeted with the coffee cup as he spoke. "I know. I didn't mean to be so rude. It's just... it's hard to get out of that headspace."

Lisa sighed, her frustration evident. She closed her laptop and began packing her notes, signaling the end of their conversation. "Well, it's hard to have a conversation when someone isn't really interested. Do you want me to hold your hand and tell you 'everything is going to be okay'? Well I won't and I'm kind of in the middle of something, so..."