Coffee People - Pedro Pascal by Emma Star

Chapter nine, Cherry Red

'Are you going to the masquerade ball next week?' Miles asks, sitting in the seat opposite of me at the café.

'I already bought a dress.' I respond.

'cool, do you have a picture?' He says clearly excited.

I take out my phone and show him the picture I took in the fitting room of the dress shop we went to last weekend. The lighting is shit, but the dress is still beautiful. I've always wondered why fitting rooms have the worst possible lighting imaginable. Aren't they supposed to convince you to buy from them instead of lighting up all your insecurities?

'wow, I can't wait to see it in real life.'

We've been making small talk for about an hour and I'm exhausted. We talked about our classes for a little while. Miles is majoring in journalism and he's taking Peña's class out of personal interest. He confided in me by saying he wasn't a big fan of him. When he said it a part of me felt almost protective of Peña, the other, more prominent logical part of me, agreed with him. He asked me about my plans for the future and I told him I want to be a writer. In turn I asked him about his plans for the future, he's planning on becoming a journalist for the New York times. He's currently working for the local newspaper to build an image for himself and to bring in some cash. He tells me he lives just a couple of streets from the coffee shop we're currently at.

'So you like to read?' He says.

I nod, remembering our conversation from a few weeks ago when we first officially met.

'What's your favorite book?' He asks.

'That depends on what genre you're asking me about.' I counter.

'romance.' Miles smiles.

Without thinking I say, 'Beach read by Emily Henry. Have your heard of it? It's quite popular.'

'Yeah I have, haven't read it though.'

'You should.' I say.

'Everything alright over here?' One of the waitresses asks us.

'Yes, thank you.' I say at the same time as Miles says, 'Great.'

She smiles at us, 'You can pay up front when you guys are ready.' She says and leaves to tend to another guest.

'I should get going, Betty's taking me out to dinner tonight.'

Betty insisted that she'd treat me to dinner when I admitted I'd never been to her favorite restaurant. The place is called Single Thread. When I looked up the menu and audibly gasped at the prices Betty shushed me and told me not to worry about it. She did insist I wear something extra nice for our 'girls night'.

Miles looks slightly disappointed but stands anyway. When I come back from the bathroom I find Miles with a receipt in hand. When I reach for my wallet he tells me it's his treat and when I proceed to protest he just laughs it off. I give up once we reach the bus stop. I thank him and take the bus back home. I can see him walk off when we round the corner.

When I get home I still have an hour until Betty is picking me up. I take that time to shower and recharge a little. I blow dry my hair and curl the ends slightly. I put on a grey business like dress with tights and my red Mary Jane pumps. I stand in front of the mirror doing my make up when I get the urge to sigh. I've had a long day and an even longer week. I reach in to my closet for a coat and I find the one I'm looking for next to Peña's leather jacket. It's a constant reminder of what is and what isn't. A car honks from outside my window, when I take a look I see Betty's red mini parked on the street. Even though I know I'll feel better when I've been out with her it's still difficult for me to open the front door and walk downstairs.