Frappuccino

The Finale

As Leon opened the door, Kayla stepped forward and wrapped her warm arms around him.

"It's okay," she whispered, running her fingers through his hair. "I'm here."

Leon let himself be led to the couch, where he collapsed, resting his head on her lap. Kayla held him close, stroking his hair.

Whilst Kayla looked calm, her mind raced. She knew this wasn't the ideal moment—not with everything Leon was going through—but the thought of staying silent, of letting her chance slip away even further was unbearable.

A flicker of hope crossed her mind. Maybe, just maybe, he might smile back at her the way he had smiled that day on the balcony. Maybe he was just as good as she was at hiding his feelings through the years. Maybe he was waiting for this very moment for a long time coming.

"I need to tell you something".

Leon looked up at her.

"I love you, Leon," she said, her voice quivering but resolute. "Not just as a friend. I've loved you for years, and I can't pretend anymore."

She leaned down, closing the space between their lips. Leon pulled back sharply.

"Kayla..." he began, his voice cracking. He stood abruptly, stepping away from her. "I—I didn't know... I thought—"

Her face fell, and for a moment, she froze.

"I'm sorry Kayla," Leon said. "I really don't feel that way about you."

Kayla's throat clenched as her cheeks blushed. She grabbed her bag and hurried out, her vision blurred with unshed tears.

                                                                                                        --

Tuesday, 8:55pm.

Ava turned behind the counter to bin a tissue, she turned back and was startled.

"Damien?"

He stepped closer, looking around as if searching for the right words. "I need to explain everything, Ava. All of it."

"Explain what?"

"Everything."

                                                                                                        --

Ava sat in silence, her arms crossed.

"Well Da-... Leon. I'm speechless."

Leon's shoulders slumped. "I was scared. I wanted someone to see me for who I am, not what I have. And I didn't think—"

"That's right, you didn't think... This is a lot to process, Leon. I need time to figure this out."

Leon nodded, getting ready to leave but then remembered.

"My flight to New York is tomorrow night, for my father's funeral. I... I'd love for you to come back with me."

She blinked, surprised.

"You always said you wanted to live in New York," he continued, his voice almost desperate. "I have a penthouse there, on the 51st floor."

Ava stared at him, unsure how to respond. "I can't even think about anything right now. I need time."

Leon nodded once again.

"Was any of it real Leon? Was I pawn in your game?"

Leon reached into his bag and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "it wa-... this is real, Ava.", he pushed it towards her over the counter, face down.

"I promise", Leon pushed the doors back outside.

                                                                                                        --

Kayla sat in her apartment, her hands trembling as she replayed the moment in Leon's living room over and over. His rejection echoed in her mind.

Her thoughts spiraled into dark places. a storm of pain and jealousy brewing within her.

"He didn't even care," she whispered to herself, pacing the room. "I put myself out there, and he—he—he didn't even care."

She slammed her hands onto the counter, the noise startling her. The memory of Leon's smile on the balcony seared into her mind, a cruel reminder of what she'd never have. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed, "it should've been me!"

                                                                                                        --

Wednesday, 9:01am.

Kayla pushed open the door with an almost reckless force, her breath coming in short, angry bursts. Her eyes darted around the room, locking onto Ava behind the counter—the girl from the balcony.

"HEY—"

Her heart raced, rage boiling to the surface. She thumped toward the counter, her hands clenching into a fist.

But her words faltered as her sight landed on a drawing propped against the cookie jar on counter.

It was a drawing of Ava, her smile radiant, unmistakably from that night on the balcony. The details were undoubtedly Leon's work.

Kayla froze, the fight draining out of her as if someone had pulled a string. The pencil strokes told a story to Kayla. Leon loved Ava's smile just as Kayla loved Leon's smile. 

And just as Kayla loved Leon, Leon loved Ava.

Kayla's eyes met Ava's. She turned on her heel and left, the door jingling softly as it swung shut behind her.

                                                                                                        --

Wednesday, 11:01pm.

Leon sat at a small table in a coffee shop near his gate, nursing a cup that had long since gone cold.

He glanced at the clock. It was getting late, and he knew the odds were slim. Ava hadn't texted him an answer, just a vague response. He couldn't blame her. He had thrown so much at her, too much. He wasn't sure he'd ever see her ever again.

'Did I sent her the right ticket?', Leon thought. He took out his phone and peered down. 

The doorbell swung against the wall. A hooded figure walked past him straight to the counter.

He smiled.

"One Frappuccino, please."