Shot of love

3

-Hey! - I hugged Madison in greeting.

-Hey there, door tester. - she chuckled. - Come on, let's sit in the corner. - She pointed to a mint-colored couch tucked into a glassed-in corner.

-So, what are we ordering? - I asked, feeling a bit shy.

Even though I'm usually the type to enjoy meeting new people, when it comes to building any deeper relationships, I lose my words.

-I'll go with a black coffee and a pistachio-filled croissant. - I wrinkled my nose just at the thought.

-Can I leave now? With taste like that, it's going to be tough. - I laughed, not wanting her to think I was serious. Though, honestly, if she did, I could head home and dive into the next book in the series that's completely pulled me in. But no, I had to agree to this outing. Oh, the struggles of a bookworm in the 21st century.

-Oh, really now! - her tone was playful, though her face looked like she'd inhaled a whole bunch of laughing gas. - So, if you're so smart, what are you ordering? - she raised her chin, puffing her chest out in mock pride.

-First of all, I know exactly what I want. - I paused dramatically. - Second, I don't have a menu, so I have no idea what's available.

I looked at Madi, and she burst into laughter, waving a hand.

-Oh, sorry, habit. - she said, standing up.

-What? What are you talking about? - I asked, though I'm pretty sure she didn't hear me since she'd already disappeared behind the café counter.

Why does life have to be so complicated?

After a moment, she returned, now wearing a mint-colored apron with the café logo. In her hand, she held a notepad shaped like a chocolate bar.

-And what can I get you, ma'am? - she winked.

-Mom, take me away from here. - I muttered under my breath.

-What was that? - she leaned down with exaggerated effort, pretending to listen.

-Nothing. What does the lady recommend? - I replied, playing along with her game.

-I can offer oak doors or pine ones. I'd suggest the pine; they leave a nice fresh scent on your breath afterward. - Her wide grin showed just how pleased she was with her "hilarious" joke. And it's not like I laughed for five straight minutes over it. Not at all. - Okay, seriously, here's the menu, but we rarely use it since most of what we offer is listed on the boards by the counter, and our regulars always know what to order.

-Alright, I'll have the coffee meringue and hot cocoa. - I said, sitting back down on the couch after having had to squint at the boards because my eyesight is... not the best.

-Okay, I'll place the order and be back in a sec, all put together.

✿✿✿

-I gotta say, I thought the meringue would be smaller. - I said, loosening the drawstring on my sweatpants to retie it more comfortably.

-I could've told you, but I wanted to see your face at the sight of a birthday-cake-sized meringue. Props to you for eating it, though.

-You know the best part? - I looked at Madison, who had paused on the sand to look back at me. - I'll probably be skinnier after all this. - I laughed at the expression on her face.

-It's not fair! I just drink water and gain five pounds. - she lamented, slowly walking into the ocean. - You coming in? - All I managed to do was shake my head no.

CALM DOWN. She just asked if I wanted to go in the water.

Yet, I could feel a lump forming in my throat, my eyes stinging with tears.

Inhale and exhale. Like my brother once taught me.

-I can't; I injured my ankle recently, and I have to keep it bandaged and rub some miracle cream on it.

-Okay, grouch! - she called from several meters away; the beach was shallow over a surprisingly large stretch.

While waiting for her, I lay back on the sand, first pulling my hood up over my head. I did not want to be dealing with sand in my hair afterward. That has to be one of the worst tortures.I sat up quickly when, after a few minutes, I felt drops of water falling on my forehead.

-MADIS... - I stopped mid-yell when I saw her leaning over me, dripping water from her hands. - Madison Johnson! - I shouted, standing up as she immediately started running away.

-You'll never catch me! - she was already about ten meters away by the time I started running.Silly Madi. She didn't know that when I was younger, I ran sprints, and over time, I got good at running long distances without stopping.

I caught up with her in under a minute, and just as I closed in within half a meter, she tripped on the sand.

-Gotcha! - I laughed, helping her up as I carried her toward the water. - Time for a little hydration, mermaid, after all that effort.

-Please, no! - She tried to say something else, but between her own laughter, she couldn't get a word out.

-Any last words before I throw you in the water?

I saw her glancing nervously back away from the ocean.

-Yeah. That guy I like is over there. I want to try to talk to him, but if I'm soaked, it'll be tough.

-Well, with an argument like that, I won't argue. - I gently set her down on the dry sand, brushing her hair into place. - But you know your pants are still wet?

-Then it'll be your job to help me talk to him next time.

I was about to ask why, but she interrupted me, pressing a finger to her lips.

-If you help me with him, I'll help you with someone else. - she smirked mischievously.

-Oh, these times we live in. Alright, deal. - Her grin grew at least twice as wide. Can a smile that wide even be healthy?