Goodnight Moon (Camren)

❁ ii.

 Lauren quickly licked the edge of her ice cream to save it from a fatal death, it had begun to slump precariously to one side and there was nothing worse than loosing an entire scoop to the dirty sidewalk. As usual she dawdled on the journey back home, looking at the walls for new graffiti. This part of the city would never be like those polished upper east side neighbourhoods, but they had the best creamery on their side of the bridge and fine artwork spray painted each nightfall. Perhaps one day she'd make a tag of her own, step out in her cheap black leggings from the market and her hair in a ponytail. Lauren smirked at the idea, maybe next time one of the walls got painted over by the city she'd give it a go. In the midst of her daydream she hadn't even noticed a drop of Strawberry had made its way onto her t-shirt, carefully with her thumb she scooped it up. Frowning momentarily at the pink stain that it left behind. As she came towards the end of Brooklyn Bridge, Lauren could begin to smell the fresh batch of sweet and spicy rolls being baked for the lunch hour rush. To her, it was a clear sign of the city slowly waking up. She anticipated to see what the new day would bring for everyone, new tenders, business proposals, math homework, maybe even inspiration. Turning a corner into the nearest main street she spotted the coffee shop where Ally worked, briefly glancing down at the iPhone in one hand to check the time whilst trying to balance her folder and cone in the other, Lauren slipped through the double glass doors and was welcomed by a strong aroma of fresh coffee. All the workers were always so welcoming and lovely at Utopia, it was the type of shop people normally tended to use to escape reality and enter a completely alternative universe. The walls were plain wood with the occasional painting and some inspirational quotes dotted here and there. An old antique jukebox stood proudly in the far corner, blaring the latest chosen song around the shop. Instead of basic chairs and tables, the place was lined with booths and sofas giving it that personal touch. A large bookcase ran the course of the left hand wall from window to window, stacked with countless genres, a book for everyone as the owner stated. A stack of vinyl records were displayed proudly in a corner available for purchase if wanted. The counter where the baristas were stationed was placed dead in the center in a sort of oval shape, allowing people to approach from all different angles. It really was a breath-taking sight. Thankfully Ally wasn't too difficult to spot, despite her short height amongst the throng of people that crowded around the counter. Catching Lauren's eyes, she began waving frantically and burst through the wooden gate to give her friend a warm hug.

"I wasn't expecting to see you until the bridesmaid fitting on Saturday, how are you Lo?" She exclaimed excitedly, leading the brunette back to the counter with her. Lauren ran a hand through her hair, before resting her elbows on the marble surface. "I was wondering through the neighborhood on my way home and thought I'd swing by. Actually speaking of the fitting though, I swear if you put me in anything pink Ally, I will have to kill you."

Ally chuckled lightly to herself from the opposing side before shaking her head and raising her hands up into a surrendering sign, "No pink, don't worry. I'm not that cruel. How's Dinah and Mani?"

"They're good. Normani got a promotion last week so she's been running off her feet lately, but hopefully this weekend she can take the time to just relax with us all." The brunette confessed, nodding as Ally gestured towards the latte board.

The two girls spent the next half an hour catching up, completely oblivious to the chaos that was occurring in the store. Ally managed to work and keep focus on everything that Lauren was saying, until the lunch rush started to pile in and she was soon swept of her feet, mouthing an apology to Lauren as she grabbed some mugs from the racking.

Lauren couldn't help but giggle as she watched the smaller girl try to pry away from an elderly woman at the till who seemed to be going into deep detail about the type of coffee she usually drinks as opposed to the one she decided to order. Glancing around the shop, Lauren was surprised with just how full up it had become. Couples or friends and families had taken nearly every booth, so consequently rummaging through her rucksack she pulled out her little black book and began to sketch the scene rapidly.