crème glacée [the fate of coincidences 1]

4: Jade

Ever since Jade signed on as a contractor for Ria's Glacé campaign, work became more enjoyable. This time it was just a test shoot and the atmosphere was laid-back and fun. In addition to her striking looks, Ria was a complete sweetheart and that was a rarity among models. But then again, not enough time passed since she got famous.

After work, Jade drove straight to Solid Ground, a coffee shop her best friend owned right by the UW campus. It used to be just a regular cafe, until April decided to turn it into a half library/half coffee shop where people could drink coffee in a comfortable armchair and read a book at the same time. Their most loyal customers were stressed out students (mostly english or humanities majors) who needed some time to relax.

The moment she came through the doors, the overwhelming smell of books and coffee made her feel like she was coming home after a long day. It wasn't too far from the truth, since Jade spent most of her free time here, sitting at one of the barstools and talking April's ear off, or falling asleep on one of the corner armchairs with a book over her face. She was here more often than her own apartment.

A short girl with short black hair (and a very long patience to make up for it) was making a cappuccino for the current customer. Jade slid onto the bar stool at the far right, banging her knees on the underside of the counter. She hastily pushed frizzy hair out of her face as she called, "hello, September!"

It was a running joke between their mutual friends to call April by the current month instead of her real name. It's been going on since elementary school, but it was still funny to Jade for the sole reason that April didn't react to it.

This time was no exception, and April just spared her an indifferent glance as she wiped her hands on her apron and presented the customer with the cappuccino. The cappuccino lady smiled in thanks and went deeper into the shop, disappearing behind the first bookcase.

"Guess how my day was?" Jade asked when April turned to her.

"What's the point? You'll tell me anyway."

Jade slapped her hands on the table. "It was a mess! Everything was a mess."

"I don't doubt it."

April always had that passive-aggressiveness about her, but after almost twenty years of friendship, Jade didn't even notice it anymore.

"I hit someone's car," she whispered while leaning forward on the counter.

"Did you?"

"A BMW. It had that little M mark before the model number. Cam told me once that it instantly makes the car like twice as expensive."

"And your car insurance most likely won't cover it. Also, it expires next month, don't forget to renew it."

April was that one friend who knew everyone's phone numbers and social security by memory and no one in their friend group ever thought to question it. It was kind of terrifying when she really thought of it.

Another customer walked in and April went over to take his order while Jade continued, "What am I going to do? I'm already broke from buying all that One Direction merch last month."

She dropped her head on the table, squishing her cheek on the mahogany, and tried to frown. Managing her money was never something she was good at. It just all kind of disappeared on its own.

"You should consider therapy," someone whispered in her ear and she jabbed her elbow into their stomach on reflex with a yelp.

There was a muffled "oomph" as a gangly mess of skinny limbs collapsed onto the next stool. A set of gem-like blue eyes looked up at Jade in mild pain. Jade smiled back at him unapologetically.