novels. { on hold }

iii: bitter souls

"a venti flat white with soy milk, please."

    ezra looked up from his wallet and froze when he noticed her smoke-colored eyes. "alex?"

    she smiled and picked a sharpie up off the mocha countertop. "i'll put this down for ezra, then?"

    he nodded and took his change before stepping to the side. alex had dimples, he noticed. and freckles splattered across her nose and cheeks. ezra took his drink when his name was called and turned to search the crowded shop for an empty seat.

    "the bench in the back is my favorite."

    he glanced over his shoulder to see alex behind him, untying the green apron strings that wrapped around her neck.

    "it's my break," she explained before walking towards a faded red velvet couch by a back exit door. it was old, the coffee-stained upholstery snagged and torn, the wooden arms scratched with dozens of names and hearts. alex relaxed back into it before arching her thick eyebrows in ezra's direction, as if to say, are you coming?

    ezra kept his head down as he walked through the shop, hoping no one from uni recognized him; he didn't feel like talking; except to alex. for whatever reason, she was an exception.

    "so, a flat white, huh?" alex said as he sat down, grinning at him.

    ezra glanced at the white cup in his hand confusedly. "yeah?"

    "that's so serious," she teased. "those things are what the business guys order. they're as bitter as their souls."

    ezra smiled. "well, maybe i have a bitter soul as well."

    alex sighed and shrugged. "honestly, in this world, who doesn't?"

    and that's when ezra decided that maybe, just maybe, talking to people wasn't the worst thing in the world.

a/n: sorry so short, it's been insanely difficult for me to concentrate lately with the current state of politics. but anyway. i really hope i can do this story justice. i'm already feeling very attached to it. please vote/comment/share and check out my other stuff if you have not already :))