Love Is Symphony |✓

| 23 |

Imogen was ignoring me as expected. Standing as stiff as a stick by her usual spot in front of the cash register and occassionally barking orders at Kristoff, who became the collateral damage to our silent war.

Kristoff kept glancing helplessly my way every time Imogen would snap at him over something so trivial. Like how the door should be pushed not pulled, the way he puts tea into the cups, and a lot more ridiculous things.

In these trying times, when my heart had been reduced into a vulnerable pulp, I'd grab the loud mockery of my best friend on my mistakes in a heartbeat over a silent 'I told you so' and a cold shoulder.

I walked over to the counter and leaned a hip against it. It was a small attempt to get her to look at me, but it was better than nothing. "Can I have two iced Jasmine tea with honey? Tall, please."

I caught Imogen roll her eyes and heaved a sigh. "Get it your own. You know how."

"Ah." I raised a finger, "There's a tiny problem, though. It's my day-off. Sundays for Serenity, remember?" Imogen's silent anger was swallowed by the loud flush of her cheeks. Riling her up might be a stupid idea, but I knew it was the only way she'd stop ignoring me. "It could've been Imogen and Serenity Day if you didn't move your day-off back to Thursday."

And just like everything that has been provoked—she snapped. I flinched when Imogen's hand slapped against the marble counter, a stinging sound that echoed through the walls of the Infusion, causing a few heads to turn our way. "Kristoff," she said through gritted teeth. "Take her orders. I need a break."

Well, that didn't turn out well.

"Just give her some time," Kristoff started when he took Imogen's place behind the counter. "She's just struggling with the idea of you being with someone who's committed."

"We're not together. You already know the whole story. We went out on a date, kissed and then, he disappeared. Showed up three weeks later, which was this morning, actually."

His brows shot up. "Oh? What did he say?"

Should I tell Kristoff? We were friends, but friendships don't always account every detail of my life. "Some stupid shit that only he could understand."

Kristoff pondered this, clicking away on the cash register. He was silent for awhile, eyes traveling to and fro from my face to the register. After a beat of silence, he finally smiled. "Okay, you know how much it is. Just drop the bills."

"What? No further questions or a demand for explanation."

He gave me a flat look. "Ser, I may be younger than you, but I do know how to get a hint. 'Sides, I'm your friend. A friend isn't supposed to force things out of you. Even if he's confused as hell on why you have a depressed looking guy and a baby with you."

My heart warmed. It had been awhile since someone understood me, since someone respected my decisions without accusing ne of selfishness and stupidity. To hug Kristoff was the first idea that came to mind, but I knew he wouldn't appreciate it. So, I settled for a small smile, instead.

"Fair enough," I tapped his nose and he swatted my hand away with a groan. "Now, go grab my order."

-

"Here's your tea." I placed the tall plastic cup in front of Ice and turned to look at the sleeping baby cradled in her stroller between us. It was obvious that Snow was beautiful, with hair as balck as ink and cheeks as red as apples in harvest season, Snow was breathtakingly gorgeous for a baby. A future heartbreaker.

Ice smiled at me as I watched his daughter snore. My brows shot up in concern when she whimpered, and jerked in her sleep. 

"Is she okay?"