Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop --- Nerrison

I Think That Possibly, Maybe I'm Falling for You

I push open the door of the coffee shop and watch as my warm hands fog up the chilly glass. Tucking a piece of my long grey hair behind my ear, I step into the shop and I look a little apprehensively at the counter. Finally, my eyes settled on her and I could feel myself fill with flutters.

Nerris.

I've known her for forever, as we had met at a questionable summer camp so long ago. Our relationship was... rocky, at first, with her insulting me and me lashing back out. It had something to do with us disagreeing on magic, and she had called me an ugly dwarf, so I cursed her... It got out of hand really quickly. Eventually, we warmed up to each other after we realized our interests were more aligned than what we had thought before. Now I go to D'nD night, and she watches my magic tricks at parties with a warm smile on her face.

After finishing whatever work she was doing, Nerris looks up to see who entered, and when she sees me, a smirk grows on her face. I return with a smug look and she rolls her eyes, but not before quickly cleaning up space by the counter. She taps it quickly, gives me a small wink, and walks away. Feeling my face heat up, I take a seat as Nerris fiddles with something behind the counter. I half-heartedly stare the menu while snatching glances at Nerris.

She's let her hair grow out. The dark grey wefts curl and wildly thrash against her lighter skin as if trying to escape her black beanie. Her light grey eyes darted in concentration as she tried to do something under the counter. It sounded like she was cleaning glasses and mugs from the sounds. She had freckles coated over her body, and the lisp she had gotten from her braces long ago was still noticeable. She had grown out into a lanky teenager, with a rectangular body and thin arms and legs. Her old mage attire was replaced with long flowing jackets and sweaters that hung off of her body. She was, in all senses of the word, attractive, at least to me.

Nerris finished up cleaning glasses by setting them on the back table behind the counter, and she turned her attention to me. With a flourish, she grabs her notebook and pen and sticks her tongue out at me.

"So what'll it be Illusionist?" She asks half-mockingly.

I let a small grin escape my lips. I can't believe that nickname has stuck with me for so long. We were what...? 12 when we met, and now we're 18. That's 6 years of "Illusionist this" and "Illusionist that."

"I'll have the special," I reply in faux haughtiness.

Nerris makes a small 'snrk.'

"We don't have a special, you've been coming here every day for what, 3 years now?" She purrs, melancholy filling her voice.

"Ah but that's what you're wr-wrong." I stutter, before continuing with: "I come for the special every day, why do you think I always sit b-by you?"

I feel my ears burn as Nerris' eyes widen. More often then not, I'm the one sent spiraling down heartache hell whenever I drop cheesy pickup lines. She gives a big grin and taps my nose affectionately with the joints of her fingers. With a content sigh, she puts the notebook down.

"I'll just give you a to-go mug of black coffee, do you want any unique beans or combinations?" She rattles off, pretending to count on her fingers.

"Just give me whatever," I say with a shrug.

She scurries off and I twirl my hair around my finger, watching her prepare a special cup for me. I was proud of her I guess. This was one of the first jobs she had held onto. She often felt unmotivated at retail stores or at places like Walmart or Aldis. At the coffee shop, she felt more at home, even if her boss was kind of a dick. I let my eyes wander around the monochrome shop, darting from one grey blob to the next.

In this world, magic is real. People are bound by it. You are born unable to see color, but when you meet your soulmate, the world explodes into many hues. Or so I've heard. I haven't had the same thing with Nerris, but I really like her now so what's the point of searching for another person?

Nerris comes back over and plops a coffee cup decorated with small hearts in front of me. I'm a little startled, but I smile anyway.

"Okay, so that'll be 2.56." She says, scribbling something down on her notepad.

I slide a pile of Monopoly money over and Nerris bursts into laughter. The sudden noise pierces the relatively quiet cafe, and she stops immediately, still quietly chuckling. She lightly hits me on the head, before pushing the money back. Her eyes dart to the hallway where her boss' "office" is.

"Seriously Harrison," Nerris says with a jovial tone.

"Alright, alright," I say with a smile.

I take out $3 and hand it to her before winking. I feel a sharp pain in my chest as my heart rate speeds up.

"K-keep the change." I try to purr, before succumbing to the awkwardness and just trying to play it off with finger guns.

Nerris snorts and ruffles my hair, standing on the top of her toes to do so. She then moves on to serve other customers, catching my stare every once in a while. I check my phone, and I realize I have to get back to work soon. I push my chair into the counter and tab my coffee, almost cringing at the acidity. What kind of beans were they using now?

"Catch you later Illusionist!" She calls out, as I stand up.

"You too Nerris the Cute!" I yell, opting to use her more embarrassing nickname.

She sticks out her tongue and I laugh. I push open the door and shiver in the cold. I take one last glance over my shoulder and smile a little, before walking back to work.