Latte Art

1

It was a rainy day, cool and damp in the heart of the city.

"No, no. Too stereotypical."

The night was cool and damp, the moon shining bright.

"Something's missing..."

The night was cool and damp, the midnight moon shining bright through the clouds.

"Perfect," the brunette exclaimed before pouting, "actually, maybe I could-"

She was interrupted, "Stop second guessing and keep writing." Looking up, Elaine sheepishly grinned at her friend. She did have a tendency to overthink everything, Sarah usually being the one to drag her from her rut. Sighing, Elaine took a sip of the latte her friend passed her. Moaning in delight at the caramel infused caffeine, Elaine heard a chuckle from Sarah.

"And you say you're not addicted?"

Elaine cupped the mug and took another gulp, "Shh, let me appreciate this heaven."

Taking a seat Sarah shook her head at her friends' antics. Some things never change; coffee addictions, shyness, quirkiness, and Elaine altogether being one of those things. Sarah watched as her friend went straight back to her laptop, though not forgetting her latte. Elaine was typing away at her computer, completely oblivious to her oldest friend waiting. Sarah added being a workaholic to her mental list.

Sipping away at her -totally not addicting- latte Elaine continued her novel. When she wrote the brunette became unaware of everything surrounding her; the people, the noise, everything. Elaine had her own little bubble including her laptop, coffee, and possibly some background music. As she wrote it was as though the world melted away, what was left was only ever what she wanted to articulate through her typing.

After a few moments of waiting, though, Sarah simply closed Elaine's laptop for her. Whining like a child whose parents took away their favorite teddy, Elaine slowly watched her own world disappear. Replacing it was a laughing Sarah.

"This better be good," Elaine mumbled after a sip of foamed milk, "or else."

Sarah laughed again, "Always so absorbed in your little world. Maybe I just want to chat with my favorite person!"

"Oh please," Elaine rolled her eyes, "Everyone knows that Peter is your favorite person."

"Favorite girl," Sarah corrects with a blush at the mention of her beau.

"Well, if you closed my laptop for just a chat then I might have to chop off your hand."

After staring at each other for a moment both girls burst into laughter. Elaine did miss seeing her friend daily. After four years of college together it seemed unreal that she didn't wake up to her friend blow-drying her hair or putting on her makeup.

Sitting at the café together, both girls gossiped and joked for hours. Tine flew by as they talked about their jobs, Sarah's boyfriend, their other friends, and their current lives. Their dynamic hadn't changed a bit. Elaine was about to grab the two some pastries but Sarah insisted it was on her; Elaine sneaking a ten into Sarah's phone case while she was at the counter.

Strutting back with a pair of cinnamon buns Sarah took note of Elaine's guilty grin. Brushing it off to their joyful conversation, she decided to get a tad more serious, "Any guys I should be threatening?"

Elaine saw that look in her friends' eyes and internally groaned. With her work load a relationship was the last things she needed a them moment.

"Unless you count Uncle Bob then nope."

Sarah threw her hands up in exaggeration, "Girl, you need to get out! You're beautiful, smart, funny; any guy would die to get his hands on you!"

The writer narrowed her caramel eyes at the blonde before her as she bit into her cinnamon bun. Sarah always did this. Always tried to get her to date thig guy or another. Elaine didn't understand it; she herself was plain, boring, and quiet. Her hair was a mess of chocolate curls, her eyes a dull caramel, and her skin pale as the moon. Her life revolved around reading, writing, cats, and coffee. Her social skills were awkward to say the least; she'd much prefer a park to a party, a dialogue to discussion, or fiction to fidelity. Reality was hurt while fantasy was safety.

Elaine sighed and shook her head, eyes downcast.

"Elaine-"

"Leave it," the brunette quietly interrupted, her voice sharp and curt.

Sarah signed, her eyes searching Elaine for any sign of bending to come to no avail. Elaine was a stubborn girl, that much she knew for certain. Instead of pressing, no matter the temptation, Sarah diverted the conversation, "So, Sean's back from Washington."

Elaine perked up at the mention of Sarah's twin. She always had a soft spot for Sean in her heart, he was a genuinely good guy just like his sister. Sarah noticed this, of course. Building on her friends interest she pulled out an envelope from her pure and set it on the table. Pushing it to Elaine, Sarah began, "He invited you to his welcome-home party." Elaine opened up the letter to reveal a dark red paper, her brows furrowing as she read it.

Sean's Welcome Home

Saturday, August 3 • 6:00 pm

Starlight Night

423 Hilden Road

RSVP to Sarah Thompson