Innocence Lost On the Gamble of Love

Innocence Lost On the Gamble of Love: Chapter 4

Derrick and Penelope stood in front of the counter, staring at the menu of Starbucks before deciding on what to order.

"What do you want?" Derrick asked, eyeing the list of beverages with un-appeasement. He had never been a fan of coffee, mostly because he had grown up drinking soda and juice. 

"I'll get it," Penelope asserted with a small smile. She appreciated that Derrick had offered to buy a coffee for her, but she didn't want to seem like those whiny, dependent girls who used boys like human ATM's to splurge on any little thing they wanted. "You already bought my movie ticket."

Her hand reached into the front left pocket of her jeans, trying to fish out her green bill. She had never been a fan of purses, clutches, or handbags, but it would seem odd if she had been carrying around her chunky black wallet around in her hand all day.

"No, it's fine," Derrick interjected nervously. He brought out his own wallet from his back pocket. His wallet was strangely thin, and a bit ragged around the edges.

It took all of Penelope's energy to contain herself from becoming the stubborn, manipulative bitch that she was so accustomed to being. She wanted to argue, but she also knew that deep down there would be no point in making Derrick angry. Things were going swimmingly, and she shouldn't ruin it.

"Hi, how can I help you two today?" a mid-twenties blonde asked cheerfully, with shining crystal-like blue eyes. Her manicured hands were hovering over the register keypad, awaiting to take the order. 

Penelope and Derrick flashed panic-stricken glances at each other, having a silent conversation.

You have the money, so you order! 

You're the one who wanted coffee!

The barista watched the couple with a friendly smile, noticing how attuned they were to each other. They had reacted the same way.

"You order," Derrick kindly permitted with a lowered voice.

Penelope wanted her usual. She faced the blonde and stated directly, "One tall cafe Mocha."

The order was typed onto the touch screen, and the lady asked, "Anything else?"

Penelope looked over at the male standing motionlessly beside her. He peered over at Penelope after sensing her gaze on him out of impulse or magnetic energy. He wondered if she was starting another silent conversation- maybe she wanted some high-priced sugar pastry. 

"What?" he finally asked, breaking their short staring contest.

"Were you going to order anything?" she asked, controlling her voice from sounding sarcastic. It wasn't easy but maintaining a cynical tone was the one thing Penelope was well known for.

The blonde at the register had to keep from giggling at the two teenagers. They were acting like some old married couple.

"No," Derrick replied steadily as if that were the most obvious answer in the world.

"...Okay then." the blonde chirped, ringing in the total on her keypad. "Four oh one." 

Derrick handed over a five-dollar bill and told the woman to keep the change; he hated carrying around coins, they made his wallet turn all bulky. 

While they waited, Derrick took a seat at a nearby table. Penelope followed his example by taking the seat across from him.

"So what's your deal with coffee?" she pried coolly. 

"I've never liked it," Derrick muttered, glancing at the heart-shaped mood ring Penelope was wearing on her right hand's ring finger. What the hell did purple signify?