condensation kisses || girlxgirl

sarah's wash

ronnie's pov:
i ran my hands threw my hair as i glanced inside the window of the sarah's wash. i had been washing my laundry there for around half a year now.

the tiles were always ringed with filth of some kind and vines crept around the frame of the entry.

i lived in the apartment system across the way so it was honestly easiest just doing my laundry here since my place didn't have a washing machine.

three days previous i saw a girl at sarah's. when i came in i noticed her eyes lingering across my features as her clothes tumbled.

something about her was strangely intriguing. her gaze wasn't a wanting one like the casual cat-caller on the street; not that she looked the part. she wore a huge turtle neck that seemed to engulf her heart shaped face that in my view, was mostly hidden.

her hair was extremely blonde, it could've been bleached almost but it still had the natural gold glow of a natural blonde hair.

her gaze was hard to understand. it almost felt like she was trying to figure me out inside out.

her name turned out to be juliet which i felt fit her complexion perfectly. she looked fair; almost like a princess really. although, she was extremely quiet. not that we talked much.

but here i was peering into the store to see if she was too, doing her laundry. it might sound stupid but something about her didn't leave my mind. i mean, she looked at me first.

i took an extra moment to watch her as she felt around in her back pocket. she pulled out three coins.

the coins glistened. the bright reflection hit my eyes but once the glare disappeared i saw her frowning as she rapidly felt around her pockets.

she didn't have an extra quarter.

i felt around my jacket pocket and felt one waiting for me.

i entered sarah's wash nonchalantly as i took an obvious glance at juliet who was still fiddling with her back pocket.

"not enough change ?"

i felt awkward asking knowing the answer already. i tried to sound as not suspicious as i could.

juliet tilted her head up at me slowly. her frame was small and barely noticeable under a large sweater that was tucked into a pair of torn black jeans.

her eyes were a pale blue that felt like the sea foam that would coat the ocean back in california.

i smiled gingerly at her as i held out a quarter in my palm.

"take it."

she stepped towards me. her clog shoes tapped against the old tile as she moved. her hands brushed against mine as she grabbed the quarter from me.

her eyes fell back to the floor.

"thank you.......ronnie"

i felt my cheeks warm up slightly as i heard her say my name softly. something about it felt absolutely wonderful to me.

i sat down with a thud onto a bench that was right in front of the washing machine juliet was using. she turned away from my view and faced the machine.

the thudding of the clothes rolling in the machine echoed behind my voice as i spoke.

"what brings you here juliet ? i mean, i haven't seen you here before and you chose to wash your clothes here of all places so you've got to be new to new york"

she flipped around to face me. her fingertips were running over a book that was in a tote at her side. her eyes traced the seat next to mine.

"just staying here, college, work. new york felt like a place for that....why exactly are you asking?"

to be honest, i have no clue why i'm talking to this random obviously new girl. i couldn't just come out and say i felt the need to talk to her. that sounded creepy.

"just small talk, i come here all the time so you'll have to get used to this stupid face."

i grin wide at juliet and begun laughing at the stupid comment i had just come up with.

my head turned up as i heard a giggle begin to erupt from juliet who had been mostly quiet.

     a smile spread across my face as i watched juliet giggle and giggle.

     soon enough we finished laughing and a loud beep alarmed both juliet and me. we both jumped at the noise and fell into a giggle fit again.

     juliet began taking her clothes out from the washing machine. she pulled out a couple sweaters and a cavetown tee shirt.

        "hey !! i know cavetown. robbie's music is great !"

     juliet turned around to face me. the shirt was wrapped around her arm. she stared down at the piece of clothing as she folded it in her arms.

        "i've always been into music like his. makes me feel things."

     i watched as juliet folded her clothes. her words lingered against my thoughts "makes me feel things."

     she suddenly closed the washing machine's opening and glanced over her shoulder back at me.

         "bye ronnie."

     a soft smile pranced across her face.

       "wait ! what did you mean by it "makes you feel things" ?"

        she giggled softly to herself as she snuggled her face into the collar of her sweater and with that walked off up the stairs and out of sarah's wash.

hey guys !! so this isn't a super long chapter but i wanted to show some more ronnie. im super excited to write more to this 🥺🥺, bye bye :) - camille