Not What it Looks Like ↣ AnnaxReader

I. How it began

Anna's POV 10:30pm

As I scroll through the thousands of comments flooding my notifications, I felt my heart begin to sink to my stomach. Hundreds of comments injected with hate. I knew better than to keep reading them so I threw my phone next to me in frustration and laid in my bed staring at the ceiling, wondering what to do. 

In an attempt to forget the hateful words that decorated my screen moments ago, tears began to cloud my eyes. I failed to stop them as they trickled down my face and onto my bedsheets. My chest ached as I struggled to control the trembling.  Even at the height of my pain, I pushed back the anxiety induced tears.

I dragged myself to the bathroom, drowning my face in the cold water spewing from the sink. The water ran until the redness in my eyes had subsided. I picked my head back up, the reflection staring back at me was unrecognizable and I looked at her with pity. With all the strength I could muster, I fixed myself to look presentable. I exchanged my sweatshirt for a sage hoodie layered with a leather jacket and loose jeans. I grabbed my keys and art supplies, quickly notifying Eva that I was headed to the nearby coffee shop to relieve some stress.

Eva grabbed my hand on the way out. Instinctively, I pulled it in retaliation but her grip on my arm became tighter. The concern in her voice was evident when she asked if I was okay. I smiled halfheartedly to shake her off and reassured her. Eva rolled her eyes in annoyance, seeing through my stubbornness and understanding there was nothing she could do to get me to talk. She knew I would always run to her eventually. With that, she let my hand go aggressively and I made my way out without looking back. 

The distance between Eva and I continued to grow from miscommunication and partly that new boy who kept her occupied at all times. Truthfully, it hurt in the beginning but I grew to find comfort in myself and my art. Although addressing the problem never came up, it seemed to be a mutual feeling. Our dynamic had changed and it was obvious to those around us. The conversation about friendship would come up eventually and I was prepared to talk but I would never have the courage to start it.  

I shivered upon feeling the cold wind strike my skin. After entering my car, I put my supplies next to me and drove to my favorite coffee shop. Upon arriving, my eyebrows furrowed as I contemplated what to get. I opted for my usual order but with an unhealthy dose of caffeine. The barista, Mia, looked at me in confusion when I asked for so many expresso shots. 

"What are you doing tonight Anna?" Mia asked, trying to make conversation. She was a little older than me, sarcastic, but genuine when it was needed. "Should I be worried that you're asking for so many expresso shots this late?"

"I'm here to draw as usual. There's nothing to worry about, I guess I could just use the energy." I chuckled and watched her begin to prepare the cream to make the signature whipped leaf on top. "I don't think I can sleep tonight and there's work I need to catch up on for college so I might pull an all nighter."

"I wish I had the tolerance to drink so much caffeine. It would definitely make night shift more bearable." She joked and began to finish up my coffee pour. "Here's your coffee. Mocha latte with four expresso shots, extra caramel, and the signature french vanilla syrup."

"Thanks Mia." I reciprocated her smile and tipped her generously. I sipped my coffee in contentment as I made my way to an empty table in the middle of the cafe where I had set down my art supplies. The wall in front of me was decked with artwork and shelves of nature-themed miscellaneous objects. It was the perfect scene for me to sketch. After sketching for several minutes, I grew discouraged when I couldn't get certain details right.

The faint sound of cars driving outside shifted my attention to a girl standing in the doorway wearing a white shirt, navy blue flannel, and acid wash jeans. Her dark hair was tied in a messy bun framing her face and accentuating her jawline. It almost looked disheveled but it was oddly attractive and my fascination for her grew more as she glared at me shamelessly while making her way to the counter.