walks and talks; ryeji

18

The shop nearly empty and quiet, soft R&B music playing in the background, two cups of coffee and two plates with sandwiches on the table.
It definitely was a chill morning for Yeji and Lia.

Yeji was looking at her phone with anticipation, only to see '8:23am' wrote big on her display. Whereas Lia was staring at Yeji, while being slightly annoyed by Yeji not listening to her. She even raised her voice, trying to get Yeji's attention. But Lia's - now yelling - voice arrived at Yeji's ears as mumbled nonesense.

"Hello? Earth to Yeji?" Lia said while waving her hand furiously in front of Yeji's face.
"Sorry, what did you say again?"
Yeji thought she could get away with the old 'nod-and-smile trick' but apparently Lia was too smart for it.

"I asked how your parents dicorce went." Lia was finally able to ask Yeji.
"Oh. Overall... good, i guess." Yeji answered while taking a bite of her sandwich.
"I'm just thankful that it's over." she continued. her voice being more soft and relieved now.
'Well, only on paper it's over.' Yeji thought; knowing that her parents were still going to yell insults and continue their hatred against each other.

Lia on the other hand took a sip of her cappuccino, while examining Yeji's mental absence.
"And... how are you feeling now?" Lia asked, trying to somehow subtly change to the topic she originally planned on talking about.

"Better. Much better." Yeji responded. And this time, she meant it.
Her heart, mind, thoughts contained Ryujin. And Ryujin only.
Even when she just passes through Yeji's thoughts briefly, Yeji started to form a small smile - which was now visible to Lia as well.

"I'm glad you met her, Yeji."

Yeji's not wondering how Lia knew she was indirectly talking about Ryujin anymore, she rather took a glance outside the window of the shop. The streets weren't busy that day. Most people would be going outside later of the day but Yeji likes to spend the day early on.

While watching everyone, she notices someone with short blonde hair. For a second her heartbeat started to increase, before noticing that unfortunately it wasn't Ryujin.

With a bit of disappointment she participated on the conversation with Lia again.
"Me too."

The next few minutes were spend with joyful laughter and genuine smiles while finishing their breakfast.
After a while Lia had a hard time trying to fit a way too big bite into her mouth. Her visible and audible struggle making her frustration grow with each bite she failed to take.

During that time, Yeji looked at her phone from time to time - anticipating to receive a message from the certain blonde girl, who stole her heart.
Memories with Ryujin suddenly appeared in her mind again: the first time she saw her sitting on the bench, the first time holding her in her arms, their first kiss.

Yeji couldn't surpress a smile, while she was still looking at her phone - although no new messages were sent to her.

"You can already go if you want."
"What?" Yeji asked confused, after being pulled back into reality once again.
"I know you miss her." Lia explained, while obviously being amused by the other's reaction.

"Is it that obvious?" Yeji responded while giggling - probably because she already knew the answer to her question.
"You're literally spacing out every 3 minutes, Yeji."
Well, no wonder. Yeji hasn't been meeting up with Ryujin recently, of course she'd fill in the missing time with reminiscing memories and smiling over every little detail that reminds her of Ryujin.

"There's no need for me to be so clingy." Yeji spoke up, trying to convince herself and control her emotions.
"Mhm. Because you get to spend your whole life with her anyways?" Lia responded with a smug smirk.

"Hopefully..." Yeji silently said to herself, after their laughter faded away.

Unconsciously Yeji looked at her phone again - her lockscreen being lit up from a new message. The only message she waited for.

Ryujin:
Morning baby💙

Two words and Yeji feels so warm and happy again. Crazy how Ryujin can control her heartbeat even over text.

Yeji:
Good morning🖤 Slept well?

Ryujin:
Yeah, but it would have been better with you.

"Seriously. I don't want to be the cause of putting your happiness on halt." Lia said after noticing Yeji was grinning at her phone with heart eyes.

"You're the best! I own you something." Yeji told Lia, while standing up and getting ready to leave.
"I know i am!" Lia yelled after Yeji, who was already walking out of the shop.