"Why am I here again? Well... I'd ask why  we're  here, but this place seems fitting for someone like you." Eman grimaced at Yronica's insulting tone.

"I just wanted to talk, Yronica. After all," Eman smiled, pulling up her phone. "You technically owe me."

Yronica swallowed, a bead of sweat trickling from her face. "Umm... B-But did it have to be here? There are other better places. Why couldn't we have gone further down? There is literally a Starbucks." 

Eman gave a hefty sigh, Yronica crossing her arms as she rested one leg on the other. She wasn't smiling, as wasn't Eman. "If you actually took the time to walk around, you'd know that this is one of the best-"

"I didn't ask. Just get to the point," Yronica lashed at Eman. "I'm not here to hear you talk about this stupid diner because I'm not impressed either way." 

Encouraging a wince from Eman, Yronica glanced around the empty establishment. The tables were decorated with menus and serviettes, not that anyone had been using them. It was reminiscent of a stereotypical American diner, yet it felt humbled. 

The dark wood was a rusty colour, and Yronica's eyes easily adjusted to the simple design of it. The building was small and comfortable, much more so than any high-end cafe she'd ever dwelled in. The pair occupied one of the four booths that lined the window, tightly packed next to a counter bordering the couple from the kitchen. 

Clearing her throat, Eman offered her attention to her preoccupied partner. "I wanted us to eat first before we just talked. Y'know, as friends do on dates."

"This isn't a date, and we aren't friends. But, since you're paying, I'll have..." Yronica pondered a bit, thinking hard before deciding to deliberately waste Eman's time, much to her annoyance. "Hmm... I'll just have whatever you're having."

"We'll share then."

"What?!"

Eman raised her hand, establishing she'd be ordering at that moment, "I'm not paying for two milkshakes." 

"You're getting a fucking milkshake, and you're a cheapskate?! How boring are you! And put your hand down because you look stupid!"

Ignoring Yronica's unneeded tantrum, her outbursts becoming less bearable to Eman (and any would-be patrons of the diner), she sat back on her chair with her hand high.

As Yronica aimlessly berated the wallflower on her dull personality, Eman drifted to the empty street as the setting sun illuminated the roads with deep orange. Yronica and her were nothing alike, and even  trying to  become friends with her would grant no benefit whatsoever.

She had no redeeming qualities, and Yronica didn't plan on changing that. 

So why was Eman there? Eman wanted to change her, to fix her, but... She knew how she felt about her. All those late-night texts, feelings of affection and thoughtless compliments meant nothing now. It was a lost cause, but she lived on hope that maybe something could-

"No fucking way." Yronica's voice ceased the goth's rumination. "Put your hand down, and let's get out of here. Now."

"What? Why?"

"Listen, just put your hand down and let's leave. We can go somewhere else. I'll play," Yronica offered hastily.

Before Eman could question Yronica's sudden desperation, a voice called for the couple at the table.

"...Wait, Yronica?! Is that you? No way, it's been so long! It's me, Mamo! Do you remember me?" 

✰

"N-No, we have never met before," Yronica mumbled, avoiding eye contact with the bubbly girl. 

Eman's eyes shot up at her unnerved partner with yet another reaction that'd surprised her. "Yronica, you know her?"

"Know her? We were practically best friends," Mamo proudly declared, prompting a fake cough from Yronica. "We used to play golf together. Yronica was really good at it!"

"We never played golf together! You were just there every time I felt like playing golf! I  hate  you!" Yronica's face had reddened, masked with a crimson rage. "You always just  had to win, didn't you!"

"In case you couldn't tell, we're good friends," Mamo clarified, much to Yronica's conflict. "So, who is this, Yronica? You're girlfriend?"

"What?! Shut up!"  Yronica had practically been shouting. "Why are you even here?!"

Mamo grinned, bending to lean on their table, "To take your order. What would you two like?"

"You're supposed to be our waiter?!" From the tone of Yronica's voice, it was painfully obvious she didn't like this girl. 

"Can we just get a milkshake? One, please," requested Eman to their waitress.

Mamo gave a mannerly smile. "Of course! I'll be back with your order soon."

"This is why we should have just gone to Starbucks, Eman."

"Why do you even hate her? She seems nice. Do you hate everyone?"

"Do you love  wasting  my time?" Yronica shrugged off Eman's response. "You invited me here to talk about something. What do you want from me?"

"To be less rude, for starters," Eman retorted. 

"Uh-huh, whatever."

Eman pinched the bridge of her nose. "Okay, I really just want you to spend time with Aaaqil. Can you just be nice to him? For a day? Just one day, that's all."

"Me? Be nice to Aaaqil? I'd-" Yronica paused, holding back her statement to think it over. "Hmm... Fine. I'll do that."

"What? Really?"

"You still have the video, so... I'll look after our cute little Aaaqil for you," Yronica boldly answered, her face emotionless yet stern to the wallflower.

Before any more chatter could be exchanged between the couple, footsteps along the polished wooden floor could be heard. 

"Here is your milkshake! Enjoy!" Mamo announced cheerfully, giving them a casual salute before trodding off in the direction she came.

Eman grasped the cold glass in her hand and offered the milky beverage to Yronica. "Well, then. Thanks for being so cooperative, Yronica."

"Whatever. You sound stupid. Speak normally," Yronica remarked, holding her hands around Eman's and the mug before drinking out of the provided straw.

"So? How is it?"

"...It's... actually really good."