Marbella tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her black and red eyes studied the cafe in front of her. She took a deep breath before she walked in, pushing the sunglasses up, further on her nose. The cafe was brimming with humans and monsters alike, their voices filling up space. Marbella walked to the counter, fiddling with the threads that hung off the bottom of her shirt; she was nervous. She was practically a recluse, spending all her time at home unless her grandparents brought her to get together with friends or made her finally go out for a walk, to a library or at least to get something to drink.
Marbella was jerked out of her thoughts by the woman behind the counter. “See anything you like?” It took Marbella a moment to realize that the woman was talking about the drinks on the menu and not herself.
“Oh. Just a coffee. Regular. Please.” Marbella said, trying to resist the blush that tried to cover her cheeks. The woman rung up her order, taking Marbella’s small wad of cash before smiling at her.
“Regular coffee coming right up.” The woman-her name tag read Genevieve-smiled kindly at Marbella before she walked off to grind the coffee beans. Marbella shuffled away from the counter, her eyes locked on Genevieve, studying her.
Genevieve was short, with a black pixie cut and brown eyes that held warmth-and matched her skin. Genevieve let out a laugh at something her coworker said, and smiled. Her smile was kind and held happiness. Marbella felt her heart pounding as she watched Genevieve, cheeks flushed.
She finally took her coffee and walked to the door. When she walked down the street, she looked down at the writing on the side of the disposable cup.
You seem shy, and it’s cute. Call me, and we can hang out? xxx-xxx-xxxx. -Genevieve
Marbella’s heart leaped and she smiled in happiness. It took all her will control not to squeal while still walking home. She gripped the cup, her cheeks flushed and eyes gleaming with happiness as she sipped carefully at the coffee. She couldn’t wait to call-she would probably text, though-Genevieve and find a good day to hang out.
Marbella finally slipped into the house, walking into her messy room. She turned on the light before sitting on the edge of her bed. She copied Genevieve’s phone number into her contacts and then added a heart next to Genevieve’s name. She saved Genevieve’s contact information before staring down at her phone, her eyes studying the name next to the heart over and over again, putting the name into her memory.
Marbella curled up on her bed, her phone lit up and laying next to her. She grabbed a pillow and clutched it close, burying her face into it. She let out a happy squeal, closing her eyes tightly. She finally had a friend, someone who wasn’t her grandparents who liked her. She was happy-beyond happy.
She spent the rest of the night staring at her phone, wondering what to text to Genevieve. Finally, Marbella texted: Hey. It’s Marbella. You gave me your number. And you called me cute. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out after your shift tomorrow?
She then curled up, closing her eyes. She fell asleep with the hope that Genevieve would text her back in the morning.
Marebella woke up to streams of sunlight filtering through her window and landing on her face. She squinted before rubbing her eyes and sitting up. She let out a soft yawn, stretching before she stood up. She spent the morning showering and changing and getting ready before she finally looked down at her phone. She beamed as she saw one new notification. She opened it and read Genevieve’s reply.
I did, cutie! Come on over at 1:00 and I can take you out to the park.
Marebella reread the text over and over, a grin appearing on her face. She let out a happy squeal. She grabbed her shoes, pulling them on before looking at the time.
Her heart sank. It was 10:25; she had to wait a few hours. “Noooo...” she sighed and collapsed on her bed, groaning softly.
A second later, her grandmother stuck her head through the door. “Marebella, honey, can help me for a second? I bough too much groceries to carry in.”
Marebella stood, yawning before nodding. “Sure.”
The two made their way to the car, and Marebella’s grandmother asked, “You seem so blue. What’s wrong?”
Marebella pouted slightly. “I have to wait to go on a date.”
Her grandmother let out a laugh. “Is that all? Well, I’ll put you to work to make you feel busy. Now grab the heavy bags for me, will you?”
Marebella nodded, smiling as she grabbed the bags, her grandmother grabbing the rest of the lighter ones.
“So, tell me about the lucky girl.” Her grandmother teased.
Marebella let out a loving sigh as she walked with her grandmother back into the house. “Oh, she’s great. We just met but...y’know love at first sight? I just can’t wait to see her again.”
Her grandmother laughed. "That's all that's worrying you?"
Marebella turned bright red, squeaking out, "Maybe..."
Her grandmother put down the bags and then put a hand on Marebella's shoulder. "You have nothing to worry about, dear. It's a date. You can spend time by helping me, anyways, and the time to go will be here before you know it. Don't worry, alright? It'll be fine, I promise you that."
Marebella gave her grandmother a sheepish smile. "Alright, if you say so."
The two started their work on putting away the groceries.
"So, you just met the girl?" Her grandmother asked, making Marebella nod.
"Yeah, she's a really nice and confrontational person. But that makes her a good person! Being confrontational, ya'know? But she's a great girl...even though I just met her." Marebella let out a nervous laugh. "I'm rambling, aren't I?"
Her grandmother let out a laugh. "It's fine, dear. Pass me the mayo?" Marebella passed her the mayo.
The two worked for a while, talking and putting away the groceries. Once they were done, they put away the bags.
Her grandmother yawned. "You can make yourself lunch. I'm going to take a nap." Marebella gasped and looked at the time; it was only around 11:54, but she didn't want to waste any time.
Marebella ran around the house, hurrying to change to her outfit to try to impress Genevive before she grabbed her wallet and keys, shoving them into her wallet. She ran out the door at 12:00. She sighed softly, looking at her watch. It would take her ten minutes to walk downtown, an estimated five to ten minutes to pick out a bouquet from the flower store, and then around fifteen minutes to get to the cafe. So, she decided, it would take around thirty to thirty-five minutes to get there.
Marebella hurried around the street, clutching her bag straps tightly in her hands, nervously twisting at the straps. She took a deep breath as she headed down town.
The terrifying thought of, I don't know what flowers she likes, came into her head, and Marebella paled.
"Crap, crap, crap-" Marebella said quickly to herself anxiously. "Alright...I'm just going to go the safe route and buy her some roses." She took a deep breath as she walked into the flower shop. Aromas of many different flowers hit her, and she sucked in a breath through her nose.
Her eyes scanned the many rows of brightly colored flowers. She finally found a row of multi -colored roses. She looked for a singular red rose, finding one after a few agonizing minutes past.
"Finally." She sighed softly as she took the flower and hurried to the counter.
The woman behind the counter was tall with green skin, a long dress, and roses in her long black hair. Marebella blinked slowly in surprise before holding out the flower. "I-I want to buy this-"
The woman, who's name tag red: Ivy, said, "I figured." She smiled kindly before adding, "That'll cost two dollars."
"Oh." Marebella fumbled to pull out her wallet and hand Ivy two dollars. Ivy took the money.
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