Tea and Coffee, Vol. 6

Tea and Coffee, Vol. 6

Lily stood there, in a tight fitting white dress and flowing red jacket. On her left shoulder she carried a red handbag. Her fingernails, painted red. Her shoes, red too, with a low heel. Her crimson hair done up into a bun. Red lipstick on red lips. Eyeliner. Concealer too, probably. She looked absolutely stunning.

I stood there, in a striped black and grey shirt and brown jacket. I had navy blue trousers on. Old leather shoes. My hair, 'fashionably' scruffy. I was clean shaven, but I barely grew facial hair anyway. Orange scented cologne. In my hand I held a bundle of white flowers. Lillies, of course. When she saw them, her face turned a bright red.

'Hey' I said, as I approached. 'For you. They're from Coffee.'

'I never knew Coffee was such an avid gardener' she said shyly, her smile not so mischievous as usual.

'They're also from me.' I say, and Lily blushes a shade more red.

'Thank you' she stammers, 'they're beautiful, let me put them in water quickly.' She practically runs the brief six steps up to her door and rushes inside. She returns a few moments later.

'The restaurant's a fifteen minute walk away. Shall we?' I say.

Lily smiles and nods. As we begin to move I notice her strides are shorter than usual. Her arms tucked in, not swaying side to side. Her eyes, looking down at the cobblestones.

'Lil is there something on your mind?' I ask. 'You seem to be a bundle of nerves.'

Lily lets out an anxious laugh. 'Yeah, I think I am. I'm trying way too hard to make a good first impression.'

I laugh a little. 'Lil you're about fourteen months too late for that.'

I take her right hand with my left and hold it as we walk. 'We're friends, not strangers. Plus, you know I've always had a small crush on you.'

I feel her hand recoil for a second, but then relax.

She gives my hand a light squeeze. 'You always know what to say when I'm flustered.' She smiles at me, brightly, from cheek to cheek. 'You look like a mess by the way... I love it.'