Claire's POV;
Claire navigated her way to their supposed meeting point with a soft smile that made her approachable. She couldn't help but feel excited to meet her bestie that she hadn't seen nor spoken with in two months now.
It wasn't a habit for her visit the central city on weekends because nothing exciting happens. It's always plain and calm as cementry. Most stores, restaurants and supermarkets were closed and the only place allowed to open was the central stores.
Claire enjoyed the calm aura of the inner city and fresh air unlike the rush hours and bustling atmosphere she knew it for.
It was non like the week days where crowds of people were hurrying their steps to do one thing or the other with nothing in mind but to make their appointment in time or to catch the train and so on.
Everything was going at a peaceful slow pace with people riding their bikes, few couples out for a stroll, joggers in their warmers burning their calories, someone playing a melodious tune for a few coins, friends in groups having a lively time, people walking their dogs, sharing cigarettes, taking photos and having picnics on the sidewalk.
The weather was pleasant. Although the sun was overshadowed by soft white clouds, its bright rays still filtered through the fluffs to warm the earth.
Soft breeze whispered through the calm street, the air fresh and soothing to the skin. It was a shame she tied her hair in a simple bun or ever strand would've flowed freely.
The clicking of her heels against the concretes showed how confident and carefree she was. With her arms swinging by her sides, she looked like a teenager on a candy hunt.
Who knew stepping out a bit could be therapy on its own?
Her lips were permanently adorned with a sweet smile. She subtly adjusted her sunglasses to the top of her head, revealing her cheeky round face to the world. Her makeup was light, almost like she put nothing on. Her lips stood out the most. Plump and glossy pink like that of a strawberry joghurt. She spread her arms wide just like she would at the beach and spun with her eyes closed.
In a flowing dress, this would have been a fascinating sight but the crop top and baycon mini skirt were too casual to pull it off. The light purple outfit was made from knitted fabric. The chest area just between her full melons was cut in a v neck with buttons available to expose the amount of skin she wanted.
The urge to draw a street like this came over her like a hot bath on a freezing day. She cast her eyes at every corner she passed by, etching the details in her mind. She noticed how the birds perched on the ground without a care in the world.
She knew she was running late but a moment like this was too good to ignore.
Was für ein wunderbare Wetter! (What a wonderful weather)
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Unlike Claire and the rest of other people who wore light fabrics, Leni was dressed in a black polo and baggy brown pants, she sat calmly sipping her coffee with all her concentration fixed on her tablet, looking unbothered by what was happening around her. She was like a dark cloud confined in that corner that one could easily pick her out of the crowd like how someone could see the difference between a pencil and a pen.
She didn't even notice Claire until she spoke. ''Hey there stranger! Looking you as always.'' Claire chi rped as she approached Leni's table.
''You are late. I drove all the way here and still fucking have to wait for you. Damn it! I even thought you would be waiting for me already.''
''You drove here? You should've boarded a train."
"Bitch, I would've done that if you didn't drag me out at short notice. You expect me to cough up a ticket or what?"
Claire placed her white handbag on the table and walked over to where Leni was sitting and engulfed her in a warm hug. She wriggled in her seat to shrug her off but her hold was firm.
''My bad, I didn't mean to be late. I got carried away. If not for that I would've been here sooner.'' She said in a sweet tone.
''You don't even have a good excuse. Do you know how long it took me to drive here? You have no idea that most route were being repaired? And you have the balls to stand me up this long. Keep fucking with me and I'll give it to you.'' Leni wasn't pretending to be friendly. She gave it to her straight up.
''Sheesh, why so mean! You don't have to be this intense. I'll keep that in mind next time.'' Claire tightened her arms around her and swinged her from side to side as if she was her personal stuffed animal.
''Now don't be mad. Is this the mood you want to set, Hmm? After all these months I really missed you.''
''Claire you are embarrassing me.'' She glanced around at the other tables surrounding them. They were outdoors. Tables and chairs set under huge umbrellas. It was a refreshing setting mainly to enjoy the pleasant weather while it lasts. And with beds of colourful autumn flowers arranged in each corners made it look more like a garden. Outside was breezy and pleasant that It provides one a relaxing state of mind. That was the reason she chose to sit here and wait.
Claire gave her a peck on the neck before letting go and taking her seat opposite her with a cheeky smile.
Sheds of red formed on Leni's pale cheeks. ''Do I fucking look like your boyfriend?''
Claire looked at her for a moment like she was considering the question. ''Nope! You certaintly don't look like him. You look like uh... my Leni.'' She giggles at how Leni's face frowned.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
''What is that even supposed to mean?''
''I didn't mean anything by it. I mean like, if you were Theo that wouldn't be the first spot I would've targetted and I certainly wouldn't be stopping there.'' Her chuckle sounded like that of a mischievous child. And with a playful wink she asked, "You know what I mean, right?"
''No, I don't.'' Leni looked like she wanted nothing more than to snap Claire into two. Her and her witty banter. She has the guts to be chatty after pissing her off.
''Oh, I forgot you're a monk.'' The look she recieved from Leni was enough to pit a stop to her tease.
''You know what? Don't mind me at all. I have no idea whats got into me today. It might have something to do with the wheather.'' She maintained her sweet smile matching that of Leni's glare.
Leni might not actually be glaring at her but it does looks like it. Her eyeballs weren't structured to hide in their sockets rather they actually poped out. Not only that but the iris were also an enlarged circle and it doesn't help that they were sooty grey in colour. Not to talk about the darck circles that married her eyes most of the times and today was no exception. She always appeares intimidating, especially with no glasses on.
Claire eyed Leni's coffee. ''I see you have already placed your order. Did I really keep you waiting that long?'' She opened her medium-sized bag and digged out her phone. ''Just 20 minutes late. Is this how you would've behave on a date?'' Claire asked in with a light chuckle as she waved to catch the server's attention.
''20 minutes you say. Claire you told me to be here by noon and I arrived exactly at 12:00. So it's my fault now? If this were a date, I would be long gone without looking back.''
Claire's brown lashes shadowed her bright eyes as she narrowed them. ''Don't say that out loud! No wonder you're single. Look Babe, if you ever get on a date, contact me before doing anything stupid. I would board the fastest train to Müchen, straight to your apartment to coach your tight ass.''
Leni cringed her nose. '''Where did this confidence come from? What make you think I would do that? I'm not dumb enough to kiss and tell especially not with you.''
"This is nothing to be scared of. It's for your own good"
''Yeah, that's exactly what I fear.''
Claire laughed, shaking her head while removing her sunglasses from her hair, taking care not to mess up her bun.
She visibly cringed as she watched her glup down her what se called coffee. Although she didn't what Leni to feel like she was coming on to her, she still wanted to say something about it. ''Leni, why...''
''Hallo! Was kann ich für Sie tun? (Hello! What can I do for you?)'' A smiling young girl walked over with a jotter and a pen in hand interrupting the atmosphere that was about to get heated. Her light orange hair tied in a high ponytail and her black oversized apron hid her cute outfit. Claire gave her the look that says ''We'll get back to this'' before facing the girl with a polite smile.
''Latte Macchiato aber bitte diese mitnehmen und ein Milchkaffee für sie holen (Latte Macchiato but take this with you please and bring for her milkcoffee).''
Claire grabbed Leni's coffee, handing it over to the waitress whose sweet smile slowly turned into an awkward one. Glancing back and forth not sure if she should actually take it.
She served Leni the coffee. At first she had the impression that she was a scary person but then the way she addressed her even though she way older than her made her realise she was in fact the coolest customer she has met by far. Unlike how other people behave around her. They send her glances. Glances that suggest, What's a girl her age doing here? Or She had to be 14 or Isn't she supposed to be in school?
What could be more ignorant than that? Yeah, unlike her peers she spends her holidays on part time jobs to earn some money so not to ask much from her mother butthat doesn't make her a helpless illiterate at their disposal to judge and pity.
Her employer has been kind to her as of nowand she has no intention of finding out what he would be like if she fails to do her job well. So she can't afford mistakes.
With uncertain eyes she peered at Leni who was now staring dagger at Claire.
''Was soll das? Gib sie einfach hier. Jetzt! (What's this supposed to mean? Give it back here. Now!).'' Her accent thicker than Claire's and her tone deeper than usual. Certainly not the gentle and soft tone she used earlier. The girl stood frozen but didn't forget to maintain her smile even though her face was hurting at that point.
''Es reich endlich mal schon! (Enough is enough!). I didn't call you out to drown yourself in this... this thing. Look I would've ignored it if it was that easy but this is an eye sore and unhealthy. I can't keep quiet.'' Claire's was glaring at Leni as well.
Leni pursed her lips and also switch to english. ''I see! You called me here to lecture me? Jokes on me then. I thought this was some romance shit offload season to get things off your chest. But, if you're here to tell me what I should do and not do, I will get back in my car and hit the road.''
Different emotions passed through Claire's eyes as she was speaking, hurt by how Leni see her as and frustrated that she wasn't paying attention to her health. ''Just so you know, I have no shitty problem going on. Everything is great. I don't have to be in trouble to call you. You worry me a lot. I mean, look at how exhausted and dehydrated you look and you expect me to not say anything.'' The dark circles under Leni's eyes stood out from her pale complexion. She didn't even bother to conceal them with make-up at all.
The amount of attention Claire was giving to Leni made her uncomfortable. ''Bitch, If it pains you this much just look the other way. I'm okay.''
''If it was me would you be okay doing nothing?'' She hardened her tone.
Leni blinked apparently taken aback but then frowned. ''What do you know. I need this to keep me functioning, now give it to me already?'' With her palm outstreched she waited for Claire to hand it over.
Claire didn't protest any more and handed her coffee to her. She turned her attention to the cute girl that has been waiting for her to order.
''Tut mir leid! (sorry about that!)'' Claire gave a smile that lasted few seconds but her cheeks raised enough to show her teeth. If she knew Leni was going to be sturborn she would've let her be rather than creating a scene.
Even though she knew the kid might not have actually undestood all their conversation she still felt disturbed that she might've picked up on it.
''Na! Alles gut! Was soll ich dann bringen? Nur Latte Macchiato, oder? (Na, It's okay! What should I bring then? Just Latte Macchiato, right?)''
''Ja bitte! (Yes please.)''
She noded and left. Leni was deliberatly ignoring Claire. She had her attention back on her tablet. She had atually being sorting stuffs out with it before Claire arrived but she kept it aside to give Claire her whole attention but now Claire wasn't being a good company in her opinion so she ignored her and rudely scrolling on the screen.
Claire could tell that her attention wasn't on whatever she was doing there. Unlike before, Leni didn't have the screen closer to her face like she did earlier. So her guess was that she was doing this to spite her. She could easily have payed her the same courtesy but that was not why she called her over.
After all she was the one that dragged her all the way here to Nürnberg. Leni might not care about these cliche stuffs but she does miss her a lot, wishing that things could've remined how it was before life got this busy. Maybe she should've suggested a lunch rather coming to a café. If she'd thought ahead, this would've been prevented.
A coffee was carefully placed in front of her and she returned the smile to the girl. To her surprise Leni handed her remaining drink to the girl.
''Kannst du mir ein Flasche Wasser bringen? (can give me a bottle of water?)''
''Ja, aber wir haben leider nur Pumpwasser und es ist kostenlos, soll ich es bring? (Yes, but we only have tap water and It's actually free, should I bring it?)''
''Ja, kein Problem! Fünf Gläser, danke! (Yes, no problem. 5 glasses, thanks!)''
the little girl blinked but then nodded and took her leave.
Claire looked at Leni, a look of surprise written all over her face. She wasn't even trying to hide them. One could even spot her lips curling up but she didn't utter a word.
Her coffee had a rich look. She knew it was a freshly made Latte Macchiato. It had the right combination of coffee and steamed milk, topped with creamy foam. She took a sip and marveled at its creamy taste. The foams were left on her lips, so she had to lick them with her tongue.
She caught Leni's stare out of the corner of her eyes and decided the brake the ice. She didn't know how Leni was holding up with her being the only one drinking coffee. She however refused to feel responsible about it. She was the on that have up hers out of her own will.
Leni still had a long drive ahead after this and Claire had no idea if she had anything for breakfast yet. And the answer terrified her.
''Why don't we grab a bite later?''
Leni ignored her, making Claire purse her lips.
"I'm starving and there is no way I'm going back to my empty fridge. Since we're here I better make the most out of it and grab a bite."
Leni didn't turn down the offer. She could see right through her that she was worried about her.
''There's this new stall that opened in the 5th floor. The food there is not bad.''
It was obvious that Claire was the only thrilled one between them.
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