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Sweetest Goodbye

"C'mon Mila, just one date. The schools having a ball for graduates, I have an extra ticket. Come with me?" Hailee asks me for what feels like the thousandth time, this isn't the first time she's asked me out. Nor is it the first time I've said no. She's currently leaning against the counter whilst I'm working, I roll my eyes and sigh loudly before turning around to look at the woman standing there.

She's attractive there's no way around that, short cropped black hair and piercing hazel green eyes. She's an attractive butch, which is great if that's what you're in to. Her lips are thinner than Lauren's but she's clearly in good shape. Stop comparing every woman you meet to her. "When is it?" I ask watching her face almost split in two from the wide grin that breaks out across her handsome features.

"Friday. I could pick you up at seven?" I chew my bottom lip, unsure on where to go from here. I've been blowing her off for so long, it's a little endearing that she hasn't just given up yet. I'm about to tell her no again when the bell hanging over the front door rings, signalling the arrival of another customer. Silently thankful for the reprieve I've been given to work out how I'm going to say no to Hailee, yet again, I turn to the front counter and my heart stops. Lauren is walking to the counter hand in hand with a woman I can only assume is her girlfriend. Shorter than Lauren with glossy, brown hair, the girls nothing short of beautiful and all of a sudden I'm feeling extremely self-conscious. Lauren's eyes widen when she sees me standing waiting for her and her strides shorten, as if she wants to avoid the awkward encounter about to happen as much as I do.

Our eyes lock on each other and my breath catches in my throat, my chest tightens as I watch the woman I've pined after for so long come to a halt directly in front of me and I try my best to not look like a wounded puppy "hi, what can I get for you?" I keep my welcome brief and to the point, to save myself from saying something I know I'll regret in the long run.

Lauren eyes me speculatively for a moment, she was clearly hoping not to see me here today. In fact we've been doing well in avoiding each other over the last few weeks since our almost kiss and my frank confession. I've missed her, there's no other way to phrase it, I've missed everything about her and seeing her standing there looking as good as ever next to someone who isn't me only makes that hollow pit in my stomach deepen "I didn't know you were working today Camila" I shrug my shoulders and avoid her piercing gaze.

"I swapped with Zack, he had a class he couldn't miss and I had my last final yesterday so I was free." My voice is professional but polite as I stand there shifting from foot to foot. This isn't awkward at all.

Lauren stands there silently for a moment until her girlfriend nudges her, bringing her back to the reason she's standing there "oh, sorry. Can we get a cappuccino and a double espresso please?"

I nod and begin making their drinks, trying to avoid looking at the couple standing in front of the counter "are you going to give me an answer then?" Hailee's question startles me, I'd forgotten she was there but taking another look back at Lauren who has her lips to her girlfriends ear, no doubt whispering sweet things into it judging by the small smile playing on the brunette lips. As I take in that little moment, it brings a fresh wave of hurt and guilt over me that I act brashly in the next moment.

I turn to look at Hailee, a determined look spread across my features I nod "sure, why not. I'm sure I can find something to wear. I'll see you then." Hailee's grin is contagious and I smile back at her briefly before she jots her cell number down on a napkin and hands it to me.

"Text me your address, I'll meet you there and we can go together." I nod my understanding, pocketing the napkin and watch as Hailee leaves the shop. Reluctantly, I place the two cups in front of Lauren and give her a stiff smile.