The afternoon air outside the Rain Flower Shop was crisp and fragrant, carrying the faint, sweet scent of blooming jasmine. Inside, surrounded by rows of vibrant petals and lush greenery, Lucy leaned against the counter, scrolling through her phone. Lucy was bored and wanted to chat Elsa since she missed her during her work, she tapped out a quick text to Elsa: do you want to meet at the burger shop when we are done with work?
At the book shop
Elsa was seating on the chair and was also bored, she wanted to also chat Lucy when she received a message, it was a chat from Lucy, she smiled.
Reading the message she smiled.
Elsa: yes I'd love to, Elsa replied and Lucy smiled seeing the message.
Lucy: okay, see you after work.
Elsa read the message and she typed.
Elsa: Sure, I'm be glad to see you. Elsa typed back and Lucy smiled happy about their meet up.
When Elsa arrived, Lucy was already in their favorite familiar booth at the burger shop—a weekend tradition they had shared many times before.
"I'm so hungry?, Elsa said looking at her friend as she took a seat.
"Me too, I'm glad we are here together Lucy said.
"Yep, me too, Elsa said and took the menu, she wanted to eat burger and coke and Lucy took her menu. Elsa thought of telling her friend she had retired from the club, it was best she knew. Lucy black hair and green eyes were on the menu reading what she wanted to order.
"You know the night shift I work at the club, Elsa said earning Lucy attention as she spoke.
"Yes, Lucy responded looking at Elsa, her green eyes looking at Elsa.
"Well I quit, Elsa said. I don't feel like working there anymore, it exhausting and I didn't feel like working there, Elsa said looking at Lucy who was a beautiful damsel with green eyes. Lucy was a damsel with her beautiful green eyes and long black hair, Elsa thought.
Lucy felt it was neutral, "okay, you need to rest if things exhaust you, and you are right quitting, Lucy said being considerate.
"Thanks Lucy, Elsa said glad Lucy was understanding.
Later on the waiter came to take their orders and went to get their food.
"So... would you look for another night shift job?" Lucy inquired, assuming Elsa would naturally want to fill the evening hours.
"Well, for now, I think I'm going to take a break," Elsa smiled softly, taking a sip of her Coke that was served.
Lucy nodded understandingly. "Okay." Lucy said.
Elsa felt a quiet wave of relief wash over her. Taking a break was exactly what she needed—not just for her schedule, but to heal the emotional and mental exhaustion she had been carrying. She didn't mention the real reason she had left the night shifts behind: Jordin was. She kept hidden the memory of the man she had slept with for money, the man she had slapped and ultimately had to run from. That terrifying chapter of her life was closed, and she was fiercely glad to leave it behind.
Their burgers and frosty bottles of Coca-Cola were served. Eating together in comfortable silence punctuated by laughter, Elsa thought that simply being here, surrounded by normalcy and her best friend, was the best thing in the world.
By the time they finally stepped out of the burger shop, the sky was dimming toward a soft, bruised twilight.
"I feel satisfied eating burgers and Coke together. It makes me full," Lucy said happily, smiling as she smoothed down her jacket. She loved the simple, complete feeling of a good meal.
"Same," Elsa agreed, glancing affectionately at her friend. Lucy was a true damsel, striking with her long, dark hair and piercing green eyes.
"We should get chips and burgers and Coke next time," Lucy added, her eyes brightening. "Probably three burgers and chips."
Elsa stopped walking, turning to her friend with a surprised, playful look. "Don't be a glutton!" she teased.
Lucy instantly blushed, her cheeks flushing hot as she looked away, suddenly a bit embarrassed. "I'm just being honest," she muttered, her voice dropping a little as her gaze hit the pavement. "I would have eaten that..."
Elsa didn't miss the sudden cloud of self-consciousness over her friend. She hated the idea of Lucy feeling embarrassed just for speaking her mind. People ate how they liked; it didn't matter at all.
"It's true," Elsa laughed gently. "To be honest, I would've drank two cokes and two burgers, and included some chicken wings myself."
Lucy's face lit up instantly. She let out a bright, bubbling laugh that sounded genuinely joyous, and Elsa smiled right along with her. Deep down, Lucy knew Elsa wasn't the type to make anyone feel small. She deeply appreciated that kind of safe, judgment-free friendship, especially knowing how shy she usually was.
Just then, a group of women walked past them on the pavement, dressed in high fashion that whispered effortless wealth. They carried themselves with an innate grace, their beauty striking and untouchable. Elsa watched them for a moment, a sudden, familiar flutter of insecurity hitting her stomach.
"What do you think? Am I beautiful?" Elsa asked suddenly, stopping in her tracks. Her voice carried a curious edge, even if a part of her wondered why she even needed to ask.
Lucy turned to her, understanding immediately. She knew the stunning women who had just passed had triggered the question.
"Yes, Elsa. You look gorgeous and Beautiful," Lucy answered without hesitation. Though, if she were being entirely honest with herself, seeing those runway-ready women had stung her own pride just a little bit too. She pushed the thought down.
"I knew you'd say I'm pretty. But am I really?" Elsa pressed, her warm brown eyes searching Lucy's emerald ones for absolute truth.
"You are pretty. Your brown eyes are pretty. Your long brown hair is so pretty. I'm certain," Lucy smiled, her tone unwavering.
Elsa felt a warm blush creep up her own cheeks. At least I'm not less pretty, she thought with a small inward sigh of relief.
"Thanks, Lucy. You're very pretty too," Elsa said, her voice softening with raw honesty. "Your eyes—to be honest, I thought you were a goddess the first time I saw you."
A rush of happiness hit Lucy like a wave, her cheeks flushing. Hearing someone be so genuinely sincere meant everything to her.
"In fact, you're truly a damsel. I'm not kidding," Elsa added, watching the stunned, pleased expression on her friend's face. "It's the truth. And you're cute."
Without thinking, Elsa reached out and gave Lucy's cheek a playful pinch. Lucy smiled, her heart swelling. She knew she possessed her own quiet beauty, but hearing it from Elsa—who never lied—made it real. Even with the lingering, faint flicker of jealousy she still felt toward the wealthy strangers who had just walked by, the feeling dissolved away under the warmth of her best friend's words.
Walking side-by-side down the cooling street, Elsa felt a deep, steady sense of peace settle in her chest. Her days with Jordin still lingered at the edges of her mind like a fading dream, but here, in the present, she was happy.