Coffee: By Willa

      “Too bitter,” she muttered, setting her espresso down on the table. Some coffee had spilled over and left drip trails down the sides. “Can I try yours?”

     The boy glanced up from his book before inching his cup towards her.

     “I don’t think you’ll like it,” he warned her as she lifted the lid and bent down to sniff. It was evident by the face she made that the scent didn’t appeal to her, but she took a sip anyway. He eyed the packet of Sweet ‘n’ Low.

     “That stuff will give you cancer,” she rejected him flatly after catching his look, lowering the cup from her lips.

     He made discreet eyebrows at her, leashing the temptation to openly mock her for her superstitions before resuming his book. He flipped a page. She sipped his drink. The silence wasn’t punishing.

     “What’re you reading?” she inquired, although her gaze was focused out the window.

     “Portnoy’s Complaint.”

     “Never heard of it,” she commented, breaking from her people-watching in favor of studying him. In response to his silence, she jerked her foot against his. He looked up, eyebrows raised expectantly.

     “Why are you ignoring me?”

     He gazed back at her blankly for a few moments, before finally closing his book and setting it on the table. He laced his fingers together and set them in front of him, intently searching her face. He could detect the girl’s rising indignation under his scrutiny

     “You’re very pretty,” he told her simply, his eyes locked upon hers as she absorbed this.

     Finally, he picked up his book again and skimmed for his place, before continuing to read silently.