Three Years

The meeting-place was designated to be a small café nestled in the corner of a busy shopping district, close enough to the campus that Kiki could walk to it and be there in under half an hour. When she arrived, greeted by the jingle of a small bell – her chest ached – she scanned the restaurant, catching sight of the familiar waves of chocolate-coloured hair. Kiki approached her from behind giving her a tap on the shoulder as she passed, dropping in the seat across from her. Mocha smiled her usual sly smile, lifting her own mug, probably of coffee, up in greeting.

“How’s life in Busy-town?” Mocha rolled her eyes, chuckling a little under her breath and pushing her bangs out of her face. Her hazel eyes gleamed with all the youth of a child, although her appearance was unbelievably mature.

“It’s not like you live in Quietsville either. It takes me ages to get here, even with good traffic flow!” While Kiki was taking her studies close to home, Mocha was currently completing her studies in veterinary medicine in a different city, at least 2 hours away by car. Last visit, on their breaks, Kiki had made the two hour drive to visit her at her own dorm, so now it was Mocha’s turn.

“I can’t do anything about that! What did you get me then,” Kiki asked, changing the subject.

“Hot chocolate, made with 2% milk and extra whipped cream.” Kiki placed her hands on the mug, sighing as her wind-nipped fingers began to warm.

“Mocha, have I told you how much I love you?” Mocha took a sip of her own drink, looking smug.

“Not recently,” her face grew slightly more serious, and Kiki wondered how Mocha could even manage to look more mature than she normally did. “Although maybe now’s not the time for that, considering your most recent date.” Her dark eyebrows lifted a few centimetres, encouraging Kiki’s response.

“You heard about that then?” She took a sip of her own drink now, avoiding the impending whipped cream moustache.

“You should know by now there’s little I don’t hear.” Mocha set her drink down, leaning her head on one hand, propped on the table. “So how did the date go? Was she nice?” Kiki averted her eyes, sighing a little.

“She was nice,” she admitted. This wasn’t a lie. Lila had been a really sweet girl, genuine, honest and with what was maybe a bit of a mischievous streak. They shared the same floor in the dorms, took the elevator at the same time, and there was an ease in talking to her only excelled by the one she had with Mocha. The girl was even beautiful by Kiki’s standards, long red-brown hair, bright blue eyes and a healthy glow to her expressions. They were similar in nature, and got along well but… “She just wasn’t my type.” Mocha’s lips turned downwards just slightly.

“No one seems to be your type recently, Kiki.”

“… Oh shut up,” the blonde grumbled. Mocha leaned back in her chair, regarding Kiki with a critical eye. Kiki refused to make eye contact.

“Why do you keep doing this when you know darn well what you’re looking for?” No response. “Kiki, if what I hear is even right, you’ve been on at least 9 of these trial dates in one month only.” When coming from her mouth, the number sounded ridiculous. She didn't remember being that popular, ever.

“They were just trials. I didn’t lead anyone on, if you’re worrying about that,” Kiki told her impassively, not understanding the direction of the conversation. Mocha waved her finger, the lid of her mug spinning in mid-air until one of the waitresses poked her head about to look at the only customers in the café.

“Trials you know will fail. Why are you doing this to yourself, not them, is what I’m asking.” Kiki stiffened, her breath catching in her throat. She traced the rim of her cup with one finger, getting whipped cream between her nail, but not noticing it.

“I’m not trying to do anything to myself. I’m just… Maybe I’ll find someone and we’ll click, you know?” Mocha sighed heavily, her jaw dropping open completely.

“Fine, fine. This is a boring conversation topic anyway.” She picked up her mug again, pressing it against her chin so that her smirk was easily visible. “How ‘bout I tell you about that dragon I tamed this weekend?” Kiki jumped in her seat, leaning across the table to hear better.

“Oh, do tell!”