Chapter Text
The next day after his classes, Espresso settled back down in the library. At this time, it was a little busy since if people wanted to check out books they did it before they went home. Espresso tended to this, checking out everyone the exact same way, name, scan, and the date it should be back by. But out of the corner of his eye he couldn't help but notice a familiar blonde waiting with a Tupperware container. Espresso felt himself roll his eyes a bit, but he felt curious as to why he was back. After everyone had dispersed a bit, Madeleine walked up to the counter and placed the container down, staring at Espresso, a face flushed with embarrassment.
"M-My Mom likes to bake and uh.. She said the way to people's hearts is through their stomachs.. Like all old people say.. And I feel really bad for making you upset yesterday!" He bowed his head a little "They're really delicious, I promise.."
Espresso stared for a moment before he offered a small smile, opening the container to reveal perfect chocolate chip cookies "..Thank you.." He said softly, putting the lid back on so they wouldn't go bad
"I'll need the container back eventually but you can take your time with it.. But uh.. Are we good now?"
Espresso nodded "Is that all you came for?"
"Well, not exactly.." He said softly, pulling the book he checked out the day before from his backpack "I tried to read this but it's kinda confusing.. I was hoping you could maybe help..?" He asked with pleading eyes
Espresso felt a bit obligated since he had cookies now, slowly nodding with a little sigh "You'll have to sit up here with me, though.. In case someone wants to check out a book or something-" He pulled a chair over and nodded to it, Madeleine sitting down in turn. Espresso moved to sit next to him, flipping through the book and humming "Yeah, I can see how this can be confusing.. Did you get a start on your essay at least?"
Madeleine nodded, pulling out a bunch of crumpled papers "..I got a bit frustrated though.."
Espresso felt himself subconsciously scrunch his nose "Well, the teacher isn't gonna want that.. Take a fresh piece of paper while I look over this.." He pushed up his glasses, reading over the intro statement Madeleine had written. He nodded a bit "Your intro is pretty good.. You need a hook though.."
"What's that?" Madeleine asked, ripping up a piece of paper into thin strips
"A hook is what makes the reader more interested, like a big statement.. You could do something like, 'Football is the most interesting sport'" He said before taking notice of Madeleine shredding up paper "What are you doing? You were supposed to write on that-"
"Ah.. Sorry.." He showed Espresso a little paper star he made "I just like to keep my hands busy, I promise I'm listening! I can't afford not to-" He laughed
"Well, I get you aren't very good at essay writing, but why are you trying so hard for this one?"
"Well, I'm failing my English class.. No matter how hard I try I can't seem to do anything right in that class!"
"Will you get kicked off the football team if you don't get it up?"
"That's a rude assumption to make.. I'm doing it because I want a good grade.." Madeleine frowned "I'm not just some big dumb jock, you know.. I'm really trying.." He looked down at his little paper stars
Espresso suddenly felt a little bad "Hey, that's not what I meant.. I'm sorry.." He said quietly
"It's okay.. Everyone kinda thinks that anyway-"
"People shouldn't make assumptions about others just based on what the person likes.." He hummed
"And what about you? You're really really smart.. Shouldn't you already have graduated? Or are you actually a middle schooler-" He giggled a bit "It might be a bit embarrassing to say I'm being tutored by a middle schooler-"
"No, I'm 17.." Espresso said gently "I probably could have graduated last year but my parents want me to have a 'Normal highschool career' whatever that means.. Isn't the whole point of school to learn? I just feel like I'm coasting by in all my classes, I already know most everything I'm being taught.."
"Maybe you could take a cool extracurricular class then? Like a metal shop or something!"
"I don't trust myself around power tools." He said bluntly, warranting a concerned face from Madeleine "Uh.. Not in a maniac way, in a clumsy way-" He said quickly "I'd chop a finger off or something-" He laughed a bit
"I don't understand why you don't have more friends, Espresso.. You're very funny and sweet, you know?" He slowly pushed a little star to Espresso, it had a messy smiley face drawn in the middle. He picked it up with a little smile and held it
"I don't really like being social.. It's probably on my own account-"
"Why are you being so nice to me then?"
"Cause you need help and you made me cookies-" He smirked, pushing a pencil to Madeleine "Grab another paper and try not to tear this one up-" He teased
An hour or two later, Latte walked into the library, staring at the two with a confused expression
"Now what are you two doing here?" She asked, leaning over the counter and grabbing the container, opening it with big eyes before she smiled a lot
"I'm helping him with an English essay.." They had made quite a bit of progress together, they had the intro done and half the body paragraph
Latte smiled "Yeah it's a bit difficult, hm?" She hummed, her mouth full of cookie
"If you think it's difficult it must be the hardest ever-" Madeleine huffed
"No it's easy I'm just trying to sympathize with you-" She smiled a lot and grabbed Espresso's bag "Alrighty-"
"Are you guys related?" Madeleine asked with a smile
"Isn't it obvious?" Espresso stood and sighed "I gotta close up so come on now-"
"No way! You guys look kinda similar but I guess I never put two and two together-" he smiled and got up, grabbing his essay and backpack
"Do you need a ride or anything, Madeleine?" Latte smiles
"Nah, I drove here this morning, but thanks for the offer anyway! Oh, and Espresso, can I have your number? So if I have anymore questions I can ask-"
Espresso felt his cheeks flush the slightest bit, no one had ever asked for his number "Uh.. Sure, lemme see your phone and I'll put in my info.." Madeleine handed him his phone with a huge giddy smile and Espresso quickly put his number in and handed it back to him. He then returned to stand next to Latte, a bit flustered.
"I'll see you tomorrow Espresso!" Madeleine called, walking out the doors "Enjoy the cookies!"
Espresso waved a little and mumbled nonsense to himself, cleaning up a bit last minute before walking out with his sister who held the container of cookies away from Espresso so he couldn't get any
"You know, I truly am surprised.. Madeleine's pretty outgoing but I'm more so surprised you're actually helping him-" Latte hummed, finally giving Espresso the cookies back when they sat down
"If I didn't help him I know he'd keep pestering me-" Espresso huffed, staring at the container
"Uh huh.." She smiled warmly, she was honestly just happy to see him finally making a friend