Chapter Text
Light shades of orange and red scattered the surrounding as Cosima strolled her way towards the café. Parked cars still lined up the side street like any usual weekday while some casual on goers walked their way towards different directions.
Cosima looked up the sky to take note of the setting sun and the beautiful set of colours it was currently emanating. She was on dot this time and there was no reason to rush.
A couple of university students were just leaving the café as she passed the entrance. It was like any usual day in this familiar setting but the enthusiasm Cosima was feeling didn’t fail to surface when she reached straight for the counter. Thankfully enough, the last person on the line had just completed and claimed their order.
“Hey, Scott!” she greeted the lively barista whose smile unabashedly crept the moment he saw Cosima.
“You’re on time today, should I be surprised?” the goofy barista mused as she leaned on the counter more comfortably than necessary.
“You know it’s a day before the weekend plus I’ve been planning on actually keeping my promise of coming on time.” she said as she smiled back, enthusiasm still present.
“Well, that’s remarkable I should say,” Scott teased, “she hasn’t arrived yet though.” then shrugged.
“That’s exactly the plan, isn’t it?” it was more like a statement than a question.
“Yeah, to come here before her. I just hope it actually works this time.” this time Scott was serious.
“Yeah, ditto.” despite the sudden seriousness, she still kept the light demeanour.
Scott decided to counter his friend’s ever present bright manner. “So, the usual then? On your usual table?”
“Obvs.” she grinned and turned to the side to give way to the next customer on the line.
“Alrighty, then.”
Cosima had been a regular customer of the cafe for a while now; having been studying in the University on the same street as the place was one factor of it, not to mention her being a huge coffee lover.
She took her usual place after getting her coffee and sat ready to open the book she brought with her. Cosima had already memorised every detail of the café’s interior. Abstract paintings were placed orderly at the top of the book shelves that were attached to the four walls of the surrounding.
The ambiance was welcoming with its skin tone wall colour and dim lightings, and the fact that it wasn’t a spacious place made it more intimate for people who went to relax or have a quiet time.
Cosima opened her book, Endless Forms Most Beautiful, and started reading, she had about fifteen minutes before she could start the plan she had been preparing for all throughout the week.
The plan, as she so called it, was to arrive before Delphine. It wasn’t exactly a plan per se, she just had to call it as such because she had to actually make it happen. To arrive before Delphine did. Delphine Cormier. A fellow regular of the café. Cosima’s long time one-sided soulmate.
Now, Cosima sure wasn’t exaggerating when she says Delphine was her soulmate. It had been six months ago, when she was half-way through her junior year in the university. It couldn’t have been anything less than destiny. At least that was what it felt like for her the moment Cosima laid her eyes on Delphine.
The memory was still so vivid, like it’d happened just moments ago. She still remembered how her shining blonde curls bounced as she stepped to make her orders, her long legs that had been covered by tight jeans. And her smile that had since then lit the dim interiors of the whole cafe. After realisation had hit Cosima, she swore to be the one to make this destiny come into reality.
Cosima tried. She really did. But even as the confident, assertive and easy going type of person as herself was, she had never been as close to even introducing herself to the blonde. But this day was different. If this plan of hers worked, everything would change. And that was what Cosima had pledged to do.
She was half way through the first chapter of the book when she noticed that the amount of patrons inside the cafe had almost doubled. This was it.
She reluctantly closed the book and gathered her still warm coffee and purse. Before a couple who had just entered the cafe reach Delphine’s own usual table, Cosima half hastily approached them.
“Hey,” she called their attention. “I think you two would enjoy the view on the table over there more. Don’t you think? I was kinda late so I wasn’t able to reserve this table, would you mind if I took it instead? I really think that table’s more cozy anyway. You know, if you’re after great viewing?” Cosima sheepishly said while channeling her charming grin, silently hoping that it would work in convincing the couple in exchanging tables with her. It wasn’t part of her plan, she hadn’t expected the cafe to be almost full especially since she was early. But she wouldn’t let anything deter her much longer.
The couple looked persuaded, much to Cosima’s luck, and gladly took her offer. “Oh sure, thanks. This was the only table available along the window so we went straight for it. No biggies though. I think you’re right about that table offering better view.” said the girlfriend whilst smiling at her. Of course, I had that table reserved for me for six months now, it’s the best placed table in here. Cosima thought to herself. But she would exchange her table for a chance at a conversation with a specific blonde anytime.
It didn’t take much for the couple to reach Cosima’s previous place and for Cosima to settle on her now new table. She was ready, any minute Delphine would enter that door and go straight for her table.
Cosima immediately took her book out and resumed her reading, an attempt to divert her growing excitement mixed with anxiety elsewhere. It felt like the longest three minutes of her life ever.
The attempt was futile though as Cosima couldn't help but stare at the entrance of the cafe, it didn't help that her coffee had gone cold when she reached for it to calm her very alert nerves. "Damn it," Cosima signaled for Scott at the back who was busy tending to customers for another cup. She had to pretend that she had just arrived after all.
However, before Scott was able to hand Cosima her second cup, her peripheral vision had witnessed her. Delphine, in all her glory, finally entering the cafe.
Cosima instantly rolled her head back to get her full view of Delphine, gracefully strolling her way to the counter. Cosima's breath escaped her, all plans of playing it cool and clueless were thrown straight off the window.
Delphine was quite literally breathtaking. It was insane, she wasn't even sporting a remarkable outfit but Cosima swore she was practically floating. Delphine was wearing a light blue sundress, her blonde curls were pin up messily at the back of her head, her naturally beautiful face was almost rid of any makeup.
She was carrying a small purse and a book. Cosima had never seen Delphine like this. She had always wore jeans or slacks and buttoned blouses. And it was easily the most perfect sight Cosima had ever seen.
It took Cosima all the effort to take her eyes off the oblivious blonde. Scott's eyeing from behind her was enough warning to snap out of her reverie and actually proceed with her plan.
She cleared her throat and took her forgotten second cup of coffee from the cafe attendant before ridding of her now cold first cup. This was it.