Chapter Text
The first time you meet Laura Hollis its raining. The store is empty on account of the weather and you’re counting down the hours until you get to leave. Heavy drops are thudding against the roof and rolling down the windows.
You consider shutting up early when she comes through the door looking wet and miserable. She wears her emotions all over her face. Something about her sad puppy eyes makes you take pity on her.
"Hey, can I get you anything, cutie?".
She bites her lower lip and hums thoughfully as she considers all of the flavors. Adorable.
"Uh, could I have one scoop of chocolate, one scoop of cookie dough and one scoop of Nutella, please?".
You start scooping and she takes a seat on one of the high stools at the counter. She’s so small she has to stand on her toes to get up there. With a sigh, she slumps down and stares into space.
The way her eyes light up when you push her bowl towards her is equal parts funny and endearing.
She doesn't talk at all for ten minutes. For some reason you get the feeling that she's not the type to be this quiet but you’re not the type to poke your nose into other people's business so you don't ask. Until she sighs for like, the eighth time and you can't take it anymore.
You raise an eyebrow.
"Rough day?".
She breaks out of her daze to look at you with her big brown eyes.
"My dad thinks I'm on a date right now" she confesses.
"Why would he think that?".
She sighs yet again.
"I was meant to be going on a date! But then she called and blew me off and I was going to tell my dad but he was just so excited for me and I just-, I couldn't. So I came here to hide until I have to go home. And then I have to tell that I lied and...".
Once she gets started talking she sure can talk a lot but Her rambling is kind of cute.
"Or you could just not tell him, if its stressing you out this much" you suggest.
She blinks at you several times as if you were from space.
"You mean just keep lying to him? I couldn't do that! He'd see right through me. It wouldn't be right".
She puts a ridiculously large spoonful of ice crean into her mouth.
"Right and wrong... such a simplistic way to look at the universe" you say.
She looks like she wants to argue with you but instead just huffs and goes back to eating gloomily. You know you're going to regret it but you take pity on her. Its your turn to sigh dramatically as you untie your apron and walk out from behind the counter and sit at the stool next to her.
You hold out a hand for her to shake.
"Hey, I'm Carmilla".
The girls face is furrowed with confusion but she shakes your hand anyway.
"Laura" she says.
“What do you do?".
"Um, I'm a student at Silas" Laura still sounds perplexed.
"Great. I work at an ice cream shop. Lets do this again some time".
With that you get off the stool and return to your position behind the counter.
Laura shakes her head in bewilderment.
"What just happened?".
"The worlds shortest date, sweetheart".
Theres a look of dawning comprehension on her face.
"There, now you don't have to lie to your dad. Tell him that you went out for ice cream, your date was an asshole but at least she paid for lunch".
A small, crooked smile tugs at Laura’s lips.
“Thanks" she says softly.
You don't say anything but you can't help smiling back at her.