Colin Pov
I was in another study session with Poppy and I just about had enough of seeing these walls.
"This is so boring," I said. "I think we need to do something different." It was the fifth time we were having tutoring sessions and we did all of them in the library. Every single time.
"English isn't boring," Poppy said without looking up from her books. "For some reason, you just decided to feel very lazy today. Today being every day."
"If I look at these endless shelves of books one more time, I think I might just run mad. We need a change of environment." I looked at her beseechingly. "Indulge me just this once."
Poppy closes the study guide and gives me one of her tired looks again. She leaned forward, her eyes filled with remonstration. "What did you have in mind?"
"There's a café just down the block," I said with a challenging look on my face. "Let's study there instead. Come on it will be fun."
"I don't know," she said with a wavering voice and then her eyes became narrow. "Are you sure that this isn't just an excuse to get out of studying?"
"Just this one time," I said giving her my best pleading look.
She hesitated and looked very tense at my suggestion, eyeing me dubiously. "Will you just relax Poppy.? It's not like I am asking you out a date. Where is your spontaneity? Come on Pops, live a little."
"Never call me 'Pops' again." I got another one of her usual glares and then she sighed like she had ran out of options. "Ok fine, Let's go. But know that this is only a one-time thing."
"Yes ma'am," I said triumphantly. This was going to be fun.
We gathered our things and made our way out of the school library towards the Flora's café, which was its name. I had been there a couple of times and I liked it because their food was really good, even though it was a tad bit expensive. Poppy didn't seem to know where we were headed, so I took the lead.
There were tables outside the cafe, each with a brown vintage style umbrella.
As we made our way through the transparent glass door, a blanket of warm air hits me and the rich aroma of coffee was delectable. It was rather quiet today, but I was guessing the reason why was because it was a weekday. It was usually packed on the weekends.
The walls were nicely decorated with posters and different decorations, to make people feel more comfortable and relaxed. The light shined in bright into the café through the huge windows that surround the shop. The menu showcased a wide selection of deserts, from ice-cream, to cake and doughnuts.
The girl behind the register whose name was Somi, a Korean American, smiled brightly when we made eye contact as we walked towards the counter. She was usually in charge all the times that I had been here, and somehow, we became good friends.
"Hi Colin. Your usual?" she asked.
"Yes please," I said before nudging Poppy who gives a startled jump. "What will you be having?"
"I've never even heard of this place," Poppy whispered to me.
"Have you been living under a rock?" I whispered back.
She ignored me and asked, "What exactly is good here?"
"They have a nice banana shortbread."
She wrinkled her nose in distaste. "I hate shortbread."
I looked at her in disbelief. "How can you not like short bread?"
"There's a thing and it's called preference." Poppy scanned through the menu and to Somi she said, "I'll have a chocolate cake and a chocolate milkshake please."
"Ok then." She took our order on her computer and said, "That will be seven dollars for the chocolate cake."
I had a feeling Poppy was about to complain about why a single slice of cake costs seven dollars, so I gently pushed her behind me. "I've got this. I was the one who made us come there, so it's my treat." I said and I gave Somi my credit card.
"Thanks," she said, but I was sure she did that out of courtesy.
"Grab a seat and I'll bring our food," I said waving at the booths.
"Yes sir," she muttered. I shot her an amused look and she blushed. She made her way to the seat and from the corner of my eye, I could see her checking her phone.
"So that is your girlfriend huh?" Somi said with her chin resting on both her hands. "Good for you Colin. She's very beautiful. You guys look good together."
I rolled my eyes. "She has a boyfriend, Somi."
"So, you are saying if she didn't have a boyfriend, you'd be interested." She winked at me.
"No, she doesn't even like me. She is just helping me with English. Besides, she not my type."
"You look at her in a certain kind of way for someone who is not your type," she said the last part with her fingers making quotes in the air.
I narrowed my eyes at her. "You are impossible, aren't you? Why don't you just get our orders?"
"I don't hear you denying it." She laughed and she left the counter before I could retort.
I looked at Poppy again and she had already taken out our study materials and spread them across the table. I sighed to myself. She was going to make sure that we worked ourselves to death.