Harley Rose Moore

Coffee Thing/Date || Xavier & Harley

“That’s a logical explanation,” Xavier nodded. Of course he wouldn’t have thought of it, since he was too busy being annoyed at the waitress for taking too long. “It must be pretty amazing if people come here just for the black coffee. I’ll let you know,” he said before picking up his mug and sampling a taste. It was good temperature - not too hot, not too cold - and the flavor was smooth, not bitter. “Yes, very good. I don’t regret the wait when it’s something that’s worth it.” His eyes trailed over Harley’s features before he placed his coffee back down to give her his full attention. “So tell me, why aren’t you sleeping well? Final exams have you stressed?” Students around campus seem to have spring fever and rather dally outside than take their studies seriously this time of year, or so it seemed from Xavier’s prospective. He even gave his students an extra week to complete their final projects because for once he didn’t want to be a dick, plus it kept most from complaining. “No, this is my first time here. Might not be my last either,” he said with an actual smile on his lips.

“It’s one of ‘the’ spots for the college kids, I have to say the coffee is at least strong.” She smiled and took a sip of her expresso before looking back up at him. “No, I’m actually pretty well prepare for my exams, I study on my breaks at work and then at home since I don’t go out much, I think it’s just me worrying about my brother in Amsterdamn and trying to adjust not having any family around. It’s a big change. I take it you have your exams already prepared for your poor unexpecting students?” She was attempting a joke again, hoping it actually went over this time.”Wait, was that a real smile I just saw? Because some people have been calling you the tin man, you know that right?”

#p:xavier

Coffee Thing/Date || Xavier & Harley

The sound of Harley’s voice made Xavier look up from the newspaper he was pretending to read. “Good morning,” he nodded, his eyes immediately scanning over her laid back attire. Was he completely crazy for meeting her for coffee? She was young enough to be one of his students, but old enough where it wouldn’t be illegal for something to happen between them. Usually women avoided him once they saw how emotionally unavailable he acted. For whatever reason Harley wasn’t turned off by it and seemed to enjoy conversing with him. It was a first for him. “Only a couple of minutes. Still waiting on my coffee. I’m not sure why a cup of black coffee takes so long,” he sighed lightly, realizing he sounded like an old grump. “Do you always drink expresso? That stuff is pretty strong, especially a double. You look too delicate to be drinking something so strong. So…you come here often?” Xavier scanned the coffee shop and could feel his body relax more when his coffee was finally delivered to him. It was busy and noisy as customers flocked in and out for their daily fix of caffeine. Next time, if there’s a next time, Xavier is picking the venue.

#p:xavier #sorry this took forever #and it's sorta sucky lol

This wasn't something that she expected him to say yes to, with him being older, she just assumed he'd laugh it off like she was joking - which she had been fully prepared to laugh right back in front of him. And then put the pillow over her face when she was safely tucked away in her room and scream. "It's probably because they had to brew another pot, they sell a lot of black coffee here." She smiled and got situated before she laughed. "I usually only get a single shot, but I'm pulling a double today since I didn't really sleep last night." She'd been too busy tossing and turning as usual to get much shut eye but somehow she always managed to get through the days just fine. "I come here at least twice a week, I'm going to guess by the distain on your face you don't come here?" He definitely didn't strike her as the type to come to a place like this.

#photos #actual freaking angel!

Coffee Thing/Date || Xavier & Harley

Cafe la Mode sounded like a trendy French place that he never been too. Xavier preferred quiet coffee places that weren’t too busy or too expensive. Since this was Harley’s idea he figured he’d let her pick out the place. The last time he was on a date was ages ago and of course the woman annoyed him with her incessant babbling about herself and dogs. That was the last time he allowed his sister Victoria to meddle in his personal life. The name Candy should have been an obvious sign that she didn’t have a single brain cell in her body.

Five minutes to 8 o’clock, Xavier entered the cafe with a newspaper tucked underneath his arm. He figured he was early and would wait for Harley’s bubbly smile to fill the coffee shop. Finding a table that was free of muck and in a more solitude corner, Xavier took a seat and waited. A waitress came around to ask for his order and he nodded, repeating his usual order of a black coffee. Cream and sugar only ruined the taste of the coffee beans if they were any good. If not, what was the point of drinking the coffee? To pay $5 for something that tasted worse than mud was ludicrous, then again this was the touristy city of New Orleans.

Cafe la Mode was the place that Harley went to people watch and sketch and honestly it was the first place that popped into her head when he actually said yes to this whole thing. If she hadn’t been caught off guard, she probably would have suggested The White Rabbit, which was this little hole in the wall cafe that was quiet and secluded with a Wonderland theme. At least at la Mode, things would possibly be easier to feel comfortable given people about.

She’d woken up at seven thirty, which was not how she wanted to start this day. She had planned to wake up at seven and have more time. Hopping into the shower, she quickly washed her hair and did what she needed to do before running to her closet and flinging clothes about to find something. Settling on a jean skirt and a Aerosmith t-shirt, she slid on her sandals and headed out. Arriving at the cafe with five minutes to spare, she looked around until she spotted Xavier and walked over. “Morning,” she offered a smile before seating herself and looking at the waitress that arrived. “I’ll have a double shot of expresso please, no cream.” Turning her attention back to Xavier when it was ordered, she leaned back. “How long have you been here for?”

#p:xavier

victoriaxwells-blog

Such a wonderful and sunny Monday maybe I can get in some shopping time.

I’m not sure I’d want to go shopping on a nice day like this...

#c:victoria

Say around 8 a.m.? You pick the place.

8 a.m. Cafe La Mode.

briittrobertson

“…They’re casting for, ‘Captain Marvel’, and you very much fit the physical description”

#photos

laurelmoreau

You did? Thank you I really appreciate it

Not a problem, they were some oil paints they got in and I remember you saying you liked using them so, yeah.

#c:laurel

I don’t teach a class tomorrow. Is this a morning cup of coffee or a late night one?

Morning works for me, I have to work tomorrow night and I don’t think going for coffee at almost 3 am is a bad idea.

I highly doubt I’m the guy for her. I hope she finds what she’s looking for. She deserves to find love, as do all living beings. If mysterious is what you want, mysterious is what you’ll get with me. I’m not some open book you can simply turn the pages to figure out. I look forward to our ‘date.’

I bet a lot of guys think that when it comes to her. If you were easy to figure out and read, I’m pretty sure that you wouldn’t be as appealing as you are to me. Speaking of this date, when do you want to do it?

That’s what all women say. I will have to see for myself how un-clingy you are. I do enjoy Laurel, even when she denies me sex, which is all the time. She clearly had enjoyed herself the first time, but oh well. Ah, it’s a huge toss up. I don’t think I could live without either to be honest. My thoughts exactly. It’s good to know you understand me. It saves me a lot of unnecessary explanation.

Prepare to be surprised, Xavier. Well, if you want something more than sex with her? I’d keep pursuing her, I mean she is looking to finally have that relationship that she’s wanted so you never know, maybe you’ll be that guy. Well I wouldn’t say I completely understand you, but that’s the fun thing, there’s mystery and I figure you have a reason to how you act and what you say.

I don’t know, maybe I attract the clingy types or something. You have a crush on Laurel? Isn’t that awkward with the two of you living together? She’s a tease that one. After awhile I gave up pursuing her since I wasn’t getting anywhere. I even painted her nude yet she still refused me. Trust me, I won’t lose sleep over it. I move on quickly when I know I’m not wanted; besides, I enjoy art as much as I enjoy sex if you can believe that. Though I can’t say I’d give one up for the other. I’m not big on compromising. Shocker, I know.

Maybe you do - but hey, at least I’m not clingy! There’s a plus for me. Uh, no, not really because I know nothing will ever happen with her. Ahh, well, as a friend Laurel is a great one, I have to admit that plus she gives some good advice sometimes. See, I thought you enjoyed art a lot more than sex. Why compromise anyway when you can have the best of both worlds?

I’ve got to admit I’m not an avid dater being a loner and all. Most women like the fact that I’m an artist but despise my independent nature. You weird? No, not really besides collecting rocks. I’m kidding! I was wondering when you’d bring up Laurel. That woman is giving me whip lash if I’m being honest. She wants sex but would only sleep with me once and now she wants a deep meaningful relationship with someone. It makes my head want to explode. You are very beautiful, Harley. Don’t compare yourself to Laurel because you both are beautiful in your own way.

I don’t think it’s wrong to be independent, I thought tat’s what most people want in another person? Hey! Leave my rocks alone mister. Yeah, well, that’s Laurel, I think it took a while for her to realize she wants more than just sex. As for the whiplash, believe me, I sort of feel your pain. I had a crush on her, well I still sort of do? But one minute she doesn’t like girls and then the next I swear she’s flirting with me. Well, thanks, I appreciate you saying that. Just please, don’t let your head explode, it’s better to just..go with the flow when it comes to Laurel.

Yeah, lots of time to put it off. Maybe they’ll give me a raise at the University…or hell will freeze over. I looked at a foreclosure one time. Beautiful house but an awful mold problem in the basement. That’s what happens when a house is left neglected for too long. There must have been some leak that wasn’t fixed right away. Maybe I’ll look again sometime when the timing is right. Why would I laugh at you? You mean because of our obvious age difference?

Well that sucks, I just know my old neighbors house went into foreclosure and it sold pretty quickly, for dirt cheap too. Mold is so not acceptable, shame, I’m sure the house was great. Well aside from the age difference, you could not be looking to date? Or you find me too weird because believe me, I could see how that would be a factor, I am pretty you know, strange. Or, the shallow reason, which apparently you’re not of, I’m not pretty enough. I mean when you look at Laurel and then look at me? She’s in at least fifty leagues above me.

I’m looking forward to a different place. The town home I have my eye on is an end unit, which would mean only one neighbor next to me. Hopefully they’re not nosy or worse yet, noisy teenagers. I’d get a single home if I could afford it. I rather not stretch the wallet that far. You might be catching me on my good days, lucky for you. A date it is.

A townhouse is a good start though, there’s always time to get a house eventually. Maybe later on you could always look at the foreclosures, those go for pretty cheap and property tax on them is marginally easier on the wallet. Very lucky me, proves I have some luck, I mean, I just asked you out and you didn’t laugh in my face or look at me like I grew a second head so I’d say today is a pretty decent day.

laurelmoreau

Exactly, nothing is ever too bad and if it doesn’t work, at least you’ll know it, and if it does, then you’ll be very happy.