Slightly mature but mostly fluff
The Hartfeld cafe bustles noisily with students with a couple dozen sleep-deprived students, each equipped with a pair with a pair of dark, folded bags beneath their eyes and crumpled bills they can’t afford to spend at the ready. The previous night had been awash with celebration of ‘Hartfeld Day’, velvety purple decorations of all plastic and nylon varieties continue to litter the the walls and grounds of the campus, including the cafe. The tables remain covered in polyester purple tablecloths, browning from coffee stains, the walls with banners and streamers of tattered white and purple hues.
Amidst the cafe’s commotion, along the front window, seated comfortably in a cushy red booth; the very same that has unofficially been reserved as theirs for the past two months, Cass and Becca wordlessly share a large iced tea. Like clockwork, they exchange their usual regards.
‘Two heads are better than one’ Becca begins; eyes glued to the phone in front of her.
‘As are two stomachs’ Cass adds without meeting Becca’s eyes. Her lips pout around the iced tea’s straw as she takes a long sip. Becca glances up and smiles as Cass’ eyes flutter briefly shut, her tongue savoring its tangy sweet flavor. Becca’s stare snaps back to the phone as Cass’ eyes roll open, avoiding her glance.
Although seemingly disengaged from each other; their thumbs rapidly alternating between scrolling and tapping on their respectively screens, beneath the table, shielded from view by a tacky tablecloth, their feet shuffle clumsily against against each other; Becca’s toes drag teasingly along Cass’ shin, making her squirm.
Becca’s eyes rise to watch her reaction intently; savoring the the flush pink that spreads from the centers of her cheeks outward, hugging the edges of her sharp cheekbones as the flesh around them swells sweetly beneath her eyes, a natural smile.
“I..” she whimpers through her teeth as they bite lightly on her lower lip; her fingers find the table’s edge and her legs rubbing against each other. Becca takes this as encouragement, dragging her toes in circles above her knee.
Becca watches her through narrowed eyes; eyebrows lowered in focus. A slight smile cracks along her face, parting her stern features. “You’re so cute”
Cass’ eyes snap open “Wha-”
Becca interrupts her; nudging her toes up the length of her leg, grazing her inner thigh.
“Ahh” Her shoulders roll back, suppressing a shudder as a nervous giggle breathily escapes her thinly parted lips. “Are you sure-”
“Shhh” Becca raises one creamy fingertip to her rosy lips. She raises an eyebrow and turns her attention toward the counter, meeting Zig’s glance; his eyebrow similarly arched toward them.
Cass nods breathlessly, turning to give Zig an awkward smile and a quick jerking wave before her her hands resume their grip on the tables edge; fingernails scratching lightly against its surface.
Becca moves her hand to lift the glass to her lips, ignoring the available straw. “Ahhh..” she gushes, rolling her eyes dramatically, teasingly. She then extends her arm, offering Cass the straw. She accepts it graciously, sipping the cooling drink eagerly. She nearly chokes as Becca’s toe traces along the edge of her underwear.
“I’m so glad you wore a dress today” Becca winks “Do you want me to stop?”
Wordlessly, Cass shakes her head frantically, droplets of iced tea escaping her lips with her short rasps.
Cass squeezes her eyes shut, gnawing hungrily on her lip to prevent herself from producing sound, from drawing attention. Her fingers sprawl across the table, knuckles white with strain, thumbs digging grievously into the table’s underside.
Her nostrils flare as she releases a sudden and quiet, albeit shrill, squeak as the tip of Becca’s toe gingerly traces circle against the painfully thin fabric of her underwear.
In her pleasurable fervor, she remains blissfully unaware of the approaching footsteps.
“Is the something the matter?”
Cass’ face pales as her eyes fly open; widening as they greet Zig’s staggeringly tall stature standing over her. His jawline is harsh, stern, but his raised eyebrows reveal undeniable amusement.
She looks to Becca for support, but only finds her lips curved into a cocky smirk, her arms crossed against her flush chest.
Cass shakes her head, her lips quivering as she struggles to form words. Any words. She flusteredly grabs the glass of iced tea, still swirling with liquid “M-m-ore please” She sputters. Zig lowers an eyebrow, accepting the glass
Becca smiles sweetly, placing a hand delicately against his arm. “I think what she means is that we’d like it to go, if possible”
Zig nods unsurely. He continues “I just came by to get this out of your way”
In one swift motion, the flimsy purple plastic sheet hangs limply from his hand; revealing Cass hastily adjusting the skirt of her dress while Becca’s legs sit neatly folded on top of the other on her own side. Zig crosses his arms, his eyes smiling down at Cass.
“What?!” She snaps, readjusting her dress nervously.
“Nothing” he smiles “I’ll be back in a minute with a to-go cup”
The pair exits the cafe; Cass, pale-faced, clings desperately to her cup, eyes unblinking. Becca giggles “Good going back there..” and leans in to kiss Cass’ neck. Cass snaps out of her fervor, dodging away from Becca’s reach just as her lower lip grazes her skin.
“Hey!” Becca recoils “What did I do?”
“Excuse me?!” Cass snorts “What didn’t you do?!”
“Hey…” Becca’s lips part to a cocky smile “I didn’t hear you complaining at the time..” Her hands find Cass’ waist, tugging her toward her. Cass breaks away from her embrace.
Becca mutters under her breath “..if you would stop being so cute..” Cass’ eyebrows raise.
Becca tilts her head upwards; avoids her glance, shaking her head
“Nothing, what did you say?”
Cass grabs her arm “What?”
“I said, maybe it wouldn’t happen in public if you would stop being so damn cute all the time!”
Cass’ face softens, the harshness of her features giving way to crawling smirk.
“You think I’m so cute..” she begins
“I never said that!” Becca sputters, lying through her teeth.
“..that you can’t resist me?” Cass grins, savoring the sanguine hues squirming across Becca’s cheeks.
“Then what did you mean?” Cass inquires
“I just…” Becca stammers. Her eyes narrow as she takes the offensive “Stop being so cute, my..face can’t handle the added strain”
“You mean smile lines?” Cass throws her head back with a laugh “I make you smile too much?!”
“Hey!” Becca argues “I don’t want wrinkles!” Cass raises a finger beneath her eye, wiping away a lone tear; her rumbling laughter subsiding to few erratic chuckles.
Cass leans forward, her arm wrapping around Becca’s waist. “..I don’t want..” she closes her eyes, leaning in “…to age early..” Becca murmurs, muffled by Cass’ lips closing over her own. Becca quickly reciprocates, her arms wrapping around Cass’ neck, aggressively pulling her down into her kiss.
Cass slowly parts the kiss, moving her lips to Becca’s ear; their cheeks pressing against each other “You know, you’re pretty cute too”
Becca scoffs, feigning aloof disinterest but can’t hide her satisfaction; her lips curving into an appreciative smile.
Becca scoffs, taken aback; her eyes narrow, her arms lurch suddenly at Cass, grabbing only the air where she had just been. “Oh you’ll pay for this, Cassandra..” She teases, the right corner of her lip curving into a smirk. Becca digs her heels and takes off into a sprint after her.
From several paces ahead, Cass calls back; “Only if you catch me first…”
