vii. obligatory coffee date.

Colette, 5:31 PM: You just got off of work, right? Want to go get some coffee?

Marisol, 5:32 PM: Are you stalking me?

Colette, 5:32 PM: I may or may not be in the coffee shop across the street.

Marisol, 5:32 PM: You're hijacking my Friday afternoon?

Colette, 5:33 PM: I'll pay.

Marisol, 5:33 PM: I'm coming.

Marisol looked up from her phone and narrowed her eyes at the coffee shop across the street. Sure enough, she could faintly make out a figure waving at her through the windows. Marisol sighed, secured a hand around the strap of her bag, and crossed the street. When she pushed open the door, a chorus of 3 tired, underpaid workers called out towards her.

"Welcome to Jingle Java!"

Marisol simply waved back to the baristas and scanned the room. At a small table by the window was Colette, her hair braided down her back and huge sunglasses on. Marisol still couldn't believe that disguise would work. Colette waved at her from the entrance and Marisol walked over. She set her bag down and sat down in the chair. Colette beamed at her.

"Thanks for agreeing to coffee." Colette gestured to the menu, which was written on a huge chalkboard above where the cash register was. "Pick whatever, and I'll go order."

"Not worried about someone noticing you?"

Colette shook her head. "Oddly enough, people recognize me more with an American accent since I act in so many American productions. They usually just think I'm a tourist if I speak normally."

"Alright." Marisol turned to look at the chalkboard. She read it over. "I'm probably going to get a sandwich too, since I haven't eaten dinner. You don't have to pay."

"No, I insist. I feel like I owe it to you."

Marisol was no gold digger, but she'd never turn down a free meal. Besides, Colette likely had enough money to buy the entire coffee shop. "Then I'll have a pumpkin spice latte and a croissant sandwich."

Colette laughed.

Marisol turned towards the celebrity. "Making fun of my choices, french lady?"

"No," Colette responded, "I just didn't expect you to be a pumpkin spice latte kind of girl."

"I don't really like bitter things."

Colette shrugged. "I guess that surprised me."

"Are you calling me bitter?"

"No," Colette said, "I'd say you're no-nonsense."

"I can be no-nonsense and like my sweet drinks."

Colette stood from her chair. "I'll go order your no-nonsense PSL."

"Thank you," said Marisol.

"No problem." Colette walked towards the register.

It wasn't long until Colette got back. The coffee shop wasn't as busy in the afternoons and the staff worked efficiently in preparing food and drinks. It had been less than 2 minutes when Marisol's tablemate returned with a tray. Colette set down a drink and a paper-wrapped sandwich in front of her, and then sat down with her own cup.

"You didn't get anything to eat?" Marisol asked, opening her sandwich.

Colette took a careful sip of her hot drink before responding. "No, I ate earlier with my castmates."

"For your new movie?" Marisol took a bite of her food.

"Mhmm," Colette responded, "It was just a table read, though. We went through the entire script."

Marisol simply nodded, not wanting to talk with her mouthful. Luckily, Colette had more to talk about.

"I think it's a cool concept for a movie. My co stars seem to be really cool. I worked with one of them on Zodiac Class."

"What's the movie about?"

Colette put a finger over her lips. "I can't tell! It's still too early in development. I'm sworn to confidentiality."

"I know a thing or two about that."

Colette's face shifted for a moment, concern filling her features. Marisol backpedaled.

"It was a joke. I'm not bothered by keeping your secret."

Colette visibly relaxed, her shoulders dropping and the tension leaving her face. She took another sip of her drink.

Their time at the coffee shop passed well. They were only there for about 15 minutes until they both finished their drinks and were ready to go, even with their chatting. Apparently the two of them had no problem downing scalding drinks. They stepped out of the cafe together.

The cool october air rushed to hit the two young women as they stepped outside. Colette was thankful for her cozy sweater. She turned to Colette, who wore a cardigan. The taller woman was shivering.

"Cold?"

"A little. This cardigan is thin."

Marisol looked out at the street. "Where are you going after this?"

"To my hotel room," she said.

Marisol looked at Colette, who was turned forward, watching the cars drive by. "France's sweetheart doesn't have anything better to do on a Friday night?"

Colette frowned. "I guess not."

Marisol mentally slapped herself. She knew that she could be apathetic and sarcastic, but she didn't want to upset anybody. She stuffed her hands in her pockets. "Do you want to come over to my apartment for a bit? Nevada and I are gonna chill out and watch a movie."

Colette turned to look at Marisol. "I don't want to intrude."

"You won't be intruding. Nevada and I have been talking about getting more people to hang out anyway."

"Okay, then I'll come," she said, "What are we watching?"

Marisol began walking down the street, Colette following. "I don't know, it's Nevada's turn to choose."

Movie night passed smoothly. Nevada welcomed Colette back into the apartment with open arms. They ended up watching some Netflix original which wasn't all that memorable. The three of them spent most of the time making fun of the main character's decisions and talking to one another. Nevada questioned Colette about her acting career, and Colette asked just as many questions about Nevada's streaming. Marisol added the occasional quip, but for the most part, she let her far more talkative peers take over. The movie wrapped up close to 9 PM. Nevada got on their computer, claiming that they needed to edit their latest Youtube video, leaving Marisol and Colette sitting next to each other.

"Do you know how to get back to your hotel?" Marisol asked.

Colette yawned and then shook her head. "No, but I have the address. I can get an uber."

"That seems unsafe, especially at night. Can't your manager pick you up?"

Colette shrugged. "She could, but I don't want to bother her. Besides, I can handle myself in an emergency.

Marisol sighed. How could she forget about Colette's magic? The woman could probably blast a fireball at any attackers. However, this put another concern in Marisol's head. "If you did use magic, the person might report you to the police."

"I'll be fine."

Marisol knew that wasn't fine. "Just stay here for the night, it's safer."

Colette turned to Marisol. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I don't have work tomorrow."

"Alright," Colette said, "Then I'll crash on the couch."

Marisol stood. "No, you can sleep in my bed."

"I don't want to make you sleep on the couch."

The shorter woman walked towards her bedroom. "I'm not going to."

"Then where will you sleep?"

"Also on the bed."

Colette didn't respond.

"Is that alright?" Marisol asked.

Colette nodded. "Yes."