Chapter Text
It’s a dreadfully cold Wednesday when Kai’sa finally decides to give the other coffee shop a try.
Not by choice though. She would give anything to be at her usual coffee shop right now, where they have a fine selection of non-dairy milk and the coffee is just the right amount of bitter and sweet. Though she would never tell Ezreal, her best friend and barista at the said café, because she knows his already huge head would just inflate bigger from the compliment.
He’s a senior just like her and have been friends with her since freshman year. She still remembers entering her first lecture hall, nervous and terrified at the sheer number of students that already filled up the seats, and Ezreal’s awkward wave as he beckoned her over to sit with him. They became fast friends over their unmatched enthusiasm for ancient history, and it was just easy like that: Ezreal would quip at Kai’sa for being a nerd every time she answered a question and she would often ruffle his blonde hair which she knows he takes time to style in the morning.
It’s unfortunate that this term’s room allocations are all at upper campus, far away from her usual caffeine haven. Kai’sa has already complained to Ezreal plenty about the distance since the semester started, but the moping has yet to subside, especially for today; weather miserable and grey, and already running late to her meeting with the course instructor.
(“Can’t you ask your boss to relocate to upper campus?” Kai’sa groaned to him one morning, just before her tutorial lesson. She had to come in extra early just to have time to swing by the coffee shop.
“It’s your fault you wanted to be TA this semester, you big nerd.” Ezreal chuckled as he wiped down the counter. Kai’sa scoffed. “I told you there was a job opening here, why didn’t you take that instead? We could’ve totally been the hot baristas of the campus.”
Kai’sa rolled her eyes fondly. “You know I don’t have any experience when it comes to making coffee.” she hummed over her cup. “Besides, the professor personally asked me to consider becoming a TA last term. I can’t let him down.”
“Again, you brought this upon yourself by being a nerd.” Ezreal laughed as Kai’sa shot him an unamused glare.
“I’m gonna have to find another coffee shop. I can’t make the time to walk across campus every day.” Kai’sa grumbled, which earned her a dramatic gasp and a mock affronted look from Ezreal.
“You’re replacing me?!”)
If Kai’sa headed straight to the meeting right now, she would still cut it close, but the craving for a warm cup of coffee outweighs her sense of duty for once. She’s already skipped her morning dose of caffeine, having missed her bus and arriving too late to make the travel across campus to Ezreal’s coffee shop. In the rush travelling between buildings, she also stepped in a puddle of melted snow that soaked through her sneakers and socks. Her toes are still uncomfortably numb in her damp shoes even till now.
To put it simply, she is already having a god-awful day. She’s definitely not one to make a bad first impression with the course instructor, especially in the first week, however all she can think about is how she really really needs that cup of coffee to make it through the rest of the day.
So here she is nudging the door open with her shoulders, barely holding onto her folders and papers gathered haphazardly in her arms which she hasn’t organized yet in the rush to get here.
This coffee shop is much smaller than the other; a tight but cosy space washed over with an inviting ambient glow, and a smattering of seats and tables lined up against the wall. Inside, there are a few people bustling near the counter waiting for their orders and the air is warm with the scent of freshly ground coffee beans and the pleasant lull of conversation.
Another whiff and Kai’sa can catch the delicious baked pastries that makes her stomach growl. It doesn’t take much convincing for her to decide this coffee shop is definitely worth the try.
Kai’sa joins the queue to order, and while she waits, she tries balancing her folder in her arms to rummage through the sheets of paper and file them away. She’s so focused in sifting through her papers she doesn’t realize it’s her turn to order until she hears a voice call out.
“Hi cutie, what can I get for you?”
“Could I get a large flat white with…” Kai’sa trails off, struggling to shove her papers into the folder sleeves with her numb fingers. Then her brain finally catches onto the words because – what. She snaps her gaze up like she’s electrocuted, and then meets a sparkling set up golden eyes staring back at her, amused.
“I-I… wh – pardon?” Kai’sa manages to splutter out. She’s dumbstruck, even more so when she realizes the girl before her is downright gorgeous. She is the unfairly pretty type, with pink lips, perfect blond hair, and clear, bright eyes that twinkle like yellow sapphires. Kai’sa’s chest tingles in a funny way that makes her ribs tickle.
“Large flat white, would that be all, cutie?” And there it is again. The girl avoids the question with her own instead, winking. The smile directed at Kai’sa makes her stomach flip, but then she hears a snort and a muttered “oh god” from the girl’s co-worker off to the side. Then Kai’sa sees the hint of coy gracing the girl’s smile, and the fluttering in her stomach stops all together.
Kai’sa suddenly feels like she’s back in high school, having the head cheerleader twirl her hair and bat her lashes at her in lunchtime. She remembers her heart clenching at the thoughts of what-if’s and maybe’s but then finding out it was a joke. All just to ask for her calculus homework answers. She still kicks her blankets at 3am when that memory attacks her out of nowhere because her innocent wishful thinking makes her cringe painfully.
It must be no different this time. This must be some sort of joke between the two, Kai’sa thinks carefully, her eyes narrowing between the blonde girl and her co-worker. She chastises herself for reacting harshly over something so small and regains her composure. She doesn’t bring up the term of endearment again, and instead asks. “Do you guys have rice milk?”
There’s a flash of surprise in the other girl’s eyes, from the question or Kai’sa’s blatant decision to ignore her flirtatious remark, she doesn’t know. Then the blonde shakes her head with a surprisingly sincere, apologetic smile. “Sorry, we only have soy, almond or oat.”
She tries not to let the disappointment show and nods politely. “That’s okay. I’ll have it with oat milk please.”
Kai’sa tries not to look at the girl too long because even if she might feel slightly bitter for being the subject to a joke, the sight of this girl still makes her chest stir. She busies herself to pull out her wallet from her tote bag.
“Could I get your name?”
Kai’sa stills momentarily, her breath catching at the question, but then realizes the girl is holding a sharpie to a cup, looking at her expectantly and something deflates inside of her. For the second time today, Kai’sa internally smacks her palm against her forehead for being so stupid.
“Kai’sa.”
She almost doesn’t catch the offhanded comment, low but just loud enough for her to catch: “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”
Kai’sa can’t help the warmth in her cheeks but she hopes it’s not noticeable from her face already tinged pink from the cold outside. She mumbles a “thank you” under her breath and quickly pays, desperate to escape the searing gaze of the other girl that hasn’t left since Kai’sa came to the counter.
When she finally joins the other side of the shop to wait for her order, she finally lets out a long sigh. Her mind starts to drift away to her preparations for the meeting and upcoming tutorial plans, then it’s accompanied by a vicious rumble from her stomach. Her last meal was a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, she recalls numbly. She wonders what to eat when she finally finishes the meeting. Hopefully Ezreal will have finished his classes by then. She will have to ask – maybe she can also ask him if there was some sort of barista code to be… oddly affectionate with their customers.
She snaps out of her daze at her name called out. “Flat white with oat milk for Kai’sa?” It’s from the other barista that snorted at the pretty girl earlier. Kai’sa approaches the shorter girl warily, preparing herself for another round of confusing verbal cues that will surely give her an aneurysm, but is pleasantly surprised at the genuine, friendly smile that’s directed at her.
“Thank you.” Kai’sa smiles. She takes the drink, but not before she realizes a familiar set of gold eyes staring from the other side, near the cashier. Their eyes meet only for a fraction of a second before the blonde whips her head back to the customer she’s dealing with.
Kai’sa doesn’t have the time to mull it over as she exits the coffee shop. She hisses strings of curses as the frigid cold greets her behind the doors.
She takes a sip, and hums in appreciation. The coffee is frothier than how Ezreal makes it, much creamier against her palette, but its richness is delightful against the headache raging through her skull. Despite her initial disappointment from the lack of her favourite non-dairy milk, the coffee is good enough to make up for it.
Then she shifts her fingers to see the loopy permanent marker against the white paper cup.
‘Kysa’, her name is written, with a cute heart next to it. Kai’sa, used to her name being misspelt, gives a small chuckle. For a second, she runs her thumb over the scribbled heart absent-mindedly, until she breaks out of her reverie and starts running because oh my god the meeting –
Ezreal wasn’t able to get dinner with her like she hoped for on that day. It’s harder to see him at all these days, both of them trying to manage their jobs, all the while keeping on top of their own coursework. The next time she sees him is in the one of the few lunch breaks they managed to schedule together.
“Welcome back, traitor.” Ezreal greets her, sticking his tongue out, but there is no venom to his words. Kai’sa gives an eye roll, instead reaching over to ruffle his already unruly blond hair which elicits a whine from him.
“You’re not even on shift right now.”
“My point still stands,” Ezreal grumbles, pulling out his phone to check his reflection and tame the mess of his hair. “How does the coffee taste at upper campus? And just know that there is only one right answer.”
“Better than yours.” Kai’sa deadpans.
“Totally the wrong answer. You’re never getting discounts from me again.” Ezreal shakes his head.
Kai’sa can’t help but laugh at his antics. She decides to humour him. “Of course I’m joking. Who would ever make coffee as good as yours?” Even though sarcasm is dripping from her voice, there’s a satisfied smirk tugging Ezreal’s lips. Kai’s continues, “None can stand a chance against O’ Great Ezreal’s magnificent brewery, the one blessed from the gods – “
“Okay, you can stop now.” Ezreal flicks a grain of rice from his burrito bowl at her direction, which elicits a peel of laughter.
“In all honesty, it wasn’t all that bad.” Kai’sa says distractedly, toying with the salad in front of her. “They didn’t have rice milk, which was a bummer, but still, I could totally get behind their coffee. Their baristas were – ” She stops short, the flashbacks of a certain blonde coming back. Ezreal raises an eyebrow at her pause.
“… Nice.” She finishes lamely.
He groans in disappointment. “That’s it? I thought you got yourself laid or something.”
“Dude, no. Why would I get laid at a coffee shop?” Then her face morphs into something akin to horror and disgust. “Do you get – “
“It was an exaggeration, calm down.” Ezreal laughs. Then he taps his chin thoughtfully to add. “Though I do get customers shooting me bedroom eyes once in a while. I mean, I don’t blame them, look at me – ”
“You can stop right there.” Kai’sa cuts him off, mortified at the thought of her best friend’s sex life unravelling in the very coffee shop she frequented. Ezreal chuckles and much to her delight, changes the topic.
“I did hear from my boss that upper campus coffee shop is one to look out for. They’re quite popular from what I hear as well.”
“Oh? I’m not surprised.” She does remember the customers filling the small store, making it almost seem cramped inside. With their quality of coffee and pastries, she can tell why the coffee shop is filled to the brim.
“I’m more surprised your caffeine addiction hasn’t sniffed them out sooner.” Kai’sa gives a non-committal hum around a mouthful of salad as Ezreal continues. “It’s not just their coffee they’re known for. They’re giving me a run for my money ‘cause apparently their baristas are hot.”
Kai’sa chokes mid bite. She coughs into her hand and quickly unscrews her water bottle to wash it down. All the while Ezreal looks over at her with a knowing, smug smile.
“So, the rumours are true.”
Kai’sa avoids answering by sipping on her water longer than necessary, her face red.
“See, that’s why I asked if you got laid. Are any of them your type? Are they really that hot that I’m about to lose customers?” Ezreal leans forward across the table, whispering conspiratorially.
“Shut up.” Kai’sa manages to mutter out. Then she realizes her friend is still looking at her expectantly, and grimaces. After a brief silence of choosing her words carefully in her head, she answers. “They are all… visually appealing.” Not to mention a certain blonde, but she knows she would be digging her own grave if Ezreal found out.
Ezreal snorts. “Dude, you’re so lame. ‘Visually appealing’? My grandma could describe hot people better than that.”
“I’m just being respectful.” Kai’sa huffs with indignance. “They’re certainly more attractive than you, if that’s what you’re asking.” Kai’sa shoots him a look, which Ezreal responds with a gasp of feigned hurt.
“Ouch. Right where it hurts.” Ezreal drawls. “They probably know it themselves and use it to their advantage.”
Kai’sa stiffens and looks up at him with a frown. “What do you mean?”
Ezreal shrugs casually, “Just the usual trick in the book, just a friendly smile and wink here and there and that’s how you get customers to come by more often.”
Ah. Right. Kai’sa’s chest tightens uncomfortably for some reason but she tries not to show it. She doesn’t look up from her salad and asks quietly. “Isn’t that leading them on?”
Ezreal huffs out a laugh, flipping his hair with a dramatic flair. “I mean, it’s not our fault us baristas are conveniently attractive – whatever to get customers, right?”
Kai’sa nods wordlessly and Ezreal, finally noticing the change of air, frowns slightly. “Is something wrong, Kai?”
“No, not at all.”
For the next several days, Kai’sa brings her own coffee in a thermos to campus in an attempt to avoid visiting the coffee shop at all. She knows being she’s being irrational but ever since talking to Ezreal that day, she’s washed over with a feeling of foolishness every time she even so much glances towards the coffee shop.
While it does save her a bit of money, her homemade coffee is none other than watered down instant mix (there’s a reason she declined part-time at Ezreal’s coffee shop) and it doesn’t help her aggravating mood and lethargy during the day.
Embarrassingly enough, she doesn’t even last a week with her plan. All it takes is another grey day where rain suddenly starts to sprinkle down and Kai’sa has no umbrella to fend for herself. She hugs her folders and laptop bag tighter to her chest and despite her stubborn streak telling her no, her feet are automatically travelling towards the one place she knows might maybe make this day less shitty than it already is.
With a tinkle of the bell, she arrives. The coffee shop is small and warm just as she remembers it, and it isn’t too busy this time, save for some others sitting around the tables. Then Kai’sa looks around and when she spots the blonde behind the counter, she feels a pinch to her chest.
She schools her face into a neutral expression as she approaches, but she’s startled by the other girl’s face lighting up so vividly upon seeing her.
“You’re back.” The blonde breathes out, her dazzling smile hiding nothing coy this time and the all too familiar ridiculous fluttering sensation erupts inside Kai’sa. There’s evident relief written over the other girl’s face, which piques Kai’sa’s curiosity to say the least, but she pointedly ignores it before her mind can start overthinking again.
“You… remember me?” Kai’sa asks hesitantly, rubbing the back of her neck.
“How can I not?” The girl replies with a wink, and it triggers Ezreal’s nonchalant comment from the other day inside Kai’sa’s mind, along with alarm bells and an army of butterflies in her stomach. She manages a quick smile in response.
“Could I get a large oat flat white?” Kai’sa busies herself in fishing out her wallet from her bag again as an excuse to avoid the girl’s sparkling eyes directed at her.
For some reason however, the other girl hesitates. This catches Kai’sa’s attention, peeking up from her wallet. Then the blonde gives her a small smile, almost shy, something that is entirely unlike her radiant, confident persona.
Before Kai’sa can ask if there is a problem, the blonde asks softly. “Would you prefer rice milk?”
“Oh!” Kai’sa can’t help her lips automatically tug upwards at the pleasant surprise. She nods enthusiastically, “Yes please, that would be nice.”
The girl seems to brighten at Kai’sa’s response. There is a brief moment of them smiling at each other, and the air suddenly becomes stiflingly charged with something Kai’sa can’t quite name and she wonders if the other girl can feel it as well.
It breaks when they hear someone clear their throat to the side. It’s the other barista from last time, the one with a high ponytail and friendly smile. She’s giving the blonde a pointed look with a smug smirk that reminds Kai’sa of Ezreal. They would get along, she thinks, as she watches with amusement the blonde jabbing her co-worker with her elbow.
She doesn’t even have it in her to wonder if this is another joke between them because she’s too distracted by her own excitement over their new addition of rice milk to the menu. Joke or business tactic – or whatever this was – Kai’sa is too happy to care.
“I didn’t think you guys would suddenly add rice milk as an option,” she comments offhandedly as she fishes out her wallet to pay. She asks in earnest, cocking her head. “What changed?”
The two baristas behind the counter exchange glances; one panicked and one growing even more smug. Then they both look back at her to speak at once:
“You came and – “
“We had others asking – “
Before Kai’sa can process any of the two, she sees the blonde give another sharp jab to the shorter barista, who yelps in surprise. There’s a faint blush colouring the blonde’s cheeks when she clears her throat to speak again. “We had other customers asking as well, and thought it was about time to add it to our options.”
“Well, it’s a nice surprise,” Kai’sa admits. The blonde beams and Kai’sa can’t help but smile in response and there’s no overthinking or concern for once. For a moment, she thinks the coffee shop isn’t all that bad; if she can get used to the innocuous flirting, and manage to extinguish this small, ridiculous infatuation she’s harbouring for the blonde, she thinks she can imagine becoming a regular. Plus, the delectable coffee is a bonus; this place might just be close second place to Ezreal’s coffee.
She stands near the other side of the shop to wait for her drink. This time she realizes the blonde is the one making her drink, her brunette co-worker replacing her position at the counter. Kai’sa watches the girl’s blond locks fall around her face as she steams milk and thinks to herself, she is very pretty, with her lips pursed in concentration and side profile made of perfectly soft curves and angles. It’s a hard fact to deny, along with the funny feeling still tickling her chest.
“Large flat white with rice milk for Kai’sa?” The blonde calls out, even though there’s only Kai’sa standing in the waiting area.
“Thank you.” Kai’sa smiles.
“Anytime, cutie.” The blonde shoots her a grin. Kai’sa inwardly groans because she doesn’t know if she’s ever going to get used to being called that.
Then the girl’s expression suddenly softens, and before Kai’sa can turn to leave, she adds. “I hope to see you again.”
Kai’sa stiffens, her initial reaction of suspicion dissolving at the sincerity lacing the blonde’s words. She’s rendered speechless because she’s heard variations of Ezreal say such to his customers, but she's never heard it said so endearingly, especially directed straight at her.
Kai’sa gulps. She can only form a tight nod and smile, which hopes is enough of a promise.
The grin blonde sends her way tells her it is.
“So you’re telling me, this girl calls you ‘cutie’ and winks at you – and you think that’s not the most obvious indication of her trying to get into your pants?” Ezreal’s frustration rings painfully clear even through the phone.
Kai’sa pinches the bridge of her nose. It was such a mistake to tell him. She wishes she can take back everything she’s told him in the last five minutes.
“I’m sure this is exactly the tactic you told me before, about how baristas keep their customers loyal,” Kai’sa huffs into her phone wedged between her shoulder and chin as she tries to juggle her stack of papers she’s been grading in her arms.
“Well it sure is working isn’t it, ‘cause I haven’t seen you visit me in a while.”
“Aww, do you miss me?” Kai’sa coos teasingly, which earns her a scoff. She can imagine his exasperated eye roll even without seeing.
“I’m just saying. From what I hear, this girl is totally into you and you’re being too stubborn to see it.”
Kai’sa laughs. “Yeah, uh huh sure, and I think you’re being ridiculous. She probably calls other people all types of names. She’s just a naturally affectionate person.” She concludes with a resolute edge to her tone she doesn’t know if it’s meant for convincing Ezreal or herself.
“’Naturally affectionate.’” Ezreal echoes and Kai’sa cringes from having her poor choice of swords spat back to her. “Is that what we’re calling flirting these days?”
“You’re reading too much into it.”
“And you’re reading too little.” Ezreal sighs. “Do you like her?”
Kai’sa stops where she’s walking in the middle of the sidewalk. She splutters a reply before the pause stretches too long and Ezreal interprets it however he wants. “I-I mean, she is very attractive. Objectively.”
She wants to strangle him at the unconvinced “Mhhhmmm” he draws out, the shit-eating grin painted in the lilt of his tone. Before she can manage a retort, he continues. “Look, I gotta go because my break is ending. But Kai, have you ever had the thought of the off chance maybe she actually likes you?”
She wants to reply no, she’s never entertained that thought because she thinks it’s stupid to let her emotions run rampant at a possibility so fragile. Kai’sa is far from being a hopeless romantic; she finds comfort in facts and figures, and vehemently avoids putting her hopes in childish miracles. It’s what has gotten her this far in her academic career – her papers are full-proof, each point backed with solid layers of evidence and statistics that professors praise her for. She’s meticulous in her studies, and it shows in how she teaches as well now that she is a TA. She’s not about to abandon her careful, robust approach in life, just to humour her inconvenient crush, and end up embarrassing herself.
As if Kai’sa’s silence answers his question, Ezreal sighs in the end. “I’m going to have to visit this coffee shop with you one day and see for myself. I’ll talk to you later, nerd.”
He hangs up and Kai’sa is left with a stir in her chest she doesn’t want to address. Instead, she finally arrives to the library she’s been walking to all this time. After grabbing a table near the corner, she lets her bag and papers all sprawl over the desk and melts into the chair with a tired sigh.
She places her cup down as well. She rotates it slowly and tries to suppress the smile at the usual sight of loopy writing of ‘Kysa’ followed by a heart. Kai’sa hasn’t had a chance to correct the blonde for her spelling or even learn her name, she realizes belatedly. She’s always been too busy to exchange anything longer than polite pleasantries – and not so formal on the blonde’s part – every time she visited.
Kai’sa mentally notes to herself to sit in one day.
The next time Kai’sa is headed towards the coffee shop, she’s surprised to see a familiar face.
“Kai’sa!” Kai’sa whips her head around to see an excitable pink-haired girl bouncing down the streets, waving her hand with an energy Kai’sa wishes she has even a fraction of. She stops walking and waits for the younger girl to catch up.
“Hello, Seraphine.” She greets her with a smile. Seraphine’s grin is contagious, and there is a natural skip to her step as she falls into pace next to Kai’sa. Seraphine is a sophomore currently enrolled in one of Kai’sa’s classes, and the bright-eyed student is nothing short of enthusiastic in her classes that would otherwise be full of awkward silence. Any teacher’s favourite student easily, and in some ways, she reminds Kai’sa of herself when she was younger, which all the more makes Kai’sa fond of her.
“Where are you headed to?” Seraphine tilts her head curiously, having to crane her neck due to their height difference. Kai’sa slows down her pace, realizing Seraphine is having slight difficulty to match her long strides.
“Grabbing myself a coffee before I go off to a meeting. You?”
“Oh! Do you go to Ahri’s too?” Kai’sa doesn’t have the time to ask who this ‘Ahri’ is in between Seraphine’s excited chatter. “I was just headed there as well! I love how Akali makes my mocha. She knows how sweet I like it and it really satisfies my sugar cravings.”
Kai’sa nods politely without much reply, but Seraphine doesn’t seem to mind, filling their walk with pleasant chatter all the way. When they enter the coffee shop, Seraphine calls out happily.
“Hi, Akali!”
The high ponytail barista in front of the cashier perks up, and waves at the younger girl with a grin. “Seraphine! I haven’t seen you in a while.” Then she notices Kai’sa with her and shoots her an equally friendly smile. “Kai’sa, nice to see you as always.”
Kai’sa smiles with a small wave. She silently muses over the fact that her student is surprisingly a welcomed regular, being on first name basis with the barista. Thanks to Seraphine, she finally has a chance to match a name to face. Then she realizes, if this is Akali, then –
“Is Ahri here?” Seraphine looks around. As if on cue, the blonde appears from the back, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Ahri face glows with warm fondness at the sight of Seraphine.
So, Kai’sa isn’t the only one getting called these names. It’s just as she suspected, but she doesn’t feel all too triumphant in finding evidence to her point made against Ezreal. She instead distracts herself by watching Seraphine interact with the baristas, and the other two behind the counter looking at the younger girl with an unmistakable softness like they’re fawning over their baby sister.
Then Ahri’s eyes flicker up to Kai’sa still awkwardly standing by the door. Her lips break out into a smile, and there’s something more to it than the adoration reserved for Seraphine, but before Kai’sa can try and decipher it, a wink dismantles her train of thought.
“Hi, cutie. I didn’t know you were here as well.” Kai’sa’s cheeks warm at the familiar twinkling gaze directed at her. Seraphine raises an eyebrow, glancing between the two, but thankfully doesn’t comment.
Instead, she announces with a proud smile. “Kai’sa is my TA for one of my courses this term!”
Kai’sa squirms on the spot with all eyes suddenly directed at her. As a teacher of college students, there were no such thing as a parent-teacher conference, but she thinks if there was, this was the closest it was ever going to get to. Kai’sa gives a tight-lipped smile in response to Akali’s raised eyebrow and Ahri’s calculating stare.
Seraphine waves her hands around exaggeratedly as she continues gushing, completely oblivious to the amused stares from the baristas and the embarrassment burning Kai’sa’s face: “Kai’sa is super helpful, she’s honestly the reason I’m passing the course at all. She helps everyone understand the content much better than anyone. The stinkin’ professor gives really dry lectures and – “
“Seraphine.” Kai’sa admonishes her under her breath, though not unkindly. She can see the other two holding back laughter and lets her lips tug into a smile as well.
“What? It’s true!” Seraphine huffs, crossing her arms. Then she launches off into a rant about her other professors as she sits on the stool near the counter. Akali is kind enough to continue listening to her while Ahri takes her usual spot behind the cashier.
While she enjoys the banter, Kai’sa is pressed for time as usual, and she can sense Ahri knows it as well. The blonde looks up and smiles at her expectantly. “The usual?”
“Yes, please.”
When she tries to reach for her wallet, she’s stopped by Ahri’s sweet voice. “Don’t bother cutie. It’s on the house today.”
Kai’sa looks up, surprised. She raises her eyebrows with an uncertain smile. “Are you sure? I can pay.”
“Take it as my gratitude for keeping our Seraphine sane through the semester.” Ahri hums.
Kai’sa laughs. “I’ve done nothing, really.”
There’s a glint to Ahri’s piercing, gold eyes when she meets Kai’sa’s. The air thickens between them as Ahri lets her eyes rake up and down her figure, and suddenly Kai’sa feels hot all over under her attention.
“A pretty girl who is smart, polite and modest…” Kai’sa blinks, then her reddens when she realizes Ahri is talking about her. Ahri purrs as she leans forward, “What can’t you do, darling?”
“Make coffee.” Kai’sa blurts out immediately in an attempt to break whatever tension she is suffocating in right now. It does work, much to her delight and dismay, because Ahri pulls back with a laugh.
Then she gives Kai’sa a wink. “I could teach you.”
Kai’sa laughs nervously. “Maybe someday when I have more time in my hands.”
She doesn’t know why she’s dodging every single advance from Ahri; maybe it’s her lack of experience in the language of flirting, or her flight instinct flaring up instinctively. Or maybe it’s just the simple niggling prospect that whatever Ahri says and does isn’t even an advance, and she’s overthinking it once again. Then Ezreal’s voice rings in her ears distantly:
“Have you ever had the thought of the off chance maybe she actually likes you?
Kai’sa prefers to nip that thought at the bud before it blooms into something ugly and uncontainable.
As if to prove her point, she hears Seraphine call out from the other side of the counter where she’s sat. “Ahri, I forgot my wallet today. Could I pay double tomorrow?”
Ahri breaks her gaze from Kai’sa to turn to her and laughs. The familiar warmth pools in her eyes as she shakes her head. “Sera, sweetie, you shouldn’t be spending so much money on drinks in the first place.”
“I knooow, but Akali makes the best mocha.” Akali puffs her chest with pride at the comment and gives Seraphine a high five.
“It’s on the house today.” Ahri waves her off with an easy smile, and Kai’sa simply looks at the blonde in surprise. When Ahri glances back to her, Kai’sa quickly looks away, her heart hammering in her chest.
See, she’s just generous to everyone, Kai’sa repeats it like a mantra over and over in her head.
Ahri is already busy making her drink as Akali prepares for Seraphine’s mocha. Kai’sa watches as the two baristas exchange hushed whispers and giggles over at the other side she can’t quite catch. Before, she would have thought they would be sharing some joke at her expense but after getting to know them little by little with each passing day, she feels ashamed for ever thinking ill of the two.
“I come here pretty often but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here before, Kai’sa.” Seraphine wonders out loud, snapping Kai’sa out of her thoughts. “Are you friends with Ahri and Akali?”
“I only started coming here at the start of this term.” Kai’sa admits, then pauses, unsure of how to address Seraphine’s question.
Friends, Kai’sa thinks. She lets the word linger on her tongue for a moment.
Friendship is calling each other names and ruffling hair.
Friendship is not clammy hands and twittering heart aches.
Friendship is safe. Easy. She can do that.
“I guess you can say we’re friends.”
The next two weeks speed by in a hellish blur, upcoming midterms forcing Kai’sa to spend most of her hours that aren’t working as TA in the campus library. Her visits to the coffee shop lessened noticeably, going from daily, to once every three days, and then from a certain point onwards Kai’sa didn’t even have the time to spare a visit at all, having resorted to knocking back multiple cans of cheap energy drinks in the library instead.
Though having done this for several years now, exam season doesn’t get any easier even for a diligent student like Kai’sa. She’s on her third can of Red Bull and her mind is buzzing so much she has to forcibly close her laptop after hitting the two thousand word-count on her essay.
Kai’sa lets out a low groan, massaging her temples and closing her eyes to give them a rest from the harsh light of her screen. It’s only three o’ clock in the afternoon and caffeine is thrumming loud and heavy in her veins. She packs up her things to prepare for her office hours due a couple of blocks away. When she makes it out the library, the fresh air helps slightly to clear her pounding headache.
She notices halfway through her walk, that the coffee shop is on the way to her office. Kai’sa mulls it over for a second, then decides to peek her head into at least say a quick hello.
When she opens the door slowly, she finds Akali staring off into space at the cashier. The coffee shop is mostly empty and unusually quiet, except for some students typing feverishly on their laptops along the seats. The tinkle of the bell announces her entrance, and Akali’s face lights up.
“Kai’sa, hey.” Akali’s face drops as she takes in the sight of her and Kai’sa grimaces because she didn’t realize she looked that bad. “Bro, you look rough.”
“Gee, thanks ‘Kali.” Kai’sa deadpans. Akali has the decency to look sheepish and laughs, which Kai’sa joins in soon. This earns them a bunch of pointed stares from the students in the coffee shop.
Kai’sa winces, lowering her voice. “Is glaring their way of telling us to shut up?”
Akali nods, rolling her eyes. “I can’t even talk to Ahri normally without them looking like they’re about to strangle me to death.” She mutters under her breath, and Kai’sa has to stifle her laughter behind her hand because she honestly can’t blame the students.
Speaking of Ahri, the said blonde is nowhere in sight. Akali, noticing Kai’sa’s roaming eyes, explains without even her having to ask. “Ahri went out to get some more milk just then. These students really are chugging down drink after drink.”
Kai’sa glances at her phone. She knows she should really get going if she was to make it in time for office hours. Especially with her students extra high-strung from midterms looming over them like thunderclouds, Kai’sa knows she can’t afford to be late even by a minute.
“I just wanted to come by to say hi, but I should really head out now.” She sighs reluctantly.
“So soon, really? Not even a coffee?” Akali whines. Then she adds in a more serious afterthought, offering a knowing smile, “Ahri is going to come back soon. She would be really happy to see you.”
Kai’sa almost falls for it, hesitating, but in the end shakes her head. “I really wish I could stay longer, trust me. Tell her I said hi though.” Kai’sa doesn’t think she wants Ahri to see her in this particular state anyway, her greasy hair drawn up in a haphazard bun and skin sallow and paler than usual.
Akali nods, disappointed but understanding. “I get it. I’ve seen first-hand how stressed these guys are, not to mention how much caffeine they consume, and I’m guessing you’re not much different by the look of things.” Akali huffs, and Kai’sa gives a hum that doesn’t deny or affirm her suspicion. The other girl chuckles. “What I’m trying to say is, take care of yourself dude.”
Kai’sa’s smile softens. “Thanks, Akali. I promise I’ll be back for your coffee once this is all over.”
“God, didn’t I just tell you to watch your caffeine intake?”
Kai’sa laughs, which earns her another round of glares from the customers in the shop. She takes that as her cue to leave.
Once outside, her pace quickens to make up for the lost time. The warmth inside the coffee shop seeps away slowly as Kai’sa heaves a sigh. She marvels at the sky, clear and blue for once, and despite the temperature still cold enough to make her breaths come out in white puffs, the warm glow of the sun makes her wish she can stay outside longer. But she thinks about her inevitable fate of being holed up indoors and the subdued headache comes back.
Kai’sa is completely lost in her thoughts that she doesn’t recognize the blonde walking towards her direction, arms full of cartons of milk.
“Kai’sa?”
She blinks. Her brain is sluggish to catch up to reality, Ahri standing couple steps away from her, looking as pretty as the first time she’s seen her. “Oh, um, hi Ahri.”
“Oh god, look at you.” Kai’sa winces at the concern in Ahri’s voice. She must look terrible for Ahri to be the second person to say that. However, before she can duck in embarrassment, Ahri reaches out a hand to her cheek and she freezes. The blonde’s hand is cold from carrying the cartons, but her touch is soft and gentle that Kai’sa itches to lean into it.
“Have you been eating properly?” Ahri, unbeknownst to Kai’sa’s raging inner turmoil at the contact, scans her face with knitted eyebrows.
Kai’sa gives a vague hum of affirmative that comes out more strangled than she intended it to be. Without a counter separating the distance between them now, Kai’sa thinks she is going to combust at how close Ahri stands in front of her. From this close, she can trace the light freckles along the blonde’s cheekbones, and her breath catches at the sight of the gleaming gold of Ahri’s eyes under her long lashes.
“You don’t look like you’ve been getting enough sleep.” Ahri finally lets her hand slip away from Kai’sa’s cheek and Kai’sa can finally breathe a little. Ahri’s eyes don’t leave her face, however, as she continues tutting her tongue, “Kai’sa, you need to take care of yourself.”
“This is how it usually is during midterms, it’ll pass.” Kai’sa tries to brush it off with a shrug but her heart stammers at the soft frown Ahri directs her. As much as she would like to bask longer in Ahri’s undivided attention, her inner voice shrieks an unwelcome reminder of her pressed schedule. She winces. "I’m really sorry Ahri, but I’m kind of running late. I’ll talk to you later?”
Ahri doesn’t even seem surprised anymore and sighs. “When do you finish? Can I take you out to get a proper meal to eat afterwards?”
Kai’sa’s face heats up at the suggestion. She’s suddenly bombarded with questions: A meal, together? Was this what Kai’sa thought it was? A date – ?
No, you idiot, she just thinks you look like shit and is taking pity on you, Kai’sa’s inner voice supplies helpfully. Then she frowns when she remembers the daunting pile of work in her to-do list, her impending deadlines that she can’t ignore however much she wants to.
As if sensing Kai’sa’s inner conflict, Ahri adds. “We won’t go far. I know you’re busy, we’ll just get something around campus.” Then Kai’sa doesn’t have anything in her to prepare for Ahri’s pout that follows. God, that should be illegal.
“Please, cutie?”
Now that’s just unfair.
“Okay, fine.” Kai’sa waves her hand quickly, huffing. She can’t quite meet Ahri’s eyes, her chest still tightening for god knows what reason, but she knows they are lighting up like a Christmas tree without even having to see.
“Come by the coffee shop once you’re done.” Ahri grins at her and Kai’sa swallows, nodding. After quickly saying her goodbyes, she continues her walk to her office that speeds up into a jog. Kai’sa isn’t far enough to miss the singsong voice call over her shoulder again.
“I’ll be waiting!”
Kai’sa thankfully arrives just in time to her office, a couple of students already lingering around the halls waiting for her arrival. She lets them in, and all the while during her office hours, half her mind is focused on answering the students’ questions while the other half wanders off to revisit the events that transpired.
She still feels the ghost of Ahri’s palm against her cheek and her stomach churns just thinking about the way her name rolled off Ahri’s tongue. Now that she thinks about it, it was the most she’s ever heard Ahri say her name in succession, of course not without the inevitable “cutie” at the very end.
She tries not to read too much into Ahri’s suggestion anymore. She always asks Ezreal to grab food with her, and vice versa. That’s what friends do. It isn’t too different between her and Ahri – right?
“Kai’sa, are you feeling okay? Your face is red.” One of the students point out. Kai’sa brings her hand up to her cheeks and jesus they’re right, she is ridiculously warm.
“I think it’s just from the heater.” The temperature inside her office is not much different to the cold hallways of the building but she clears her throat before she gets asked again.
“So, where were we?”