Ping ping ping.

Heavy drops slid down Nicole's face, meeting on her chin and hitting rhythmically the metal sink. A long sigh escaped her lips as she glared at the mirror, drying her face. Her chest was hurting, and it was hard to breathe at such a sight, no matter how many times she had seen herself like that before.

She tapped foundation on her face, careful not to press the yellowish bruise around her eye too hard. It was still fresh, but it would hurt a lot more at night. She was furious.

Her hands tightened hard around the sink, jaw tense. She was done with him. She was going to grab her things and get out while he was out, and she would never go back. Someone like her didn't belong with someone like him. He was delusional, completely out of his mind. She did not deserve to be treated like.

"Nicole?" One knock on the door made a chill run up her spine. "Can I come in?"

She kept silent, but he insisted, so she unlocked it.

"Honey," he started, stretching his hand out to touch her face, yet she dodged him. "Did I do that to you?" he asked, surprised as usual. She let him cup her jaw, stroking her skin gently. He pulled her into his chest, hugging her tightly, and kissed the top of her head. "I'm so sorry. You are so strong for putting up with me. I don't know what would be of me without you. I love you so, so much."

Those damned mood swings confused her. She wanted him like that all the time, not screaming because she was late for dinner, or because some other waiter was looking at her. She wanted him to kiss her, to tell how much he loved her. Every-

"Nicole!"

Her head snapped away from the leaking tap, the sound of each drop falling fading into the background. Jenny was standing at the door of The Bookmark's kitchen, dressed in the worker's usual attire — a white shirt with the store's logo on the left side of her chest and a red apron with a pocket where they stored notepads and pens.

"Mm?" Nicole stared at her, yanked back to the reality. She was making muffins, and she got distracted.

"Your friend," the brunette said. "He is here and I refuse to serve him."

The blonde sighed, annoyed with their stupid quarrel, but still left the kitchen to see Miguel. He didn't know Jenny had switched shifts the week before, so she assumed he wasn't expecting to see her there.

She found him on the sofa, the entire store as dead quiet as it was when she had left to the kitchen. Only the sound of the clock ticking against the wall filled the room. The sky was turning orange, which meant it wouldn't take long until business men and students rushed through the glass doors. Until then, it was all blissful silence.

"Why is Jenny here?" it was the first thing the brunet boy said when his eyes met hers.

She rolled her eyes, knowing that was the first thing he would say. Nothing else mattered in the world as soon as he spotted Jenny. It was as if he was fuelled solely by his hatred for her.

"She changed shifts," she explained, sitting beside him with a pillow against her chest. "Coffee?"

He shook his head, crossing his muscular arms across his chest. Things with Lúcia had taken an unexpected turn, so he wanted advice. Jenny could eavesdrop, knowing that Lúcia was someone who did interest her, but he hoped she was outside smoking.

"She kissed me," he said.

Nicole didn't need to ask who it was. She threw her legs over his lap and waited for him to continue.

"It's not that I didn't want her to, but I didn't think it would be so soon. She's been making me behave since day one, and I'm taking it slow as she wanted, but..." he paused, thinking about what he was about to say, and she remained patient. Talking about his love life wasn't something he did often, mostly because he didn't have one. "I think I never considered she could actually like me back. It's Lúcia, for fuck's sake! Why would she want a guy like me? I'm a screwup!"

A part of her wanted to hug him, tell him he was not what people gossiped about him. Other part was still shaken from the memory that had surfaced, a part that didn't want to touch or be touched by anyone. That part won, and she knew Miguel would understand if she told him how she was feeling, but they were talking about him and she was afraid Jenny would hear.

"You're not a screwup. Maybe you never had a serious relationship, but so what? You'll have one eventually, and Lúcia might just be the girl. She doesn't see the manwhore everyone talks about when she looks at you, and neither do I."

He rested his head back and stared at the white ceiling, tracing a crack in the paint with his eyes. That wasn't the only problem.

"What if I don't like her?" he asked. "I'm confused. I didn't expect this to happen so quickly. Or to happen at all. What if I was just enjoying the chase?"

"Then tell her you want to go slow, tell her you're figuring your feelings out. This is the first time you like someone for real. It's something foreign. No wonder you're confused."

He bit his cheek, considering her words. His eyes met hers and he saw how tired she was. It was selfish of him to not even ask her how she was. Since he started taking a liking to her friend, Miguel had got distant from Nicole and he couldn't allow himself to do so. He was all she had there. Even if she didn't see it, he was her only real friend, the one who saved her when things got dark.

"You look tired."

She rubbed her eyes on her sleeve and let her head rest on the back of the sofa. She looked and felt tired.

"I can't sleep at night. He is always there."

Miguel wanted to cradle her in his lap, hug her tight, and protect her from the rest of the cruel world. He should have punched him harder. He should have forced her to press charges. There were so many regrets, and yet he could never change the way she felt now. A day didn't go by without him blaming himself for not noticing earlier.

"I told you already, you can stay with me."

She shook her head. The only thing that kept him away was staying up and the strong taste of alcohol on her tongue.

A loud group of students walked in, interrupting their conversation. Four boys, three girls, none of them familiar to the waitress.

She returned to her place behind the register, her fake smile back on her crimson lips. Jenny was also back, warned by the bell. She hadn't even been able to finish her cigarette.

Miguel stared at her, but she pretended not to see him. She was still embarrassed by how she had acted at the masquerade party. Juliana had pestered her all weekend about it, but she didn't give up any details.

"Well, I'm going to work." Miguel got up, letting them be.

The group scattered over the sofas in the middle of the cafe, where Miguel once sat. Their voices cheered the place up, laughter echoing. That was the people Jenny loved to serve. It was the type of people Nicole was too tired to deal with.

"Welcome to The Bookmark!" Jenny cheered, handing them the laminated menu. "What can I help you with?"

Nicole went to the kitchen to get the muffins, displaying them in a white tray to put inside the vitrine. Jenny wrote their order in the register and both of them started preparing the food. The blonde made drinks at plain sight with the coffee machine, and the brunette was in the kitchen, making toasts and pancakes and everything else requested.

The bell announced another incoming, but Nicole didn't turn around until he had reached her. She could feel his presence behind her, hearing his fingertips hitting the countertop in a hurried wait, as usual. There was a time when his sole existence annoyed her, but that exasperation had faded as Alice's feelings for him also did.

Finishing the drinks, she turned around and placed them on the counter, looking up at him. His head was resting on his open palm and he looked bored, not even smiling when their eyes met. She frowned, waiting for him to greet her, to spike her, to say something.

"You're not wearing makeup," Andrew noted.

"Hi to you too." She rolled her eyes, ignoring the statement.

Her eyes diverted to the small basket where sugar packets and spoons were scattered and grabbed some to put on the tray. Jenny was still finishing inside, but she was done with her part of the orders.

"Are you free tonight?"

Her gaze fled back to him, lips slightly parted. That nonchalant way he was staring at her was becoming bothersome and she considered kicking him out. Perhaps in the literal sense.

"What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "Like dinner. Are you free for dinner?"

The aching memory of the things he had stumbled on last time still burned inside her. Her heart raced at the thought of being asked more questions about it, but she couldn't imagine him prying any further. After all, he had secrets of his own, too.

"I already told you I am not going on a date with you," she said and put the tray on the counter, making him stagger back. "If you want to be useful, take this to that table."

He stared at the group of people around his age sitting around the small table where he had once shared hot chocolate with Nicole. When he was on his way, he hoped it would be the two of them alone again, as Jenny was almost always smoking outside during dead hours. The chattering when he opened the door murdered his fantasy.

"What do I get if I do?"

"Nothing." She stared at him, cold and fierce.

Andrew pushed the tray aside and leaned into it once again, reducing the distance between them. Her head was slightly tilted back to make eye contact, though it didn't make him feel taller. He always wondered what would be her actual height, yet she always walked in heels.

"I don't work for free."

She bit her cheek in annoyance. There was yet to be born someone who could make her smile or make her scowl just as quick as he did. It was usually only one of the two, but Andrew... Andrew executed both constantly.

"If you take it, we'll discuss your reward later."

He shook his head. "Nu-uh, don't you try fooling me that way. Once I do your job-"

Nicole snatched the tray before he could end his sentence and took it to the table where the friends were still waiting. He didn't wait around as she gave each person their drink, but sat in the empty armchair at the top of the small table.

"What are you doing?" Nicole hissed.

"Socialising." He smiled and turned to the girl on his right. "Hello. I'm Drew."

"Don't bother the clients," she complained.

"He's not bothering," the girl he talked to, a long-haired brunette with a round face, shooed her away. She leaned into her side, smiling at Andrew as she waved the waitress a dismissive hand. "I'm Laila."

Nicole stared at both and turned on her heel, going back to the safety of the counter. Her afternoon was not supposed to be spent taking orders from a group of university students, but reading a book from a random shelf. She would never complain about the clients since the business needed them so much, but she needed a break.

Jenny walked through the door with two trays filled with toasts, muffins, pancakes and whatnot. The smell of the freshly baked banana muffins was still strong in the kitchen, and it spread to the rest of the cafe.

"What do you want?" Jenny asked Andrew after emptying both trays on the table. The group was already attacking the food, barely giving her time to step back.

He glanced at her, unsure since he always ordered the same thing unless Nicole gave him something else. He fought the urge to ask her and grabbed the menu instead, surveying it quickly.

"What do you think?" he looked at Laila. She was stuffing her face in muffins but stopped in embarrassment when she noticed he was watching.

"Th-the muffins are delicious."

"I know," he sighed, looking through the menu. "The white thing Nicole gave me the other day. She knows what it is."

Jenny nodded, joining her friend behind the register. She didn't even need to tell the girl what he had ordered as she had heard and was already on it. Her hands moved automatically, though her movements came harsher than needed.

"He is finally talking to someone that is not you," Jenny noted.

"Why does everyone think he only talks to me?" she asked through gritted teeth. "He knows people from his classes, you know? He has made friends besides me."

She stared at Nicole, finishing the drink at record speed.

"Okay, I didn't know that. I thought he didn't even hang out with Ali and everyone else anymore."

"He doesn't have to have the same friends I do. And Ali is a whole different story. He changed the French class to an upper level, so they didn't even see each other either way."

The blonde put the drink in Jenny's hands and crossed her arms, peering at the group. A boy sitting with his back to her kept stealing glances. He had started by smiling at Jenny, but one glance at the black ink spread through her harms and he changed to Nicole.

Andrew was still talking to Laila, now with his cup in his hands. She couldn't hear what they said that well as the others' laugh was stronger, but she could see her touching his arm well enough.

"I was so not built for this weather," the girl complained, tightening the grip on her jacket. "Last summer me and my friends went to Australia as volunteers and I'm still not used to be back here. Have you ever been to Australia?"

How is she cold? The fucking heating is on! Nicole rolled her eyes.

"Only once," Andrew said. "But it was a long time ago."

"I loved it there. I took a lot of pictures. Do you want to see them?"

How did she go from Hello to showing him her freaking bikini pictures?

"Why are you staring at him?" Jenny asked, making her jump.

She leaned beside Nicole on the counter, eating a half burnt muffin they couldn't sell. The girl always preferred the overcooked ones. They were crispy and tasted almost the same.

"I'm staring at the clients. In case they need something."

"That would make them uncomfortable. And you're staring at Andrew."

Nicole shook her head, cleaning the already spotless surface. It had slowly become a habit to keep her hands busy, to keep her on the move. She felt awkward during the slower hours, having nothing to do. Usually she would sit somewhere and read a book, or work on her sketchbook, but she couldn't take a break when there were people inside.

Laila was no longer on her phone, scrolling through pictures to show Andrew. They had all engaged in a conversation about the teachers they hated the most, swear words flying around.

"I'm worried he'll chase the costumers away."

Jenny stared at her in disbelief, and then her lips curved upward, a grin growing thick on her face. She didn't smile often, unless she was drunk, which was a pity since she had a beautiful smile.

"That's the stupidest excuse I've ever heard."

"I doubt that."

The brunette laughed, elbowing her softly in the ribs. Nicole jerked away but couldn't help the soft giggle that left her lips. Andrew's head snapped to her almost immediately, but neither of them noticed. Working alone never really bothered Nicole, but working with Jenny brought a different joy.

Even if she refused to say out loud, she had few close friends. Her sisters were definitely there, so were Jenny and Miguel. Everyone else... everyone else were people she couldn't cry to.

"Hey, blondie!" some guy called from the sofa. Nicole's stare fell on him, her working smile on her face as if she didn't want to slap him for calling her that. "Get us more napkins."

She placed a holder in the middle of their table, smiling at all of them as she was required. The job requested she was nice to all costumers no matter what, and normally it was hard to get a reaction out of her, yet she knew she was not fine. She felt like peeling her skin off — every cell Tomás had ever touched — and burn it to ashes.

"Thank you." Some other guy flashed her a grin, and she had to contain her distaste. Men always thought she owed them something. If they smiled, she had to smile back. If they were interested, she should be thankful someone wanted her at all. She hated men. In one moment they were promising unconditional love, in the next she was being shoved to the floor and stepped on. She couldn't trust men.

"Do you need anything else?"

"Your phone number would do," the guy who had been stealing glances said, smirking.

The rest of the groups laughed, calling him cheeky and many praises. Not Andrew, though. He just gawked at them, waiting to see Nicole's reaction. Even Jenny had put the muffin aside, expecting to get a good laugh.

"The cafe doesn't do home service," she answered.

His grin widened, his eyes lingering on her name tag. "I meant your number, honey. They do say blondes are dumb."

"Don't talk to her like that." It was Andrew's voice, his eyes glaring at the other guy.

"Chill, bro. I'm just joking."

Before Andrew could argue back, Nicole collected all the empty cups and plates to her tray and asked, "Is that all?" one more time. They said nothing, a stare off between Andrew and the boy ruining the previously good mood. There was no longer laughter, only the silence.

Nicole left all dishes in the kitchen and excused herself upstairs to clean other tables. No table on the upper floor needed to be cleaned, but she didn't want to be watching the group, to hear stupid jokes, or to look at Andrew and Laila smiling at each other.

Her heels clicked against the wooden stairs, and she threw the wet cloth to the nearest table before collapsing on a sofa. Jenny could handle them for a while.

"Nicole?"

She didn't look at him, her hands pressing her face. Five minutes of silence were all she wanted, time to breathe, time to wipe those memories of her head. Work came first, meltdowns after.

"Go back downstairs. You were having so much fun with Laila."

Andrew sat by her feet, clutching her hand in his. He was used to her rudeness, but he could see clearly that wasn't it. Something was bothering her, making her this angry.

"She's fine without me," he said. "What's bothering you?"

A heavy sigh escaped her lips. People needed to just back off. They couldn't help, so why did they try? They would just do worse with their questions, with their useless advice and empty reassurances. She didn't need a hug and someone to wipe her tears. She needed vodka and hazy lights.

"Nothing is bothering me. Go downstairs, flirt with your new friend all you want. You guys seemed to get along just fine."

Andrew frowned before a light smirk twisted his features. He looked cute when he smiled, yet she was used to his focused looks when working. He was more chatty now, talking to her instead of staring at his computer all afternoon.

"Are you jealous, Stalker?"

She rolled her eyes, looking at the ceiling just to avoid his stare. His hand was still on hers, his skin soft. Soft as the one of a rich boy who never had to do hard work.

"Why would I be jealous?" Her voice was loaded with spite and bitterness. "It's not like I care about what you do or don't. We're not friends, we never were."

It was a punch in the gut. He wasn't expecting her to say those harsh words, and perhaps she wasn't expecting him to be so hurt by them. She was his every day company. The girl sat by his side and chatted about her day and asked about him. The girl whose laugh resonated in his ears like a popular song. She was a friend.

"Nicole, I-"

"Just fucking go!" she exclaimed, sitting up. "Don't you see? I don't care about you or your stupid dinner invites. You're just another client. You're work! If you ever thought we had any sort of relationship, you were wrong. Go invite Laila for dinner, not me."

Andrew stared at her, a knife in his chest, and nodded slowly. It was a hard pill to swallow, and he wanted to believe she didn't mean it, but he wouldn't fight her. He let go of her hand, shoving his inside his pockets, and turned his back on her.

She watched as he disappeared into the lower ground. Her knees bent into her chest and she buried her head into them. A quiet sob escaped her lips, and she let the tears flow.