A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop. 

Outside, (f/n) leaned against the wall of the bar and stared out ahead onto the street. A frown was on her lips, and she sighed roughly. "This isn't a joke, is it?" she questioned, her tone not amused in the slightest and holding concern. "You've seriously started a serious relationship with him?"

Anita leaned on the wall next to (f/n) and nodded. Her black purse rested on her right shoulder, and her fingers played with the fabric of her skirt. "I ..."

"So, that's why you didn't want to tell me more about him? You knew how I would react, and you wanted to get me out of the house first so that I couldn't just say no to meeting him." (F/n) crossed her arms over her chest and blew a few loose strands of hair out of her face. She tsked. "I suppose that you're right. But now that I'm here, I want you to tell me why I should go back in there and be civil." Her (e/c) optics met Anita's light brown ones. "You do remember that he caused you to cry several times, right?"

"... I do," Anita answered quietly, her usual energy depleted at the moment. She wished that (f/n) had reacted more positively, but she knew that this reaction was more realistic.

(F/n) recalled the first time Anita had mentioned Kaleb to her. She described his black, loose and jaw-length wavy locks, dark brown eyes and delicate nose shape complementing his round face in a cute, but mature way. Anita had only positive things to say about him that first conversation she talked about him. He was determined to reach his goals, was outgoing, liked to plan long-term and had a commitment to helping his parents with their successful investment company. From that first conversation, (f/n) thought that Anita had found someone who might be good for a long-term relationship even though Anita hadn't been wanting that at the time.

Then, the other conversations happened. How he had been rude to her on several accounts: not responding to text messages for several days, telling her that he was too busy to deal with her and give her attention, calling her needy and other similar things. He called her names and told her that she was annoying all because she wanted to hang out for longer than hour every week. Not to mention that he left her hanging on multiple dates. His behavior left her in tears several times. Yet somehow, he managed to pull her back several times, saying how he was wrong and to give him another chance. Anita would gloss over why she went back on dates with him and only would really say that she forgave him and that he still had those qualities that she liked about him.

So, they were on and off several times. Kaleb never committed to anything long-term despite Anita's assurance that he did like planning long-term. Apparently, Anita wasn't included in those plans, but (f/n) held her tongue since Anita only would shove her friend's concerns aside and go on talking about him in a positive way every time they got back together.

When Anita told her that she wouldn't give Kaleb another chance after the last time they had parted ways, (f/n) couldn't be happier. Anita said how she just needed company during college and he was good to have around for that, but she knew that she never would form something serious with him given their differences and his attitude towards her on multiple accounts. It was a huge relief, but, apparently, her never getting back together with him had been lie. Now, they were in a serious relationship, and Anita even asked her to meet him in person. Never had she met him in person before, and (f/n) was quite happy about that. Otherwise, she might've punched the piece of sh*t. It was hard not to now.

"So, why? And, for two months straight?" (F/n) glared at the road. "I don't understand it, Anita. I never even really understood why you gave him so many chances before, and now you're letting him get even closer to you." She looked over to Anita, immense worry in her eyes. "He even came to the town where you're working your dream job, and you let him. You're letting him get close to a personal part of you." To emphasize her point, (f/n) pointed to the door of the bar. "He's right in there. He's so close to where you work. He knows where you work. Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"He would've found out eventually, (f/n)," Anita argued, but her voice was soft and somewhat apologetic. Anita kicked her foot into the ground a little. "And, I let him in all those times before because he still had those qualities I told you about. I told you that. Even now, he has them." She diverted her eyes over to (f/n). "He's really committed to the company, and he wants to do good. He wants to make up for what he did in the past, and he really means it this time."

Almost, (f/n) rolled her eyes. She had a very hard time believing that Kaleb no longer was a jerk. "I mean it, (f/n)," she tried to persuade. (F/n) only rose a brow. "Well, he wouldn't have taken time out of his schedule to come here if he wasn't serious about me, if he didn't want to try and really make this work this time around. After he graduated, he really matured."

Pulling out her phone, Anita held it out towards (f/n). "Here, you even can read our texts to each other. He's been responding quickly, and he's been nothing but nice and sweet to me." (F/n) glanced down to the phone and was tempted to take it, but she met Anita's gaze instead. Anita, though, knew that her friend wouldn't actually grab the phone. She was too kind for that.

Another rough sigh left her. "I'm not going to look through your messages, Anita. I'd rather they didn't exist." (F/n) averted her eyes to the street and pushed back some of her hair. "But," she locked her eyes with her friend's, "has he really not said anything mean to you? Was today actually the day he was supposed to show up, or did he delay his meeting with you?"

"Yes, and yes. He's really changed, (f/n)." Anita stepped closer to her. "I mean it. I wouldn't have let him come out here and see me if he hadn't." Her hands tightened their hold on her phone. "I really just want you to give him another chance like I did. This is my first serious relationship, and I really want it to work out. I don't want to go back to short-term dating. I really think that this could work out between us, and he's willing to put in the effort to make that work too."

"I just have a hard time believing that," (f/n) sighed out. "After everything, you must understand why this is hard for me to accept him back into your life." (F/n)'s gaze softened. "I don't want to see you crying over him again. He caused you a lot of pain, and I'd hate to watch you go through that again."

"I know." Anita smiled a little before she looked to her friend pleadingly. "But, I'm asking you to trust me on this and give him another chance. Just talk to him and see how things go tonight. You might be surprised."

Laughing a little, (f/n) shook her head and smiled a bit back to Anita. "I'm already surprised."

"So, is that a yes?" Anita asked, hopeful.

"... Yeah, ... I guess," (f/n) eventually replied, her shoulders dropping a bit. Before she could even react any more to the situation, Anita jumped her friend and hugged her tightly. "Thank you! Thank you!" (F/n) rolled her eyes and patted her friend on the back before Anita pulled away and winked. "I'll get you your first drink."

"Only one? I should be getting a lot more for doing this," (f/n) joked as Anita grinned and laughed before she turned to face the bar's door. "But, I'd rather not be drunk when talking to him. I am considering my original plan of getting him drunk and asking him questions, though. You sure you won't tell me what he likes to drink."

A playful pout hit Anita's lips. "No, but you'll probably need more than one drink, right?"

"That's for sure. I doubt that you want me punching him mid-dinner." Her tone still was joking, but there was an element of seriousness to it too.

"No, I don't," Anita answered back with a laugh, though; there was seriousness in her voice too. Anita knew that (f/n) very well would punch Kaleb if things went downhill when they went back inside.

Entering the building, Kaleb soon saw both of them come back inside, and he shared a hopeful gaze with Anita. She gave a small nod, and (f/n) saw his shoulders relax a little. Almost, (f/n) rolled her eyes, but her harsh stare didn't let up; however, she did sit down at the table, and Anita sat between the two of them.

An awkward silence hung around the table, and (f/n) could tell that Kaleb was growing uncomfortable by it. Good. He should be. A waitress came over, and some of the tension eased as they each ordered a drink. Kaleb ordered just a glass of water. There wasn't anything wrong with that, but she was hoping that he might order something with alcohol due to his nerves.

Once the waitress left, the awkwardness returned. Kaleb tapped his fingers against his legs. "So, (f/n)," her gaze didn't let up when he addressed her, "Anita mentioned that you both have been friends since high school and have been planning this café since then."

"Yeah. We combined our interests together, and it's been working well." Her tone wasn't necessarily harsh, but it wasn't what one would call nice either.

"Yes, it has been," Anita interjected, smiling over to him. "I'd love for you to see it sometime." She glanced over to (f/n), who didn't like the suggestion at all. "It could be during or after service. What do you think, Kaleb?" Before he answered, he glanced over to (f/n) until he focused back on Anita.