I S A B E L L A

"I mean it was perfect, he was so sweet and the kiss, gosh the kiss!" Lucy was practically melting into me as i stood drying cups and mugs in the cafe.

Her date with Bruce went very well, she had spammed my phone when she got back last night and now she has been telling me for the past thirty minutes everything that happened.

"And he kept complimenting me so much! But not in the icky way, he did it in the perfect moments." She rambled, the corners of her eyes crinkled and her cheeks were tinted pink as she smiled so widely.

"So, do you think he wants to move further? like you know relationship wise." I ask, tilting my head to look at her as i held the wet mug tightly.

"I don't know, i mean i do but i'm not sure if he does, and i don't want to rush things." She explains, her elbow now on the counter, using it for support to lean her body against.

"Just ask him."

"No! i cannot just ask him." She raised her tone.

"Yes you can." I chuckled, placing the mug i dried down onto the counter and picking up another one. Lucy only glanced at the cups instead of helping me like she's supposed to.

"No, what if he doesn't want a relationship? Ill be so embarrassed" She leans her head into my shoulder, whining into it.

"We'll i guess you'll never know." I shrug my shoulder, placing the mug i just dried down next to the others, and pick up the last wet one.

I'm not the best with relationship advice - considering i've never been in one - but even i could tell Bruce had to like her. His striking looks and built body had plenty of girls at his feet, and out of all of them he only showed Lucy his attention.

"Ugh!" She whined again before trotting off in a mood. I chuckled under my breath, and walked to the door flipping the sign that said closed to open.

It only took a few minutes before the rest of my colleagues were in, putting on their aprons and getting to work. Sophie has been awfully nice since i caught her in the bathroom that day.

It still makes me cringe even thinking about it.

But i felt bad, she seemed very embarrassed and although she's usually unkind to me and sometimes makes rude remarks i have tried being her friend.

Because everyone deserves a friend, even the mean ones.

It was a warm day, the city was more alive than usual, with people walking around in shorts and dresses.

The flowers that were planted outside the cafe were more vibrant and everything seemed more welcoming. Its soft tones and colors stand out more whenever the sun shines on it. I just loved how pretty it was.

Even the interior of the cafe seemed more lively, with fresh muffins and cakes on display it smelt good inside. And i just admired the cafe when the weather was warm. It lifted up my mood and it got me through the long hours.

I wore my mom's summer dress today, it was baby blue with little flowers printed all over it. The shoulders were ruffled and the fabric ran all the way to my mid thighs. I had never worn it before, in fact i never really had the courage to go through my parents stuff since they died. It's kind of been hidden away in a box, in a little storage closet in my apartment.

Yesterday night, i had missed my parents more than usual - especially after what Abby said- and I dug through the messy closet till i found the box. It had my mom's summer dress, my dad's favourite watch, lots of their clothes and my mom's jewelry. There was also some love letters my parents wrote to each other before they got married and had me.

They seemed so in love, the letters were like my dads love language. I knew this because there were a lot more letters my dad wrote than my mom. And although my mother's letters were always neater, with the curvy handwriting whilst my dad's was more messy and rushed, you could tell how much my father loved her. You could tell how much my mother cared. You could tell how in love they were

I put everything away neatly back into the box after, before making sure i read every letter and looked through everything. I left my mothers summer dress she always wore when i was little and wore it today, and i put my father's favourite t-shirt on my pillow which still smelt like him.

I left my hair down, and even put on my favourite lipgloss before i left the house. So i was feeling good about myself and today. I wish everyday was like this, sunny and mood lifting.

"Good Morning, Boss!" I smile, as he appears from the corner. He turns his head, and walks over when he notices me.

"Morning sunshine" He replied drumming his fingers on the counter. Bradley isn't much of a talker, he only talks if talked too or if he is in a good mood. Nobody knows much about him, and he's always locked away in his office, so i try to be his friend and keep him company during lunch sometimes. He's sort of warmed up to me though.

"Smells nice." He adds, glancing at all the different flavoured cakes that are fresh out the oven.

"Yes it does." I smile, scanning all the cakes.

"Have you seen Lucy? I need her to make lemonade, it's a hot day and the customers should have something cold to order."

"Oh, i think she's already on it. She's in the kitchen in the back if you want to see." Bradley only nods, before making his way to the kitchen.

I stand on my phone, by the cash register, as i'm not needed to help with anything and there's nothing else to do as i wait for customers. I giggle at a funny video Lucy sent me, that i had only just seen.

I snap my eyes up from my phone when someone clears their throat.

Abby stood with a freshly new set of long nails, her hair in a slicked back high ponytail as she wore a tiny skirt with a tube shirt. Her lips stretched out into a smirk as she crossed her tanned arms over her chest.

She looked me up and down and scoffed "Awh, well at least you're trying to make an effort"

Classic Abby, putting you down the one time you feel pretty. I ignore her comment, i won't let her get to my head especially when I'm wearing my mothers dress.

"Welcome to Bradley's Cafe, what would you like to order?" I try my best to be nice, and force my lips to stretch out into a tiny smile to be polite. She runs her tongue over her teeth, looking around the cafe.

"So this is where you work? How cliche." She speaks in a sarcastic tone, and i sigh. Why is she doing this right now?

"What would you like?" I repeat, i want her out as soon as possible, i will not let her ruin my day and make me sad because she decided to be mean. I grip the counter as hard as i can and i take in a deep breath.

She gives one of my colleagues - who is serving -a dirty look, and i frown making a mental note to tell her how sorry i am for Abby's rude behaviour.

"I heard you the first time." Abby sneers, placing a hand on her hip and pushing her bum out.

I roll my eyes and bring my hand up to rub my forehead, hoping if i rub hard enough she won't be there when i open my eyes. But no, i was very wrong, she still stood there; her face scrunched up in disgust as she looked at the cafe's menu.

I gripped onto the counter a little harder, as she stood for a solid 5 minutes deciding her order.

"What the fuck is this menu? Are you trying to kill people? Disgusting." She speaks louder than usual, causing a few heads to turn.

I knit my eyebrows, the menu is perfectly fine. I contemplate running out of here and asking someone else to take her order.

I shift in my spot and tuck my hair behind my ears. "Have you decided on your order yet?" I ask, trying to be polite.

"Wait bit-" Her reply is cut off with the ring of a bell. Abby and I both turn our heads to the door, and i watch Abby fix her posture and her lips lift into a grin as Axel walks over, his head looking down into his phone like usual.

He wore black shorts, and a white t-shirt that looked too small on his tone body. His dark hair seemed lighter in the sunlight. I gulped when he stopped in line behind Abby and lifted his t-shirt to wipe the sweat off his face, revealing his lean torso where a few tattoos were scattered.

I loved his tattoos, they were dark and deep but i think they are pretty. I wanted to see all of them; to admire them and figure out what each one meant. I wanted to know which one is his first, and which one is his favourite. I wanted him to know i liked them, it even kind of made me want one.

I liked the snake that wrapped around his arm, i wish i could get a closer look so i could see every little detail of it and tell him how pretty it is.

He brang up a hand to scratch the back off his neck, ignoring both our presence. Abby gaped at him, she bit her lip before speaking up.

"Hey Axel!" She squealed, causing Axel to lift his head from his phone and look at Abby. He glanced at me for a second and looked back at Abby who spread her arms and wrapped it around his neck.

Axel didn't hug back, he frowned his eyebrows in confusion and stood in his spot.

"Who the fuck are you?" His deep and rough voice finally spoke, i haven't heard it in a while.

Abby lifted her chin off his shoulder, her arms still remaining wrapped around his neck. "What do you mean?" She laughed it off.

"It's Abby, remember i was a Keiths party a few weeks ago." She explained, after a beat realisation painted his face and he removed her arms off him.

"Fuck sake." He sighed "Hurry up and order." He told her, without another word Abby turned and read the menu.

"What do you think i should get Isabella?" She smirked, waiting for an answer.

"Uh i'm not su-" Her high pitched voice cut me off and i bite back on my tongue.

"Actually nevermind, i shouldn't trust your fat ass to tell me what to eat. You'll probably make me obese." She threw her head back to laugh, her comment felt like i was shot in the chest. I opened my mouth, taken back by it.

Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.

I felt Axel's eyes on me, but i didn't dare look at him, I was way too embarrassed. Blinking back the tears, i stood silently waiting as a line formed behind them and Axel grew impatient.

"Ill just take a regular coffee." Abby finally said. My hand shook as i gripped the counter so hard, she was trying to wind me up and make me upset and it was working. I only nodded trying to keep it together.

I glanced at Lucy from across the room, she smiled at me unaware of what was going on, i couldn't even bring myself to try and smile so i looked away and bring up my shaking hand to put her order into the ipad.

"Anything else?" I croak out, still unable to look at Axel whos eyes i could feel so well burning into my skin. Abby only giggles and shakes her head, looking back at Axel.

"Why don't i take the rest of the orders, Iz." Lucy appears out of nowhere grabbing my wrist softly forcing me to let go of the grip on the counter.

"You go and make the orders, love" Lucy sends me a reassuring smile and i nod walking away.

I make the coffee Abby order as a tear rolls down my cheek from Abby's stupid remark.

Placing the lid on her coffee, i pick up the hot cup and walk over to her. She stood in the corner with Axel, who wasn't listening to anything she was saying and only stared down at his phone.

"You're order." I say, causing both their heads to look at me. Abby snatched the cup out of my hand and sent me a dirty look. I turn on my heel to leave, sighing and hoping she is going to leave soon. Because from today i really don't like Abby, and i usually like everyone.

I don't even get to take a step forward before Abby's mouth is open again. "Wait."

I slowly turn, inhaling a deep breath once again.

What now.

"Hopefully this will teach you a lesson to stay in your lane, bitch."

In a beat of a second, Abby takes the lid of her coffee off and spills the hot liquid onto my chest.

"What the fuck?!" I gasp in pain.

~~~

I decided to split this into two parts ;))

I sort of gave up on drawing pictures each chapter, it's really hard but i think ill bring that backkkk.

I also absolutely despise writing about Abby just because i hate her character so much AHAHA

Anyway, i thought id put in that last part of Bella shouting because she never curses sooo

Thank you for reading lovelies!