lottie matthews

You settle down in the corner spot in the coffee shop, placing your computer and drink down on the table before scooting in. It's not so bad, you think as you look around. There's really no one here and the staff were nice. You had only come because the shop you use to frequent closed down a couple of days ago, and you needed your coffee fix for the upcoming exams at school. It's definitely much cheaper than the place before too, and as you take a sip of the coffee, it's tastier as well.

Your ears perk up as you hear the chime of the door bell jingle, signaling new customers. Glancing up, your heart seems to shoot straight to your ass as you spot the unmistakable figure of your ex-girlfriend. And she's with some girl. Holding hands. You feel every emotion hit you at once, and you try to turn away in your chair without it scraping against the ground. You pull your hood up and attempt to start writing your thesis on the computer to busy your mind, but you freeze. Every garbled thought that comes to mind is Lottie, Lottie, Lottie.

You haven't seen her in months. Not since she broke up with you.

It was a stupid fight. You can't even remember what started it really, but it was about her parents. Always her parents, usually her dad. He hated you for some reason, and you said something about how you should just break up since always siding with them. And she said the words before you could even say you didn't mean it.

You dig your nails into your palms as they sit right by your table. You find it hard to keep your breathing steady and, in a daze, start key smashing random letters on your computer screen. You even start praying to whatever God is up there and watching that Lottie won't recognize you, but it seems that they're not on your side because she gasps, leaning on her chair and moves a piece of hair over her new haircut which you seemed to not notice.

"Oh my god, hey!" her voice is cheerful and sweet. It makes you want to throw up. "It's been so long."

You give her a weak smile, nodding up at her and scratching your neck as you pull your hood down. No use to disguise yourself anymore. You quickly glance at her girlfriend standing next to her, swallowing the lump in your throat. "H-hey, what are you doing here?" you ask, like it's your coffee shop and she's intruding.

"Me and Mia come here every day for coffee, it's like, our favorite spot." she responds, a huge smile on her face.

Do you remember when we had a favorite coffee spot? Do you remember when you loved me?

"I'm gonna go order us something." Lottie's girlfriend mutters in her ear, kissing her cheek before she leaves.

You shake with jealously and bite the inside of your cheek. Lottie gingerly pulls out her chair and sits down, turning herself so she's facing you, and that's when you notice it.

"You're wearing my jacket." you mumble, face hard and stoney.

"Oh. Yeah, I am." she looks down, her hands messing with the velcro patch that she had helped you sow on after you bought it. "Do you want it back?"