It's two o'clock in the afternoon.

Time for coffee.

I parked my teal slightly-beaten-up pick-up truck—which I call Miku and will refer to her as that from now on—and walked inside the little shop. It's a nice place with a good atmosphere; kinda artsy and cozy. With the best cinnamon rolls. Aaand I'm getting off track.

So I took my order and made my way to the pick-up station. And in the corner of my eye, I saw her, nestled up in the corner by the window, book to her face. The sun was caught in her midnight curls, contrasting to the pastel pink of her shirt and ivory skin. She was...simply put...beautiful. And then she looked up and made eye contact with me. The emerald green of her eyes made this stranger in front of me nothing short of hypnotic.

Not even when I grabbed my order and tried to walk out the door did we ever break our gazes at each other. Which is probably why, instead of going to the exit, I drifted towards her and tripped over a seat. Resulting in our first of many interactions.

When I tripped, I tried to steady myself on the table she was sitting at. I guess I hit the table too hard, because then her tea started to fall, which shifted my instinct from 'getteth thou crap together' to 'save the drink'. So, as any person would, I grabbed the tea, set it back down, (relatively towards the center this time) and said, "Sorry I almost spilt your tea. I'm sure it's as hot as you."

At her look of shock, and my own internal regret because why now, of all times, did my gay appear for the world to see?, I tried to recover. "I- I mean, um...", I stuttered. "It's ok.", she lowly whispered, shying away into her book. Which, thankfully being a bookworm myself, I recognized. The title read 'The Handmaid's Tale'.

"I am alive, I live, I breathe, I put my hand out, unfolded, into the sunlight.", I quoted, more to myself than anyone else. Yet it got her to put her book down again. "I'm Katherine.", I introduced, nerves taking over again. "Bella.", she responded quietly. I held a hand out to shake, but she gave hers to me in a more delicate way. Giving a reassuring smile, I bent down and kissed her hand gently.

"It's a pleasure to meet you.", I started. "Pleasures all mine." Bella's voice was soft, as if broken, but graceful. Much like the rest of her, it seems. "So, I know I don't come here every day, but I don't think I've seen you here before." She nodded. "I hang out here every once in a while, though I'd love to make it more often. It's nice here. Quiet." I smiled at the table in understanding. "I know what you mean."

We were quiet, for just a moment, having a sip before I asked, "What're you drinking?" "Green tea. Why?", she retorted. I shrugged my shoulders honestly. "Just curious. My mom drank tea a lot." "Oh? What happened?", she asked.

I grew silent for a moment. This was kind of difficult to talk about, especially to a complete stranger, but my gaze went back to hers and I answered anyway. "...That's the funny part  I guess. I don't really know. She was heading somewhere, and never came home." "Oh. OH. You're Amnesty's daughter?" Huh. So she does watch the news. "The eldest of them.", I responded with a humorless smile. "I'm sorry about your mother. And sister. But I understand. The Esposito's are notorious for finding trouble as well.", she slowly admitted. "Oh wow.", I muttered. That was a big name; both in the news, and on police scanners. "Yeah.", she breathed. "Sorry you have to deal with that.", I tried to comfort. A life with a family of gangsters and drug runners. It was probably difficult, to put things lightly. "Well, I don't, anymore. My Gramma takes care of me now." I gave a little sigh of relief. At least she's not in danger. "That's good to hear."

I glanced at the big clock in the room, suddenly remembering why I got my coffee to-go. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. I hope we could arrange another meet up? Perhaps... over the phone?" I gave a goody grin with my suggestive tone. Her lips quirked upward, making the closest thing to a smile."Yeah. Ok." My heart raced with excitement.

"I hope we can talk more soon. It was lovely meeting you, Bella Esposito.", I dramatically bid farewell, walking towards the door. "You as well.", she responded shyly, though somewhat smiling now.

I smiled back as I ran into the doorway, hypnotized by her again. Shaking my head, I pushed the door open and headed back to the truck.

And that was how Bella became another reason to protect the city. For people like her. She had me stricken from the start, and she would everytime she did or said anything. And I was excited for when we could be friends, possibly more.

Goshdarnit, my lesbian is showing again.