Penelope wasn't one for coffee shops, after all, why would she bother paying for baked goods when she could whip up whatever the hell she wanted herself back in her own kitchen? Plus, she was pretty sure any of her recipes bested whatever any coffeeshop in the city had to offer. Some people might have thought her arrogant for it, but it wasn't arrogance if it was the truth, right?

Baking was one of the three things she was excellent at, along with her law studies and using her looks to manipulate poor stupid men into doing her bidding. Poor men like Artty, who were foolish enough to think they'd have a chance with her if only they did what she asked.

Idiots.

Penelope knew taking advantage of other people wasn't a moral thing to do. But considering most of those men were superficial assholes whose only interests lay in her appearance, she couldn't really find it in herself to feel guilty for using them. They saw her as a physical object, she saw them as pawns.

Fair game.

Anyways, even if coffee shops weren't her thing usually, she could use a morning cup of tea if it meant learning more about the girl Jasper had fallen in love with.

He's not in love with her. He just thinks he is. A voice at the back of her mind corrected and the hints of a grin curved Penelope's lips.

Truth was though, Penelope didn't really care that much if Jasper was in love with this other girl or not. Of course she'd rather have him enamoured with her, of course this bruised her ego and of course she couldn't understand why Jasper would ever fall for someone else when she was right there. But at the end of the day Jasper's feelings didn't really matter, because Penelope would make sure he was hers anyways.

Even if she had to resort to drastic means for that to happen.

"Hello and welcome to Miguel's Kitchen!" Upon stepping inside, the first thing to greet Penelope, along with the warm roasted scent of coffee beans, was what sounded like the sweetest voice she'd ever heard paired with an all-too-bright smile from the very same person she had come to see.

(Y/n). That was the name that was written on the (h/c) haired girl's badge.

The name echoed in Penelope's head like a pleasant melody. Penelope didn't pay much attention to people's names usually, hell she wasn't one to remember names at all in the first place. But this one... It was the first time she actually wanted to taste a name on her lips, see how it rolled off her tongue and how it sounded with her voice.

And for a second, Penelope couldn't help but think it was a pretty name for a pretty girl.

Beat it, she's not that pretty. She's just... Above average.

Even so, Penelope couldn't seem to tear her eyes away from (Y/n)'s bright smile, from her expectant (e/c) eyes and warm features. It was obvious (Y/n) was waiting for an answer, and the longer Penelope let her silence drag on, the more awkward their interaction got.

Penelope cleared her voice, shaking off the remnants of her daze.

"Hi. I'll have a cup of Earl Grey and..." A pink blush rose to her cheeks as a low growl rumbled in her stomach. She hadn't eaten breakfast this morning because she'd left in a rush. She inspected the sweets lined up in front of her, all along praying (Y/n) hadn't heard the sound of her empty stomach. "A sugar glazed lavender scone. Please."

It didn't look like those she baked herself, but it would do to sate her hunger. And while she was here, she might as well get the full coffee shop experience.

"Great! I'll bring it to your table." (Y/n) answered with a warm smile that crinkled at the corners of her eyes.

A sight that had Penelope's heart leap in her chest.

She took a step back, absentmindedly walking over to a free table with a hand clutching at her chest. It was the first time she experienced such a thing. Was it normal? She couldn't remember the last time she had gone to the doctor for a check up, but maybe it was about time she booked an appointment because there had to be something wrong with her heart. Otherwise, why was it beating so hard in her chest whenever she stole glances in (Y/n)'s direction and accidentally met her eyes? Why was it swelling in her ribcage whenever (Y/n) smiled at her?

It had to be a medical issue, right?

Right?

"Here you go! Hope you enjoy it!" (Y/n) placed Penelope's order in front of her with a grin that had Penelope's chest humming with warmth and heat rushing to her cheeks. And Penelope knew it was polite to answer when talked to, but no words would leave her lips.

She was speechless. For the first time in her life. If it bothered (Y/n), she didn't let it show on her features though, as kind and sweet as ever as she walked away with her waitress apron on and her tray tucked under her arm.

Penelope wordlessly stared down at the scone in her plate, hesitantly putting it to her mouth and taking a bite. The sugary treat melted on her tongue in a sweet taste that rivaled her own scones. Of course these weren't as good as hers, but every bite was delicious nonetheless.

Even more so when Penelope remembered (Y/n)'s smile.

In fact, Penelope enjoyed her time at the coffee shop so much that she found herself forgetting all about Jasper and the reason why she had come in the first place.

But it was okay, right? She could still come back for what she wanted tomorrow morning... Or another morning after that.

It was no big deal. Most important thing was that now, she had (Y/n)'s name memorized.









































"So," Lupita let out with a smile before dropping on one of the couches in the coffee shop. (Y/n) and Lupita had just closed the shop and finished checking the cashier after a long day. The only thing left was for them to go home.

"How did you enjoy your first day?" Lupita finished, eyes expectantly waiting (Y/n)'s answer.

"Good, to be honest!" (Y/n) answered with enthusiasm, "I kinda like it, and working with you is a lot of fun."

Lupita's smile broadened as she got up from the couch, took her bag and coat, and walked to the front door. "I'm glad. You're really nice to work with too, (Y/n)."

The two of them stepped outside, the cold night air gently brushing past them. The streets were silent around them, carrying no signs of other people. This was to be expected though, as Miguel's Kitchen wasn't located in a populated area, people had to search it to find it, which explained why most of their clients were regulars.

Lupita looked around, pondering over her next words. The two of them could go home and rest, that was usually what she did after a long shift. But it was (Y/n)'s first day, and Lupita wanted to celebrate.

"Wanna go for drinks?"

(Y/n) looked at her with a half puzzled half excited expression, a grin soon blooming on her lips. "Yes! Let's go!"

A smile touched Lupita's lips at the sight, warmth spreading in her chest as she took (Y/n)'s hand in hers and guided her down the streets, much like the first time they had gone out for drinks together. And this time again they stopped for take out drinks and some fries before going to the park they'd gone to last time as well.

They both sat on a bench with a contented sigh.

"I'll pay you back as soon as I get my first salary, I promise." (Y/n) said, iddly looking down at her drink with her cheeks warm from shame.

She still didn't have her own money and thus Lupita had been the one to pay for her drink. And although she had told (Y/n) that it didn't matter and didn't bother her, (Y/n) was still intent on paying Lupita back as soon as she could.

"It's no biggie. Don't worry about it." Lupita flashed her a wink before taking a sip of her drink. "Anyways, speaking of your first salary, what are you gonna spend it on?"

Honestly there were a bunch of things (Y/n) wanted to use her first pay for. Like clothes for instance; so that she wouldn't have to rely on the same two or three tee shirts all the time; food and basic necessities; so that she didn't have to rely on Lupita and her mom for those. But more importantly, (Y/n) wanted to use her money to pay back Marcus and Tobias for being so kind to her when she first settled in the city.

"Well, I'd really like to buy myself some clothes." (Y/n) started with a tiny smile playing on her lips as she stared up at the stars. "But first I should pay back Marcus and Tobias for what they did for me, and then you and your mom as well. Oh, and I really need to buy myself some shampoo, body wash and basic necessities. I can't keep on using yours."

"I don't mind us sharing our body wash, but yeah, you could really use another shampoo, because mine looks horrible on your hair." Lupita chuckled. "But more seriously, (Y/n), it's your first ever pay. I think you can afford to have some fun with it. If we go thrift shopping you'll have amazing and unique clothes, and you'll also have money left to buy yourself other basic stuff and help us out with food and all that."

(Y/n) turned to Lupita with a confused expression and her head tilted to the side.

"Thrift shopping?"

Grey had mentioned thrift shopping a few times before, but (Y/n) hadn't really asked her about it and had no idea what it was. She hadn't ever gone shopping either, mostly relying on Grey's old clothes and stuff her mom made herself. Not that she ever complained about it! Grey had an amazing style in (Y/n)'s opinion, made of white lace, leather jackets and light summer dresses. But whilst Grey's style suited her to a T, it was her style. Not (Y/n)'s. And (Y/n) had sometimes hoped to build her own wardrobe, without the interference of her sister's or mother's choices.

"Ah gods, you're gonna love it!" Lupita said excitedly, doing a little happy dance at the prospect of taking (Y/n) on her first thrift shopping spree. "Thrift shopping is really the best. It can be pretty expensive if you don't know the right addresses, but fortunately for you, I do. Anyways, basically instead of buying new clothes you just buy second hand or vintage. It's much cheaper and an amazing way to find unique pieces and craft your own style."

(Y/n) listened intently, interest humming through her as Lupita continued to passionately talk about what she liked.

"Last time I found the most iconic pair of brown cowboy boots." She continued, "For twenty bucks!"

(Y/n) heaved a chuckle. She had no idea how much a pair of brown cowboy boots usually cost, but judging by Lupita's reaction twenty bucks must have been a pretty good deal.

"That sounds... nice." (Y/n) finally said with a shy smile, scratching the back of her neck as she did.

Lupita softened at the sight, tilting her head to the side as her hand found (Y/n)'s on the bench and gave it a squeeze.

"It is nice." She said, "And I'll take you there as soon as we get paid."

"Thank you." (Y/n) answered with a grateful nod before biting down on the inside of her cheek. Gods, this was so embarrassing. "I-I'm a bit intimidated though." She finally admitted in a quiet voice.

"Why?"

"Well," (Y/n) started with a thoughtful sigh, "I haven't ever been shopping before. I mean, my closet back home is made up of my sister's old clothes that no longer fit her and things my mom made for me. We weren't exactly well off, so shopping was always out of the question."

Lupita nodded understandingly, compassion dawning on her features.

"I'm scared I won't know what I'm doing." (Y/n) continued with an embarrassed chuckle, "I have no idea what I like and I don't want to make a fool of myself."

Lupita gave (Y/n) an understanding smile, slightly leaning into her and tightening her hold on (Y/n)'s hand.

"We'll discover what you like together then. And if it turns out that you like big ass clown shoes and neon coloured skirts, so be it. Fashion isn't about dressing to get other people's validation, it's about expressing yourself and showing others who you are."

Heat rose behind (Y/n)'s eyes at those words, a ball of tears forming at the back of her throat. (Y/n) couldn't remember the last time someone had cared about who she was. Not who they wanted her to be, but rather who she was at her core.

Her mother and Grey had tried to craft a personality for her all her life, shaping her into this naive and defenseless little girl who needed them to survive. Telling her what she could and cannot do, what she should and should not want, what she had to like and what she had to dislike... Never giving her a chance at self expression or at finding herself, so much so that now (Y/n) had no idea who she was.

This was all she'd ever known and all she ever thought she'd know. But here Lupita was, giving her permission to be herself and embrace the parts of her she had learned to suppress.

(Y/n) was overwhelmed with so much gratitude and affection that she didn't process the words that left her mouth before they did.

"I love you." She said, flashing Lupita a soft smile even as a hot tear pearled down her cheek. "I love you for saying this. So freaking much. You have no idea how much this means to me."

Lupita's heart skipped a beat in her chest, and she wondered if she'd heard (Y/n) right.

I love you.

The words echoed in her head, soft and warm. Over and over again until nothing else existed but (Y/n)'s voice.

For sure, Lupita hadn't seen that coming, but what she hadn't expected was the effect these words had on her. And furthermore, what the thought of (Y/n)'s meaning behind those words being platonic had on her.

They had settled on being friends so, why did the prospect of (Y/n) only considering her as such had Lupita's heart tightening with apprehension?

"Lupita?"

(Y/n)'s voice stirred Lupita away from her thoughts and only then did she realise that she had been keeping silent all this time.

"Sorry." She said, shaking her head, "Got lost in thoughts."

I like (Y/n).

"I love you too." Lupita answered with a pinched smile, swallowing the bitter taste at the back of her tongue. "And I promise to take you on a shopping date as soon as we can. Deal?"

I like her.

"Deal!" (Y/n) flashed an infectious smile and pumped her fist up in the air, a sight that had warmth swelling in Lupita's chest.

Gods, she was so freaking hooked.