This morning again, Jasper hadn't shown up at the coffee shop, something that honestly didn't bother (Y/n) all that much. She was simply glad for the peace of mind his absence granted her and prayed he wouldn't be showing up later on during the day. The farther away from her and Lupita Jasper was, the better.

Of course she had no idea that the very reason Jasper wouldn't be showing up this day was because he was actually overseeing all the details and arrangements for the Community Bonding ball, during which he planned on asking her out on a date.

Speaking of said event, (Y/n) and Lupita had just received their invitation this morning.

"Gosh, they really didn't have to make this a mandatory thing." Lupita groaned, stuffing her invitation in the back pocket of her jeans. "The only good thing about this is that I get to dress up for the event."

(Y/n) looked up from her own invitation to throw Lupita a confused look, "What's this about, exactly?"

Lupita rolled her eyes and heaved an annoyed sigh, furiously cleaning up the tables in the coffee shop while it was empty of customers. The Community Bonding ball was honestly the last thing she wanted to talk about. She'd gone there once two years ago because she'd been curious, and honestly she'd rather not renew this experience.

Being an Uninfected at an Infected ball truly was as scary as it sounded.

"Basically it's a yearly event that's meant to bring us all together as a society. It's considered one of the biggest celebrations in the city, but it's the first time they make its attendance mandatory. The mayor's probably trying to reach those who never attend to strengthen their sense of community." Lupita explained, mindlessly throwing the cleaning rag over her shoulder.

"Can't we skip it?" (Y/n) asked, leaning back against the counter.

"Not really, if the mayor insists on the fact it's mandatory, it's best to go. I promise you don't want to get on his bad side." Lupita said, an empathetic smile on her lips, "I'm not gonna lie, it's not good news for us. The fact it's a masquerade ball is quite convenient though, no one will be able to tell who we are." Lupita reassured, placing a comforting hand on (Y/n)'s shoulder and pressing a light kiss to her temple. "I'll make sure nothing happens, okay? We'll stick together and things will be fine."

To be honest (Y/n) wasn't too worried about the ball in itself, as Lupita had said, this would be a masquerade ball. She didn't think anyone would be able to recognise her if she chose her mask carefully and made sure it covered the entirety of her features.

No, (Y/n) was far more interested in the fact that this ball would be mandatory.

She'll be there too.

If this ball truly was mandatory, then it had to mean that the lady who (Y/n) thought was Grey would be in attendance too. And whilst she'd be wearing a mask too, (Y/n) was sure she'd be able to recognise her sister anyways. That's just how well she knew Grey.

"Actually, would it be crazy of me to say that I'm kind of looking forward to it?" (Y/n) asked with a shy smile, scratching the back of her head.

Well, by all means, she knew for a fact that it sounded crazy. No Uninfected in their right mind would look forward to an Infected ball. But then again (Y/n) had stopped caring about these kinds of risks the very moment she had stepped into the city to search for her sister.

She could go through with an Infected event, right?

Lupita heaved an exasperated sigh, she didn't have to ask (Y/n) to know what it was she was looking forward to. Lupita knew.

"It is crazy." Lupita said, "You know what's crazier, though? The fact I'm willing to help, because I love you."

(Y/n) couldn't hold back the tears that gathered in her eyes at the surge of gratefulness that filled her chest. "Lupita, you don't have to do that." She said with a sad also thankful smile.

"I know, you didn't ask me to. But I want to do it. Because I know it's important for you." Lupita said with a confident smile. "So I can't guarantee we'll find your sister at this ball, but I can guarantee that I'll do my best to help."

(Y/n) engulfed Lupita in a hug, burying her head in the crook of Lupita's neck.

"Thank you, so much."

Lupita wrapped her arms around her in turn, a soft smile on her lips as the both of them stayed like this in silence. Before Lupita gently pulled away from (Y/n)'s embrace, an undeniable lump of worry swelling in her throat.

But in spite of the doubt and fear coating her tongue, she knew she had to ask, as now that (Y/n) was close to maybe finding her sister, Lupita needed to know what that implied for (Y/n)'s future. For their future.

"I was wondering... We never really talked about this but, what happens once you find Grey?"

(Y/n) paused, pondering over her decision. But if she was being honest, she had made up her mind a long time ago. And now it was her turn to offer Lupita a reassuring smile.

"Well, I have a ton of questions and things I want to talk about with her." (Y/n) said, looking down at her hands as they sought Lupita's. "Like, why she left and why she didn't tell me about it, if this was her decision or if it was a choice someone else made for her."

They both knew what (Y/n) meant by this.

"But I want to stay in the city. And I think Grey will be staying too anyways, that is, if she really left because she wanted to. But even if she wants to go back to the Uninfected Community, I want to stay here." (Y/n) affirmed, looking up to meet Lupita's gaze. "With you."

"You-You mean that?" Lupita choked on the tears at the back of her throat.

She knew it was selfish of her, but she had been so scared of (Y/n) leaving, of losing the one person she cared about, of losing not only her best friend but also the girl she loved, that she had been internally preparing for the worst. Ready to put some distance between (Y/n) and herself the moment (Y/n) said the words she dreaded the most.

So to hear from (Y/n) herself that she wanted to stay, and with her at that, a huge weight had been lifted off Lupita's chest.

"I do. I want to stay in the city with you." (Y/n) confirmed, gently cupping Lupita's cheek with her hand and wiping away a lone tear that had escaped Lupita's eye with her thumb. "And there is nowhere else I'd rather be."

(Y/n) sealed her words with a kiss, softly moulding her lips with Lupita's, her tongue gently prodding at the seam of Lupita's lips. It was their first real kiss and (Y/n) didn't think she'd ever tasted something as sweet, butterflies fluttering in her stomach as they finally parted to catch their breath.

And no sooner did Lupita step away from (Y/n) to suggest they go back to work, did Penelope step inside of the coffee shop for her daily scone and earl grey tea.

Penelope was sure nothing could have ruined her day. She had gone shopping for the upcoming Community Bonding ball this morning, had gone to the hairdresser for a fresh cut, had worked on her law exams, and she was finally taking a breather at Miguel's Kitchen where she got to enjoy the presence and sight of her Darling.

Well, things could have been very different if she had crossed the front door a second earlier than she had. But fortunately for all parties involved, Penelope hadn't.

Instead, the Universe had other plans in store for her, and a much more annoying way to put a damper on her day.

"Glad to see you're enjoying yourself, kitten."

It took a moment for Penelope to process exactly what, or rather who, she had just heard. It had been a while since she had last heard that voice and been faced with admittedly the most annoying person on this Earth. But there was only one person to call her kitten.

Artty.

Penelope's scone turned to ash on her tongue, her previous excitement replaced by cold simmering anger. For Artty to come and pester her was one thing in itself, but for him to do so when Penelope was enjoying time off with (Y/n) was something else entirely.

"What are you doing here?" Penelope asked, dabbing at her mouth with her napkin, voice cold and indifferent. She cringed in distaste as Artty took the seat in front of her and casually laid back against it, an insufferable smirk on his lips.

Artty didn't have much going for him, but he certainly was attractive, with curly blond hair and playful mischievous hazel eyes. And in that moment Penelope ached to smear that beauty with her knuckles.

"Always a pleasure to see you too. It's been a while." Artty continued casually, paying no mind to Penelope's apparent annoyance. He was used to it by now, and had learned to ignore it. "I did warn you that if you didn't answer my letters I'd know how to find you, though."

He flashed her a teasing grin. And Penelope's knuckles turned white from gripping onto the edge of her seat too hard.

"I never answer your fucking letters, moron. Because I'm not fucking interested." She spat through her teeth.

Something that Artty, in all his sadistic glory, found all too cute.

"You know that's not true, kitten." Artty teased with the same insufferable smirk.

"Stop calling me that." Penelope hissed, which again only made Artty love her more. And he could have kept on teasing her about it, kept on pestering her with the same nickname he knew she hated.

But Artty had a much more interesting subject to tackle.

"Anyways, what are you doing here? We both know you're not one for coffee shops."

Penelope's eyes flicked over in (Y/n)'s direction, concern grabbing at her gut at the idea of Artty finding out about her. She needed to think of something to get Artty out of the coffee shop and away from her Darling, fast.

Unfortunately for Penelope, she had underestimated how observant Artty was.

"Their scones are good. And I like the quiet." Penelope said with a pinched tone, "So now, if you'd kindly fuck off so that I can enjoy my tea, I'd be forever thankful."

And maybe another day Artty would have tried to get something out of Penelope in exchange for leaving her alone, like a date for instance. But at this moment? He had found something much more interesting to tickle her about.

It was cute, how she thought he hadn't seen right through her. Truly, it was.

But Artty really didn't like being taken for an idiot.

"Kitten, you're adorable, you know?" He teased with a tsk of his tongue, leaning over the table to whisper in her ear. "I like your attempts at fooling me, but I'm not stupid."

Fear flashed over Penelope's features at his words, and that is when Artty knew he had hit the nail right on the head.

"What do you-"

"Oh come on, kitten. You honestly think I haven't caught you looking at that barista over there?" Artty said, pointing with his chin towards a very oblivious (Y/n). "You hurt me."

Penelope's blood froze in her veins, way too tangled in stomach-twisting fear to formulate an answer. Of course, Artty reveled in it.

"Who is she to you?" He continued, a melodic lilt to his voice. "You're not in love with her, are you? You're mine and you know that, right?"

Yet again, Penelope couldn't answer. It was useless trying to deny it, Artty had already seen right through her. Lying to him would only piss him off further, which was something Penelope definitely didn't want to do.

Bile rose up her throat as Artty smoothed a thumb over her cheek, offering her a teeth edged smile.

"You're so pretty when you're scared. Not to worry, though. I won't touch your little mouse." He said and let go of her face, and all the air flooded back in Penelope's lungs as he stood up from his chair. "Not yet, anyways. I'm incredibly busy these days."

Please. Please don't touch her, leave her alone. Was what Penelope ached to tell him. But she knew begging Artty would be the worst thing to do and would only feed into his sadistic urges.

So she kept quiet, tears silently streaming down her cheeks as she watched him leave and wave goodbye in (Y/n) and Lupita's direction.

"See you soon, Penelope." Artty continued, flashing her a grin. "The three of us are going to have so much fun."