It was a cold December, and the breathes of Alison and Pauline flew around their heads as they both pushed the doors of their favorite cafe, Sweet Cocoa Cafe. Pauline's boots swished against the hard tiles of the warm cafe and Alison's sneakers tip-tapped on the smooth carpet of the waiting line. Alison adjusted her scarf loosely and glanced at her watch. She looked at Pauline, who was staring at the first snowflake floating down onto the sidewalk of the city. The cars drove past by the cafe, creating small puffs of gray gas into the atmosphere. Alison sighed with adoration and looked back to the line, only to find that she was holding up the line. She embarrassingly stepped up to the desk and looked up to the glowing menu. "U-um, I'll just have hot chocolate and a slice of red velvet cake, please?" She requested shyly, still embarrassed. The hipster-ish employee looked up from their phone and sighed quietly. They flicked their dyed orange bangs and turned to the kitchen employees. "What's your name, sweets?" They ask, unamused. "A-Alison, ma'am." The employee grunted at the word ma'am and reluctantly took a paper and wrote Alison's name on the paper. "Here you go, honey. Your numbers' ten." They handed the slip of paper and went back to their phone. Alison stepped out of the line and to her single chair, staring at Pauline from a distance. Pauline always came at the same time to the cafe that Alison did, always ordered what Alison ordered and always sat across a few tables, admiring the sights of the city.
Pauline stopped staring at the wide window and spotted Alison, who quickly turned away to look at the busy line, almost breaking her neck. Pauline blushed slightly and cracked a smile. Alison always followed her to wherever she went and was almost never invisible or out of sight. Pauline thought it was cute and amusing, but her brother thought it was almost creepy, telling her everyday to be careful every time she went out. She looked back at the window, seeing more snow fall than usual. "Ten! Number Ten!" The desk called loudly, causing Alison to jump in her seat. She scooted the chair and pushed it into the table and went to pick up her drink and food. "Eleven! Number Eleven!" The employee exclaimed suddenly, placing a plate of a slice of red velvet and hot chocolate. Alison gasped and looked back, seeing Pauline walk towards her. She rapidly grabbed her order and mumbled a little bit. Pauline came quickly to the desk, making Alison hide in her scarf. Pauline giggled and went back to her table. Alison mimicked her and accidentally stumbled onto Pauline's table. "Oh hey. You're kinda at the wrong table." Pauline smirked and stared at Alison. "A-ah! S-sorry!" Alison fumbled and started to clumsily walk to her table. "Wait! What's your name?" Pauline asked. Alison unsheathed her face from the soft, warm scarf and quietly fiddled with her thumbs, " A-Alison, w-what's yours?" "Hm, Pauline." They both stared at each others eyes awkwardly. "Hey, sorry to bother you, but could you keep company with me while I'm here? There's another seat for you." Pauline pointed at the soft cushion of the chair across from the small table. Alison sat down and placed her plates onto the white, silky table.
" Hey, wanna be friends?"