A/N: Written from the following prompt: I need you to write a new fic for me. Peggy is an art student and Angie is the coffee shop girl, and they exchange this line of dialogue Angie: " some people are artists." Peggy: "And some people are works of art."OK THANKS (The requested line of dialogue will be in the next chapter).
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Marvel and I seek no profit from this story.
Peggy looked down at the blank page of her sketchbook and tried to will something, anything to come about in her brain to draw. She was stuck and she hated being stuck. She rolled her eyes and sighed in frustration. She placed the book and her pencil at her side. She looked up at the branches of her favorite tree but even they could not inspire her today. It seems her muse was on vacation and didn't bother to leave a note indicating when it might return.
"Miss Carter?" she heard a voice call from her left.
She brought her head down from gazing at the tree and used her index finger to push up her black rimmed glasses. She turned and noticed Edwin Jarvis looming over her like a shy pray mantis. He stood near her blanket with what appeared to be his lunch and a book tucked under his arm.
"Mr. Jarvis" she responded playfully. She liked Edwin. They weren't the only British students at their college but something felt familiar about him from the moment Peggy met him in one of her introductory courses and they'd been friends ever since.
"Would you mind terribly if I sat here or did I interrupt you?" He clutched his lunch bag like a lifeline and looked already ready to go.
Poor man is always so nervous thought Peggy. Peggy didn't smile at him but her eyes were kind as she said, "You are more than welcome to join me. I was trying to work but it seems a pointless endeavor at the moment."
"Ah, I'm to understand that the creative life can be exhausting and hard to manage." he said as he sat next to her.
"Oh you have no idea. How are your classes? I don't remember the last time I saw you."
"Quite well. I've been working on some poetry translations." He laid out a small napkin for his lunch. He pulled out a sandwich and as he noticed Peggy eyeing it like a ravenous pup, he pulled out a knife and cut it in half.
Peggy smiled as he handed her the bigger half. "How is Howard?" she asked. She still did not understand how Edwin could put up with his ridiculous roommate.
Jarvis scoffed and said "I feel as if he is trying to set some sort of record with how many women he chooses to go through every week. I thought an engineering degree would prove more challenging for such a lifestyle."
Peggy laughed lightly and said "What a character."
Jarvis took a sip of his tea and replied. "Indeed. So what are you up to?"
Peggy shrugged. "It's my day without any classes. I thought perhaps I'd get some work done but all I've been able to manage is staring at a blank page for the last hour."
"Perhaps a change in venue might be in order?" asked Jarvis.
Peggy quirked an eyebrow and replied, "That's a thought."
Jarvis added a small nod in agreement and set about finishing his sandwich.
After she bid Edwin goodbye a bit later, Peggy decided to head to her favorite coffee shop, The Griffith.
It was only a five minute walk from campus and was nestled in a small corner of town surrounded by little shops that sold things like college memorabilia and trinkets by local artists. Peggy liked the quieter side of town and the Griffith was quite the cozy spot. It was a renovated old Victorian home with two floors and the most comfortable couches Peggy had ever encountered. She welcomed the thought of what a cup of tea and afternoon spent there might do for her ability to work.
Peggy stood at the bottom of the steps for the entrance and picked up her right foot to begin her climb when she suddenly lost her balance and fell on the lawn in front of the shop. She righted herself quickly and sat up. She was confused for a moment before she realized something hard had collided into her. She looked up to see that it was not something but someone that hit her.
A young woman who looked to be about Peggy's age or just a little younger and eyes the color of the sky on a clear day stood over her. She looked apologetic and a little panicked. She looked Peggy up and down and said "I'm so sorry hon but I'm late for work. Are you ok?"
Peggy nodded, unable to make a sound.
"Good. Come on in and your drink's on me?"
"Oh you don't have to-" Peggy tried to reply but her words were cut off by the woman resuming her run into the shop.
Peggy stood up and rubbed her side. She seemed to be no worse for wear. She picked up her bag and walked up to the shop.
Peggy opened the front door, saw the long line, and sighed. This did not appear to be her day.
"Peggy?" she heard someone call to her.
She turned slightly and noticed it was her friend Colleen. She smiled at her. "Hi. Where are you off to?" she asked. Colleen appeared to be on her way out.
"I got a date tonight and I was wondering if you might come over and keep Lola company?" asked Colleen with a bright smile.
Truth be told Peggy was not an avid animal lover. It seemed though that Colleen's sweet lab pup had stolen her heart and she couldn't resist spending an evening with her.
"And what would I get in return?" she asked.
"My eternal love and devotion?" asked Colleen in reply.
Peggy laughed at that and said "I have that already. How about you buy me some tea and a scone tomorrow?"
Colleen winked at her and said "You got it."
Peggy smiled and waved her off as she headed out the door. In a few minutes, Peggy was finally at the front of the line.
"What can I getcha?" asked the barista. Peggy looked up and the young woman blushed a little. "Oh it's you! I'm so sorry! Sometimes I don't pay enough attention to where I'm goin and just bam I whack into somethin. My nonna says it's a wonder I can ever get anywhere."
Peggy shook her head and marvelled at the woman's ability to fit so many words into one breath. "It's quite alright."
The woman smiled at her and said "Oh English! I like it. Let me guess earl grey with a touch of milk? Wait no. No milk and one sugar?"
Peggy looked at her a bit astounded. "How did you know?"
The barista waved her arms around her and said "I work in a coffeeshop. How bout you pick a spot to sit and I'll bring ya your drink?" Peggy looked a little confused. "I told you your drink would be on me."
Peggy smiled in gratitude and "Alright. Thank you." She moved so the next person could order and noticed the bright name tag on the woman's shirt read 'Angie'.
Peggy surveyed the room and found a spot within eyesight of the serving counter. Perfect she thought and headed toward the comfortable chair and big window. She sat down and pulled out her sketchbook.
It only took Angie a couple minutes to make her tea and head over to her. She looked at Peggy's sketchbook and noticed her name etched on the front. "Peggy Carter. Nice name."
Peggy looked up and adjusted her glasses. "Thank you Angie." She smiled.
Angie's stomach did an excited jump at the sound of her own name and that gorgeous smile. When Peggy eyed her expectantly, Angie snapped out of her daze and said "Oh yeah. Here's your tea. Let me know if you need anything else."
Peggy nodded and said "I will. Thank you again."
Angie smiled and said "No problem."
As Angie made her way to the counter, Peggy felt a familiar pull. The woman was absolutely adorable and Peggy knew a crush would soon follow. Oh dear Lord she thought.
A couple of hours later, Peggy surveyed the sketch she'd been working on and sighed in satisfaction. It wasn't anywhere near what she'd like but at least it was something. She'd also been able to come up with ideas for pieces in her upcoming show. It seemed the change in venue was exactly what she'd needed.
She took a moment to glance at Angie who was chatting excitedly with a brunette Peggy recognized as Gloria. Peggy pressed her lips together and drew in a breath. With my luck she won't even be interested in me she thought. She shook her head and exhaled. Angie seemed quite friendly and checked on Peggy a couple of times while she was sketching but Peggy attributed it to a general friendliness rather than interest.
She placed her sketchbook on the table next to her and took a sip of what must be her third cup of tea. Her phone went off indicating a text. It was from Colleen and read 'Where are you? I'm freaking out here. What the hell do I wear?'.
Peggy noticed the time and swore under her breath, "Bloody hell". She stood up, grabbed her bag and bolted out of the door.
It wasn't until she'd ushered Colleen out of the door and settled in with Lola on the couch that she realized she'd left her sketchbook.