It took a few days for Lizzy to cool down. She didn't get much done. Mostly moping around the apartment, taking shifts at the QuickaSnack, and hanging out with Rosa Jane and Charlotte (both of whom were mildly worried about her).

Lizzy didn't so much think about Will, as just plain miss him. Like a dull ache in her chest that got worse when someone mentioned his name. She would make a conscious effort not to think about him, but that didn't stop her from wishing he would call.

He didn't.

After five days, Lizzy was done being mad at him. He had overstepped, to be sure, but he wasn't wrong. She had been irresponsible that night. She could have gotten hurt.

(And Wickham, despite being a nice guy, wasn't an entirely good one. He did buy a LOT of alcohol [not that she was judging] and he flirted with just about every female he saw. But that didn't make him bad— they were both probably just overreacting)

Looking back, Lizzy was immensely grateful Will had taken her home that night. She just wished things hadn't gotten weird between them.

So, Miss Elize, she thought to herself in a sudden fit of clarity, How do you make it Not-weird?

Apologize.

Will hadn't deserved her snapping at him that morning, just after he had been so nice and understanding the night before. Goddamnit, he was her friend! Feelings aside, friends didn't stay mad at each other.

But Lizzy didn't want to just call him— calling was always awkward for her (she hated not being able to read facial expressions in conversation) and texting didn't feel as meaningful. She would have to see him in person.

Nothing was ever as simple as it seemed, though.

It wasn't that Lizzy had no way to reach him— if anything, she had too many ways! She knew where he lived, where he worked, how he took his coffee… Wait.

Lizzy snapped her fingers! Yes! That was it! Coffee! A nice, simple, sweet gesture of apology she could give to him, and play it off as casual. No big deal, right? Just.. make his favorite coffee, and.. write a note on the inside. Yeah. Okay.

Elize felt jittery as she poured a cup of the Home Blend into a paper cup and sealed the lid. She shook out her hands, flexing her fingers. Why was she suddenly anxious? Jeez Louise, calm down, Jitterbug. After she poured in the cream and sprinkled on some nutmeg, Lizzy dipped a stirring rod into the steaming brown liquid. She tasted it, trying not to think about how Will's mouth would touch this cup too, and smiled to herself. Not bad!

Now, for the note.

She would write it on the little cardboard koozie— the one used to keep your hands from getting burned. That way he would see it better, and she wouldn't have to tilt her head in a weird way to write it! Without further ado, Lizzy grabbed a sharpie, took the cap in the mouth, and dove right in. No time like the present, after all.

Hey, Will! This is kinda a weird way to say I'm sorry something, but I got awkward and nervous and this seemed like the best way, at the time. Ha, ha

She winced at herself. God, she was awkward around him.

Anyway, what I really wanted to say was I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. It was wrong of me to snap at you, and you were right— you were just trying to look out for me. And.. I really appreciate that.

You know what? Lizzy thought to herself,Screw it. This is already blunt and weird and honest. Might as well go for gold.

And I really appreciate you, Will. You.. are a great guy. You're sweet and funnyand adorkably smart and nicer than just about everyone I know. I like you, a lot. And I.. would really like to date you, sometime. Romantically. And I know, you just wanna be friends, and I respect that! I just think we would be good together. And I won't bring it up again, I promise! I'll respect your boundaries. Contact me if you want to but only if you want to, I'm not trying to pressure you, I just…

She was almost out of room. What on earth could she say, that would make him see just how much she…

..care about you.

Take care, Will :)

Lizzy threw the Sharpie across the room.

Next thing she knew, she was standing outside the Playpen, looking up at the familiar faded bricks and wondering what the hell she was doing. The Coffee Cup of Fate was clutched in one hand, her handwriting slanted hopeful across the cardboard case. Armed with an awkward, plastered-on smile and a cup of hot coffee, Lizzy pushed open the Playpen doors.

And found no one there, obviously. Will worked on the second floor. Duh. She knew that. It wasn't like she was half-expecting him to be there at the doors, waiting for her with a sideways grin and tousled hair and sweep her up into his arms…

Lizzy focused on climbing the stairs. One after the other. Soon, she reached the second floor, which was…

Also empty. Disappointingly empty. Ghost town. Tumbleweeds. Chirp chirp, crickets kind of empty. Weird.

Lizzy peered around the corner, and almost knocked noses with Charles Bingley.

He yelped like a puppy, and she jumped backwards, almost falling back down the stairs. The only reason she didn't was because of Charles grabbing her shoulders and keeping her rooted.

"Woah, hey now!" He said, steadying them both. His eyes were very wide and startled, but when his brain caught up with the moment, he smiled. "Well well well, if it isn't Lizzy Bennít! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

His face grew serious, and his grey-blue eyes once more grew nervous. "Is it Rosa? Is she okay? Shoot, I knew I should have called her this morning, I—"

"Everything's fine," Lizzy said, regaining her balance, "Rosa's fine."

"Oh. Good." Charles smiled at her, awkwardly dropping his hands to his sides. "So, uh, what brings you here?"

Lizzy glanced down. Some coffee sloshed over the side of the cup, and now her hand was lukewarm and slightly sticky. She transferred her apology cup to the other hand.

"Um, y'know," she demurred, "the usual."

Charles cocked his head to the side, once more reminding Lizzy of a puppy. She let out a breath and assumed a smile.

"I just.. I knew Will has been.. uh, stressed, lately, and… I wanted to bringhimsomecoffeeifthat'sokay."

"Huh? Oh, that's fine!" Charles said, "You can just leave it in his office— you remember where it is, right? He'll be back soon. Think he went to go pick up his sister from somewhere."

"Okay," Lizzy nodded, biting her lip, "Okay. Cool."

He held up two thumbs up. He smiled. "Cool!"

Lizzy smiled back, a little weakly. She had wanted to give Will the cup in person…..wait, actually, maybe this was better. Lizzy wasn't sure she would be able to handle seeing him reject her (again? Would it be again? Did the kiss in the car count?). Besides, she had said no pressure, and she meant NO PRESSURE. If he didn't return her feelings, that was A-okay.

Well, not really, but she was willing to pretend.

Lizzy kept this mantra inside of her head as she left the now lukewarm coffee on Will's immaculate desk. She kept it in her head as she walked past a rolled up sleeping bag, and had to fight down a tidal wave of memories. She kept it in her head all the way back to her apartment, and all the way into her bed.

Only at night, did she finally admit to herself that if Will didn't return her feelings.. things wouldn't be okay.

And she wasn't willing to pretend, anymore.