One grand boulevard with trees

with one grand cafe in sun

with strong black coffee in very small cups.

One not necessarily very beautiful

man or woman who loves you.

One fine day."

— Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Cora woke up on the lumpy couch and turned over only to have the rays of sunlight streaming through the window hit her in the face. She groaned and turned to face the couch.

"Shut up, you're a werewolf not a vampire." Erica told her, picking up a discarded t-shirt and throwing it on the record stand.

"What time is it?"

"Nearly five. You came home from work and knocked out."

Cora groaned and look toward the kitchen.

"Did you buy milk?"

Erica nodded as Cora got up and walked towards the small extension of the room that could barely be called a kitchen. Erica hadn't done the dishes but the counters were
clean. Cora would have to do them tonight.

"Derek came by while you were sleeping."

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"It would be easier to wake a corpse. He said he'll come by again tomorrow."

Cora shook her head and poured herself cereal.

"Speaking of Derek, the other day dude, why the fuck did you do that?"

Erica turned around to see Cora staring into her cereal bowl. She frowned.

"Jog my memory."

"Why'd you force me to tell Derek I was dating Lydia?"

"What? I didn't force you to tell Derek anything. Lydia wasn't expecting it either. You told him because you wanted to."

"I didn't want to. He caught me off guard!"

"Well, you could've told him the truth. As far as I know, the only other people besides us three that know about this whole charade is Allison, right?"

Cora nodded.

"So, how come you're not telling anyone else?"

Cora shrugged. "Lydia doesn't want it getting back to her mother."

Erica looked at her friend and slowly nodded, not even pretending to believe her. Cora had never been more thankful for a phone call in her entire life. She picked it up and
found a picture of Gossamer.

"What do you want?" she greeted Lydia.

"I'm picking you up at eight. Dress nicely."

"What? Why?"

"Dinner with my dad. Part of the deal."

Cora groaned. "We saw each other yesterday Lydia. Frankly, I'm getting sort of sick of your face."

"The feeling is mutual sweetheart. Be ready by eight."

Without another word, she hung up, and Erica looked at her phone.

"Isn't that the monster from Lonny Tunes?"

Cora looked down and grinned.

"Yeah, Gossamer. Lydia's icon."

"So, let me get this straight. You literally looked up and found a picture of Gossamer and put it as her icon. That must've took some time. I thought you didn't like her."

"I don't."

Erica nodded slowly and went back to the couch, picking up her own phone.

"What did your boo want?" she said, looking through her Instagram feed.

"My boo didn't want anything. Lydia wants me to go to dinner with her. She wants to introduce me to her dad."

"I do not envy you." Erica told her, getting up from the couch and walking towards Cora. She prepared her own bowl of cereal and when she had finished, grinned at Cora.

"So, where did you and Lydia disappear too last night?" Erica said, nudging Cora's shoulder and wiggling her eyebrows.

"I just drove her home, Erica. Relax."

Erica shrugged. "Did she wrap her hands around your waist?"

Cora gasped. "Where you listening in on me?"

There were unspoken rules about living with werewolves. One of them was that you never used to hearing abilities to listen in one someone.

Erica's smile was gone.

"Of course I wasn't listening in on you. You know me better than that. I know I do a lot of conniving shit but I would never invade your privacy."

Cora smiled. "Werewolves honor?" She held her hand up like a claw and Erica followed suit.

"Werewolves honor."

"Then how did you know she wrapped her hands around my waist?"

"Because you're on a motorcycle, dumb ass. It's common sense. Now, one last thing I want to know about that night, was how did you feel? How did you feel when Lydia
Martin wrapped her arms around your waist?"

Cora put the cereal in the sink and walked away from the conversation. She sat on the couch and opened up her laptop.

"You're not answering me." Erica said, following her.

"There's nothing to answer. I didn't feel anything. I'm a Hale."

Erica rolled her eyes. "Will you stop with the whole dark and moody, I'm-made-of-steel act? It's okay to like people, you know."

Cora scoffed. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, I do not like Lydia Martin."

Erica shook her head and took out her phone, settling down besides Cora.

"Whatever you say Hale."

Cora didn't have to look at the blonde to know she was grinning.

Cora opened the door to find Lydia wearing a dark blue dress that revealed her collarbone and a beautiful diamond necklace. Her hair was tied in a signature braid that
wrapped around her head. She was wearing heavy makeup and a scowl. Cora looked her up and down and then turned around.

"You're early." Cora said. She was only wearing a black button up and a pair of black boy shorts.

"I'm never early. Just prepared." Lydia replied, striding in. She looked around the apartment and her eyes landed on Erica, who was on the phone. She waved hello at Erica.

"She's talking to Boyd." Cora replied for her.

"Tell him I said hi." Lydia told Erica. Erica nodded and left for the other room, muttering something about 'lesbians' that only Cora heard.

"My father will love that look." Lydia said, pointing to Cora's underwear.

"I'm not ready."

"Clearly. Let me guess, a pair of black jeans, and motorcycle boots."

"You forgot about the beanie."

Lydia sighed. "At least you covered up the tattoos."

"You're dad doesn't like tattoos?" Cora asked.

"No, he doesn't. He doesn't like much."

Cora nodded and rubbed her neck. "I'm really starting to regret this whole thing, Matchstick."

"Relax, I'm sure there will be some alcohol to calm you down."

"I'm a werewolf, remember?"

Cora went back and continued to get dressed.

Lydia waited, looking through the pile of books on the kitchen counter when she heard Cora enter the room. She was wearing a tight black blazer, her button up shirt, and a
dark red scarf. The jeans she was wearing were ripped at one knee but it looked like it was done on purpose. She was wearing a black, wide-brimmed hat, and her eyes were
heavy with eyeliner.

"Not bad." Lydia said, looking at her up and down. "You look like an intellectual. My dad will love that."

Erica walked into the room and did a double take when she saw Cora.

"That's my scarf. And my hat."

"I know." Cora replied. "Lydia says it makes me look smarter."

Erica looked at Lydia and then snapped her fingers.

"Wait right here."

She ran back to the bathroom and came out with a pair of black framed prescription glasses.

"I thought werewolves had perfect eyesight." Lydia said.

"You said your dad will like smart people. Glasses make people look smarter. Even dumbasses like this one." Erica said, placing the glasses on Cora.

Cora turned to look at Lydia who tried not to smile.

"Better." Lydia said. "You almost look presentable."

"And that was almost a compliment." Cora said, not taking her eyes off Lydia.

Erica groaned. "God…will you two get out of here before I throw up?"

Cora couldn't stop rocking her leg as they drove to Lydia's dad's house.

"Will you stop?" Lydia asked through gritted teeth. "You don't need to be nervous."

"What makes you think I'm nervous?" Cora asked, looking straight ahead.

"Either you're nervous or you have to pee."

Cora was silent and Lydia took her eyes off the road for a second to look at the girl.

"It's just my dad."

"What about your mom?"

Lydia snorted. "Please, my parents haven't been in the same room together voluntarily for years. I swear, sometimes I wish I didn't have any parents, it would be easier."

Cora was silent and it was only a second later when Lydia realized what she had said. She looked at Cora and opened her mouth to say something.

"I'm-"

Cora looked at Lydia and shook her head. "It's alright."

They spent a few more minutes in silence before Cora said "I can't believe your parents are cool with the whole 'being gay' thing."

"Excuse me, I'm not gay."

Cora looked at her like she had spoken gibberish.

"You're a girl who's fake dating another girl."

"And you have to be gay for that?"

"Well, no, but…"

"I've had very successful relationships with boys in the past."

"Like Jackson. Who turned out to be, what was it you said 'a homicidal lizard."

"He was a boy before he became a homicidal lizard. Therefore, I am not gay. I am most definitely bisexual. I told my parents as much. What about you?"

"I'm not a homicidal lizard." Cora said, playing with the brim of the hat in her lap.

"No, I mean, are you gay?"
Cora balked at the question.

"Umm…yeah, I guess so."

"You guess so?"

"No one's really asked before. I mean Erica did. She looked at me one night and just jerked her head and said 'So, you like the V, right?"

Lydia snorted. "Classy as ever. What about grumpy Hale?"

"He just blushed, cleared his throat, and said something about 'plenty of resources', whatever that means. He's never been good at heart to hearts."

"Shocker." Lydia said, pulling in to the driveway.

"We're here?" Cora asked, looking up at the modest one-story house ahead of them.

Lydia got up and began to walk towards the house when she realized Cora wasn't beside her. She turned around to see Cora looking up at the house.

"What's the hold up?" she asked, walking back.

"Louise is here."

"What? How do you know?"

Cora pointed to her ears. "I can hear her laugh."

Lydia shook her head. "Do you know why?"

Cora shrugged. "We should leave."

Lydia looked at Cora and tilted her head, looking at Cora like she was from another planet. The taller girl sighed in resignation.

They walked up to the front of the porch but Cora paused for a second, looking at Lydia.

"I'm not gonna sit by and let your cousin walk all over me like last time."

"You can't fight in front of my dad, even if Louise is horrible."

Cora heard some footsteps to her left but she thought it was just inside the house. She looked backed at Lydia.

"You're not seriously expecting me to-"

Lydia just shook her head and Cora fell silent. "I'm not expecting. I'm asking. Please, Cora?"

Cora sighed. "Fine, I'll be the most perfect fake girlfriend your dad has ever seen."

"Yes you will. Especially if you want those tickets. Now, let's go."

Lydia reached up on her tiptoes to adjust Cora's hat and then held out her hand. Cora just stared at the perfectly manicured, silver nails.

"You're supposed to hold it."

Cora grabbed it and intertwined their fingers. It was a cold October night but Cora felt the same warmth she felt last night. The warmth that always seemed to be with her
when she was around Lydia.

They walked up to the front door hand in hand and Cora rang the doorbell. Louise was the first to open and the smile on her face fell as she glanced at Cora.

"What is she doing here?"

"Dad wanted us to have dinner." Lydia said. "What about you?"

"Uncle Henry is working with me on a real estate project."

Louise looked at Cora and smirked at her hat.

"Did you just come back from the 1940s?"

Cora opened her mouth to say something but Lydia squeezed her hand. She closed her mouth and allowed Lydia to lead her into the living room.

Henry looked up from the papers strewn on the coffee table when the pair walked in.

He smiled at Lydia and gave her a brief hug. Then he looked at Cora, a blank expression on his bland face.

"You must be Cora Hale."

"Yes sir."

Cora shook Henry's hand.

"Sorry about the mess. I didn't think it would take this long but thankfully, dinner is ready."

Louise walked in to the room, looking up from her phone.

"Is it okay if I stick around for dinner? I mean, Kaylie's at Robbi's and…"

"Are you crazy? Of course you can, you're family."

Louise smiled at Henry as he walked to the kitchen. Her face turned sour as soon as Henry was out of the room.

"So, Cora, what is it that you do?" Louise asked.

It was the first damning question of the night. Henry respectfully looked at Cora as she played with her mashed potatoes.

"Um…I'm a bartender."

Lydia looked at her father who merely nodded.

"And do you go to school?" Henry asked.

"No sir. I don't really have the money."

Louise shook her head. "You do know that Lydia goes to M.I.T, don't you?"

"I'm aware of that, yes." Cora told her.

"And do you expect the relationship to continue, even then?"

"I hope so." Cora replies, looking at Henry. "I really like your daughter sir."

Henry smiled at Lydia. "Most people do."

Louise shrugged. "Listen, can I just be candid?"

"Because you've been so subtle and tactful the whole night, right?" Lydia bit back.

"I honestly don't think the two of them are dating."

It took Lydia a second longer than Cora liked to react.

"Excuse me?"

"I overheard you guys talking."

Louise looked at Henry. "Lydia's been pretending to date her. I'm not sure why, maybe it's because Aunt Natalie has been so worried about her. I heard something about Lydia
giving her tickets in exchange for being her fake girlfriend."

Henry looked at Lydia who gave him an uncomfortable smile.

"Lydia is this true? Because if it is, if it's true you're hiding your loneliness or whatever else-"

"It's not true. Louise is being ridiculous."

"You're telling me I made up what I heard. Because I distinctly heard the words 'fake girlfriend' outside."

"Why were you even snooping on us?"

"I wasn't snooping. The window was open. I just managed to catch the conversation. And you aren't exactly denying it."

"Say something." Lydia whispered to Cora.

"Um…we're actually dating. Me and Lydia I mean."

Henry looked at Louise and chewed a bit of his food before saying.

"Look Louise, maybe it was out of context. I don't think Lydia would hire Cora to be her girlfriend just to placate me or Natalie."

"Yeah, you're just being crazy." Lydia said.

Louise crossed her arms and looked at her cousin. "Prove it."

"What?" Cora said, fork halfway to her mouth.

"Prove your dating."

"I'm not gonna make out with Cora in front of my dad."

Henry put up his hands and rapidly shook his head. "I wouldn't wanna see that either."

"I'm not saying make out. But every time I've seen you two, you look like you barely know the other exists. For Christ's sake, Lydia, you look like you can't stand to even be
near her. All I'm asking for is a kiss."

"It's not appropriate."

"Or is it because it's your first time kissing?" Louise suggested.

Lydia looked at Cora who seemed to have permanently resigned herself to looking at her potatoes.

"No, Cora is clearly uncomfortable. I would totally do it but she's just shy."

At those words, Cora sat up and looked at Lydia.

"I'll do it."

Something seemed to pass between the two girls and Lydia gave her a small, thankful smile. Without thinking, Cora leaned in and pressed her lips to Lydia's. It was quick and
chaste and when she drew back, Lydia was already looking at Louise.

"See."

Louise rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I need to call a buyer."

She rose from the table, dinner untouched and walked back to the living room.

"I'm sorry about her." Henry said.

"Most people are." Cora replied.

Lydia looked at the clock and rose. "Thanks dad, but we should really get going. Allison's planned a little cake-tasting thing tomorrow and I need to be up early."

She didn't see Cora's grin.

Henry rose and nodded. "Actually, can I speak to you privately?"

Lydia nodded and left Cora alone. Henry led them to a hallway and looked at Lydia.

"So, what did you think of her?"

"She's great honey, she's great, it's just…"

Lydia tilted her head. "Just what?"

Henry closed his eyes and sighed. "I don't think she's great for you."

"What are you talking about dad?"

"Listen, honey, we're a family that's been at Beacon Hills for ages. We have connections. Good ones. Dating someone like Cora, someone whose from the wrong-"

"Do not say 'wrong side of the tracks!"

"You know it's true. Yes the Hales were prominent but they were infamous. Rumors like that can't get mixed in with us."

"Are you seriously saying I can't date her because of her family."

"I'm saying that she might hinder your future opportunities."

"Dad, I went to M.I.T. I'm working on research for M.I.T. It's not like I'm gonna have any problem with my future opportunities."

"Well, she might be a stain on your image. I mean, a bartender, Lydia? I didn't want to be rude and say anything in front of her, but she's not exactly your type."

"You mean she's a girl."

"No, I mean, she's herself."

"You don't even know anything about Cora!" Lydia said, wondering why she arguing the same words she would've said only a few months ago.

Henry paused and placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Do you?"

Lydia huffed and stormed back in the kitchen. Cora was finishing her dinner, mouth full of steak.

"We're leaving."

"Wha-" she said, her mouth still full.

Lydia grabbed Cora's hand and rushed them out the front door.

The ride was quiet until Cora noticed them going down the wrong street.

"You missed a turn."

Lydia nodded. "I know."

Cora sat up and looked at her. "Alright, what did your dad tell you?"

Lydia shook her head and Cora looked out the window. They were on one of the main streets of Beacon Hills, were all the shops were. It was nearly eleven. Most of them were
closed.

"If you're planning on killing me, you should know that Erica knows where I am. And I'm a werewolf."

Lydia didn't answer back and instead turned into a parking lot. Cora blinked up at the sign.

"Why are we at the café?"

"Cause it's open 24 hours. Come on."

Café Nuray was open and empty except for the bearded server who only waved, not looking up from the book.

"Hi AJ." Cora said. Lydia directed them to the familiar table in the corner and sat down. Cora remained standing and only sat when Lydia narrowed her eyes and flicked her
hand towards the char.

Cora sat down and removed her hat, placing it on the table between them. Lydia only just noticed the small Sharpie letters on the counter top. They were smudged but looked
like a C and and H.

"What's your name?" Lydia asked.

Cora looked at Lydia and then back at AJ. She thought she had gone to another dimension.

"It's Cora."

"What's your full name?"

"Cora Hale."

"You don't have a middle name?"

"Not since the last time I checked. What's going on?"

"What's your favorite color?"

Cora shook her head.

"Lydia what's going on?"

"Favorite color!"

Cora blurted out the first color she could think of. "Dark blue!

"What's your favorite movie?"

Cora sat back and crossed her arms. "I'm not answering anything else until you tell me what's going on."

Lydia sighed and rubbed the side of her temple. It wasn't even late but she was exhausted. She recounted the conversation with her father, looking more apologetic every second she continued.

When she was finished, Cora was busy looking down at her hands, trying to hide her smile.

"What?" Lydia asked, noticing how the girl tried to hide it.

"It's just funny, that's all."

Lydia smiled, relieved at the fact that Cora wasn't upset.

"What's funny?"

"Out of all the people you could've lied and said you were dating, it had to be me."

"Like I said, 'Wrong place, wrong time' Cora Hale."

Cora shook her head and watched as AJ walked over to them, book tucked into his back pocket.

"Good morning guys." AJ said, rubbing his eyes.

"It's nearly midnight AJ." Cora replied.

AJ shook his head and clapped his hands together.

"What can I get for you two?"

"I'll take a coffee, black."

Lydia looked at Cora and seemed surprised.

"I'll take lavender tea please. Just bring the sugar over here."

AJ nodded and went back into the kitchen.

"I can't believe you're getting coffee. It's 11:30!"

"Never been a fan of sleep." Cora said.

Lydia shook her head but she didn't have the heart to smile. She just kept tracing Cora's initials, not looking at the brunette.

"Look, I'm not offended about your dad. To be honest, I was expecting him to be a lot worse. A few mean words behind my back isn't too bad."

Lydia shook her head. "My families super fucked up."

"As far as families go, Matchstick, yours has nothing on mine."

Cora nudged Lydia foot with her own when the girl wasn't looking at her.

"Why did you defend me anyway?"

Lydia furrowed her brow. "What are you talking about?"

"Let's be honest, you aren't exactly quiet about your feelings for me either. Why defend me to your dad?"

Lydia shrugged. "Because…because he didn't say it to your face. If there's one thing I hate, it's people who talk shit behind your back."

Cora knew the girl was lying. She could hear her heart speeding up. She didn't say anything and silently thanked AJ when the boy came back with their drinks.

"Alright guys, we got a couple of drinks, and a couple of muffins."

"We didn't order any muffins."

"Hey, it was either give them to you or throw them out."

Cora nodded her thanks and AJ went back behind the counter, getting lost in his book again.

"So, what is your favorite movie?"

Cora shrugged. "I like The Princess Bride."

When Lydia looked at Cora but didn't say anything, Cora got defensive.

"What? It's a good movie!"

"I didn't say anything."

"Look, just because it's not some fru-fru movie like The Notebook, doesn't mean that it's bad."

"Why do you think The Notebook is my favorite movie?"

"You look like The Notebook's your favorite movie." Cora argued.

"I don't even know what that means! And for your information, my favorite movie is A Cinderella Story."

Cora took a slow sip of her coffee, not taking her eyes of the redhead.

"A Cinderella Story?"

"Oh come on, don't tell me you haven't seen it. It's one of Hilary Duff's most iconic roles."

"No, I've seen it."

"Then you should appreciate it. The script is funny, the hero wins, and the kiss at the end is one of the best cinematic kisses in history."

Lydia had a faraway look in her eyes that was interrupted when Cora cleared her throat.

"Speaking of kisses, can we not talk about what happened a couple of hours ago? Like for the rest of our lives."

Lydia raised her eyebrow and Cora groaned.

"The eyebrow raise. I hate the eyebrow raise." she said, covering her face with her palm.

"Are you saying you did not enjoy that kiss?"

"That wasn't a kiss. That was you trying to prove a point to your cousin."

"Well, as far as points go, that was a pretty good one."

Cora rolled her eyes.

"Oh please, don't even pretend like you didn't enjoy it. I don't care how good of an actor you are, you can't fake a blush like that."

Cora gasped, hands moving up to rub her cheeks.

"I was not blushing!"

Two hours later, Lydia had learned that Cora loved dogs, motorcycles, and her favorite food was coconut cake. She learned that Cora got nervous around figures of authority and that her superpower would be to make time go faster.

Cora learned that Lydia loved the moon, wanted to invent, and her dream was to live in Milan. She learned that Lydia had a lisp growing up and she was afraid of the dark.

When Lydia told Cora that she never traveled anywhere without a taser ever since what happened in Beacon Hills, Cora had to clench her fist and look away.

AJ watched the two girls leave the café, arguing about something he couldn't quite make-out.

He remembered the smile on the beautiful redhead's face as she looked at the brunette with the tired eyes and nervous hands. AJ wasn't good at memorizing things. He constantly forgot coffee orders and to take out the trash after work.

But he remembered the first time he had fallen in love. His smile was the same one Lydia wore when she looked at Cora.