How To Love

Flowers and Coffee

Lana watched people move around her as she walked to the Cafe. She always loved people-watching. Everyone seemed to bustle about, yelling and laughing. She smiled to herself as she saw a little girl in a sundress dance around her mother up ahead. Everyone was the main character in their own lives. Her pocket started to vibrate, and she took out her phone to look at it, smiling at the name on the screen. She slid the answer button across and held her phone to her ear.

"Jass~" she answered in a sing-song voice. A husky chuckle sounded from the other end. She could almost imagine the little smirk on his face. He always found it funny when she called him that.

"Where are you?" He asked in an amused voice. As she got near the Cafe entrance, she spotted him leaning against the wall by the door, looking the other way. A playful smile crossed her face as she snuck up behind him.

"Guess~" She teased, covering his eyes with her hands. She felt him smile as he grabbed her hand and pulled it off. Locking their fingers together, turned and smiled down at her.

"You kept me waiting." Jason pouted and handed her a bouquet of lilac flowers.

"What are these for?" Lana looked at them and smiled softly as she stood on her toes to kiss his cheek; her thick chestnut-brown hair fell in loose waves down her back.

"Because I missed you." Jason smiled as he looked down at his girlfriend. Her fair complexion contrasted with her large hazel eyes, which shifted between green and gold depending on the light. High cheekbones, full lips, and a softly defined jaw gave her an effortless beauty, but there was something more striking about her than her delicate features.

They ordered iced coffee at the counter and sat at a private corner booth by the window. Lana put her flowers down, rested her chin on her palm, and watched as he scrolled through his phone, presumably his ever-full email. She stared at him for a few minutes and pouted when he continued to read.

"Wow, your hair isn't styled today." Lana reached over and lightly tugged at his hair, trying to get his attention.

"I stayed up all night at the studio." He took a sip of his drink and continued to scroll.

"It's so rare that your hair is natural..."She tugged his hair again.

"Hey!" He laughed, holding her hands away.

"You don't like me touching your hair?" She laughed, fake-pouting, trying to tug on his hair again.

They always acted childish around each other.

When they met in college, they became instant friends. She was initially studying Astronomy, and he was a Business major. People always thought they were a funny combination. She was always reading or looking up at the stars, trying to capture the twinkling lights on her second-hand camera. He was always pulling late nights in the library or running to meetings at his father's company. Music had brought them together. One day they just happened to be reaching for the same album at an off-campus music store.

After arguing over who should get the last copy, they called a truce. Split the cost and passed the record back and forth like a divorced couple passing their kid off. Eventually, they became best friends because of it.

From that day on, they always supported each other's decisions and offered a shoulder to lean on when times were tough. Especially when he decided to drop his business course to intern at a recording studio, while she transferred to a film academy. The career paths they chose weren't the easiest, but they had passion. And that passion is what made them realize they should try out being more than friends. They understood each other, so it seemed like a good idea.

"Stop it." He swatted her away again, laughing.-" Are you coming over tonight? I have a meeting at the studio, but the guys want to see you."

"Aww, you do?" Lana pouted and hugged his arm.

"Yeah, sorry, babe." He kissed her pouting lips.

"I understand." She sighed and leaned away from him. "Should I bring anything?"

"Bring snacks." He answered immediately, making them both laugh. There was hardly ever any food at the loft since the guys were always at auditions or shooting.

His roommates were a mix of his college buddies, all making their way in the entertainment industry. She had joined their group after their bonds were formed, but she loved them.

"Well..." - He didn't finish and started laughing himself, putting his arm around her shoulders.- "You know they adore you."

"That's because I'm cooler than you." She stole his drink and acted nonchalant.

"Don't be delusional, baby." He went back to reading his emails.

"I have to go to a shoot soon, so I'll see you later. You better be there when I come over!" She stood up and kissed him on the cheek before walking out of the Cafe.

Lana walked out of the Cafe and waved down a cab. Giving the address to her studio, she leaned back and stared out the window. Putting her headphones in, she turned on one of her most recent playlists. Trying to set a mood for the current season. She liked making playlists according to feelings, seasons, events, and so on. It was like living life with your own personal soundtrack. She especially liked creating mood playlists for her photo shoots; it made the whole grueling experience a lot better for everyone involved.

Her only scheduled shoot today was for her best friend Sora, who desperately wanted to get into the film industry. Lana had promised to help her any way she could, including free headshots and moral support. As one would expect of their best friend. They had met after college, around the time she started dating Jason. She was one of the few people she trusted the most, especially with the knowledge of their relationship.

Of course, Sora was a bit salty that they didn't get to have a lot of single ladies' nights before Lana was officially in a relationship. Sora never said much on the topic, but she did often comment about wishing she had the same thing as Lana. The thought of setting her up with one of the guys often came to mind. Jason was never a big fan of the idea, however, so she always let the topic fade after a few mildly tense conversations about why it wasn't a good idea. Sighing to herself, she paid the cab once arriving at her studio and got ready to get to work.