The Muse

Anna's POV I step inside Lumiere's coffee shop and the warm scent of coffee and vanilla engulfs me instantly. I walk to a table by the window, light taps from my heels add to the noise of chatters and the machinery in the room. I sit down and look around my surroundings. Lumière's is a neatly decorated, French-style shop with wooden furniture. Small round tables, high stools lined by the counter, walls of old bricks covered in flowers are all exposed to the sun shining through the enormous windows of the shop, giving it a warm glow. "Anna" Liam chirps from behind the counter, waving at me excitedly. "Hey," I mouth back waving, as he's on the other side of the shop. He hurriedly slides out of the counter and makes his way over to me. "How are you?" He bends down to hug me. His beard scratches the side of my neck. He sits opposite of me, but I can still smell the scent of caramel oozing from him. I guess working in a coffee shop for 4 years does that to you. "I'm-" I look up thinking, "meh, to be honest." We both laugh at my confession. "Same," he adds. "Another company turned me down last night," he says pressing his lips in a line, nodding. "Ouch," I comment "how come?" I ask. "Apparently I'm not what they're looking for." He says in a mocking tone, rolling his eyes. I lean on the table, taking a better look of his face. Disappointment shadows his handsome features, and my heart aches for him. He scratches his beard and looks back at me with a sad smile. I've known Liam for a few years. Since the second year of high school, actually. I remember the boyish baby face I had grown accustomed to until he moved away the last year of high school after his parents divorced. We reunited when we got in the same university. A thick beard now adorns his face, making him unrecognizable. Not that anyone's complaining, especially Liam himself. He has most girls at the campus swooning over his sharp features, honey voice and artistic vibe. "You sent them another cover?" I ask. "A whole playlist of them," he grunts "but they still ignored it." "Why don't you try starting off as an independent singer for now? You already produce your own songs and write most of your lyrics." I suggest. "I'm not singing that crap out loud," he exclaims. "You sang it for me," I shrug "and I loved it." "You also listen to music from before you were born, Anna, so that's not exactly a compliment." He debates. I gasp dramatically. "Take that back!" I demand. "No," he sticks his tongue out. "You always refused to listen to his songs, how can you come up with such strong impressions?" I argue. "I just-," he shrugs, not having anything to say. "How about you listen- no, play his music in the shop today and hear for yourself?" "I am not playing that without approving the quality myself." "Please," I bat my lashes, pouting "it's his death anniversary today." I keep pushing. "Fine," he grunts. "Yes!" I celebrate joyfully with a small victory dance. He just shakes his head in embarrassment as we walk over to the counter. Liam has been working here for quite a while, so he's free to do pretty much anything. He has been offered a spot as a manager but he had turned it down each time, claiming he can't handle all the responsibilities alongside his personal ones. "Alright, what do I type in?" He says staying in front of the laptop. "I'll find the song, you make me a caramel macchiato," I say prying the laptop off his fingers. "Yes, ma'am." I search 'Take My Breath Away-Lucas' and scroll through the results. Pressing play, the previous song stops and soft guitar sounds fill the whole shop. The sweet music compliments the romantic lyrics. The song is about the singer and how he knows his lover will leave. So he softly begs, if she has to leave, let her at least take his breath away with her. "I like it." Liam approaches with my drink. "It's that nostalgic, stingy kind of song that makes your blood boil with passion. And even if the lyrics make you cry, you still wish you got to experience tender love like that." He comments. "Exactly!" I agree. "It's the kind of song you'd slow dance to at 3 am, while sweet pain clenches your love-craving heart," I add. "How did you know, though? The song isn't even over yet." I ask. "I listened to his music. I'd never blindly trust you to play music in my shop." He says in a 'duh' tone. "Then why in the hell did you keep complaining about how bad it is?" "I enjoy teasing you, obviously." "You little fucker." I reach to hit him across the counter. He laughs, stepping back, making it impossible for me to touch him. "So, at some point in your life, you did, uh- that?" he snickers. "I'm leaving," I state, grabbing my coffee, making him laugh out loud. "You need to pay for it." He says. "Put it in my tab," I say collecting my things. "You don't have a tab-" I hear him yell after me, but I ignore him. He'll have to pay for me. I walk down the crowded sidewalk dragging my bicycle by my side, making my way to the campus. I only have one class today, after which I had my own plans. Although Dua, my best friend since 8th grade, disagreed as she wanted me alongside her. She needed me to accompany her to a party tonight. As outgoing as Dua was, her crush on my friend Ashton, left her acting like a ditzy, love-struck, anxious high schooler. And today was their first date. I had already helped her with the outfit, but unfortunately, I won't be able to make it for moral support. I felt bad, but today's events were important.