Alluring Masquerade

          The cafe always had a very comfortable and home feeling to it. You wouldn't feel like leaving it and just enjoy yourselves, have a cup of coffee or a few more snacks. Just have a nice, quiet time and read a good novel in the peacefulness.

          The ceiling was the best feature actually; it could change colour and glow in the dim light as stars would turn on, like tiny diamonds twinkling in the darkness. A few star-shaped bulbs complimented the ceiling. During the day the ceiling would be like white candy-floss on a tranquil, clear and sapphire background, trying to emulate the real sky. It was a splendid decoration.

          Some replicated plants sat on the ground and some smaller ones on windowsills. The only real live flowers were of those white Calla Lilies sitting on either sides of the entrance of the shop in large brown flower-pots.

          People could look through the floor to ceiling windows with their hands cupping around their scrunched up faces in fascination. Some had to pear around the diamond-beaded curtains drawn away from the center of the windows. The windows looked onto the main street in the town-centre.

          Workers in the cafe were busy setting up for opening. Placing the chairs that were left upside down from last night the right way up again, the seats were then to be tucked neatly under the frosted-glass table.

          Angelina was a tall girl and already at the age of nineteen she was 5'11". To a stranger she would look as if she might have been in her late twenties. Her hair was reddish-brown and thick with plenty of volume that everyone adored. Her hair style today was in loose curls. Her eyes were deep green and her rosy cheek-bones complimented her features flawlessly. Some freckles if paid close attention to were dotted her nose bridge and cheeks.

          "Thanks, Johnny," Angelina said in her Geordie accent. She nodded at him and took the pile of pastel-yellow napkins from him. She sauntered over to a bare table where Hira was sitting with her hands in her lap, deep in thought. She sighed at her friend when she was unsuccessful at getting her attention. She even got a minute to reapply a second coating of her lip-gloss.

          Hira only stared at her hands more and more intensely, her dark chocolate brown eyes clouded over.

          "Hell – o?" Angelina asked, losing her patience. She shook her head to herself as she took a seat opposite. "Earth to Hira," she said, waving a hand in front of the blank face her friend repeatedly.

          That snapped Hira out of her trance. "One coffee, coming right up!" She hurled out of her mouth without thinking. She sighed in acquiescence when she noticed there was no-one but Angelina.

          Angelina was confused for a moment before she burst out laughing. "Finally," she smirked.

          "Oh, sorry..."

          "Is something wrong, Hira?"

          "No. Why?"

          "You look incredibly bothered about something."

          "Angelina, you don't have to worry," Hira assured.

          "Hmm..." Angelina murmured, unconvinced. She tapped her diamond studded nails on the table thoughtfully. "You sure girl? 'Cause you can tell me anything, you know." She took out a packet of strawberry flavoured sweets and offered some.

          "I'm sure," Hira lied, "And thanks for saying. I know I can trust you with anything. It's just about bills, bills, bills!" She thankfully took a couple of the pink sweets and popped one into her mouth. They were her favourite.