Please Don't Tell My Parents - Espresseleine Highschool Au

♡Chapter 9♡

Espresso had accepted Madeleine's invitation. Latte had basically made him, she said it would be rude to decline. Well, to be honest, Espresso didn't care if he was being mean.

But, there he was, sitting in a milkshake shop with Madeleine sitting across from him.

Latte had invited herself to come alone, but she wasn't here yet. "Ironic. She had basically begged me to let her come. Yet she isn't here," Espresso thought bitterly to himself as he pushed his glasses up.

"Why didn't you get anything?" Asked Madeleine, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"I dunno, I don't really like milkshakes. I'll probably just take a few sips of whatever Latte gets," He sighed. "Whenever she decides to show up." His face heated up as he shifted in his seat, looking up at Madeleine. He was kind of glad Latte had asked to come with them, since it was still a little nerve wracking to be with Madeleine alone.

Espresso had a little, teeny tiny crush on him, he couldn't deny it any longer. Something about Madeleine made his heart beat so fast.

Espresso hated it.

All his dumb feelings were getting in the way of his schoolwork. He could barely pay attention in class because of how much he thought about Madeleine, and his grades were dropping because of it.

He glanced back up at Madeleine, who looked like he wanted to say something. "...Is something on your mind?" Espresso asked as nonchalantly as possible.

Madeleine let out a short, sweet laugh. "Sort of. It's just... I've always wanted to do this," He said as he stirred his milkshake with his straw.

"Do what?" Espresso asked. "Get milkshakes with some random nerd?"

Madeleine chuckled again. "No, silly. I just... always wanted to hang out with you like this."

Espresso was glad he hadn't ordered a milkshake, because if he had been drinking while Madeleine said that, he would have choked to death right then and there. "W-What?" Espresso stammered as he regained his composure. "Why?"

"Well, you know. You're, like, the smartest kid in school. You're so cool!"

"Oh, I'm... I'm really not that cool, Madeleine," He said to him as he smiled slightly. "Sure, I'm smart, but that definitely doesn't make me cool."

"What do you mean?" Madeleine asked, tilting his head in confusion. "Of course you're cool! God, I wish I was as smart as you. My mom would be so proud of me." He looked up again, his eyes examining every little change in Espresso's facial expressions. "Your parents must be really proud of you."

Espresso's chest tensed up at the mention of his parents. Again. Why did Madeleine keep bringing up his parents? "Yeah. They're proud of me. And they're proud of Latte too," He mumbled. "Especially Latte."

Madeleine sighed, remembering the conversation they had about Espresso's parents a few days earlier. He knew Espresso had told him not to worry about it, but he couldn't help but feel that maybe there was something wrong.

Madeleine noticed how quiet Espresso got. "I..." He began. "I'm always here for you."

Espresso's eyes trailed back up to meet Madeleine's deep, blue eyes.

"You can always come over to my house. My mom loves you." He smiled slightly. "Or if you need to text me, at any time, I'll always respond."

"Yeah," Espresso mumbled. He fidgeted with his fingers as he looked down. "Thanks." He felt his face heat up. God, he loved Madeleine. He was so kind to him. He didn't deserve to have to deal with Espresso's pathetic problems. "But it's fine. I swear. I'm fine, everything's okay. Okay?"

Madeleine looked at Espresso with sadness. He honestly didn't know if Espresso was telling the truth or not. He just wanted Espresso to be safe, but he didn't want to make him uncomfortable. "Okay," He said.

The door to the milkshake shop slammed open and Latte came running in, sitting happily down next to Espresso. "Hi, guys!" She wrapped her arms around her brother.

Espresso sighed a sigh of relief. He hoped he wouldn't have to keep talking about his parents now that Latte was here. "Hi, Latte," He said as he hugged her back. Madeleine gave a little wave to her.

"So," She said, smiling. "What milkshake did you get?"

Madeleine grinned back. "Hot fudge," He responded.

Latte nodded, turning to Espresso expectantly.

"I didn't get anything," He said.

"Why not?" She asked.

Espresso shrugged.

"You can have some of mine if you'd like!" Madeleine smiled, pushing his drink towards him.

Espresso's face flushed. "S-Sure." He took a sip, blushing at the indirect kiss.

As the three continued talking, Madeleine kept glancing over at Espresso. Every time he noticed, he would smile at him.

Espresso would get so flustered every single damn time Madeleine smiled at him. There was something about his smile. Something so handsome and lovely.

Madeleine smiled at him again, and Espresso felt his face heat up again. He gritted his teeth as he stood up.

"You okay?" Latte asked, glancing up at him, worried.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just... Need some fresh air." Espresso walked towards the doors, stepping outside the milkshake shop. He let out a quiet groan, crossing his arms. He loved Madeleine so much, but he was so afraid to let it show.

The doors opened, and Espresso turned to see Latte. She smiled at him. "Hey. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," He mumbled.

Latte scoffed. "Sure. Are you afraid to be flustered around Madeleine?"

Espresso looked at her. "How do you always know?"

She smirked, shrugging. "I'm just quirky and different like that," Latte giggled. "But you should totally come back inside. Madeleine misses you...~" She teased, nudging him.

His face heated up again. "But... He's so cool and popular, and I'm... Well, you know, not."

"So?"

"...So, I'd make a fool of myself if I show I like him."

Latte sighed. "No you won't. Just come on in, okay?" She gestured towards the door. "Please?"

Espresso groaned but agreed. He stepped back into the milkshake shop. Madeleine immediately grew happy at the sight of Espresso. He couldn't help but smile back. Madeleine's smile was so, so beautiful...