Mint Tea(r)

ㅤ An atmosphere of confusion filled the room. The tea was cooling on the table, but none of the girls dared take a sip. They really missed Luke and Cless and their lively conversations. No matter what the boys talked about, just listening to them was enjoyable. But Mint and Tear couldn't even start a simple conversation. All their attempts, or rather, their only one, ended with one synchronized sound: "Um…" No one dared continue, which only heightened the awkwardness. Their boyfriends got along so well, but the girls couldn't find common ground. They really didn't want to let their loved ones down: the girls often noticed how their other halves sometimes sighed, looking at the silent Tear and Mint, hiding in their shadows, not really knowing what to do. Sadness slightly shaded the awkwardness. Enough to make them take a sip of tea. With mint. 'Tear… Tea…' Mint suddenly smiled to herself. 'Cless would definitely come up with some kind of pun to go along with it.' A soft smile touched Tear's lips too. 'Mint. A refreshing and calming scent. Is there any reason to worry?' 'A perfect combination!' they both thought. 'Isn't this a sign that everything is destined to work out?' "I…" they began again in unison, raising their heads and looking at each other, but then quickly turning away. However, they didn't want to give up. So many thoughts raced through their heads, with different solutions to the problem. 'Rock-paper-scissors? It'll only get worse if we keep thinking of the same pieces. Lots? We should first draw lots to see who will make lots. And then who will draw first…' It seemed nothing could help. But as soon as they took another sip of tea, they thought: "I know!" They both had something to write with, so they reached for the napkins together. Fortunately, one of the girls was quicker, without ruining the plan and creating a new problem. Writing a simple text was much easier than speaking: no one interrupted, and it was possible to organize one's thoughts. Gradually, two napkins filled with two unremarkable conversations. However, it was precisely this that helped them take the first step, learn bits of information about each other, and allowed them to look each other in the eye more confidently. Finally, exchange a few short phrases…

* * *

"Yes!" Cless tried to express his delight as quietly as possible, peeking through the crack in the door with his friend. "Mint tea couldn't fail!" "…Because it's calming?" Luke suggested, deep in thought. "Of course not! It's 'tea,'" he pointed with his hands in one direction, and then, "with 'mint'," in the other. Luke couldn't see anything. "Well, 'Tear'. 'Tea'! And 'mint' — 'Mint.'" "But Tear isn't 'tea'…" Luke said, puzzled. "Just use a short name." "Where could it be shorter?" "Um..." Cless hesitated. "There's no limit to perfection!" he finally said with a broad smile. Luke let out a tired sigh. He'd long since gotten used to his friend's silliness; sometimes his jokes were genuinely good, but more often than not, they were tiresome. However, that wasn't what Luke valued Cless for. "As you say," Luke waved him off. Then he smiled back. "The main thing is that it worked!" ㅤ