Pamela moved slowly through the hallway, still a little pale from earlier, her steps echoing against the linoleum. Beside her, Barbara matched her pace with quiet steadiness, her hand brushing lightly against Pamela's arm as if ready to catch her should she stumble again. Pamela glanced over, her green eyes studying Barbara's face, and broke the silence. "You're in the same classroom as me? How come I've never noticed you before?"
Barbara tucked a lock of auburn hair behind her ear, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I usually wear glasses. You must have never noticed me before."
Pamela shook her head, her brows knitting. "No, I never really noticed you before."
Barbara gave a soft shrug, her voice carrying a mix of humor and self‑consciousness. "I know. It's scary how glasses can change someone's appearance completely."
Pamela let out a breath of laughter, the sound easing the heaviness between them. "Yeah… that's crazy."
They both laughed gently, the tension fading as their voices mingled in the quiet hall. For the first time, Pamela felt something ease inside her.
Barbara shifted slightly closer, steadying Pamela with a subtle touch at her elbow. "Hey… do you want to grab some coffee together? Since I can't see the professor right now, I have nothing else going on the rest of the afternoon."
Pamela blinked, a hint of warmth rising to her cheeks. "Yeah, sure."
They pushed through the building's glass doors and stepped out into the brisk Gotham air. Students drifted across the campus lawn, their chatter filling the space between the ringing of distant bells. Barbara led the way with quiet certainty toward Perk 66, the student café that buzzed with activity from morning to dusk. The familiar hum of voices and clinking mugs greeted them as the door chimed open.
The aroma of roasted beans enveloped them instantly, rich and comforting. They joined the line at the counter, shoulders brushing lightly as they stood close. The barista looked up with a smile. "What can I get for you today?"
"Black coffee, please," Pamela and Barbara said at the same time.
Both froze, eyes widening in surprise before turning to each other. Pamela's lips parted slightly, and Barbara's brows arched in disbelief.
"You like black coffee too?" Barbara asked, the words rushing out in a breathless laugh.
Pamela's face brightened, her voice firm with certainty. "I love black coffee."
Barbara shook her head slowly, still surprised. "I've never met anyone who likes straight black coffee before. Usually people fill it with all kinds of weird creamers or sugar."
Pamela lifted her chin slightly, her tone warm and decisive. "Of course I would not fill my coffee with creamer. I love straight black coffee."
The barista chuckled as they processed the identical orders. A few minutes later, Pamela and Barbara each carried a steaming cup through the crowded café. Barbara gestured toward a booth tucked away in the far corner. "Want to sit there?"
Pamela nodded, and they slid into the booth opposite one another. The chatter of the café dulled to a low hum around them, leaving their little space feeling private. Pamela wrapped her hands around the warm cup, leaning forward slightly as she studied Barbara. "So, Barbara, tell me about yourself. I've never seen you in class before, and it's only right that I get to know a classmate I've never noticed before. I'm pretty social, and I pride myself on knowing everyone in our class—but since you said you always wear glasses, I guess I never even noticed you."
Barbara lowered her gaze to the dark surface of her coffee. Her fingers tightened around the cup as she hesitated, then she let out a quiet sigh and looked up again. "Ok, let me tell you about myself then. I'm sorry… I'm just… this is new to me. I don't really have any friends outside of my father. Because of his position with the police department, it's really hard for me to make friends."
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