Chapter 1 - Belle
Everyday’s the same. Wake up, get ready for work, make a basic breakfast for two, and wake up the deadbeat passed out on my couch. Soon after I find myself sitting in silence awkwardly scarfing down whatever I can. Breaking the silence I said,
“Make sure you lock the door when you leave.” Receiving a nod from him, I set off to work.
“What can I get you today, Sir?” My eyes widened at his young appearance, he looked familiar, like someone you would see on Tv, he was quite handsome too. Not a lot of teens came into the coffeeshop, which is what made it such a break from my long days at school.
It took a lot of effort to not embarrass myself by blushing, I covered my new found attraction with a welcoming smile.
“Ah, um, my usual, please.” He said with a smile that made my heart skip a beat, but being the “skilled” person I am, I kept my composure. Raising my eyebrow I said,
“I’m their newest hire and I haven’t seen you before, so I don’t know what you usually have, sir.”
“Oh right, sorry I’m just used to the other guy” His cheeks grew red in embarrassment. “Actually I think I might try something new, what do you recommend?,” His hazel eyes flicked to the name tag on the front of my apron. “Belle.” I hummed in consideration, looking him up and down: Taking in his unkempt wavy dirty blonde hair, and white tennis shoes.
“How about a regular coffee with a few pumps of espresso, a little hearts worth of cream, and I’ll add something as well.” I was taking a simple route, he doesn’t seem like a picky person, but he also looks like he needs some caffeine seeing as he has tiny reminiscents of bags under his eyes. “Sounds good to me.” He said while he placed a couple of bills on the counter, and stepped aside so I could take the next person’s order.
“How may I help you?”
I felt the teens’s eyes on me, watching as I poured cream in a way that made a heart on top of the coffee. I mixed in the heart until it turned the coffee a pretty almond brown.
“Lucas?” I slid the cup out to him when I finished. Lucas lifted the cup, glanced at me, and must have seen how hard I was staring as I waited for his reaction. He ended up taking a whiff, then a sip. His eyebrows raised and he glanced at me again.
“Chocolate?”
“Dark Chocolate.”
“Thanks” He smiled and dropped a few coins into the tip jar. Without looking back, he pushed open the door as he exited the coffee shop. I watched him for a moment, then squealed.
“Was that..” Daneille peeked from her place by the pastries. “That guy?” She hissed with a big grin. She gestured sharply towards our magazine stand that housed one of the many pictures of the model. I shifted my gaze over to where she pointed and realized that was who it had been.
“Girl! Did you not recognize him?!” Daneille shook me by my shoulders.
“Well, this may be exciting, but we still have orders to make.” I giggled as I ripped a sheet from my order book and held it up to her.
“You got it!”
My chin rested on my palm as the clock’s hands tick to the next number, only five minutes had passed and yet it felt like my break was no time soon. I was eager to have thirty minutes to meet up with my friends and talk about what classes we’ll be taking in college once we finish our senior year.
“Good morning, Isabelle.” I snapped out of my thoughts, my eyes catching ones of brown.
“Good morning, Sarah,” I smiled, “The usual?” She returned my smile with a nod. “Coming right up” I pushed off the counter and went to the back to fix up her coffee. “Here you go.” I smiled as I returned with her cup of coffee, and slid it to her. “5 bucks” She handed me her card and retrieved the cup.
“I found you some more options for colleges to go to.” She dug in her purse and pulled out some brochures, laying them out on the counter.
“Thank you so much for the help.” I slid them over to me and stacked them, I paused as my eyes rested on a picture of the big city. I put that one on top before neatly placing them under the counter with my purse.
“You help me, I owe you more than you’ll ever know.” She turned and walked out of the shop, the bell on the door dinging. I picked up a croissant and took a bite before assisting the next customer.
“Iced coffee, please?” I grinned at the playful voice and rolled my eyes.
“I’m off shift” I went around the counter as I removed my apron. Helen, one of my three best friends, pulled me into a hug.
“I missed you Bellie!” She squealed, swinging me side to side before setting me back on my feet. “How have you been, Girlie?” She took my hand and led me to a table in the lounge area where all my other friends were.
“It’s only been a few days.” I giggled and stepped into rhythm with her.
“Belle!!”Lynn, the captain of the girls basketball team back in high school, stood to embrace me in yet another hug. I smiled and patted her back. “Hey” Both of them hooked their arms with mine and had me sit between them. Lynn pushed a strand of her blonde hair back behind her ear to get a better look at me.
“You look different than when we last saw you!”
“Really? I think I look the same” I smiled half heartedly and tucked my Dark red hair behind my ear as I gazed into my lap. She put her arm around my shoulder and smiled.
“You’re much more shy now! Come on, loosen up! We’re your besties!” She leaned on me with a bright smile. I felt my cheeks heat up, I smiled a bit and sighed in slight relief.
“I know, I know” I leaned into her and she picked up the pamphlets Helen had set on the table.
“Michigan, NYU, and Stanford, are our options today.”
“Aren’t you glad we took that college credit class?”
“All this work! We can’t let it go to waste!” Helen sighed dramatically.
I giggled a bit and picked up the one that said ‘NYU’. “I think I’m gonna go here.”
“Really? Away from us?!” Lynn exclaimed dramatically.
I smiled and looked off to the side bashfully. “It’s only a few years..” She patted my back and pulled me closer.
“I’m just playing with you, New York suits you!”
“Totally!” Helen agreed as she picked up a few pamphlets, she flipped through them and pulled out a red and orange one.
“What about Stanford?” She scooted closer to Lynn, who removed her arm from around me.
I smiled a bit and stood, “I’m gonna get back to work, Face call later?” The two looked up at me and nodded. I waved and walked back to my position by the cash register. I pulled my apron over my head, glancing at the clock and making a mental note I had three hours left.
* * *
I shivered to the cold rain as I felt it trickle down my arms. It was hard to tell if the water on my cheeks were from the rain, or from my frustrated eyes. Either way, here I stood, twenty minutes after my shift ended. Waiting on my ride to pick me up. That I really hoped was just late. I gazed down at my feet, and when I looked back up and gray cloth fell into my view.
“You’ll get a cold out here in the rain.” A familiar voice, filled with more concern now, said. I reached my hand to the end of the jacket, it was denim. I lifted it a bit to meet the gaze of who had given me shelter.
“Are you waiting on someone?” The dirty blonde tucked his hand in his pocket as his hazel eyes slowly traced down my face and wet clothing, then back to my eyes.
“My ride is late..” I mumbled, awkwardly averting my gaze to the road. “Actually, I don’t think he’s coming. I’ll just call an Uber.” I slipped out my phone, but his hand patted my shoulder.
“No need, I’ll drop you off. It won’t cost you anything, promise.”
My gaze shot towards him, “You don’t have to do that! Plus, I don’t even remember your name..”
“Lucas, and I insist.” His charming smile made it hard to refuse. Although I was determined to not get into a stranger’s car, before I could open my mouth, he gently took the bag from my hands, swinging it over his shoulder and already walking off. I gave a frustrated sigh and rushed to follow him. I knew that this might end up being the stupidest decision I’ve ever made, but I didn’t have many choices. When we got to his car, he opened the passenger door for me.
“Thanks..” I mumbled as I ducked into his car, the door shut behind me.
I watched as Lucas went around the front of his car and got into the driver’s seat, setting my bag in front of my boots as he shut his door. I couldn’t help but stare at my bag, I felt terrible ruining such a nice car with my soaked clothing..
“Where to, Belle?” His voice broke my thoughts, I glanced over at him.
“948 Primrose St.”
Lucas gave a nod and backed out to leave the parking lot. For the first five or so minutes, it was awkward silence, but eventually he spoke.
“You sure are credulous.” He commented, I snickered.
“Big word.” I grinned and caught a glimpse of an amused smile.
“You got in my car without much of a fight, you must trust me.”
“It’s not like you gave me much of an option.” I pointed out.
“Fair enough” He chuckled and reached over to his dashboard. “Got a favorite station?”
“Anything but hard metal works.” I watched him press a station on the screen and some pop song started playing. I let the silence go on as I gazed out the window.
“I don’t mean to be nosey,” He glanced at me from the corner of his eye. “But where is your ride?”
“Probably out with friends.” I laughed halfheartedly, I could hear the sourness in my voice, so much so, that I didn’t even recognize it as my own.
“A friend or something?” He asked curiously.
“My dad.”
“Some dad.” He stated sarcastically.
“He’s decent when he’s finally sober”
“Why do you live with him?”
“Honestly, he’s better than my mom, when he’s not drunk, of course.” I stared out the window, watching as lights and signs passed by. I sat straight when I looked back and his lips were pressed in thought. “Oh! He doesnt hurt me or anything!” His lips formed an ‘o’ as he seemed to relax his shoulders.
“Hey, that’s something.” He offered a crooked smile, I gave one back, then we fell into silence. It wasn’t quite as awkward anymore, as far as I could tell, he was good news.
I gazed back at Lucas, getting a good look at him, “Thank you.” His eyes met mine for a split second and he smiled compassionately.
“Anytime.” He turned onto my street and I pointed to a house, much smaller than the other ones. It was a homey brown color that reminded me of the coffee shop, and I loved it.
Lucas walked me until I stepped on the top step, in front of my front door, and a wave of nausea washed over me. Out of all the things that stayed the same, this was always the surprise, and it was never pleasant to see.
