The Barista

Your dreams where different tonight. maybe it was the booze? maybe it was those weirdos that ambushed you. Maybe it was linked to how you passed out all of a sudden.

Gazing around at the dark space, you felt like you knew this place. it wasn't the same as the Blue Sea in your mind, this was a vast Black lake dark and quiet, peaceful. it was stable, calm, it was fact, not unclear, and you had been before you remembered quite clearly, a voice spoke to you then, as it did now.

"Apologies for my absence, Mr Drake."

"Hello again... Weird voice lady... ugh, of all the things my brain chooses to remember why this?"

"The Black Lake can never be forgotten, it is a source of power, a fact. but that's not why I called you hear, Mr Drake. I am afraid that I need your assistance." The Voice asked, her tone slightly worried.

"Oh? and why should I, I have no idea who you are, I'm not even convinced any of this is real, for fuck sake all of this shit is just, weird dreams and weird people can't you people just send me a text? Call maybe? handwritten letter from the postmaster general, CARRIER PIGEON? Fuck me..." You cried in frustration.

The Voice went quiet, You sighed "Look I'm sorry I just, this is a really weird time for me right now..."

"Puberty?" The Voice asked.

"What? No!? I'm nineteen! the fuck?"

"Do Vampire's go through Puberty?" The Voice asked.

You grasped your head as your brain writhed violently, the Lake around you and black sky shimmering as You felt something what she just said try and embed itself into your mind, but was quickly rejected.

"Ugh... Do what?"

The Voice seemed unsettled "Ohhh my. You are quite damaged, very unstable indeed. it's like your mind doesn't want to absorb certain information, even when Keywords trigger them. Hmmm, I'll tell you what, Help me out and I'll try and fix that broken noggin of yours a little? whad'ya say?"

Rubbing your eyes, you nodded "Yeah fine. What can I help you with?"

The Voice twinged in excitement "Exquisite!! quite excellent. Now I am afraid that My apprentice has run off somewhere, I happened to know that you have a connection with Her mother, I need you to find her."

"I have a feeling I'm not gonna like the answer, but what is her name?"

The Voice gave pause, and the person who spoke with it was definitely smiling "Isabella Salvador. Now, off you pop, I am quite busy, and I'd hate to make you late for school."

---

*Gasp*

You arose from your Bed in the Golden Suit, the soft mattress below and silk sheets hugging you comfortably as You rubbed your head.

If that was a dream, then it was a particularly explicit one... because you recalled every moment of it "Isabella Salvador... Fuck, Chip what are you getting yourself into?"

"Do you talk to yourself a lot?"

You jolted, Daisy looking at You with tired eyes, her Blonde hair splayed out messily on her face. You blinked... she was in Your bed, sleeping next to you? In a sexy little red nightie, looking hungover as Hell. "H-Hi... Daise..."

She grumbled "Why are you awake... it's the weekend... go back to sleep."

You raised an eyebrow "You know it's a Wednesday right?"

Daisy's eyes shot open, her tall form bolting out of bed in a panic "Oh No-Oh No-Come onnn we are going to be LATE!" she said, her frilly white panties barely covering her huge bubbled but as she girlishly jogged into the bathroom.

You chuckled slipping out of bed and nursing your own hangover, getting ready for the new day... though, memories of last night were hazy, a voice echoed in your mind "Sleep."

"Beans Cafe..." You whispered to yourself, well, despite what Daisy thought, you were allowed to skip morning homeroom. So... Maybe there was time for a detour.

Your walk up towards the Cafe was filled with Daisy talking in wonderment about the Club and how things had really changed... You weren't sure what she meant by that, but she held you close by the arm, smiling and chuckling as she did.

"Hey, Daise. Can I ask you something?"

She grinned at you with her fucking superb face "Sure, Chip, Shoot."

"That Kiss... before in the Car..."

Daisy flushed, sucking in her lips as she winced "What uh... about it?" Her grip on your lessened and she went a little quiet.

"Was it, are we... like a thing, or?"

Daisy stopped, and took your hand in hers "Listen, You're a sweetheart, and... I think you're swell, but... I just got out of a relationship and..."

"Oh." You said softly "I'm sorry I didn't know-" She looked like she was gonna tear up "Hey, it's okay. It must have been a bad break-up right?"

The Blonde began to shiver slightly, and her lip quivered "H-He died."

Shaking your head, you touched her arm, to show that you were there for her "I understand. Listen, if you ever want to talk or just, anything, I'm here for you, like you're here for me, okay? I'll keep any talk of that kiss to myself."

She sniffed as you brushed the tears from her face... the left sides were red, but you ignored that, nodding she smiled at you, and took you into a deep hug, sniffling "T-Thank you, Charlie... You're a good friend. Phew, I could really use some coffee."

"Gooooood, because I'm buying." She chuckled retaking your arm as you strolled up the On-Campus Cafe. Beans a chock full to the brim by the looks of it "You know Jane and I used to stop by here every other day... one of my last memories was us here, She talked about Mr Harrow, I ignored her like always... I should have treasured my time with her... before she was possessed by Satan." You said, making Daisy chuckle as You opened the door for her.

The Place really was busy, the guy serving looked exhausted, and the woman carrying around the drinks looked even more so. You peered around for a seat and saw one... You also saw the three girls sat in the booth beside it. that being the Queen Bitch, the top of Camile's head, since her face was Buried in... oh you know, and of course, Madam Satan herself, who flushed with embarrassment and tried to hide behind Vicky, who in turn immediately became extremely interested with the bottom of her coffee cup.

With every ounce of bravery in your heart, you turned on your heel, and went to bolt out the door but Daisy caught you swiftly "No no no... Come on, I really need coffee. and you shouldn't let them intimidate you!"

You squirmed like a worm on a hook "EVERYTHING INTIMIDATES ME!"

Daisy frowned at You, embracing you again, and much to your confusion kissing you again, in full view of everybody, tongue wrestling with you before flushing and dragging you along "Stupid... hdshfhd.... god damn sissy...hsdbvsd...." She grumbled, You trying as hard as you could to avoid looking at the untouchables (Bar-one) as You sat in the booth... In the seat with your back to jane.

It was dead silent, You could feel Vicky's eyes burrowing in the back of your head... and the sound of soft breaths behind you, Jane's breathes. This was extremely awkward.

Daisy contemplated your face "Do you... want a coffee I'm gonna go order." You blinked, gulping. Daisy huffed "I'll get you a Cappuccino." She said standing up and shuffling off.

Doooo it..... Do it..... Confront them.... do not be a coward. Coooward... COWARD

They knew you were listening, and you knew they knew you were listening, and They knew you knew-FUCK THIS.

springing up to your feet, You swivelled around in the booth behind you. and BOOM there you were, sat in the booth, with the Untouchables.

People literally froze mid-sip, staring at you in shock, awe and deep fear. You were breaking the natural Law.

Vicky flushed as You sat in front of her, and Jane seemed to shrink beside you. Camile looked up from her phone to Vicky and Jane, then to you, and grinned a little stupidly "Oh Hey Charlie. You really shouldn't sit here. We don't sit with nerds." Her voice was playful and lighthearted, but Vicky frowned at you, trying to mouth something though only as a strained voice came out.

"H-He can stay... for a minute." She said, making a disgusted face at herself.

You blinked, nodding as you looked to Jane. She stirred her coffee, a flat white just like always, it made you crack a smile "Hi Jane."

"Charlie..." She said, still refusing to look at you.

"Why are you an untouchable?" She dropped her spoon and sighed with irritation, you frowned "Why are you going out with Duke the douchebag Harmon?"

Jane turned to you fiercely "Don't act like you don't know!?" She growled.

"I have. Amnesia. Jane." You spelt out. "So I don't know, please expand the subject."

"For 5 months I've been worried about you, FIVE MONTHS, I looked everywhere for you, hunted to the ends of the earth, then you just show up at your dad's funeral, looking like shit saying that we'd talk another time, then vanish again. well guess what!? that whole Coma bullshit might convince everyone else..." She got in close to you, poking you hard in the chest "But not. Me."

That was all well and good. but what the fuck? You were in a Cama, Daisy gave you the medical report, you woke up a few times sure but you got sick again due to your injuries, what the heck is she on about.

"You're out of your mind. I mean... Duke Harmon, fucking Duke Harmon are you kidding me?"

Jane looked so angry that she might explode, holding back tears as she curled her fingers at you "You think I LIKE DUKE HARMON YOU GOD DAMN IDIOT?" She said in a low-growling whisper, conscious of everybody looking at You "I used him to get money for a personal Investigator to find you, you god damn troglodyte, You think I like dressing like this, and having his sweaty little self all over me, well guess what I don't!? I Love- I loved you, idiot." She spat, suddenly slipping further into the booth and going silent as she sniffed.

You sat there, shell-shocked "Awkward." Camile said.

Vicky looked at you "Jane might be a nerd... but she's alright, she helps me with... homework and stuff-"

"And what is your deal, huh?" You asked angrily "Queen Bitch gone soft?" every single moment that she had made your life a misery.

Camile intervened "Hey, don't be mean to Vic. She's trying to be nice to you."

You scoffed "Right. and why would she do that?"

Vicky folded her arms, scowling at nothing "Because you asked me to."

"Whatever... just, Where's Isabella?" You recalled the dream, it was stupid to ask but-

"Izzy? sooo weird, she's not been well at all, I wonder if I should bake her some cookies!? cookies always make me feel better..." Wow... you knew Camile was a little... slow, but not like, this slow, still the dark-skinned girl was so incredibly beautiful with her button nose and dimples that you couldn't help but almost smile at everything that she said.

"So she's at Home? right. Thank you." You got up, and found a hand grabbing your wrist.

You expected it to be Jane, but she continued to sulk in the corner... You didn't want to think about her right now. but the one that was Holding your arm, against all odds was Vicky "Wait!" she said desperately.

People were really really really staring now, you didn't recall Vicky every laying a gentle hand on you "Ummm what?" You asked, taken massively off guard.

The Man behind the counter shouted with annoyance somewhere by the coffee machine "God damn it, I have like another 5 drinks. Will you please get the new girl out here, she's a coffee wizard!!"

Vicky pressed her lips together as if fighting back a sneeze "PARTY." She eventually Squeeled "My *Ahem* party, at my house, on Saturday... be there."

"Y-You're inviting me to a party?" were you in the fucking twilight zone or something?

"After Nine o'clock, j-just show-up or whatever."

"Fine... I have someone I need to talk to when she calms down there anyway." Jane still refused to look at you as You turned away. Daisy walked over holding two coffee cups in hand and smiling.

"Happychino!" She said cutely.

You just looked sat "Hey... um, let's get them to go, I have a lot to think about. Here..." You took the cups from her."

Daisy nodded cheerfully, though she seemed quite worried "Okay, Chippy. whatever you want. I'll follow."

Walking over to the counter, a Girl worked in rapid and smooth motions behind it, her pale form moving swiftly in your peripherals as You placed the Mugs just in from of her "Hey uh, sorry could we get these in Take away cups-"

And thus. TIME STOOD STILL.

Laid here, before your eyes, was the most beautiful woman that you had ever seen. Belle was buxom, Diasy was a giantess, jane was a dark beauty... but this woman was something else.

Her curly hair was a brilliant Autumn red, the orange locks tied into a sweet half-tie and stopped just at her neck. Her skin was flawless and pink, the flushing almost glowing cheeks curving into a goddess-like visage, freckled sprinkled on the bridge of her soft nose, which trailed down into a pair of wide pillowy lips that shone crimson. She dressed in Dark frilly cardigan, and Tight navy blue jeans and Leather heeled boots. Silver bracelets shone on her wrists, embodied with strange symbols. This girl... she was Untouchable levels of hot... nay, even greater than them, though she made no clear effort to impress anyone with her dress which was rather hipstery, like most of her.

But when she paused from her coffee-making, her dark eyeshadow accentuating her large, piercing blue eyes. And Oh boy, when you looked into them, your heart melted, and in the deepest reaches of your very soul, you knew that You were in true Love.

"Take away cups? Yeah Fine." Her voice was deep and bored sounding, a smooth Bostonian accent by the sounds of it, her hands moved so quickly and precisely as she de-lidded the cups and stared with dissatisfaction "The Foam is ruined... I'll make you another one."

"Do you want to go for a drink sometime?" The Words slipped out, and she paused raising an eyebrow as she started to steam the milk in her jugs "I mean, umm... I'm Charlie, what's your name?" nice, girls loved it when you sounded like a 9-year-old.

She gave you a weird look, like trying to figure you out, and then she gave a kind of faux-mocking smile "Rose." She said, filling your cups.

You smiled "So... drink? sometimes, me and you?" fuck this was soooo corny.

Rose looked a little curiously at you, sliding the full cups towards you as she stared without blinking "I am Pregnant..." She whispered.

There was a pause, her staring quite intensely at you.

...

.........

................

"Oh... so no **** then?" You chuckled scratching your head, She lent back, and seemed to lose her spirits a little.

"Yeah, No ****."

You nodded, getting the picture. You smiled, taking the cups in hand "Well, it was nice to meet you, Rose, Hope we can talk again sometime.

You turned to leave, but she quickly reached out and tapped you. Spinning around in hope you smiled, and she chuckled "You can meet me tomorrow, I have the day off, 8 pm, don't be late. My discount ends after 9." She said matter a factly.

You couldn't contain your own smile, nodding happily at her "Yeah, Right. See you then."