Two

My fingers were already numb by the time my last class ended. I relaxed in my chair as I waited for the rush to die down.

I watched as the sub teacher packed his books into his shoulder bag that looked like it had seen better days. It was clear as daylight that he was fresh out of college.

His slightly long curly hair was tied into a tiny bun at the back of his head and few strands escaped at the front of his head framing his sharp features. I watched as his slim fingers struggled to untie the rope at the side of the bag. He brought out a water bottle and opened it.

I watched as his adam apple moved up and down as he swallowed. I hadn't noticed that he had dropped the water and had noticed me looking at me until he coughed. I looked up at him. He raised his brow in question and then smirked when I started to feel my face get hot.

I packed my bag in a rush and stood up to leave the class. Just as I was out of the classroom door I heard him say," Enjoy your day, Miss Brown"

I ignored him and jogged to my locker. I pressed my face on the cool metal to cool down my face. Thank God I had a skin that you would have to look deeper to notice any redness.

I opened my locker and dropped the books I wouldn't be using that night and replaced with the one I had assignments on and needed to read. I slammed my locker shut and turned to leave when I noticed Brianne, a girl I would like to think was my friend for tag sake, walking towards the exit while she bopped her head to whatever she was listening to on her headset.

I opened my mouth to call out her name but decided against it. She was quite far from where I stood and with the headset on her head, she wouldn't hear my call her. So I walked up to her.

I touched her shoulder softly, trying not to freak her out.

"Hey Anna, what's good?" She smiled softly at me making the the black liner around her eyes pop out more. She was about 4 inch taller than me, I had to look up at her. I'm 5'4.

"Nothing much, I'm heading to my sister's school to go pick her up and then head for my shift at the cafe. Heading home? I asked in return.

"Yeahh, not really" she dragged her words.

I bent my head in confusion.

" I'm going to see Mark" she half smiled but I could tell it didn't meet her eyes.

"Oh okay. See you tomorrow" I turned to leave but she grabbed my hands to stop me. What was it with people always trying to stop me today?

"He's better"

"As long as you're happy, Bri"

If there was one thing I appreciated while iny broke era was having an excuse to walk. There was just something about walking down the streets with earphones in your ear as you listened to some RnB that just clears your head from all the things that's been going on.

As I got close to my sister school I thought about Brianne. In a moment of weakness she had told me about her constant fights and how Mark, her boyfriend had abused in several occasions and had claimed it wasn't intentional.

The last time they fought, Mark had hit her so bad she ended up with a blue eye and a concussion. Fortunately, to the good eye was good enough to go through her contacts and then call me. I had brought her into my house and tend to her wounds while she muttered swear words at him.

I tried to stay out of her business and just be a spectator. But she revealed her story when we sat at the living room chewing on the pizza I ordered as we watched old episodes of friends.

In her state of anger and frustration, she promised herself not to go back to him. But I knew she wouldn't keep to it. That was how toxic relationship worked. You never get out of it and you never gain from it. It's like a sweet poison wrapped in candy wrapper or something like that(you get my point though), you keep taking it but you don't realise how it reduces your life span.

" I can't believe you gave me ramen and fries as lunch"

" I can't believe you gave me ramen and fries as lunch" Hazel complained as we stepped out of her school gate.

"Was that why you ignored me when I said hi?" I rolled my eyes at her childish behaviour. Yeah, I know I was being immature rolling my eyes at my little sister but she started it first.

"I was so embarrassed to eat it in front of my friends during lunch. You're lucky I was very hungry or I would have given it to Mrs Caleb turtle" she poured.

I found it cute so I chuckled and squeezed her cheek.

" I'm not sure turtles eat noodles, Squiggles"

"Well, I have seen Mrs Caleb give it chips. One time I even saw her feed it a candy" she tried to contain her laughter. My heart squeezed with joy.

"Hmm, your Mrs Caleb is sure a weird person. Soooo, you have friends now?" I said remembering she mentioned the word friends.

"Yes, I do. Well I think of them as my friend. They treat me nice and make me join in activities they're doing. I like them. I don't know if they think of me as their friends though" she kept a straight face. Hazel was was not an emotional person, if you haven't noticed by now.

"Well, if they treat you nice and make you happy, I'm sure they think of you as their friend too. Don't fret, love"

I opened the door to the house and pushed Hazel inside gently, locking it.

I rushed to my room to undress. Today was a busy night at the cafe and I still needed to make dinner. I hadn't even decided in what to cook.

I went to Hazel's room to ask her what she wanted to eat and found her folding the uniform she had worn to school and then putting it neatly into the laundry basket.

I was convinced that Hazel was the more matured one between us. She wasn't quick witted, patient, understanding, and well organised. She would always prefer doing things herself than asking for help, that was the only thing we had in common.Well, that and our facial features.

I sat on her bed gently not to ruffle the bed covers too much.

" So what do you want to have for dinner tonight?" I asked her.

" Anything is okay" she said as she sat beside me.

" Hmm, so you don't mind cold ramen or left over fries?" I teased her.

" Ewww, Anna. No, no I don't want that" she covered her face with her hands. We both laughed.

" How about takeout?" She looked at me with her side eye knowing I wouldn't agree to it. We were just too broke for takeouts. Cooking was more cheaper than ordering food.

"How about I make that Chinese rice I made last Easter? I think we have some left over chicken" I said hoping she would agree.

"Yes! Make it just as spicy as that day. The spicier the better" she grinned so wide I was scared she would tear her lips.

" The spicier the better" I said back satisfied at my suggestion

I stood up from her bed, about to leave when she called me back.

" Anna, don't tell me you gave me left over fries" she looked scared to hear my answer.

" Well, that's for me to know and for you to find out" I smirked before rushing out of the room. I heard her scream as I went down the corridor. I laughed so hard I almost tripped down the stairs.

I had not actually given left over fries.

It was a little bit chilly. I wrapped my hands around my fully clothed body. I could hear the music from the coffee shop from here

I opened the glass door as I heard the bell rings above my head. I went straight to the back room to change to my work clothes. It was a little bit dark so I took out my cellphone from my pocket and turned on the flashlight. I quickly wore the clothes and rushed out.

I met my coworker, cleaning the shelves. I greeted her and she smiled in return asking how my day was and I smiled not knowing how it really was. She was on day shift so she left me and went to the backroom to change and leave.

I took the rag she was using and continued to clean the work table.

I hadn't cleaned finish when a middle aged women came in from of the 'coffee bar' and ordered a black coffee with a slice of banana cake. I quickly made her order and then finished cleaning.

I sat at the bar stool and watched as the band playing that night tested their instruments. A tall guy came out and went in front of the microphone and started singing. I didn't know the song he was singing but I recognised it. I hopped my head to the soft country tune. He wore a flannel shirt with a tight jeans that hugged him perfectly. His two hands grabbed the microphone as he swayed to the music he sang. He pointed his hands to the crowd edging them to sing along or move along with him.

Just as I was starting to really enjoy the music a guy around his middle - late twenties stood in front of the bar to order a green tea with extra cashew milk.

As I prepared his tea I noticed he kept staring at my hand. I looked up at him, but before I could ask what was wrong he spoke up.

" You look like you really know what you're doing? He said with a strong English accent.

" Well I'm working here, right? If I didn't know what I was doing I would not have been employed" I smiled to soften my words. I looked into his eyes challenging him to say what he really wanted to say.

Thankfully, I finished his drink and gave it to him. I expected him to take it and go back to the boot but he just took his drink and sat at the tall stool in front of the coffee bar.

I almost cursed the owner of the cafe for setting up the coffee shop like a bar.

" It's alright if I sit down here, right" he asked even though he was already seated comfortably.

I almost lied that it wasn't okay, that customer are only allowed to sit in booths but I just said "yes" since I needed my paycheck.

I went back to my stool and continued to watch the band playing. I could tell the the guy was almost done singing the way his tone changed.

He finally finished singing. He waved his hands and the lights came on.

I imagined the crowds cheering and clapping but all I could hear was "Enjoy your day, Miss Brown"