The Witch's Brew

As the bell rang ending school classes for the day, Melina quickly finished up her notes before the teacher took them off the blackboard in the front of the class. Alice watched Melina, waiting for the teacher to leave.

Once the teacher left, so did some of the other students, leaving Melina and Alice as one of the few students in the class.

"What's taking you so long?" Alice sighed, staring at Melina who was jotting down notes in a small journal.

"I'm just writing some notes on reading materials I need to get from the library. Which reminds me, could you take me to the library? I need to pick up some books."

"Sure but you're buying me coffee when you're finished." Alice replied, getting up and throwing her bag over her shoulder. "I know a great café nearby."

"Okay, sure. Let me just let my brother know." Melina said, pulling out her phone from an inside pocket in her blazer.

She quickly sent her brother a text, telling him about her plans. He quickly replied asking her to take Michael with her.

"Alice, you mind if Michael comes?" Melina asked as the two started walking to the library.

"I don't mind." Alice said. "The more, the merrier."

Melina replied to her brother she would and then sent Michael a text asking him to meet her at the front of the school in ten minutes. As Melina was about to put her phone away, Alice snatched it away.

"Let me give you my number."

"Sure."

Alice quickly added her number to Melina's phone and handed her it back. "Text me so I can save yours."

Melina did so and Alice pulled her phone out to save Melina's number. Melina then saw a notification on her phone for a group invite. It was from Alice, inviting her to a small school group chat.

"It's the group chat for our class." Alice explained. "I'll ask Antonio to add you to our friend's group later, if you're okay with that."

"That's fine." Melina smiled.

***

Melina placed the last book from her stack, thanking the librarian before she headed out to meet Alice who was waiting outside. The two walked to the front of the school, where Michael was waiting.

They then made their way to the café Alice had recommended which was a block away from the school. The café was at the bottom of a small building with a few apartments at the top of the building. A sign above the café read The Witch's Brew.

The trio entered the café, a small bell ringing as the door opened. A smell of roasting coffee beans hit Melina as she walked inside, making her smile.

Inside the café was cozy looking, with a bar at the back and small wooden tables and chairs littering the shop floor. In one corner, there was a booth and a shelf stuffed with books of all shapes and sizes.

The café was quiet with only the trio and an elderly lady who was wiping clean some glasses behind the bar. She has her gray hair in a messy bun and a red grandmotherly dress. The elderly woman looked up to see the trio entering. She smiled widely upon seeing Alice, the wrinkles on her face deepening.

"Alice dear, the usual." The lady asked, her green eyes shining.

"Yes please, Mrs. Lye." Alice replied as she got to the wooden bar. "You guys want me to recommend something for you?"

"No thanks." Michael quickly replied. "I'll have a chocolate milkshake."

Melina looked at the blackboard hanging on the wall about the elderly lady, quickly deciding to let Alice pick for her. "Alice you can pick for me."

"Okay sure. We'll have two of the usual then Mrs. Lye and a chocolate milkshake." Alice said.

"Sure dear." Mrs. Lye exclaimed, opening the register. "Card or cash?"

"Um…cash." Melina replied, stepping to the bar to pay for the drinks just as Michael made his way to the register to pay.

"Let me, Michael." Melina smiled. "I owe Alice a drink."

Michael looked at her for a second, wanting to refuse, but sighed as he realized Melina was not going to budge.

"Fine. But next time I'm treating you to something." Michael exclaimed.

"Alright."

Melina quickly paid for the drinks, thankful she had saved last month's allowance from her foster parents as she was too uncomfortable to ask James for an allowance. She felt a wave of sadness hit her as she thought of her dead foster parents, but pushed it down, not wanting to spoil the mood.

After she had paid, the trio headed to the booth near the bookshelf. Alice quickly took the chair leaving the couch booth for Melina and Michael.

"Wanna get started on that group project Alice?" Melina asked as she slid into the booth, Michael following close behind.

"Sure. Might as well get it out of the way." Alice muttered, pulling a notebook out of her bag.

"What's your project on?" Michael questioned.

"We have to do a paper on a supernatural species that is not our own." Melina responded, pulling out a few books she had gotten from the library. "We need to decide which species to do it on through."

"What about doing it on witches." Mrs. Lye exclaimed, suddenly appearing with a tray which had three drinks and plates of cake. "I can even help you if you guys get stuck."

She winked at the last part, placing the drinks on the table. Getting her drink, Melina saw that Alice had gotten her a coffee with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on the top.

"Thanks Mrs. Lye for the offer. We'll let you know if we do need any help." Alice replied, smiling at the woman.

"Sure dears." She then placed the plates of the cake on the table. "On the house."

She then disappeared back to the bar, leaving the trio at the booth. Alice took a plate of cake, handing another to Melina. It was a simple looking cake, with a light yellow sponge and brown icing on the top, making Melina think it was vanilla cake.

"You okay with witches then Melina?" Alice enquired as she ate a piece of cake.

"That's fine with me."

Melina used her fork to break a piece of the cake, placing it in her mouth. As the soft sponge quickly melted in her mouth, Melina grasped in shock. It wasn't vanilla flavored like she had thought, but rather carrot flavored.

"The cake good?" Michael wondered aloud as he took a bite.

"It is." Melina exclaimed before placing another piece in her mouth.

This time however, the cake didn't taste like carrot, but chocolate. Melina let out another grasp, looking to see that Alice was smirking at her expression.

"It's called a Limitless Cake. Every time you take a bite, it tastes a little different. It's a recipe some of the witches made." Alice explained. "Mrs. Lye of course makes the best I've ever had. You should also try the mocha."

Alice gently pushed Melina's ceramic cup closer to her, Melina grabbing the white handle and bringing the round cup to her mouth. Taking a small sip, she let the dark brown liquid flow into her mouth, her taste buds dancing with joy as they were hit with the taste of strong coffee and rich chocolate.

The liquid was the right temperature, allowing her to drink the mocha without her burning her mouth and tongue. Within seconds, Melina was halfway through her drink.

"Mrs. Lye is quite talented." Melina declared as she put down her cup. "I've never tasted something so delightful."

"I know right." Alice stated. "What do you think Michael?"

The two girls turned to look at Michael, seeing him finish up the last bit of his milkshake. He placed the glass down on the table and looked back at the girls.

"It's quite good, I must admit." Michael responded. "I can see why you recommended this place, Alice."

Alice smiled for a second before getting serious. "Okay, Melina let's get this project done so I don't have to think about it."

"Alright." Melina agreed, opening a book about witches. "Shall we start with the origins of witches and then move onto their different powers and abilities."

"Sure. Then we can do one on the society of witches and maybe end with some famous witches and their achievements."

"Okay cool. I think that'll cover everything we need to go over in the project."

With their project decided, the two girls began working on their project, while Michael read a book for his English class.

***

Melina stretched as she and Alice finished up their project planning. She was going to do the write up later tonight, Alice doing the presentation for them. Pulling out her phone, Melina saw it was getting quite late.

They had stayed at the café for the past two hours working on their project, not realizing how time was flying by. Quickly sending a text to her brother that she was finished, she then started packing her notebooks and the project notes in her bag.

Alice and Michael too packed up, the trio soon leaving the café after saying goodbye to Mrs. Lye and thanking her for the help she had given them.

They walked back to the school, where a black sedan car was waiting for Alice. She said goodbye to Melina quickly before getting inside the car. As it left, another car came by, Jason coming out of the car after parking it.

Michael and Melina headed to the car, Michael taking the passenger seat and Melina the back, while Jason took the driver's seat.

Looking at his sister through the rearview mirror, Jason asked, "Have a good day?"

"Yeah, the best." Melina replied smiling.