By reaction, I shrank back in my chair. Orlando looked disappointed.
"I - I'm sorry, I - " I grabbed my bag and ran out the door.
"Skye! Wait! I didn't mean to, I..." I didn't look back. What the heck just happened? The bus approached its stop and I got on quickly. I flopped down on the seat and closed my eyes.
My phone pinged. Instantly I grabbed it. It was from Orlando. (A/N: Texts are in italics)

O: 'Skye. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you off. I mean it. I just... I don't know what came over me. I was thinking... Can you forgive me?'

This brought a smile to my face. Pulling up a keyboard, I typed back.

S: 'I was thinking... Maybe I need a bit more persuasion?'

There, that should do it. I jammed my earphones in. My phone vibrated again.

O: 'You want? Come back and I'll give it to you'

S: 'I can't... I'm on my way home'

O: 'Oh... Maybe tomorrow?'

Maybe tomorrow? What's that supposed to mean? I pressed the stop button on the bus and hopped off at my house. I threw my bag on the table but kept my phone in my hand. Scrolling though my emails, I found the list for Guildhall and fetched a suitcase for my stuff. I yanked my drawers open and studied the lists. Shirts, skirts, jeans, jumpers, the whole lot. All the essentials I had went in too. The stuff I needed still was the uniform and extra toiletries. I would need to work several more hours to pay it all off...
"Annie?" I called her mobile, hoping she'd pick up.
"Skye?"
"Are you at work? I was just checking for free slots,"
"Yep... Let me go check the book,"
There was silence.
"Uh... Annie? You still there?"
"Uh huh...there's one tomorrow, and all next week. Is that okay?"
"Yeah! Can you write me in everyday except from next Tuesday? Thanks a million,"
No probs Hun!" She hung up. Annie is actually so sweet sometimes, even if she is a bit mad in the head, or totally annoying. I looked at my phone clock. 6:23 - My stomach rumbled, instinctively telling me that it was time for dinner. Dragging myself over to the hob, I threw in some flour, butter, cheese and milk and made a cheese sauce, which I cooked some macaroni pasta to put in it. I put my phone on a speaker and blasted out some music. During my years of school, I had actually learnt to cook, but only basically, so most dinners, lunches or breakfasts were pasta, eggs, soup... You get the idea. Being nearly 20, I really should've learnt properly, but I never had the time. I twirled around the room, the music filling my ears. Continuing to spin, I fetched the salt and pepper and ground them into my meal. Finally, I sat down and tucked in, with a glass of water in my other hand. Again, my phone pinged, making me jump. Orlando again.

O: 'Skye? Are you really mad at me?'

I frowned.

S:'No, why would I be?'

O:'You've ignored me since I texted about meeting tomorrow'

S: 'Oh...'

O: 'So will you?'

I could almost imagine his eager face, his slim eyebrows ready to spring into a smile. I hesitantly pressed the buttons on the keyboard.

S: 'If you want?'

O:'Same time, same place?'

S: 'Perfect'

And at that, I locked my phone and tucked in.

*****

The bus engine roared over the usual hustle and bustle of the street. I wanted to get there before Orlando did, but unfortunately, that deemed impossible. I was there half an hour early yet he stood there as if he'd been standing for hours.
"Hi Skye," he glanced uneasily at me.
"Hi Orlando," I replied. I wasn't mad at him, but my tone came out more hostile than I meant it to.
"Look Skye... I'm so sorry about yesterday. Can we... Can we just wipe it clean?" He pleaded, and I took pity. I stuck my hand out.
"I would be glad to. Let's go in, shall we?" I suggested. He nodded and opened the door for me. We sat down in the same seats, at the same table.
"So... Have you got everything for school in two weeks?"
"No... I've just got to get the uniform. And some extra stuff,"
"Same! How about we go together?"
"That sounds okay, actually. I was planning on Tuesday? Is that okay?"
"Great. I'll meet you outside at 10," My phone rang. It was Annie.
"Skye? Skye! Where are you?" Shizz... I was supposed to be at work... Realisation kicked in immediately.
"I'm, erm, coming... Wait 10 minutes?" I hung up sharply and breathed out through my nose.
"Orlando, I'm really sorry, I've got to go. I've... Been called for work and yeah, I've got to get there ASAP,"
"No worries," He frowned, but I could see the pain in his eyes. I had left him, in Starbucks, the same table, the same chair again.
"Thanks... See you outside Cladish on Tuesday!" I ran out again and hopped on the next bus to Costa.

*****

"Annie! Thanks so much for reminding me!" I ran into the shop, behind the counter. However, I stopped abruptly. My boss's eyes stared back at me.
"Skye Turner. I believe you are supposed to be on the counter till?" My cheeks flushed a dangerous red and I muttered an acceptable apology. I pulled an apron over my head and tied my hair back into a ponytail.
"Next please!" A man stepped up to the counter.
"Two mango smoothies please,"
"That'll be £4.50 please," He handed over the money and I turned over to the smoothie machine. I placed a plastic cup under the funnel and pulled the lever. Orange coloured ice spewed from the spout into the cup. I repeated for the other.
"Here you are, Sir," He muttered thanks, before grabbing the drinks and leaving to his table. Another guy stepped up. He wore dark sunglasses and a hat that covered his hair.
"Hello, please may I order a latte?" I knew that voice... Who else loves lattes?
"Of course you can, Mr Bloom,"

EYY I AM SO BAD AT UPDATING?! IT'S UPSETTING!! I published this because I felt bad leaving you on a horrible cliffhanger... Meh heh heh heh.... But I didn't manage to write another chapter!! What is wrong with me!?

Please please PLEASE go and answer the question at the end of the last chapter! It would help so much to know your preferences!

And finally...
Again, the story is taking off better than I thought, but the beginning will definatly get better!!

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