"Enid, please switch with me," Victoria begged as she sat beside her on the bus with Wednesday across from them in her own seat.

It was Outreach Day, and all of the students of Nevermore were assigned volunteering duties. The annual celebration of building a sense of community with the normie neighbors.

Victoria had gotten the Weathervane and she knew well that Tyler was going to be there. They haven't spoken since their encounter at Kinbott's, as there seemed to be a void between them they didn't want to discuss. She figured that he may have been one of those charming people who come into her life and go.

But that wasn't the only reason she didn't enjoy getting the Weathervane. She was being a place where temptation was in every direction. Coffee, baked goods, and all. As she could barely fight the temptation anymore. The last meal she'd had was last night, as she skipped breakfast out of gut wrenching guilt.

"No way," Enid said, finalized with her decision. "Pilgrim's town is the place where I have to do the least amount of work so good luck to you both!"

"Enid!" Victoria exclaimed, looking over at Wednesday for help.

But she looked like she had a lot on her mind, as she hadn't spoken the entire bus ride. Victoria tried to bargain with Enid, mentioning how it was a misfortune for her that she'd mention Xavier having a secret "lover" after she found out about their date.

"Your blog is keeping me on my toes!" Victoria exclaimed through gritted teeth. "You're on thin ice, you know."

"Well good thing I've always loved ice skating," Enid said with a grin and whipped her head around.

An hour or two later, Victoria stood in front of the Weathervane with a huffed chest before taking a step towards the door. She was then greeted by Xavier behind her.

"You got Weathervane too, huh?" he asked.

She smiled. "Unfortunately."

Though she didn't realize just how unfortunate it was until she saw the two together in the same room. Until then, she didn't realize how bad of an idea it was going to be.

"Victoria," Tyler said when he noticed her presence, seeming to look brightened by her presence until his eyes flickered to Xavier. He didn't pretend to be happy about it as he nodded and said, "Work attire is in the breakroom. You can change there too."

Victoria nodded, now unsure if this was going to go well or not, as she and Tyler had not ended on perfect terms since they last spoke. It also seemed to be going downhill at the moment.

Obviously, communication was not their cup of tea.

Victoria changed from her uniform to Weathervane's work attire. To her surprise, the attire was well fitted and comfortable as she put on her apron. She then braided her hair to the side before exiting the breakroom to join Tyler and Xavier, who were already in business as the tourists entered the cafe.

"We welcome customers as they come in," Tyler instructed Victoria.

"I know, I'm pretty sure your first words to me were welcome to the Weathervane," Victoria said with a sheepish smile, trying to thin the tension between them.

To her luck, Tyler grinned at this and Xavier's presence interrupted them when he reached for coffee filters. He gave Victoria a not-so-hidden smuggish smile before making his way back to the coffee machines, allowing Tyler a chance to say what he'd been waiting to mention as Victoria mixed a better of lavender croissants.

"Listen, about what I said at Kinbott's," Tyler said quietly as she knew where this conversation was going. "I was being stupid when I mentioned Wednesday. I didn't mean to bring her up or- or mean to compare you both. I kind of get it when people compare me to my dad and all... it's like a never ending competition."

"It's not that big of a deal, Tyler," Victoria said unconvincingly as she walked away to put the butter back in the fridge. Though, she could only avoid him for a bit.

"It's somewhat a deal," Tyler said, following her. "So I'm sorry. Really, Victoria, I was being clueless."

Though he'd never admit it, it was out of spite after he saw Victoria and Xavier together.

She came to a slow stop. God, his apology was so genuine, she couldn't find herself to keep treating him like a neglected puppy.

"Tyler."

"Yes?"

"If these croissants come out bad, I'm never going to forgive you. So just stop distracting me with your apologies."

He grinned, his thin smile revealing his pearly teeth as he nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

During quieter moments, Victoria took a moment to wipe down counters and tables, her eye catching stray crumbs and spills. With her and Tyler's tension put aside, she maintained a cheerful demeanor even as the line grew longer, her efficiency keeping things running smoothly.

She, too, grinned as she continued to greet the customers and tourists. Between cashiering, she walked back and forth the kitchen to grab drinks as Xavier made them.

"So," Xavier said as Victoria stood beside him with Tyler not too far behind them. "Ajax is having a Halloween party on the twenty-ninth at Raven Island. I was thinking since I'm going, and Enid is definitely going, I could bring you with..."

"You mean as acquaintances," Victoria said with a teasing tone.

Xavier laughed, nodding. "Yeah, no entry allowed for non-dressed up students though so leave the costumes to me."

Without a word, Tyler disappeared to the back of the kitchen, to the storage room.

She greeted the first customers with a warm smile, taking down their orders and maneuvering behind the counter. With practiced hands, she ground fresh coffee beans, releasing a rich, aromatic scent that filled the air as a couple of more tourists entered the shop.

"Welcome to the Weathervane," she said, her attention on the screen.

"Vicky?"

Her heart stopped as she quickly looked up and found herself before Blaise Zabini. He looked no different than when she last saw him–which was four months ago. One could believe he was a saint with his kind smile that almost made her forget everything that happened. Almost...

"Blaise..." Victoria managed to say. "You know I don't go by that. I never did."

He seemed to have not heard her as he seemed rather impressed by the girl before him. To him, it was clear how much she had changed since he last saw her and it was enough to give him a change of heart.

"Wow- you look great," Blaise said under his breath. "I didn't think it was you until- well, you know, now. Merlin, you've changed so much, it's insane. You've lost at least seventy pounds or something right?"

Her heart sank.

Thirty was suddenly not enough.

She was finally seeing his true colors as he smiled, looking right through her as if there was nothing wrong with what he said.

"I'd like you to leave," Tyler's voice said from behind Victoria.

Blaise cocked his head. "Excuse me?"

Tyler's typical calmness stayed in place as he nodded his head. "Excuse you. I'd like you to leave the cafe."

"Why's that?" Blaise asked. "I haven't done anything wrong."

Tyler only continued to stare through the clueless boy who was not much younger than him. His posture was tense enough for Victoria to notice his veins irritating underneath his skin. Tyler's shoulders were not rested but rather stiff as he slightly clenched his jaw with impatience.

"You're making one of my workers uncomfortable with your unsolicited opinions. Whether you think you're a friend of hers or not, I can tell Victoria seems to think otherwise," Tyler said, crossing his arms as he stepped past Victoria, nudging her aside.

"Well, we've known each other for a few years now," Blaise scoffed defensively. "Our relationship has nothing to do with you so you don't even know what I'm talking about."

"A blind man can read the room," Tyler said. "So I'm sure that just makes you stupid to think that what you said was okay."

Blaise seemed to have taken enough embarrassment as he acknowledged his words. He knew well of what he was doing, yet it seemed like he was not willing to learn from it. Much like many others struggled with it as he whipped his head towards Victoria with a final goodbye.

"So long, Vicky."

He then stormed out of the shop.

"Hey, d'you want some time for yourself?" Tyler asked quietly, pulling her aside with concern. "What he said, it was disgusting, I could-" He paused.

Victoria was still trying to acknowledge what had just happened. She didn't have much say in the situation, but she was quietly glad that Tyler had said something as she could barely even face the boy she once admired and praised. It was surreal.

"I'm fine," Victoria said sternly, walking away from Tyler to get back to work.

A familiar face entered the shop as Victoria continued to ignore Tyler's presence. Of anything, she didn't want him to ever find out who she once was. It scared her that he'd find out and never see her the same again.

She listened as Wednesday seemed to interrogate Tyler when one of the teachers approached Victoria. The "mom" of Ophelia Hall, Miss Thornhill.

"I saw what happened," she whispered. "I'm so terribly sorry that happened to you."

"Don't be," Victoria said, feeling uncomfortable with a smile. She handed Thornhill her free black coffee.

"It's a good thing that man was kind enough to step in, wasn't he?" Thornhill said before she left. "He seems like a good friend."

Victoria smiled bittersweetly. "He is."

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