Crunch one leaf, then the next, and then another one. I kept at it until I had enough of the satisfying noise.

"Having fun there?" Cobey asks with a questionable risen eyebrow.

"Mhm" I reply with a small smile and my hands shoved inside the large mustard coloured coat which blocked the cold wind from all directions.

I lived in a cosy town called Essex in Vermont. The greenery was the only thing I loved about it. It was fresh and crisp and made me feel relaxed. I even take the books I adore out of the comfort of my house and sit under Essex's tall trees for comfort. Not when it's snowing of course. I'm so bad with the cold, most of the time you'll see me chattering my teeth and rugged up in about six different layers.

I never really fit in either at school. Cobey is the only person I can truly call a friend. He was my lunch buddy in the cafeteria in exchange for me reviewing the video edits he made. He was into wildlife documentary hoping to one day work for environmental organisations and work on its production and documentary projects. At least he has himself sorted out for the future. I, on the other end, have no clue where this thing called life was taking me.

I worked in a small coffee shop about three nights a week and studied. So exciting. I have no siblings and my parents are always and I mean always out of the house working. So, I've just learnt to enjoy my own company- where no one gets in my way and I don't get theirs.

"You excited for college?" Cobey asks nudging my shoulder. Corbey and I were both accepted into the University of Vermont. He'll be studying Film, majoring in Documentary. Where I just settled for Literature and Arts. "What's your record for how many books you're going to read this year? Wait, wait let me guess...um...60" he says confidently.

I laugh at his poor attempt and shoved the hoodie over my head, "That's a little dramatic".

"Well, then how many?"

"Hmm, well I did 30 last year so...35"

"Jesus" he breathes out. "Don't come crying to me when you have a headache from all those words"

"Will do" I laugh and push him off the log he was balancing off.

He looks up at me as if I killed his pet or something but then breaks out into a cheeky grin. Almost scaring me. Almost.

"What are you up to tonight? Wanna go see a movie?" he asks.

I sigh at the free thought and shake my head, "I can't. I have a shift and the shop tonight".

"What is it with that place? Don't coffee shops close at like 3 pm?"

"Yeah, I guess most do, but the owners of this one love putting the fireplace on and love selling small dinner and hot drinks at night. I don't know why, but it gets me shifts so whatever".

"What are you even saving up for? More books?"

"Ha ha, very funny. If I buy one more book I think my parents are going to have to buy a bigger house"

He looks at me as if I was being serious.

"I'm kidding, my turn to be dramatic" I smile.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket to see the time. Half past four, I had work in half an hour.

I said my goodbyes to Cobey and told him that I'd see him on Monday for our first day back of our last year. I turned down the street of the coffee shop, I would've driven but the air was too fresh to miss.

I pushed open the wooden door and stepped into the warm shop. I don't really speak much at work. I kind of just do my job and get out of there. I removed my large jacket and hung it up on the staff hooks and replaced it with a black apron.

Isaiah, my boss, walked up to me with a notebook and pen. "How are you?"

"Cold' I reply with a small smile and lightly take the notebook and pen. I was usually shy around people I didn't know well. If it wasn't my parents or Cobey, you couldn't have a decent conversation with me.

"Yeah, well I'm so ready for the springtime even though winter's just begun. Anyway, you're on coffee machines today if that's alright. There's kind of this meeting happening in the garden area and I think it's best if you stayed inside...and make the coffees because you make good coffees" he rambled about my tasks which continued to make me feel awkward and just stand there nodding without a reply. "Okay then, got it?"

I nodded once more and with a quick "Got it" and went straight to the coffee machine. I liked this section. It was peaceful. There was minimal conversation with people, and I just had to concentrate on perfecting every coffee order which came through. It was like an art really. Even though I was more of a tea drinker.

The night went by quickly. It was calm and easy. We usually closed at 9:00 pm and at around 8:30 pm a young, buffed gentleman walked into the shop and straight to the counter. Kelly who was supposed to be at the register went on a bathroom break, so as the gentlemen was tensely waiting at the counter, I had no choice but to serve him. I quickly wiped my hand with the cloth I was using throughout the night and approached the register. Just as I was about to serve the gentlemen, Isaiah stepped in front of me and took over.

Not to say my instincts are the most accurate thing in the world, but something was telling me that something wasn't right here.

Isaiah turned towards me and whispered, "I've got this, it's a big order so can you start it, please? Two decaf mochas, 3 Americanos and 6 regular long blacks. Don't take your time".

Not to be dramatic but his tone had me a little worried. The gentlemen at the counter didn't even open his mouth to order, so how did Isaiah just do it for him?

Isaiah led the guy to the garden area outside. Curiosity got the better of me, and my eyes followed them to the small window which showed the garden area. All I could see was Isiah, the buff gentlemen who walked in and the back of what seemed to be another buff gentleman. What was going on?

I completed the order and went to take the coffees out before Isaiah stopped me and removed them from my hands. "I've got it, stay inside".

"Is everything okay out there?" I ask Isiah also wondering where I found the courage to actually ask a question.

"Yeah, all good Alexandria, in fact just clean up the machine and you can head on out of here".

I nodded in response and before any more words could be exchanged, Isaiah took the trays of coffees and left the inside of the shop.

After I gave the coffee machine a thorough clean. I washed my hands, removed my apron and grabbed my jacket. It was 9:00 pm exactly. Kelly was stacking the chairs and wiping down the tables. I said goodbye to her and walked outside of the coffee shop. I only lived about a 10-minute walk from the shop so it wasn't a bother.

As I closed the wooden door behind me, that same buff gentleman who into the shop earlier was standing outside. My gut instantly twisted with worry. I pulled the hood over my head and shoved my hands into the pockets of the jacket. As I began to walk the opposite direction a deep voice called out to me.

"I didn't know Tarbell had a daughter"

Was he referring to my father?

I stopped in my tracks and slowly turned towards his direction.

"Uhh, y-yeah" I stutter.

He just stared at me, almost with a bit of fury in his eyes. The silence was killing me and at this point, I was so uncomfortable so I swallowed and continued. "D-do you know my parents? Do y-you work with them or something like that?", my teeth were starting to chatter.

The just shrugged and replied, "Yeah something like that". I just nodded in understanding and noticed that he was wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt. How was he not freezing to death?

"Are you not cold?"

He lightly chuckled, "I'm never cold". I swallowed slowly and let the icy frost leave each breath I exhaled. He had a sleeve of tattoos and thick black hair with beautiful light brown almost golden eyes. "Tell your father, Kellan awaits his visit. He has...some issues to discuss". And with that, he turns and starts running down the street until he's out of sight.

I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding. Kelly stepped outside of the shop and noticed me still outside.

"Hey, don't tell me you're going to walk in this weather. C'mon I'll give you a ride home".

As soon as I reached the comfort of my bedroom I flopped straight onto my bed.

What did I ever do to get involved in my dad's problems?

I hear a light knock outside my door, speak of the devil it was my father.

"Hey Ria, just wanted say goodnight before I head off to bed"

I sit up from my bed and lightly smile goodnight before he could leave I just caught him by saying, "Hey dad, some guy at work told me to tell you that this guy named Kellan is waiting to see you. Is everything okay?"

Not in my almost eighteen years of living have I ever seen my dad's face ever go so pale.

~~~

That's chapter one! What did you think?

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-G