" I am not talking to anybody Luke", I dismissed his idea. Luke was persuading me to meet this one guy who found me interesting. Note, interesting. I politely declined the offer but Luke was very keen about me meeting new people. I wasn't interested in people, not now.

I had to thank Chadd for this. I was in the aquarium sitting in the table looking at the whole new world. I mentioned it to others about it but they were busy to come this side of the city. I saw a dolphin named 'Hearty', it had a heart shaped patch under its stomach. Fascinating. I even thought of taking a job of divers in this place. But there wasn't much time between other jobs.

I bought tarts for Ralph. After he found that I was hurt, he was gentle with me. He started sharing his stories with me, how he would get hurt even while sleeping. Ralph was on his phone, he seemed happy talking to the person. He smiled at me when I entered which I returned. I kept the pack next to his desk and went inside.

Ryder was looking at me, but turned away when our eyes met. I pulled the book and sat on my regular desk showing my back to him. The same girl burst through the library door and I didn't have to turn to look where she was going. She crossed me and my nose instantly burned by her perfume. The giggling like a blade drawn on metal. The more I tried to concentrate on the book, the more it became annoying.

I closed the book a bit harsh and went to the front desk. "How's the tart?", I asked playfully. Ralph turned with a puffed mouth. I cracked up looking at the looking at this side of Ralph. For a man in late fifties he was described to be adorable. He quickly swallowed and smile smugly, "Rose's tarts are always good. Thanks for these", he said raising the one in hand. "You were talking over the phone , so I just dropped it here."

He waved his smile creeping on his lips, "That's my girl. Haven't spoken to her in a while. She's practicing medicine on the west side", he eyes gleaming pride. " I miss my family too", I lowered my tone to mask the sadness. He placed his hands on my shoulder, "Did  I mention it?. You remind me of my daughter.". His smiley face became vague by my waterworks. "Don't even try to slack off", he said in a strict tone. "Never boss", I assured mockingly. We were so engrossed in the conversation until Ryder made a heavy gruntle.

"Later, Ralph". He went outside with the girl at tag. "What's with him?", I questioned looking at entrance. "It's complicated", he said softly.

***

"Seriously?", I disgusted at the thought. Dustin kissed Abby. Not surprising yet the way she described made me cringe. I didn't have to know that he put his hand inside her shirt while kissing. "What?", she asked casually. "TMI  Abby", I said scrunching my nose. 

"Ow, be gentle", I tapped her hand to go slow on my eyebrows. We were in the middle of self improvement when Abby decided to drop the bomb. "I am gentle. That's what Dustin said", there she started again. My ears were still ringing from all the unnecessary stuff Abby put into me. 

The next day morning Luke that he was going camping alone. We were here for a month and half and the boys made several friends. Not that I didn't make any but they were cordial. "I love camping. It's fun staying out", Abby pouted. "Can't you take us?", she mumbled. It took two hours and eight minutes to make Luke understand that we were coming with him irrespective of his liking. Totally defeated called his friends about the sudden change.

My legs started paining from standing and walking around. Fridays were the busiest at Mocha Shots. The tables even went on waiting. Waitresses were running around like bees. I felt sorry for bees though. Most irritating part is when guys try to flirt. I wanted to through the paper in his face and strangle him to order without wasting time. Since it didn't come under ethics we had to listen to their verbose.

I needed a bath. Luke was as soaked as me plus he had to manage Chris. Abby and Matt were baffled when they changed the shifts. Cars were parking when we left. "I think I'll sleep while driving", Luke said fanning his face. I was drained to offer him a drive. 

Somehow, Luke managed to pull in. The whole car smelled sweat. No air purifier could help it. I told Luke to open the windows for some time to ventilate. We rushed to our rooms as we entered the door. I took my jeans and cape style top. The warm water from shower washed away all the dirt and sweat. I scrubbed my body with lavender body wash waking up my dull mind.

I donned my Simpson pajamas drying my hair and applying the moisturizer to the face. "Please tell me you cooked", I implored as I slumped in the kitchen stool. "I thought you would do anything", Luke said pulling out some ingredients.

We both ate something that's a mixture of everything Luke found interesting. I wasn't name it was what Luke said. It wasn't bad and I too drained to complain about it. Abby and Matt were walking zombies when they came inside. We must've been the same. I texted my parents, Papi and Chadd before going to bed. The fatigue took its toll. I was dead the moment I touched the bed.