A Familiar Stranger

Chapter 7: Musa

The next week was boring and went as slow as a snail for both, Josette and Penelope. What made it worse was that they haven't stopped thinking about each other, although they didn't want to, they couldn't help it.

It was now Sunday, and Josie had nothing to do. She woke up to the sun shining annoyingly at her, she forgot to close the curtains the day before. A thought that had been pricking her head consistently all week finally came into consideration this morning, perhaps she should go to the cafe again.
All week, when her sessions ended with her therapist she would rush past the cafe not even wanting to look at it, same as the bench she had sat on that rainy day. But now, she had nothing to think about or do all day. And Josie was craving that amazing warm Espresso, that was a good enough excuse.

"Morning Jo!" said her mother, with her young and happy voice, as the twin entered the kitchen to get water.

Josie smiled at her, "morning mom" she said, not nearly as enthusiastic as her mother had said it, but close.

"I'm gonna go meet up with Freya Mikaelson, I might not be home by lunch so you can order in our just eat out!"

The twin looked at her mother curiously, Freya Mikaelson?
"A-as in Klaus Mikaelson's sister? Why?" she asked her mother

Caroline sat down on the island in the middle of the kitchen, not caring to sit on a chair, "we still don't know where the dark magic went, we all know it doesn't just disappear and your father said that they have a team working on it but we have no idea where it went, I had this as a last resort because I don't want to get involved with the Mikaelsons anymore but- but Freya can help us".

This still made no sense to Josie, why would Freya Mikaelson fly all the way to France just to help with a minor issue such as a game of hide and seek with dark magic? Whatever.

"Also there's this art club right across the block you should go there later and make some friends" her mother suggested

"I'll check it out"

Josie's mother then kissed her on the cheek and left, leaving the twin alone with her thoughts once again. She opened her phone and scrolled through Instagram for a bit, but that couldn't entertain her, so she got up and left the house. She paused, as she stepped outside into the warm atmosphere. Which way should I go? Right to the art club, or left to the bus stop and go to the cafe. Before she could decide, her body decided for her. She found herself walking to the bus stop.

"Welcome to Teddy's wh— Hey your the girl from earlier this week right? Penelope's girlfriend?" said the same guy from last time.

Josie looked at him a bit shocked, first of all, he remembered her! Second, how does he know Penelope? And third, she's not Penelope's girlfriend. She smiled at him, as she always does, and scoffed
"I'm not Penelope's girlfriend and, anyways how do you even know her? Is she like a regular here or something?" Asked Josie, as she leaned on the bar near the til. The cafe was, as always, empty, with 90s rock music playing softly, barely hearable, through the vintage speakers.

"Oh no she despises it here she just comes here when all the other cafes are closed I guess. We uhm— we dated, so.. yeah" he replied, he was trying to be friendly to the twin but it was obvious he was uncomfortable with the topic.

"Oh I'm sorry" said the twin

He looked at her curiously

"Sorry that you broke up not sorry that you dated" she clarified.

He scoffed, "ohh— So uh, can I get your order?"

"Same as last time, if you still remember it?"

"Yeah I do"

Josie sat in the same spot as last time, except this time rather than letting herself got lost in her thoughts, she browsed the small bookshelf for a book to read.
She chose a book from the top shelf, called "Lilith". She then, relaxed on the same cushion she sat in last time, and began to read her book.

A few minutes later, the barista came and sat opposite her and put her coffee on the table.

"Here's your order" he said, as he sat down

"Thank you"

"Also uh— A few records came in earlier and, judging by your taste of style I'm guessing you have a good taste in music too, care to give your opinion on them?"

Josie looked at him amused, "thank you for the compliment and sure!"

He smiled at her as he got up and went into another room up back. When he came back, he was carrying about 5 records and a light blue record player.
He rested them all on the glass table in front of the twin.

For 30 minutes or so, Josette and the barista were judging old rock songs from parted bands. This was the most fun the twin has had for her entire time in France.

"And that's the last one" he said, smiling at the twin and then leaning back on the chair. "Thanks for your help"

"Oh don't worry it's nothing I had so much fun doing this" the twin paused a bit, thinking. "By the way— One of my mom's friends he's really into vintage retro stuff he sent a bunch of super old records when he found out I was here, I haven't checked them out yet but if you want I can bring them over so we can check them together?" proposed Josie.

"Yeah that's be great!" he said, excitedly, as he smiled, wider than he ever did before.