Gratitude

Hi, Im new

Carmilla's POV

"Will, can you get your ass moving already? We're gonna be late" I growled at my insufferable younger foster brother. We are both adults now but the little shit still acted 10 sometimes.

"Ya ya I'm coming just relax. With your driving we might not even make it there alive so I gotta make sure I look good just incase this is my last day on earth" he goofily shot back. God this guy is going to be the death of me.

"Just get in the car Will don't make me punch you in the throat again" I joke back as I raise my closed fist to him.

He moves swiftly into the car after that not willing to call my bluff again. At least he learned from last time that I actually backed up my threat with action. One can only get so far in life if you're not willing to bash a few heads in and I was definitely willing.

As we make our way to the bar will turns to me "So..." he asks looking at me with obvious curiosity.

"So what?" I reply somewhat sceptical. It's never a good sign when your brother asks you something in that tone of voice.

"So, did you and that girl...you know..." Ooo lord not this again.

"Ok first of all none of your business who I you know with. and second yes." If only he knew the half of it.

Will grins at me knowing I won't share much more but asks anyway "Well are you gonna see her again?!"

I frown, narrowing my eyes at him "Will Let me repeat the part where it's none if your business" his grin only widens at that "but no I'm not gonna see her again" I can see him visibly sigh so I add "look I know you want me to find someone and she seemed nice but we didn't fit, we were fine for a night but I'm not gonna date someone just so I'm not alone. I'll find someone when I find someone."

Will nods understanding on his face. Say what you want about the kid but he was kind and caring and that was enough for me.

Five minutes later we pull into the bars employee parking lot, where there is a new car neither of us recognize. "Must be the new girl Perry hired" Will says while nodding towards the car.

"Ohh great another newbie tell me this one has some experience. The last one was horrible" I reply grumpily. Seriously the last one had ZERO experience and didn't even know what beer the costumer was asking for. BEER!!

Will shrugs "I don't know sis I'm just glad it's not my job to train the newbies, that's all you"

I raise my fist again silencing his next words and walk inside laughing at my younger brother. We walk together towards the back to where the employee break rooms is talking and laughing when I feel someone delicately wrap her fingers around my wrist.

I turn to see who it is and all I'm met with is boob. It takes me longer then it should to realize the boobs didn't grab me but the impossibly tall red head attached to those boobs. "umm hi there" she says scratching her neck. "I'm Danny I'm new. Are you Carmilla my trainer??"

I frown looking up at her. Well this may take a bit of getting used to "ya I'm Carmilla" the girl smiles happily. God she's so perky.

Will being the annoying ass he is Shakes her hand and adds "congratulations kid you have the grumpiest trainer on earth, good luck"

I frown even more growling deep in my throat "shut it Will or I'll post that picture for the entire world to see" Its his turn to frown, which he does as he takes a step back raising his hands in defence.

"Ok I'm out see you later sis" he adds as he walks away leaving me with big red.

Later....

So all in all it was a pretty good night. I only yelled at 3 costumers and big red actually knew what she was doing behind the bar which made me way less cranky. I even got invited to an after work drink by big red. As per usual I declined but after a lot of convincing from Will and the fact that it would piss mother off if she found out I decided to go.

Clifford said there'll only be me, Will, herself and a handful of her friends who she assures me I'll like. I doubt it I'll probably just find then annoying as I do most people, but for once I'm not in a bad mood so what's there to lose??

As I head up the stairs to Clifford's house I'm utterly shocked that someone just starting out working could afford such a big house. "ahh" I say in awe of the two story wonder in front of me. "How can you afford this place it's gorgeous".

Danny turns around and smiles looking down at me. "It's nice eh" turning back and addressing the house "I have roommates you see 2 to be exact one of which has written some short stories that got published and were extremely successful and the other has had some extreme luck in her biology studies" she looks back at me again "with the 2 of them and my wealthy parents this place isn't that hard to afford"

Danny turns back to the house and opens the door "huh" is all I can think to say while I step inside.

The exterior of the house is nothing compared to the inside. Immediately I'm surrounded by warm colours and the sweet smell of flowers. This was a place that felt like home even if it wasn't and I felt comfortable the second I stepped inside.

Danny steps back to the lock the door as Will and I look at the pictures that line the hallway which led to more of the house and opened up into a room with more doors leading to the rest of the house and stairs on the side which led to the second floor balcony. Some of the pictures showed Danny with older people, probably her parents, and others featured another redhead with an amazing smile, probably one of the roommates. As I continued to snoop I did a double take of on of the pictures recognizing a face I haven't seen in a very long time.

Pausing I stare for a second not believing my eyes. "Laura" I whisper to myself not realizing Danny has joined me.

She looked at me surprise for a moment "Holy shit! You know laura??" She asks excitedly.

I just looked at her unable to form a reaction. Shock, fear, and excitement mixing in a way I'm not used to. "umm...ya I do...or I did" I reply in a small voice that I barely recognize.

Clifford brightens up looking like a big red excited dog "oh my god this is awesome!! She's my best friend and roommate" she turns towards the stairs and yells out "LAURA COME DOWN" turning back to me "she'll be down in a sec" upon noticing my face which has dropped all amusement and probably looks like the face of a scared cornered cat, she asks "hey you ok there Carmilla? Can I get you something?"

I just look at her and smile weakly. I feel trapped, all of a sudden the room isn't big enough. I HAVE TO LEAVE!!! I haven't seen this girl in nearly 10 years and I can't have the first time she sees me to be after a long shift at work. No not when it's her, not for someone as amazing as Laura. Not to mention there are to many people around, our reunion should be a private personal matter not on display for all to see.

I turn towards the stairs about to tell Danny that I actually have to leave but it's too late. Standing on the balcony is the girl I've never been able to forget. We lock eyes and for a moment time fades away it's only us in the room and for a time I forget everything because for once in my life a dream of mine has come true.