I Like You a Latte {Completed}

24 | Suffering the Hurt

Finals were done, and Christmas was quickly approaching, but Beverly wasn't feeling particularly cheerful. She hadn't been to the coffeeshop since the incident with Cynthia a week ago. Griffin had sent her a text later that same night with the words, I don't know what to say. I'm disappointed, I guess. Please don't come by the coffeehouse or seek out Cynthia or me—we'd like our privacy back.

It stung, of course, but Beverly supposed she shouldn't be surprised. What else had she expected, sticking her nose where it didn't belong?

Alicia and Beverly's other friends had all left for break, meaning Beverly was feeling lonelier than ever. In the past she'd gone home as well, but this time was different, as her parents had been invited on a cruise, and the twins would be staying with friends. The circumstances left her with Deb and the few other students who were considered "special cases," and allowed to remain in the dorms during the break.

The days were long and dull, and the grey clouds and freezing weather weren't helping Beverly's somber mood.

Her Friday would have been just another depressing day, if not for the email she received from her mother:

Hey, Sweetheart!

We miss you lots here and will miss you greatly over Christmas; thanks so much for understanding—I know it's hard to be away from family, especially over holidays. The twins say "Hi," though, and we plan to have a particularly spectacular present for you when you come home in the summer.

We've put a care package together for you, and it should arrive by next Thursday—it contains lots of Christmas goodies, and will hopefully make up (somewhat) for the missing of our traditional meal.

Dad and I have been packing and will send you lots of pics of our adventures! Stay safe, and know we love you lots, and can't wait to see you in the spring (maybe you can visit over break? We'll talk more about it later).

Love,

Mom, Dad, Felicity, and Abe XOX

Sitting back against the stiff library chair, she stared down at her laptop sadly, blinking back the tears forming in her eyes. It had never been so hard to be away from home as it was in that moment, feeling lonelier than ever.

Closing up her laptop and standing quickly from her chair, Beverly decided she would go back to her dorm and cry herself out. Hopefully once she got it out of her system she wouldn't burst into tears at the sight of a family celebrating the holidays together.

Packing everything up and slipping out of the empty library with a wave to the bored librarian, Beverly started the trek back to her dorm. It was only five in the evening, but the campus was almost entirely empty; the students who had stayed were probably in the city partying, but that wasn't Beverly's idea of fun.

I'd rather be with Griffin. Doing anything. The thought only brought more sadness, though, and she started walking faster, keeping her head towards the ground as she bustled along.

"Beverly!" she halted immediately, searching out the voice and finding Francis Knott, holding a briefcase and a closed umbrella as he strode towards her. "Once again, I'm a bit surprised to see you—shouldn't you have left for break yet?"

If Beverly were a vindictive person, she would have blamed Mr. Knott for the mess she was in, but she didn't blame him at all. It was her decision to give Cynthia the letter, not his, and that was okay.

Seeing him, however, only served to remind her of her current lack of friends, and the dam holding her tears finally broke. Mr. Knott's eyes widened comically at the sight of a crying girl, and he cursed under his breath before stepping closer and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry—I didn't mean to make you cry. What can I do? What is it?"