Descendant

Chapter 4: coffee

Gabrielle:
Archer got us a table at the back of the cafe, a great little window seat overlooking a busy high street bustling with people living their day to day lives. Thinking over the events of the last week or so I didn't think I would ever get over the feeling of sadness and depression that came with the passing of my grandad, but sitting in this cafe with a hot latte and a beautiful stranger I honestly couldn't feel happier.
"Thank you" I said, taking a sip of my coffee and smiling at Archer. "What for?" "For taking me out for coffee" I paused thinking of what to say next, "I've had a busy few days and they have been so hard, it's nice to just get out and do something. So thank you." "I'm sorry you're going through rough times, I'm happy I could help." I smiled at him and he smiled back.
We stayed sat in the cafe for about an hour or so just talking. Archer was telling me how he's new in town and he's just enrolled at my school which was great as it meant I could see him almost everyday. He was going to be a junior and I'm a sophomore but that didn't really matter to either of us, at least, this conversation made me think it didn't matter to Archer and it definitely didn't matter to me. "So do you start school tomorrow?" I asked inquisitively "no Monday, they thought it would be best to start at the beginning of a week." "Makes sense, I go back to school on Monday too." "You're having a whole week off? That bad, huh?" "It'll get better" I said laughing at the fact that he was trying his hardest to make me laugh.

"So what do you do for fun?" "I'm a cheerleader, I cheer at school for the football team." "A cheerleader huh? I wasn't expecting that one I'll admit." "I know I'm not the cheerleader type but it's a way of keeping fit, making friends and having fun. I'm always out and with people which is great so I can't complain really. Plus, I still have time to spend in the library reading when I want to." We laughed together and his laugh really was the best sound ever, so beautiful it was almost angelic. "What about you? What do you like doing?" "I like reading, travelling, sleeping and exploring great coffee and food places." "Okay I can see you doing all of those things, what's something you like doing that I wouldn't expect you to like doing." "Taking pictures. I love to take pictures." "Of...?" "Anything really, places, animals, people, scenery and pretty views. Sometimes even pretty girls in coffee shops." I smiled as he smiled at me, I liked the fact that he was flirting with me, "shall we walk along the beach, I live out near the beach front?" "Yeah let's go."

We walked along the beach, shoes in our hands, continuing to talk about anything and everything we wanted to. "I know we've just met, but do you think I could get your number? I've really enjoyed getting to know you today and I would like to continue to do so." "Yeah of course, I would like that too." We exchanged numbers and by that point I was pretty much home, I knew the day had to end eventually but I wasn't ready for it to be now. I was starting to think I have issues with saying goodbye, but at least with this goodbye I knew it wasn't going to be forever, I would see him again, and very soon. "I had a great time today, thank you so much for interrupting my day at the library." "You're welcome, I had a great time too. I'll speak to you later." "For sure." I turned to walk up the steps of my house but then quickly turned back to face Archer and said "goodnight Archer" before walking inside my house and closing the door behind me. "Goodnight Gabrielle" I heard him say as I shut the door behind me.
"Hey baby how was the library." My mothers voice shook me out of my thoughts and I realised I was still stood by the door, my hand on the key in the lock. "Mum? You scared me! Yeah, it was good thank you." "Good, then why are you still stood by the door?" "Just making sure it was properly locked, that's all." "Safety first" my mum agreed, completely oblivious to the other reason I was still stood by the door. I was haunted by the feelings I had for a boy I had only just met.

"Would you make me a cup of tea please?" "Of course." Both of my parents looked me up and down as I sat at the kitchen table while they made my hot drink. "You seem different, you've come back home a lot happier than you left this morning. Did you make today a good day?" My dad asked, "as a matter of fact, I made today a great day dad, I miss grandad but I am not going to sit around feeling gloomy, I need to get on with my life." "I feel like this has something to do with a boy?" My mum eyed me questioningly as she placed my tea in front of me. I grabbed two sugar cubes from the pot in the middle of the table trying to avoid eye contact with my mum. "It does? Doesn't it?" "Okay so maybe there was a boy, but he's just a boy and we are just friends. But meeting someone new and getting to know them just made me think that I don't want to be sat around all sad, I want to be happy and I want to be me." "Okay baby, just friends, we get it, your dad and I are just glad you had a good day and that you are happy." "You guys are the best. Now I'm taking my tea to my room to try and prepare myself mentally for what I am expecting of myself when I wake up tomorrow." "Okay, goodnight baby girl." My mum said "goodnight Gabi" my dad added. "Goodnight" I shouted from the stairs.

Archer:
While walking home myself I thought about the day we had together and how nice it was to get to know her. I was thinking of what to text her when I got home but I couldn't think of anything good to say but I knew I wanted to say something. Anything to start up a conversation again. Little did I know that once I walked in my front door my mood was going to change dramatically, I had forgotten all about the night I had previously and the danger I had put myself in all day without even realising it. I also forgot my very grumpy sister is coming to basically up and move our life on from here to somewhere new.

"Forget about me?" I slapped my hand to my face and dragged it down across my face a sign I couldn't be bothered to deal with this mess that was actually my life. "How could I forget about you?" "Where have you been?" I wasn't planning on telling Celeste about Gabrielle but I had completely changed my mind about moving and I needed to be honest. "Celeste..." "well this can't be good" she interrupted, "there's this girl, an amazing girl and I want to get to know her, I can't leave now, I will be in danger I know but I can't leave, I need to know this girl." "Out of the question, pack up and leave now, did you research where to move to next?" "Celeste, I'm serious, I'm not leaving. Danger or not, it's worth it for her." "Idiot." And with that she left. I expected more of an argument but I feared what I was getting was much worse. I was going to get the silent treatment for at least the next one hundred years or so.

Gabrielle I hope you are really worth it...