And They were Roommates // Vat7k college au

Star Girl

It's nice to hear the familiar ding of the entrance bell as Varian enters the cafe with his new friend and his cousin. Yong was getting hungry, so of course Amber decided they should visit Gayoso Grind to get something. Varian guesses that it's also an excuse to get him to socialize with his family.

They walk up to the counter to see a thin woman with dark auburn hair working the register. Varian doesn't recognize her, but she has two roses and a skull tattooed on her right arm, and he thinks that's pretty cool.

"Hey Caine!" Amber says to the woman, smiling brightly. The woman does not reciprocate the expression.

"Hush," She says.

"What?? You don't even know what I was gonna ask!"

"You were going to ask if your mother is in right now." Amber deflates, caught. Varian has to hold back a laugh.

"How did you know?" She asks.

"I know because whenever you come in here you're either going to take free food or go bug her, instead of actually helping out."

"Well I'm not the one working here, not my fault she lets herself get distracted by her favorite daughter!" Caine just rolls her eyes.

"As fun as this is to watch, I'm thinking you're just going to go back and forth for a while so uh.. is she in?" Varian asks. Caine turns her attention to him. He feels a bit uneasy under her gaze as she scans him, it feels as if she's picking him apart to throw him to the wolves.

"Who's this?" She asks Amber, not turning her eyes away from him.

"Oh that's Varian! My cousin from Old Corona, he's going to CU with me," Amber replies as if this glaring thing is normal.

"Huh. Cool. Alright, go on back to the office, Bea should be there. And tell her to check her email, some kid came in and sent in a job application," Caine says as she turns her attention away from all of them, moving to do something else than chat with a bunch of teenagers.

"You're the best!" Amber says as she pulls back the small door to go behind the counter, waiting for Varian and Yong to pass through.

"Hey Vari go on and talk to Mama, I'm gonna make Yong a sandwich."

And with that, Varian finds himself pushing open the office door, only to be met with a woman who looks like she hasn't aged past 26, clicking away at an ancient desk top.

He approaches her from behind and covers her eyes with his hands. She gasps, startled, and he only laughs a bit.

"Guess who!" She gasps again, this time with a bright smile on her face as Varian removes his hands and she whips around in her chair.

"Varian!? When did you get here baby? Oh I missed you! Give your Auntie a hug," Bea exclaims. Varian smiles at her enthusiasm and finds himself trapped in a tight hug.

"Auntie- can't breathe," He mutters once he's been held there for a good minute, and Bea lets him go with a giggle.

"Oh my goodness. You've grown so much! Oh you're so thin! What has Quirin been feeding you? It's insane! You need to get some meat on those bones Varian!"

"I'm fine Bea I promise! Dad's been feeding me fine, I swear. How are the kids?"

"Oh you know how they are. Xen and Tavi are just chaotic as ever, and Blair is just.. Blair."

"Milo still being good?"

"He always makes Mama proud that's for sure. Never had to worry about him! And I'm assuming you've already spoken to Amber."