Four letter word

2. Mornings and tea. (AJ)

AJ was sitting in a diner ten minutes away from her house. She had chosen a seat by the large window wall. She enjoyed admiring the white snow falling on the ground. It was the start of January and the university was starting back up in a week.

The girl was sitting alone on a table for two, dressed in an old brown cashmere sweater, a black mini skirt and high black boots pulled up on her dark see through tights. She had her legs crossed and was running a finger along her cup off tea as she looked out at the white world spread outside the diner. AJ saw a dark gray car pull up on the driveway and park right outside the building. A woman in her forties got out and made her way to the diner, squeezing her cream colored coat closer and burying her neck into it.

The bell on the door rang as the woman came in and went up to the counter to order a hot cup of black coffee. She than looked around and finally saw who she was looking for. The woman smiled at AJ and came to sit on the opposite side of her.

"It's really chilly today" the woman said, "I always feel so lonely when it's cold outside. Are you sure, you don't want to come stay with us for the rest of the week , AJ?" She spoke, looking hopeful of the younger girl's answer.

AJ shook her head and smiled politely, "No, but thanks for the offer, mom. I think I want to spend the rest of the break on my own. I still haven't finished my winter reading list and I'm afraid I won't have any time once the lectures start again" she said, picking up her cup to take a sip of green tea.

"Well, if you're absolutely sure. But if you change your mind, you're welcome to show up at our doorstep any time. Didn't you have fun on new year's?"

"Yes. It was a lot of fun. But all the chaos of three families staying together in one home was a bit tiring... have the Gallies left yet?" AJ asked.

"Yes. We said our goodbyes last night. Your brothers were very sad to let go of your cousins. They're so close now. You and Jason used to be close friends too, you know? But last year you barely said a word to each other. What happened?" The woman said, hint of sadness appearing on her face.

AJ shrugged, "I don't know. We just fell apart I guess. And it's not like we see the Gallies often. Just twice a year. They don't even come to the beach house on summer's anymore" AJ finished her cup of tea and got up to get a refill while her mom received her order.

"When will you be moving your stuff back into your dorm?" The woman asked once AJ came back.

"I'm not sure yet. I received a letter from the university that the dorm situation had changed a bit. Two of my roommates, the Fallmore sisters left and now we have two spots open. They said the spots may be refilled before the break ends though. Which sucks, I was excited about having more room, but I guess that's out of the picture. I'm waiting to receive another letter to say that the Fallmores have moved all of their stuff out, so I can go and unpack in peace" AJ explained, she had her hands wrapped around the warm cup. Her mother smiled.

"Maybe the new roommates won't be as noisy as the sisters"

"I doubt it. Apparently the reason one of them required a new room is because she got into a fight with her old roommate. A physical fight. And now that my dorm has two spots open, she jumped on the opportunity to take it. I hope she's not too much trouble, whoever she is" AJ sighed and took a sip of her tea.

~•~

After she had finished breakfast in the diner with her mother, AJ decided to head to the supermarket and do some grocery shopping. When she parked the car and walked in, she was greeted by a tall Christmas elf.

"Hi! Welcome to Morry's! Anything I could assist you with?" The cheerful elf spoke. She was much taller than AJ so the costume didn't seem very fitting. She also had jingles hanging from her wrist bracelets that made horrible sound every time she spoke with hand gestures.