LABYRINTH | Scarlett Johansson x Daughter

21 | the olive theory.

"This is the first and only time I'm covering for you," Gracie warns, covering me head to toe in a vanilla/woody type fragrance. "If you smoke again, I'm letting Scarlett find out."

"Thank you," I speak genuinely with a small smile resting on my lips.
After our conversation in the alleyway, I'd come to the realisation that I'd forgotten to bring with me some body spray, or at least a spare jacket to cover up the smell of nicotine. So, Gracie generously offered to take me out the back of the café and not only lend me her hoodie, but shower me in her perfume.

"You're welcome, now take some gum. Your breath stinks," she orders, reaching into her bag and handing me a piece. My mouth hangs open, feeling ever so slightly offended before I playfully snatch it out of her hand.

I place the minty strip between my teeth and tuck the wrapper into the back pocket of my jeans.
She looks at me with a content smile and sucks in a deep breath. The silence between us for the next few moments is terribly uncomfortable. I'm a little unsure as to what shifted so suddenly, but I quickly clear my throat and explain; "I'm going to go get a table."

"Oh, of course. Do you want your regular coffee?" She offers, leaning against her hands on the small lunch table they have in the staff room.
"Uh, yes please. Can you put an extra shot in it today?"
"You want three shots? You're going to be bouncing off the walls," she says with a light chuckle.

"I didn't sleep at all last night. I need as much caffeine as my body can handle," I answer, sighing lightly as I reach for my bag which happens to be sitting to the left of Gracie.

The two of us make our way out of the room and whilst she quickly gets back to work, I make my way over to my regular table by the window. By the time I've made myself comfortable and started scrolling mindlessly through social media whilst I wait for Scarlett, I'm interrupted by a; "Kenzie, can we talk? Please?"

My movements come to a halt for several seconds. It's a voice I've tried so hard to block out the last few weeks. I wouldn't typically hold a grudge for as long as I have, but with everything constantly changing in my life at the moment, I won't cope if I get hurt again.

"I don't want to talk to you, Marty. I thought you'd have picked up on that fact by now," I deadpan, not once lifting my gaze to him, not even when he takes a seat on the chair across from me. The chair Scarlett will hopefully be sitting in any minute.

"I'm sorry for hurting you and I'm sorry that I didn't stand up for you like I always promised I would. I was a dick."

I ponder on whether or not I want to actually engage, but the desperation of having my best friend back makes me cave before I even get the chance to run through in my head all the reasons I shouldn't.

"You were a dick," I agree, looking up at him as I try to withhold a smirk.

He half-heartedly chuckles and looks down at his lap.

"How did you know I would be here?" I question.

"You've come here for coffee every Saturday morning for over a year now. It wasn't that hard to track you down," he admits, lifting a shoulder to his ear.

"Stalker," I speak quietly, allowing a small smirk to break upon my lips.
"It's not technically stalking when you've been telling me about your weekly breakfasts for the last two months. How are you holding up, Kenz?" He asks, referring to my parents. I assume he is anyway. I was expecting him to find out at some point. News like that gets around fast, especially in when you're in high school.

"Are you still seeing Asha?" My question is abrupt and a little abrasive. The sudden change in subject causes him to shift slightly and slump back into the chair.