Adeline's Protectors

2

Morning comes too soon and Adeline groans as her alarm goes off. Rolling out of bed she walks to her coffee pot and starts brewing a couple cups. Unbraiding her now dry hair she massages her scalp to relieve the pressure of having her hair done-up all night. The shop is closed today so Adeline stays inside most of the day and does some online work for the small vlog company that she helps run with some old high school friends. 

The coffee pot chimes and Adeline gets up to make a cup. What she makes sounds basic but it's always been a comfort drink for her. Ice, pumpkin syrup, pumpkin creamer and her favorite pumpkin sweet cream cold foam. Taking her drink back to her desk, she stretches and starts writing again; commenting on her friends' recent adventures in life. One friend just got married, another is backpacking across the Appalachian Trail, and another is dropping out of med school to become a full blown novelist. Adeline, Cecilia, Trix, and Astrid the 4 girls that never stopped being the best friend group that everyone loved, judged, and felt concern over; they all are from the same town but each have their own different ways of culture, and how their parents raised them.

Adeline grew up pretty free from rules, minus the obvious ones like no drinking or smoking before 21 and always letting her parents know if she'd be home that night or not. Cecilia grew up in foster homes all her life until 8th grade when she was adopted by her biological Aunt who ended up being their art teacher that year. Trix ran away from home at 17 after her parents decided drugs were more important than their daughter. And finally, Astrid, the no-nonsense cross country runner. Her parents were always away for work so her house was the hangout spot for the friend group.

Taking a photo of her coffee, Adeline writes in the vlog; "Simple boring day at home, with my favorite coffee of course." The hearts come instantly from her friends and she smiles. Her second alarm goes off and she chugs her coffee. Slipping on her running outfit courtesy of Cole she double checks to make sure her little fanny pack has everything she needs; wallet, keys, and phone. 

The air is cool and Adeline breathes deeply as she stretches out her legs. Tucking her headphones in she's off at a brisk jog. Halfway though she runs into Jorge, the young man who delivers to the bakery that her and Cole frequent. He gives her a big smile and waves. Adeline smiles and waves as she runs past, not breaking her speed. The city is slowly waking up as she crosses the street to loop back to the shop. Her stomach growls and luckily she comes up to the little coffee shop just around the corner of her shop. Stella, the best barista in Adeline's opinion, gives her a bright smile and holds up a finger, "No ma'am we don't serve animal friendly treats, but I can give you a cup of whip cream for that little cutie," Stella leans over the counter to pet the enormous German Shepard who yips happily. 

Unzipping her fanny pack Adeline steps in line, when she reaches the counter Stella just sets a cup and bag in front of her "It's on the house Addy, enjoy," rolling her eyes, Adeline stuffs a 10 in Stella's apron pocket and walks to the one semi-secluded table to enjoy her usual breakfast; everything bagel with cream cheese and a pumpkin latte.  

Stretching once more before she takes off Adeline slows herself down to a soft jog.

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Little did Adeline know, her fanny back had been left unzipped, and her wallet would fall into the hands of someone...powerful.