LOVING YOU FEELS LIKE HOME

chapter 1

Azalea's pov
It was only mid morning but we were packed.
I mean I know its cold outside and we all need a bit of caffeine to keep us going but come on....I'm exhausted.
I'm running the register today and also taking orders.
We're a small coffee shop so we don't really need alot of staff and the owner is a sweet old woman who lets us run the place saying she's too old to run it on her own.
My dream is to open my own petals and pastries shop one day but till then we'll work on making that dream work.
The Joy Bakeries is usually packed during the breakfast rush then we're abit free in the mid morning and noon then we pick up again in the evening rush.
Sounds like alot but I honestly love it here.
We're usually just 3 of us here.
The head pastries chef....Simon makes the best cakes.
I get to help too since I absolutely love baking and creating all sorts of pastries from cakes to doughnuts to cookies cupcakes you name it.
I enjoy the thrill.
I mean it wasn't always my first choice but then life got in the way I realized I actually enjoy baking.
My best friend Charlie absolutely enjoys our baking sundays just so she can be the test taster.
She's been my biggest support system apart from my lil sister and mamma.
Those three are my lifeline and I would gladly do anything for them
They've been my rock in the last couple of years and I wouldn't trade their position for anything else .
They're the whole reason I work so hard.
When I get to open that pastry shop...it would be so we can all have an easier life.
The flower part would be run by my best friend because she's obsessed with flowers.
She always wanted to own her own shop though she currently works as a personal assistant to some big shot company.
She loves her job but we all have places we would rather be.
To see our wildest dreams manifest right through our eyes.
Otherwise , Lillian is a really sweet woman and she's helped me with my work alot.
She used to be a baker herself but now she says she'd rather stay at home with her husband and grandkids since her daughter died.
Death and grief are things none of us deserve but we all somehow get to experience.
Life is really unfair I know.
Back to the bakery, as I sit at the register I observe the crowd we have today.
Mostly its just students catching up on their last minute assignment and caffeine.
Damn I remember how exhausted I used to be
The initial dream was to be a journalist.
Figures!!! I mean I love talking and also captain of the debate club, chairperson journalism and all round capable student. Anyone who saw me 6 years ago knew I was destined for greatness(sigh)
I always thought by this time I would be some big shot main stream news anchor but look at me now.
Its really sad to see the life I envisioned for myself is no where near the life I'm living right now.
We take whatever life throws at you and just roll with it.
They say when life gives you a lemon you make a lemon cake so we settled for the next best thing, baking.
It is usually such a joy when you see people enjoy the food you make.
Its the only upside of the shit I've been handed.
My phone buzzes and I see my mum face time request.
My heart immediately sores and all is well with the world again.
My mum is my whole world if I haven't mentioned it yet.
Her together with my lil sister are the most beautiful souls I have ever seen in my life
I accept the request and mamma's face pops up on my screen smiling so wide.
I can't help but grin back.
Seeing her face just makes my whole day.
"Good morning Lea, I've missed you my love."
"Morning mamma, how're you?"
She then goes ahead to tell me everything I've been missing from back home
Times like this I really wish I'd chosen to stay and work close to home but I'm reminded of all the pain that small town brought me in the last 5 years and suddenly I'm really grateful to be in Boston.
It may be far from home but it is my peace and I may not have my family here but one day they will but for now being close to Charlie is more than enough to settle that ache in my heart from being home sick.
"Lea darling, are you even listening?" I hear my mum scold lightly.
"Sorry mamma, what were you saying?"
Apparently my lil sister Idalia is in a dancing competition and mamma wanted to see if I'd make it to her competition.
"Of course Mamma, I would never miss Ida's dance competition.
I will talk to Mrs Lillian for permission and  see if Ailah will cover for me.
I will be on the first flight to Carli as soon as I can." I reassure my mum.
That smile is worth so much.
"Okay my love, see you soon."
"Say hi to Ida for me, I love you."
With that the phone call with my mum is over and its been a while since I've been home and I'm excited to see my family again.