In the Darkness

2.

She grasped my arm tight, pulling me out of Andy's sight who had seemingly disappeared in the last few seconds. It was almost 5 full minutes before she allowed us to stop running. "Don't ever make me run that fast in heels again!" I stomped.

"I'm sorry.. we just needed to get out of there."

"Will you tell me what the hell that was??" I scolded, stopping her from passing me on the sidewalk.

she looked off before passing her eyes from my face to the yellowish grass below, "there was a fight outside and.. I don't know, it got weirdly intense, I just wasn't comfortable.."

"There's more to that, just tell me please. Whatever it is can't be that bad." she raised her head once again, but this time looking confused more than hiding something.

"I know, I feel like there is more I just can't remember.. Like it's hazy, I swear something else happened."

I laughed after having a small realization, "Yeah, well I believe that's just the alcohol hitting you, let's go home. I'm freezing."

—

The night went faster than I had hoped, the alarm blaring in my ear awaking me to start my Saturday off early. I had work in only a few hours, which meant I had to get ready and drive down to start my opening shift properly.

Mama Lane's coffee shop was a little bit of a hand down to my uncle, he employed me when I was 16 and ever since then, I had worked my way up to an assistant manager position. Hopefully it was from my hard work as an associate, rather than a niece with a bit of a nepo-baby advantage. Either way I was happy in the position I had, despite my extremely long days when not only I open, but I close the shop.

I drove to the small town only 30 minutes away from my university, and parked in the back of the shop. Unlocking the door, I smelt the old coffee bean and dusty book smell which I had always held a liking too, but maybe more than the others who occupied a spot in the store. Joe was on the schedule for today once again, which I was extremely grateful for, as I feel like a shift without at least one other happy person is simply a bad overall shift.

I began my opening duties, refreshing the tills and getting the coffee machines ready along with organizing the books on the wall that had been misplaced a few days prior. Joe filtered in around 9:30, greeting me from the door and giving me enough time to react before exploding with excitement.

"You will not believe what happened last night!" she exclaimed with all her might.

"I probably won't! Tell me, did you.. Meet someone?!" I sounded shocked but I fully knew this is what she meant. See, Joe was a very lovable person. She loved love, and I can't blame her. It is an amazing thing, but when she loves, she loves. Of course this is all things I've found out about her through the very slow afternoon shifts we've shared over the past few weeks.

"How did you guess!? His name is Lonny, he's just got the cutest face, he's sweet and quiet, I mean we were practically just talking the whole night and he even kissed me right before I went in for the night. It was amazing!" I swear hearts started to radiate from her iris'. The door had opened, a ding sounding from the speakers. Though we didn't open until 10, and nobody stood in the door. "Um.. creepy?" she said, looking back from the empty door well.