Ferris Wheel In The Vagary

Chapter VII

"Jayiiiii," Isolde cried, immediately engulfing Jayus in a bone crushing hug the moment Jayus entered through the double doors of the diner. He had watched Hera drive out on the road just as Isolde found him standing outside and she waved her hand to catch his attention. As soon as he stepped foot inside, the fulfilling aroma of newly baked products seeped through Jayus' nose and only did he see Isolde by the window. Her long, luscious purple hair had been braided behind her as she stood from her seat, beckoning him over.

Isolde had been a friend since high school and ever since they met they had been inseparable ever since. Unfortunately, she had to move to the next city over which was a three hour drive. So to see her here after Jayus had lost everything and had everything changed in a blink of an eye, it felt like a wave of relief washed over him to still have something so familiar.

It didn't take long for them to catch up immediately with each other. Isolde had not spared a breath checking over Jayus to see for herself if he had been well.

"I can't believe you drove all the way here." Jayus truly couldn't believe it, after all, the past messages they had sent each other the week before this incident had been Isolde complaining about her college's workload.
But no matter how stunned Jayus looked, Isolde merely shrugged it off like dust on her shoulders. "My son was in danger. Of course his mama is gonna come flying to him," she joked, pushing a plate of waffles towards Jayus.

"Ew. Don't call yourself my mom just because you're a year older." Despite his grimace, Jayus graciously accepted the plate and kindly thanked her.
Isolde watched as Jayus took bites off his plate, her hand supporting her resting face on the table. She had a few questions in her head the moment her friend came into view. Although, seeing Jayus well and alive after that terrifying news eliminated a majority of her wonders.

"So where have you been staying these days? I'm glad you're out of jail. Do you need a place to stay? What about Xan? Should I hunt him down for you?" Isolde didn't hold back bombarding Jayus with questions. And Jayus didn't mind answering those questions for her. Only, she caught him at a bad time where his face had been stuffed with waffles and the syrup dripped down his chin. When he finished, he finally laid out to Isolde everything that happened to him, starting the night of the fire. He told her about how Xan held that party despite his protests. Told her about losing everything in the fire. And about how he beat up Xan and later on punched an officer. How his parents didn't bother calling or checking up on him and how his godfather had to bail him out. Then Jayus told her about how he'd be staying with his godfather and his son from now on. Jayus recalled the memories in detail as Isolde listened eagerly to his words. As his story progresses, Isolde became more and more agitated when anything remotely related to Xan came up. Jayus knew if Isolde wanted to, she'd deal with Xan one way or another. That wasn't only because he knew she was a protective friend, but her father owned a Security and Protection Organization. One call for daddy would be enough to scare Xan and Isolde would be satisfied. And Jayus didn't want that much drama added to his older messy life.

"It's like you're living in some kind of novel or something. But, to be real with you, I'm so glad you're okay. Is the family you're staying with treating you well?" Isolde asked, playing with the straw in her drink as she fixated her gaze at Jayus with worry. For a very long time, she had always worried about Jayus' well-being. And Jayus was really grateful for that. It felt like having a sister to look out for you, but Jayus would never let Isolde know that or else he'd never hear the end of it.

When Isolde asked this, Jayus immediate thought went to Hera.
"They're all right for now. It's crazy how it had only been a few hours since my house burned and I went to jail but they immediately came to get me out and already had a room prepared for me. But I'm grateful." Jayus said, taking a sip of his drink. "And I guess, Hera isn't all that bad too." He added under his breath. But like a hawk, Isolde heard him like ice cream truck songs to kids in a neighborhood. "Hera? Is he the son of your godfather?"

"Yeah. We got off the wrong foot at first when he hit me in the face—"
"He what!?"
"—but he was quick to apologize and explain how it was a misunderstanding. To be honest, I think he's really awkward."

Jayus admitted. Hera was quick to apologize and even gave Jayus a ride. Not to mention he had even offered to pick him up afterwards. If he doesn't change, then Jayus would have no worries getting along with him.
"So long as you're okay. But still, if you're in trouble, feel free to call me." Isolde wasn't reassuring Jayus that he could ask her for help when he needed it. It was a matter of obligation. There was no room for debate. Jayus is meant to call Isolde no matter what. That was what friendship with Isolde meant. She, herself, carried her father's principles in business.

Jayus could only finish off his pancakes. He had learned to keep in mind what Isolde said. He would call her when he's in trouble. However, Jayus would never call unless he truly needs to. This time was not it.

"I need a job." Jayus said, out of the blue as soon as he finished his plate. He had been staring at the diner staff working when he realized he'd need a job soon. All his money had been burned. Reduced to ashes. Now he was staying at a complete stranger's house. There's not saying when he'd need an emergency money. He needed to be prepared. Isolde had been finishing her own plate when Jayus suddenly brought up working and her eyes too drifted to the staff Jayus had been looking at. A brilliant idea popped into her mind.

"Do you wanna work here?" Isolde asked, a mischievous smile plastered on her pretty face. Jayus was rather taken back by her question yet intrigued as he continued to listen. Isolde merely leaned back with a smile, "I actually know someone of this Diner. Maybe I can give them a call and see if I can get you a spot?"

Her words were tempting, and it sounded good. Jayus couldn't help but stare at her in awe, "Really? Can you do that?"

"Of course. He actually just complained about how short staffed he is after two diner girls picked a fight with customers and he had to fire them for assault. It's crazy, I know. Let me give him a message." Isolde said in a rush and immediately took out her phone to make a message. Jayus couldn't even stop her before she pressed sent. Everything had happened in a flash and she merely smiled at the dumbfounded look on Jayus' face.

"Hey!" A voice called from nearby, and a tall gorgeous man walked over. He adorned a white polo shirt and some jeans. His black hair messily stuck out in different directions. And moles adorned his face. One mole particularly stuck out as it sat under one of his blue eyes. This stranger sat next to Isolde and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek before eagerly greeting Jayus with a firm handshake. Still in a state of surprise and confusion, Isolde extended her hand to the man beside her.

"Jayus, this is Elijah. He currently manages this diner. Elijah, this is Jayus. My dearest friend that I've always mentioned before."