The Shattering of Souls

(Chapter 4) Daliah

The voice on the phone was my childhood friend, Joyce. She was calling because so and so did such and such, and she wanted to meet for coffee. I agreed, throwing on a light jean jacket and heading outside. Plugging the address into my phone, I turned on the radio as loud as it would go.

As I was pulling into a parking space outside of the Mean Bean, I saw a slender girl in a bright red hoodie unlocking the door. She quickly ducked inside, presumably to start the morning coffee. I sat in my truck a few minutes, listening to music and keeping an eye out for Joyce.

What is taking that girl so long? I starting fiddling with my necklace, the thin gold chain catching the early morning light as my hands shook nervously. I started twirling the tiny set of scales around the chain itself, and eventually had a big knot to get out of the chain. Shit. I so do not have the patience for this.

Just as I started aggressively working the knot out, Joyce pulled her little black car into the space next to my big blue monster. She climbed out of the driver's seat, waving quickly to me as she came around the trunk. I hopped out of my truck, as well, and met her halfway. Grinning, I swept her up into my arms and hugged her.

"Hey, Tiny. What's up?" I chuckled as she made a face of disgust at me. The nickname was one she had earned when we were eight, which was the last time I was taller than her. Though she had grown a little chubby, the nickname stuck.

Joyce sighed, brushing her russet colored hair out of her big brown eyes. "Jane was late to work, again, and so I had to open the store!"

"How dare she!," I said, feigning shock and appall. I chuckled, walking towards the coffee shop as Joyce babbled angrily about her coworkers making her life unpleasant. As the bell rang, signaling our entrance to the shop, the girl behind the counter caught my eye. She was a slender, wispy looking girl with short blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, which turned quickly to look at me as we came in.

"Welcome to the Mean Bean, where we fight exhaustion with the power of caffeine," she said in a monotonous voice. When we didn't immediately approach her, she started lazily scribbling into a notebook. She was a pretty girl, if a little unassuming. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

And yet...for some reason...

She seems so familiar. But...what is it about her? 

"Daliah?" Joyce's voice brought my eyes snapping back to her face. She seemed vaguely annoyed.

"Hmm?" I blinked, focusing my attention back on the conversation at hand.

"Did you want to order while I find us a table?" Joyce nodded her head in the direction of the counter. "You clearly see something you like!" She winked conspiratorially.

I felt my face flush. "Uh, sure. What did you want again?"

Joyce chuckled, glancing at the barista again. "Ask her what's good."

I turned to the girl, and she glanced up when I began my approach. Then I stopped in my tracks. The second we made eye contact, I felt a connection. By the shocked look on her face, I knew she felt it, too.

Who are you?