Short Story Wonderland

The Black Prince

Edited

It was storming in Easton, New Hampshire on April 17th. In the town of 254 total, it often did this: stormed for hours upon hours, causing the few teens that lived here to travel to Wally's Diner, conversing about the little gossip in the single school (go wolves!). I sat with no one today, my friends sat with a group of guys across the decent sized diner. My knees were wet with splotches of rain visible through the holes in my distressed jeans. I swirled my chamomile tea, the bland flavor reflecting my personality, which in turn reflected my attention from anyone really. Only few people talked to me let alone cared too much. But I was okay with this, not needing much attention to suit my boring yet comfortable life. My white Dartmouth sweatshirt was faded from the years of wear and tear it's lived through. 

My best friend Julia slid in beside me, leaving the group of hormonal teenagers behind her. "Elizabeth! Why don't you sit with us for a change? I hear that Matthew likes you actually..." She said, her usual ritual of persuading me to sit with them. 

But this Matthew news was new to me. "Matthew?" I questioned, slightly shocked at the revelation from my only true friend. I glance over at the tall brunette. His eyes were locked on us but when they noticed my prying ones, they quickly busied themselves on his black coffee. He was attractive, I'm not going to lie. His chiseled body was entertaining to look at, not just his face. 

"Earth to Elizabeth?" Julia called to my faraway mind. 

"Hmm? Oh sorry Jules" 

"Don't apologize for checking out Matthew Luxe on my account! Plus I did just give you the news of the century. In all honesty, this is the most interesting thing that has happened in this town since Jane barfed over Principal Higgins during freshman year's assembly. But hey! Maybe you'll sit with us next time! Oh Marcy? Can I please have a large Americano? Thanks!" She said to the waitress and moved back to her seat.

I sigh. That girl won't take no for an answer. I reached to take another sip of my tea and noticed that it wasn't there anymore. Huh? I had it when I was talking to- I glanced over at Julia looking smug in her seat, a mug of chamomile tea in her delicate palm. It does not matter how close you are to me: if you take my tea, you die. I glared at her, knowing her scheme. Dusting myself off and taking a deep breath I slowly walked over to where they were sitting, my boots clacking on the uneven wood paneling, passing by table and table of empty seats, to the far corner booth, dimly lit and the firetruck red leather covered by bodies. When they noticed my presence they all smiled and looked up at me.

"Ah, Ellie! Nice of you to join us after, what 2 years?" Drew, the ring leader smugly said. I smiled sweetly back, hoping Julia or even Matthew would come to my rescue. 

"Hey Ellie! Do you want to sit with us? Hey Amelia, move over!" "What why me? She's skinny enough to fit here without us moving an inch" "Guys she can sit next to me.." "you don't even like her" "Who told you that rubbish?" "Who uses the word rubbish anymore?" They all said talking over each other. 

I take this time while Julia was distracted arguing with Justin and snatched my tea. Everyone stopped and stared. "Actually, I was just here to take back my tea. "Thanks for the offer but imma have to pass! See you guys at school!" I smiled and turn back to my seat, making the semi-short trek back to the comfy worn leather by the door. (People tend to call this a seat, I call them crazy) I liked that seat because I could watch people as they came in, trying to guess their stories, sometimes writing them. That was often hard though, since everyone typically knew everyone.

As soon as I sat back in my seat, I chugged the tea only to have found that it was empty. Completely empty. I glared at Julia with my most menacing face, which wasn't very menacing at all. She just laughed and pat the space next to her in an inviting way. Of course I ignored her, instead calling over Marcy and ordering another tea. As soon as I said a thank you and took a sip, the bell for the front door rung, signaling the entry of a new person. I looked up carefully from my tea and novel, to see something I was not expecting: a stranger.