Where Flowers Grow

4

Mark came two hours after his phone call with Carrie. When Carrie oepend the door, she wasn't surprised nor angry, it was too early to wake up someone like Mark who sleeps like a bear. The first thing Carrie noticed about Mark is his smile. His smile always lighten up Carrie's world.

It's already ten o'clock, meaning it's time for them to meet Kim st Starbuck's. Mark wrapped one arm around Carrie's shoulder, holding her close to him like a protrctive bother. Carrie kept telling herself that Mark always does this and she should have gotten used to this by now. They walked fast, both wanting to get a taste of their favorite coffees.

When they arrived, the shop was almost full. Mark went in line, knowing what Carrie and Kim like. They all have their turns on buying coffee for the group, and it was Mark's turn today.

Carrie then went to their usual spot. It was behind this half wall, like a secret little hideout. She saw Kim already, her back facing Carrie. She walked faster and sat on her usual spot, infront of Kim and beside Mark. They never really knew how they got that seating arrangement but it has been like that ever since.

She greeted Kim a good morning, and suddenly noticed a man seated beside her friend. "Hello," was what she said, not really great with opening up conversations with other people. Kim greeted her back and introduced Lorenzo, saying that he will be the new addition to their group.

Carrie was about to say something when Mark came back with their drinks. He noticed Lorenzo quickly, and immediately apologized for not buying him a drink. Lorenzo made sure that he told Mark it was okay, he'll buy himself a Vanilla Iced Coffee later.

"I'm Mark," was Mark's introduction, and Lorenzo introduced himself back. Carrie did not understand how Mark accepted Lorenzo quickly in their group, but he did. Carrie was never one to have an instant friend, it will take you moths to earn her trust, and it's pretty reasonable why.

What she always say is that she doesn't trust people too much because they end up leaving her, like her parents. Although she never knew their names, how they looked like, nor the reason why they left her in the orphanage, she already hated them. No, she loathed them.

She took a quick glance at Lorenzo, who was talking with Mark and Kim, when he suddenly looked her way. Carrie's eyes went wide and her first instinct was to look away but she was surprised when Lorenzo smiled at her. And no, it wasn't a creepy smile nor a one sided smirk. It was a genuine smile.

Carrie didn't realize that she gave a small smile back, and she looked at her Caramel Frappuccino between her hands and took a sip. She then joined the group's conversation, thinking that she would probably be good friends with the new guy, Lorenzo.