Disparate Journey

Chapter 3: First Step

이세상에는 사랑과 감사에 굶주린 사람이 빵에 굶주린 사람보다 더 많다 -(In this world there are more people who are hungry for love and thanksgiving than those who are hungry for bread)

May not be summertime, yet, the opportunity to contemplate the Catalina sunset on the first day in California shall not be missed!

Firstly, Starbucks is necessitated. A dry throat can ruin the whole day. Right away, waiting for the Uber that I requested prematurely also thinking what should I say at the barista later.

Inside the Kate Spade bag, every bills that are worthless are tossed into the dustbin so it wouldn't disarrayed as before. Mainly are Starbucks and McDonald's bills, weeks or a month old.

The UberX reached here 4 minutes later with grey Honda Accord, chilly in the inside but the female chauffeur is genial. Though, she's less loquacious comparing to Nelson.

Despite the fact that there's a car rental half mile from Buena Vista, the name of this neighborhood, but the age policy is 25 and above.

For all that I'm not yet 19, so it's rather hard to explore the city.

Dropping off at the local shopping outlet, my eyes caught at the Starbucks near the south west.

In addition, Nike, H&M, Calvin Klein- I'm sorry Matilda, Dave, I have a passion for shopping.

Began to drift away to the coffeehouse, with these cut out heels, it's easier to saunter instead of the earlier platform heels I wore, plodding.

As I walk into Starbucks, not much customers lining up, it's my turn after four of them collected their order.

'Venti Strawberries & Creme Frappuccino, please'.

Venti maybe be a lot, but it's more than grande? Actually, would have chose the London Fog Tea Latte, just testing out new flavours.

It is fortunate that one offers me his seat as he perceived me ambling around, promptly shutting down the silver Macbook. All of them were occupied although there weren't much people lined up just now.

I thanked him. Americans are benevolent, thus far the ones I met. Well, the depraved individuals have not yet showed up.

They might emerge as I leave this edifice, snatching my bag with $1000 in the inside. Who knows?

'Hey, alone? Mind if I sit here?'

A teenager came to me, wearing shoulderless crop top, black skinny jeans and ordinary sneakers.

'Surely, empty seat,' nodding my consent.

The frappuccino on the table was grasped by my right hand, sipping, at the same time viewing the young lady from the tail points while locking the eyes on my box pleat skirt.

'Harper Fernandez, 17 years old. You don't look familiar in this city, I'm guessing you're a European,' the corners of her mouth slip upwards, she looks gregarious when introducing herself.

'I'm British, from the England. Virtually 19 years old by this month, Ashley Hampston, you can call me Ash'

I chuffed, it's an opportunity to make friends with an American, after all, trapped in the U.K for years.

'Oh, what happened to the Brexit? I thought Britain left EU already, my bad'.

'Not yet, UK electorate participants voted to leave the EU won by 51.9% to 48.1%. The referendum turnout was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting. Wait, I should check back-'.

'For the UK to leave the EU it had to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty which gives the two sides two years to agree the terms of the split. Theresa May triggered this process on 29 March, meaning the UK is scheduled to leave on Friday, 29 March 2019. It can be extended if all 28 EU members agree, but at the moment all sides are focusing on that date as being the key one'.

I said, in a flat voice while reading the article on an online website. On the other hand, Harper, hearkening to me while taking a sip of her salted caramel mocha.

'Enthralling, I'm not really into politics as arts create more relishes in my life. Sometimes, those public affairs are great to tittle-tattle about'

Now, the right moment to know if she's schooling at San Clemente High School, where Zach does.

'By the way, which high school do you go? I have a little brother that he might be studying in California,' I made a plan where she will help me approach him, after conversing about the family point at issue with their principal.

Except, she's not informed the real motive, to protect it from his consciousness of my presence. If somehow it suddenly got leaked, by her...

Firstly, to show me more about the school. Second, the colloquy. Third, here goes the drama.

'San Clemente High School. There's Starbucks too 2 minute from there, between Avenida Pico and Avenida Presidia street,'

Harper randomly apprise that there's Starbucks near the school- maybe coffee is just her bae? Like what those Americans denominate what they love.

A phone began to ring, with One Republic and Seeb 'Rich Love' as the ringtone, Harper's medium-coloured hand ran towards the apricot sling bag.

'¡Nicole! No nos hemos conocido desde hace mucho tiempo', the call was answered in Spanish, the way it sounds. 'Por supuesto. puedes visitar california en cualquier momento'.

Nicole and California, the only thing I understand, a name and a state.

Other than that, clueless with what she's conversing about.

I sat there still, giving a polite smile because I was willed to wait for her to finish talking. It took less than 5 minutes, a quick talk.

'You can speak Spanish? Guessing from your surname Fernandez, you're Hispanic or probably Latino. Sorry, I don't really know the differences'

'Half Hispanic- half American. A lot of people believe in false stereotypes about the Spaniards, 'Why do you have blonde hair, you're Spanish!', the thing I've always been asked'

'Geez, just because I have Hispanic descent doesn't mean I must have dark skin, brown eyes and black hair. In fact, I don't really like being out in the sun'.

Swiftly, front part of the blonde hair raked rearward, allowing the face to be uncovered.

'Oh, would you mind if you show me more about California.'

'Absolutely, I would be delighted to do so'.

We sat there talking about ourselves, our life, our favourites, our loved ones.

Unseen in the background, Fate was quietly slipping lead into the boxing-glove