Trying to live #Wattys2024

Chapter 5 (Edited)

Summer before Junior Year

Dear Diary,

I miss coffee. I mean, I do get coffee here, but I'm just in love with Royals coffee. Let me do a little advertising here: Royals is an exquisite bistro for people who can afford the best of the best—the most expensive and delicious coffee on earth. I do like tea too, mostly Indian chai, but that's another story.

Anyway, don't ever compare it to Starbucks. I'm happy I've never experienced the "I'm going to Starbucks every morning to get coffee" lifestyle. I'm glad my two feet have never entered a Starbucks shop in my life.

I've been a fan of Royals since freshman year, and not just because I spend so much time with my clique there—from gossiping to doing homework. But also because of the owner, Rhonda Stuart. She's one of my Grams' best friends, and I just love her.

Beginning of Junior Year

Dear Diary,

I've got a job! I feel like I'm the only one who's happy about it. Mom looked down at me and said I should do whatever I want but that it wouldn't get me anywhere. I brushed her comment off. Scott and Henry (my boyfriend) were surprised, and I knew they hated the idea of me working, especially Henry.

It's not that he doesn't understand that people have to work. He just doesn't understand me anymore. I mean, he works too—he attends charity events and loves doing that. But I think working in a bistro that screams royalty doesn't fit him. Well, it doesn't matter.

I'm happy that Rhonda employed me. I love being there.

My grandma, Tessa Vermont, was loved by everyone. She was like sunshine on a rainy day or the topping on a cake. Even though she was old (like very old), she didn't look it. Her athletic body and dyed hair made her the style icon for all the other grandmas.

She was sitting on a bar stool, talking to Rhonda, the owner of Royals.

It's better if I called her out instead of her calling me out. This always ended in a heated argument, where occasionally bad language was involved.

"Grams!" I called, going to her and giving her a big hug.

"Here you are, Em! I was going to call you but couldn't find you in my contacts," she said.

"Yeah, I wouldn't find myself either if my phone was turned upside down," I stated. I took her phone and turned it so I was 'Em' again instead of 'mE.'

Grams frowned. "But the young boy at the counter didn't say anything about that."

I looked over to see a smirking Dean with his hazel brown eyes and brown hair. "Grams, he didn't say anything because he's trying to be a murderer, and to achieve that, you need to be mean."

"Em, did you eat something?" Rhonda asked me.

I hadn't, but I didn't say that. I just didn't want to think back to the conversation with Scott and the outcome of it.

But before I could reply, my stomach grumbled, which Rhonda heard perfectly. "Oh good. Do you want something to eat?"

I smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. I didn't eat enough at school, but don't worry, I'll work now and eat on my break."

"Don't be silly!" she exclaimed. "Your grandma would kill me if I didn't give you something to eat. Besides, you're like the grandchild I never had."

I was so grateful to have Rhonda, one of my Grams' best friends, in my life. She and Grams gave me the opportunity to work here. She didn't have to give me a job, even if I was the grandchild of her best friend. And I was a pain in the ass last year.