Chocolate ♡ The 1975/One Direction/5 Seconds of Summer

Chapter One

I step into the little café, the warm air instantly putting a smile on my face. I see my friends Kat and Harper already behind the counter, their different coloured aprons wrapped around them. I grin at them and take my gunmetal grey coloured apron from my named hook.  ‘Steph’ was written in cursive on a slight piece of timber, the letters the same colour as my apron.

Going behind the counter, I see that Kat had already started baking. Our café ‘The Crew’ was made a couple of years ago, when we were all 18. I was 17 at the time, and took my friend’s help to make a bakery. My parents died the year before. That’s how I got the money to buy this place – my dad knew it was my dream. Matty, my older brother and Louis, my younger brother had helped in the beginning, but now they just stay at home. Louis is ‘old’ enough to stay at home now apparently. I laugh at the thought. Thank god I got Rose, my old friend from London, to be his nanny.

Harper looks at me like I’m an idiot. “Why the hell are you over there chuckling to yourself? Open the door, weirdo. We have a customer waiting.”

I smile at her, and look over to the door, seeing an old woman, with white hair and a cheeky smile on her face. “Nonna!” I squeal, running over and opening the door.

“Now, now.” She laughs. “Calm down, I see you almost every day.”

“I know, I always have to make your English breakfast tea, and a vanilla cupcake.”

“Thanks to me!” Kat comes from behind the kitchen door. “Nonna, how are you?” She hugs her.

Nonna, my grandmother and my only family left apart from my brothers, always came in at 8 am sharp every morning. Rain or shine.

She wasn’t at all Italian, but could speak fluent French. She’s weird like that.

“Stephy, Stephy, Stephy.” She shakes her head while sitting down. “Are you eating well? You look so thin! Good thin, but are you eating?”

I laugh. “Nonna, you know I play a lot of sport.” I give her a quick hug. “Nothing to worry about.”

“Well,” She takes out a chocolate bar from her old, black handbag. “Eat this at least.”

“I will.” I smile, walking back into the kitchen. Harper is attempting to ice a cake, which just results in blue icing all over her hands. I laugh. “Kat, she’s trying again!”

Kat, her real name Amethyst, walks back into the kitchen after talking to Nonna. “Holly, dear god I told you not to try it again.”

Harper and I laugh, as I put another chocolate bar into the stack of the Kitchen fridge.

“Hey Kat, we’re about two bars away from a Snickers cake.”

She sighs. “God, Steph. Just eat one!”

“I do, I do. I take them home to Louis first.” Kat smiles.

“How old is he now?”

“Twelve. Honestly, he thinks he’s 20.”

“Don’t all twelve year olds?” Harper says, licking some icing off her fingers.

“Harper, please. That’s so unhygienic!” I say, walking back towards the counter. She pulls her tongue at me and I grin.

“So, Nonna. The usual?”

“Of course, Stephy. I cannot have one of those ghastly raspberry muffins. Fruit-“

“Fruit in cakes don’t work well, I know, and I agree.” I get her tea ready.

“How much today, love?” She asks, getting her purse out.

“On the house, Nonna.”

“No, no. You can’t do that. You have to make a living here.”

I roll my eyes. “Gosh, Nonna. You’re the only person who comes in and orders English breakfast. You’re helping me more than I’m helping you.”

“Sit down with me for a while.” She smiles, tapping the chair beside her.

“Listen, Stephy.” She pauses, putting the sugar into her tea. “I know you’re hurting lately, and you’re very good at hiding that from your friends. Please talk to me. You know I’m here for you.”

I bite down on my bottom lip. “I’m fine, Nonna. Better than ever.”

“It’s hurt all of us, Matty leaving. But it’s what he does. And what he does best.” She rests a hand on my cheek. “He’s fine out there in the big world. Completely fine.”

Tears come to my eyes. “Nonna, he’s only just gotten over his addiction. He’s got a paved path straight down the drug life now. It’s so much easier for him to get it. The weed I don’t care about, but the cocaine-“

“C’mon Stephy. You know I don’t know the names of that stuff. He will be fine. I promise.” I nod, blinking the tears away. “Now, after my tea and muffin, I’m off to see Louis. How’s Rosie treating him?”

I smile. “Fine. She’s really good with him actually.”

“Only the best for my Louis.” She winks and I grin.

“Of course.” I give her a hug as she goes, and she promises to be back in the morning.