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ALTHOUGH MARIA wasn't that much of tea person, growing up in England and being surrounded by it instilled something in her that made her crave a taste of home on that Tuesday Night. She had absolutely no clue where Five was or had gone when he jumped into the taxi and left, but she figured, if the world was ending (which it was) and at one point he truly needed her help, he'd find her. She tried not to let it worry her, although it was hard when as soon as she walked into Griddy's she was strongly reminded of the caffeine addicted boy. She sat down on her usual stool, feeling a bit sad that Five wasn't next to her, and waited for Agnes to come out. Maria knew for sure that Agnes worked Tuesday Nights.
Speaking of which, the cheerful woman walked out in her pink and white waitress uniform with a smile on her face as soon as she saw Maria. She quickly placed her notepad into her dress pocket and walked towards the girl, leaning over the counter.
"Did you leave before it happened?" Maria raised an eyebrow.
"Before what happened?" Maria asked curiously. Agnes sighed in relief. She took a deep breath before explaining.
"Right after you, that boy, and his father left, these men w-with suits and guns came in here and completely shot up the place! But they were all completely dead when I came out here. One of them had a knife in his eyes, and another had burn marks up and down his body! It was horrible."
Maria raised her eyebrows and faked an expression of shock. She placed a gloved hand over Agnes' hand with a sympathetic expression.
"I'm so sorry that happened, Agnes. I'm glad I left before it happened, but I'm so sorry you had to be here for it. I —"
"Maria?" Maria was interrupted by James, who came out from the back. He looked tired, and his hat was crooked. He held a coffee pitcher in his hand and walked towards another man who was sitting down to refill his mug. "I didn't think you'd come back," Agnes looked at Maria with raised eyebrows. Maria sighed with a slight smile and shrugged, making Agnes chuckle and walk away. James quickly took her spot. "What's up? Can I get you anything?"
"Just a cup of tea would be fine, thank you." The boy smiled and nodded his head.
"Sure thing," James reached underneath the counter, grabbed out a little cup and saucer and placed them in front of her. He took out a small paper box of different tea bags and held it out to her. "Gotta preference?"
She took the box from him and looked at the different teas before placing a green packet in front of him.
"Green is good."
He nodded and opened the packet, taking out the tea bag and placing it into her empty glass. He then proceeded to walk swiftly across the room to where a little tea pot, most likely already filled with hot water sat. As he brought it towards her, steam escaped through the top of it and got in his face making him scrunch up his nose. James poured the steaming water into the cup and Maria watched as the bag of tea made the water a different color.
