Meant To Be

Chapter 8

After what seemed like forever, they were finally dismissed from their last class of the day. Julia, Isla, Damien and Riley walked out the classroom. Julia stretched, feeling the pain after sitting for so long. She put her belongings into her bag and swung it over her shoulder. Isla was jumping about, even though she had a very heavy bag on her shoulders. She was too happy that it was finally the end of the day. Julia however, had a part-time job to run to.

"I better get going now. I'm gonna be late for my part-time job." Julia said to the others.

"Right. I forgot about that. Is there any chance I can come with you?" Isla said with pleading eyes.

Julia thought for a moment then answered, "Well..... I guess. Just don't disturb me while I'm working okay?"

Isla nodded eagerly. She turned to the boys. "We're off. See you guys tomorrow!"

"See ya." Riley and Damien chorused.

Isla linked arms with Julia and they both headed out of the school. It took no longer than 10 minutes to get to the cafe Julia worked at. Julia opened the door and made the bell chime above their heads, announcing their arrival. The cafe was relatively empty.

Julia turned to Isla. "You can sit down. If you want anything just call me."

"Okay."

Julia went through a door that had a sign saying "Staff Only". She walked into the change rooms and was greeted by another employee, Jessica.

"Good to see you again Jules. How was school?" Jessica asked as she was tying her apron around herself. Jessica was older than Julia. She was in her second year of university. She had always been like a sister to Julia.

Julia let her bag fall to the ground and slumped onto the bench next to the lockers, sighing. "It was a nightmare."

Jessica chuckled. "I see. Want me to make you something?"

"No thanks. I'm good." Julia started to take her uniform off. After she had changed into a while shirt and black jeans, she took an apron that was hanging above the bench and tied it around herself. She placed her bag and school uniform into her locker and walked out with Jessica. As she was walking out, she saw that Isla was sitting at the far back. She walked over to her.

Julia knocked on the table, causing Isla to jump. "Why're you sitting here? There are so many vacant tables but you just had to sit at the back."

Isla smiled sheepishly. "I like it here."

Jessica appeared from behind Julia. "Who's this?"

"Oh this is Isla, my close friend. She wanted to come with me." Julia introduced her to Jessica.

Jessica held her hand out and Isla shook it. "Nice to meet you Isla. I'm Jessica, Julia's colleague."

"So, did you want to order anything?" Julia asked Isla, seeing as she had a menu in her hands.

"Yeah. Can I have an Iced Mocha please?" Isla said. Julia wrote the order down. She looked at the table number and wrote that down too.

"Is that all?" Julia asked and when Isla nodded she took the menu from her and said, "Won't be long."

Julia and Jessica headed back to the counter. Jessica went to another customer as Julia started to make Isla's order. After she was finished, she took it in her hands and made her way back to Isla's table, making sure she didn't spill it. "Here you go." She said, gently placing it down on the table, then sat down on the seat opposite to Isla.

"Thanks." Isla took a sip of her drink. "Mmmm. That tastes soooo good. I can't believe you can make something like this!"

Julia laughed. "I had to know how to make everything on their menu to be able to work here."

Isla sighed. "Wish I could work here with you. And Jessica seems so nice. How old is she?" The question had lingered in her mind ever since Jessica had introduced herself.

"She's 19. She goes to a really popular university." Julia told her.

"Oh. What does she major in?" Isla asked.

"She majors in art. Can you believe it?" Julia gushed. She had always been interested in art.

"Well I know for sure that, with your talent, you're gonna do the same thing Jules. Whereas I'll do my best to major in dance!" Isla said and started to dance in her seat. But she couldn't do much. She kept hitting her arm the edge of the table. She winced in pain.

Julia giggled. "Are you okay?"

Isla rubbed at the spot that got hit. "I don't think I should've done that."

They heard the bell above the door chime, alerting them that there was another customer had arrived. Julia stood up and straightened her apron. "I'll be back." She told Isla and walked to the front of the cafe to greet the customer. But when she saw who it was, she stopped in her tracks. The customer seemed surprised as well to see her. Behind him was another girl. Julia gasped at the sight of them being together.

"Riley?! Alicia?!"