Beacon Hills 1983

Chapter 50: Pop's Chock Lit Shoppe

(Teen wolf +The Chilling adventures of Sabrina + Riverdale)

"Fancy seeing you here?" Greg asks more than says, sliding into the booth next to Lucy. His accent is just as prominent as the first time I heard it, but not too distracting.

"We're on a school trip." I sound lifeless.
"And who are you?" Lucy raises an eyebrow.
"Greg." He holds out his hand, but Lucy doesn't shake it. He awkwardly puts it in his pocket.
She turns to me, uninterested in the fact that he's right next to her, "Nes, how do you know this guy?"
"My sister's-"
"Fiancé." He finishes, "While we're on the topic, have you seen her anywhere? I've been lookin' all mornin'."
Lucy frowns, "Your sister is here?"
Four eyes stare at me, waiting for an answer.

I suddenly feel claustrophobic.
The kanima, not knowing what he is, sits right in front of my face. Lucy's eyes are suspecting, but hopeful for an explanation. I can't just sit here right now, with them waiting for me to say something when I don't know what to say to either of them.
I need some air.
"Excuse me for a minute." Quickly, I rush towards the exit.

As I step out of the diner, someone bumps so hard into me, we nearly fall over.
"Watch where you're going!"
She shouts.

Wait...
That voice.

I haven't heard that voice in AGES.

"Emel."
I'd expect myself to call out her name in relief, or joy or excitement or... something. But it comes out as less than a breath of air.
My older sister is wearing the same uniform as the blonde waitress; a pale yellow pinafore, over a white shirt with a lace collar.
When she sees me, her frustration melts into shock.
"Nes..."
Emel is caught like a deer in headlights.
An uneasy silence lingers between us.

"Em, love, there you are." Greg butts in at the right moment, comes over and wraps his arms around her, affectionately.
Emel's face is nearly as red as her lipstick.
"Funny story," He continues, trying to ease the tension between us, "Nes and I met a while ago, and then I ran into your brother at the train station in New Orleans."
The last part snapped me to attention, "You're the guy who gave him that phone number?"
He smiles knowingly, about to speak, when Emel's shock wears off, and she interrupts-
"Greg, why don't you and Nes join..."
She looks at the booth he came from, now only occupied by my lonely best friend, who answers with her name, "Lucy."
"Lucy!" She laughs, as if the name was something she ought to know, "Yes, go join Lucy and I'll get you three milkshakes- on the house."
Emel shoves us back into the booth and runs through the "Staff Only" door.

"She's being way too nice." I mumble, wondering how to confront her. 
Greg shrugs, "I agree Em's a bit feisty, but it's nothing when compared to what a generous heart she has."
To that I laugh out loud.
The two stare at me as if I was given a funeral message, and this was my reaction.
"You crack me up, Greg." I catch my breath, mimicking "Generous heart."
I don't know what kind of lies Emel's got this poor guy wrapped around, but it sure is extreme. My sister couldn't care less about charity or kindness or literally anything generous.

Some agonizing minutes later, the blonde arrives with our food, along with Emel's free milkshakes (which, apparently, Pop's Chock Lit Shoppe is best known for), and disappears behind the kitchen doors.

I can't believe this. Emel knows I know something, and she's avoiding me.

Incensed by the thought, I bite into my burger.

A burst of flavor instantly floods my mouth. The beef is juicy, tasteful, and much thicker than I expected. Melted cheese pulls, leaving behind its fragile threads on the edge of my lip. Fresh lettuce creates a satisfying 'crunch', every time I chew.

Man, this has got to be the most scrumptious burger I've ever eaten.

It's like the food is throwing a party on my tongue.

"Woah, Lucy," I manage through eager bites, "This is the kind of food you used to eat?"
She nods, closing her eyes while chewing on hers, "I know. Delicious, right?"
"If I were you I'd never come to Beacon Hills." I close my eyes too, "Just for the food."
"Well now I want one." Greg pouts. "Sorry miss!"
He raises his hand to our blonde waitress, and orders one for himself.

A little while later, Greg is halfway through his, and Lucy and I finish off.
However, this delightful meal is not quite over, just yet.
The milkshakes are just as fulfilling. Rich with cream and sweetness, trickling down my throat in a smooth stream.

I wish this would never end.

Emel walks out with trays of food, delivering them to their respective consumers, before buzzing around to take more orders.
It was obvious from the uniform, but seeing her actually work sets in the bewildering reality.
"How haven't I noticed she's been gone so long?" I think to myself, out loud.
"She says you lot don't bother much where she is." Greg replies.
"That's-" I'm quick to deny it, but it's partially true, "That's only because she likes being alone. Whenever we try to show interest in her she gets upset and pushes us further away. So eventually..." Sadly, all three of us glance at Emel.
"We stopped trying."
She smiles genuinely (not her usual frowning expression for once), and writes on her notepad.
For a millisecond, she looks directly at Greg. He blushes and winks. She winks back.
The familiarity in their interaction bemuses me.

How long has Greg been right under our noses?
Did she, perhaps, tell us about him? Did we not care?

My throat is suddenly dry.
After all these years of anger and resentment towards Emel for making us feel like outsiders, I finally open my eyes to the big picture.

She was never the one pushing us away.