VISION ✔️ || The Keepers of Astraela #1

6.1 || Of Friendship and Longing

EVA

IF THE SMELL OF FRESHLY-BREWED COFFEE was heaven, Ambrosia's Brew must have been home to God himself. Wedged between her apartment and the library, the coffee house occupied the perfect spot for Eva's caffeine fix first thing in the morning or after a long shift slinging books.

Tuesday morning, as the sun began to wash the Earth in sleepy light, that was exactly where she found herself.

She'd walked by the business many times since the break-in, but its battered appearance still caught her off guard. The display window had yet to be replaced, instead having donned wooden boards and a thick sheet of plastic to conceal where the glass had been obliterated. Its messy state plagued Eva's heart with heaviness, though the steady stream of patrons entering and exiting brought a smile to her lips.

Her expression brightened when she stepped inside to find a line at the register and every table filled. Excited chatter buzzed through the air, adding to the soothing atmosphere that her creativity thrived upon.

Usually, at that early hour, Eva would have muttered under her breath in annoyance at the line separating her from caffeinated delight, but that day was different.

Instead, the crowd swelled her heart with pride for Bobbi, who zipped around behind the front counter to fill the ever-increasing orders. By the time Eva approached as the final customer of the morning rush, Bobbi had leaned against the granite counter to catch her breath.

"Not too shabby for your first day back," Eva said.

Bobbi laughed while she drummed her fingers against the register. "I knew customers were waiting for us to reopen, but I didn't expect this." She pushed herself back into a standing position and stretched out her back. "Your usual?"

Eva nodded, and her friend wasted no time hollering to the kitchen for a breakfast wrap and an extra large pumpkin spice latte. Holding back a laugh, Eva reached for the zipper on her purse.

"Oh no," Bobbi said, curls bouncing back and forth with the shake of her head. "Game Masters eat free."

Eva's hand hovered above her purse, but a stubborn glare from across the counter forced her to relax her arms for the time being. She would leave a hefty sum in the tip jar the next chance she got.

"Where's your little shadow?" Bobbi asked. "Haven't seen much of him lately."

Eva's shoulders sagged. "Jensen's called off the last couple days."

"Any idea why?"

"Sick, I guess. It's not like him."

A pained smile crossed Eva's lips as worry lines creased her friend's forehead. She knew by the concern in Bobbi's eyes that they were thinking the same thing: the library had seen enough staff turnover before Jensen came along. The last thing Mrs. Prescott wanted was to put out another job advertisement.

"I hope he's all right." Bobbi tried to mask her expression by adding an extra bounce to her words. "Between the two of you, you keep this place afloat."

Eva turned to survey the coffee shop, buzzing with patrons in every seat. When she swiveled her head back to the counter, Bobbi fought a shit-eating grin.

"I doubt it's only us," Eva teased. "Either way, Jensen hasn't said anything about not coming in today... but if he doesn't show up, we'll give him another call after closing."

The swinging kitchen doors burst open. A short woman with a glittering smile and eyes so green they put the emerald city to shame stepped up to the counter with Eva's order in hand. As the barista pushed the coffee and to-go bag across the counter, strands of chocolate and crimson-highlighted hair fell from her bun, grazing her shoulders until she tucked them back behind her ear.