Coffee {Jaya AU}

Chapter 12

***So much happens in this chapter. I did a LOT of research (if you couldn't tell, I've never done drugs before - I've never even had morphine LOL). As a result, I wrote a 3,500-word chapter for this book. This will be one of your longest ones XD

It also contains mentions (nothing explicit) of rape/sexual assault. As I said, it's nothing explicit.***

***(Jay's POV)***

I pull my car up in front of a local diner, chattering away to Nya. I'm so glad she's not just running off without dealing with her problems, and all my excitement coming out in mindless rambling. I think I've discussed my family's Christmas traditions, my mom's recipe for a bomb apple pie, the time I laughed so hard I snorted chocolate milk out of my nose, and how I've refurbished my shower so I don't slip whenever I get in anymore.

Nya seems to follow the conversation, though, which is great. And she finds half the stuff I talk about funny, which is the entire goal of this talk in the first place. I want to show her that I can be a nice, interesting guy without being pushy or trying to make her love me. Girls like guys who make them laugh, right?

Nya pushes open her car door, stepping into the parking lot after quickly looking both ways. I assume she's checking for police officers and not traffic at this end of the parking lot.

"You're a pretty cautious person, aren't you?" I ask, climbing out of my own seat.

She waits for me to meet her at her side of the car before answering. "I have to be. I don't want to go to prison...or worse." She mumbles the last part under her breath.

"They're not going to give you the death penalty," I reassure her. "You weren't the one who instigated the armed robbery. That was Cole."

"No one but Cole, the police chief, and the detectives originally assigned to my case know that." She rubs her palms over her jeans, indicating her wariness of telling me her story. "Let's go inside. I don't like being out in the open."

"Okay." I loosely wrap an arm around her shoulders. "Is this okay? It's just for show – people will pay less attention to your features if I'm blocking half your face with my arm."

She raises an eyebrow. "Don't think I don't see right through that. The only reason why I agreed to go out with you in public is because I don't want to go back to your apartment and end up getting you in trouble. Being closely involved with me is bad for your career."

"Thanks," I smile. "That's really thoughtful." I point toward the doors. "Let's get inside. It's pretty busy, so no one will notice us."

I set us in motion, and her hips brush my leg as she walks. I memorize the pattern of her stride – a steady, rhythmic 'right-left, right-left' step. It paints a picture in my mind of the solid, grounded, and dependable person she is.

It kind of bothers me how something could shake her so much that she'd run away from home and everything she loves. Cole's father-in-law must be a ruthless guy.

Once we're inside, we locate an empty table for two. This diner is an old-fashioned, 'seat yourself' kind of place. It's pretty fun. Plus, the walls are decorated with inventions from the past century. My parents always loved this place.

After a waitress comes and takes our beverage order, I fiddle with the ketchup bottle next to me. "So...have you ever been here before?"

"No," she replies. "I typically try to avoid places like this – places with customers who come every day and might ask questions of newcomers. But then, I thought I was unnoticed for the past year and a half at the coffee shop, and you recognized me." She sighs. "I liked the coffee shop because it wasn't policed. Emos and druggies could hang out there, but so could middle-aged, nine-to-five adults who wanted a good cup of coffee. I guess I got too comfortable there. I fit in with the business and the dark literature and all that." She unfurls her napkin.