Chapter 1
Laura is a tiny girl. Everyone knows this. So working in a book store has it's challenges as she reaches to place a hardcover book back on the shelf. She's distracted by the ding of the front door signaling someone had just entered her store. She loses her footing and her grip on the book as it comes barreling down and hits her right between the eyes.
"Ouch!" she exclaims as she holds her hands to her face.
"Oh my gosh, are you okay?" someone says in a low sultry but wary voice.
It is none other than Carmilla herself, the bar owner from across the street. Laura had noticed her a lot lately, especially her leather pants, because wow. She had yet to muster up to courage to introduce herself so this encounter left her a little embarrassed.
"Oh, yes I'm okay," Laura's face turning a slight shade of pink.
"What did you do to that book?" Carmilla chuckles as she studies Laura's features.
"I couldn't quite reach the shelf, and I didn't want to go get the ladder, and I got distracted when someone came through the front door, and I'm rambling aren't I?"
"Seeing as how we're the only ones here, I'd say you were quite distracted by me."
"What? No. I mean, yes. But no. Anyways, I'm Laura!" Laura exclaims, trying to change the subject and holds out her hand.
"Carmilla. I own the bar across the street,"
"I know," Laura mentally slaps herself. Carmilla only responds by raising a perfectly shaped eye brow. "I mean, I've seen you around. Not that I was watching you. But you know."
Carmilla looks away, trying to hide the smile that wants to spread across her face. She had noticed Laura too. No one had ever made Carmilla feel so, nervous. Carmilla was confident, no doubt but Laura made her feel, cautious. Like she didn't want to mess things up before they even started.
"I've seen you around too," Carmilla says, trying to read Laura's response.
"You have?" Laura is beaming at this point, much to Carmilla's liking.
"Yes, quite a few times but I didn't want to interrupt or bother you,"
"Oh, you're not bothering at all! What brings you in today?"
"I'm actually looking for a gift. For my brother Will. He likes comic books, I was wondering if you had any?"
"I'm sorry, but we don't sell them."
"That's okay, I'll try the place a couple blocks down," Carmilla thanks her as she steps backwards towards the front door. "You should come have a drink with me sometime across the street. I mean not with me in particular, but at the bar." Carmilla, still walking backwards, bumps into a chair and almost loses her balance. The confidence that once laced her voice is gone as embarrassment covers her face and Laura is positive Carmilla's blushing.
"I think I'd like to not have a drink with you at your bar, I get off at 6."
"Great! I mean good, well I'll see you later then." Carmilla smiles nervously as she waves quickly and is out the door before Laura could respond.
"Smooth Hollis," Danny chimes in, causing Laura to jump and drop the book she was holding. She bends over and picks it up, glaring at Danny.
"I forgot you were here," Laura replies.
Danny was a good friend of Laura's. They went to the same high school and stayed in touch after they went to different universities. When she moved back home after graduating, Laura decided to offer her a job in the meantime.
"Because she's quite the distraction right?" says Danny, nudging Laura.
"She's okay I guess."
"Oh come on! You guys were practically drooling over each other," as Danny checks her phone for the time. "Hey it's already 5, I can close up here if you want to go not have your drink," she throws in a wink.
"Are you sure?" Laura tries her hardest to hide the excitement in her voice. She fails.
"Of course! I got this covered," Danny reassures her.
"Okay, thanks Danny," Laura gathers her things and heads across the street.
Laura cautiously checks both directions before she walks across the street. She pauses as she steps up onto the curb, taking in the outside of the bar. It's modern looking with a hint of vintage. She steps inside, expecting it to be dark and grungy but it's the complete opposite. The ceilings were high, and Laura hadn't noticed the tall windows out front which let in the natural light. The bar itself was aged wood and the stools looked like they were from the 1800's but they didn't feel like it. Booths lined the wall where the windows were and they was a small dance area towards the middle. There was a couple in the far corner in one of the booths which is where she spotted her, Carmilla herself. Takings the couples order. Her back was turned so she hasn't noticed that Laura had come in and seated herself at the far end of the bar, now facing away from where Carmilla was. Laura was busy taking in the different bottles that lined the wall behind the bar.
Carmilla was done takings the couples order as she turned around. She stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed who had taken a seat inside her bar. Laura, Laura Hollis. The bookstore owner, her light brown hair perfectly fallen upon her shoulders, her small but cute frame— "Cute? Get it together Karnstein! Stay cool.." Carmilla mutters to herself as she makes her way behind the bar. She passes the order slip through a small window before she heads to the far end of the bar. Laura doesn't notice her so she slight jumps as Carmilla says, "You just couldn't stay away now could you cutie?"
Laura blushes, tremendously this time and smiles. Carmilla, however, nervously wipes her now sweaty palms on her apron thats tied around her waste, hoping Laura doesn't notice exactly how nervous she is because she swears Laura can hear her heartbeat from a mile away. Carmilla can't remember the last time someone made her feel this way. Wait, yes she can but she pushes her to the back of her mind as she collects herself and she practically shouts at Laura "Sowhatwillitbe?"
"I'm sorry what was that?" Laura says, trying not to smile. Laura finds it unbelievable that she can make Carmilla this flustered. She'll have to remember that.
Carmilla clears her throat and chuckles nervously, "I mean, what are you having today cutie?"
"Um, hot chocolate?"
"Seriously?"
"Yes, what's wrong with that? Oh and marshmallows of you have them!"
"You got it, cutie." Carmilla winks as she goes in the back to find the hot chocolate.
"Was she just..no she couldn't be.." Laura murmurs to herself.
Laura is brought out of her thoughts as Carmilla comes back, the couples order in her arms. She takes it over to them and Laura can't help that her eyes wander and follow Carmilla across the bar. Carmilla places the order down on the table and asks if they needed anything else. They decline and she walks away, her eyes immediately drawn to Laura who just happens to be fully turned around in her seat. They lock eyes and Laura quickly tries to look away. Just her luck, she nearly falls off the stool as she tries to spin back around causing Carmilla the erupt in laughter before making sure she's okay.
"Look at that, I already have you falling for me," Carmilla says in an even more arousing voice than the one she had back in the book store.
Laura's face is beet red with embarrassment. She nods her thank you as she takes a sip of her hot chocolate. Carmilla takes this moment to place a shot glass on the counter, raising an eyebrow at Laura. Laura shakes her head, "Oh, no thank you." Carmilla then places another shot glass on the counter next to the first and raises both eyebrows. Laura smiles a small smile and accepts the offer. Carmilla ten pours two superb shots of top shelf whiskey, from her own collection. They cheers and throw back the shots, Carmilla a little more with ease and Laura tries to hide the burning in her throat. She takes another sip of her hot chocolate.
"So what brings you to Silas?" Laura asks as she looks up at the slightly taller girl.
"I grew up on the far side of town and moved away for university. Before I could finish my last semester my mother fell ill so I came home to care for her. She passed a couple of months ago and in her estate was this bar. I live upstairs and I'm here almost every day, that is when LaFontaine decides to show up for work!" Carmilla says a little louder. The small window slides open and Laf sticks their head out, "Hey I'm here on time all the time!" They smile as they close the window. They slide it back open and peer out again, "I'm LaFontaine by the way, but you can call me LaF," they grin at Laura.
"Laura Hollis, but you can call me Laura," she smiles warmly. She turns to Carmilla, her face immediately dropping, "I'm sorry," she says.
"For?" Carmilla rasies an eyebrow.
"Your mom, I lost my mom about a year ago. I know what it feels like, to lose someone."
They're both silent. Carmilla studying Laura as she swirls her spoon inside the mug.
"Would you like another?" Carmilla asks, hopeful she'll say yes.
"Sure, why not." Laura replies with a sly smile as Carmilla pours them both another shot.
They throw them back, the shot going down with such ease you would think it was water. More silence. Laura's the first to speak up.
"I moved back home after I graduated university. I studied journalism and started as an intern at the local newspaper. After a couple of weeks I decided journalism just wasn't for me. My mom owned the booked store before it was passed along in my family. I was determined to keep it up and running. It's what she would have wanted. I hope.."
Laura finishes off her hot chocolate and fishes for her wallet out of her bag.
"It's on the house."
"I can't let you do that, Carmilla."
"Yes you can, and you will."
"Fiesty are we?" Laura quirks an eyebrow. Carmilla is taken aback but quickly replies, "as always."
Laura fidgets with the strap on her bag. This catches Carmilla's attention. She taps the glass. Laura nods. She pours two more shots they go down easier than the first two. The sun is setting and Laura remembers she still hasn't eaten dinner.
"I should go, I still have to go to the grocery store and make dinner, for myself.."
"You can have dinner with me?" Carmilla says before she even has time to think about what she just asks, a nervous smile across her face.
Laura doesn't know if it's the whiskey or her hunger but she feels, warm. She feels almost home. She replies, "Okay," with a genuine smile.
"I'll have you know I'm an excellent cook, chef's special tonight?" Carmilla insists with a wink, a smirk settling upon her lips.
"Oh is that so?" A look of excitement crossing Laura's face.
Meanwhile, the couple in the booth had left so LaF was out cleaning off the table and gathering the dishes. Carmilla walks over to them and whispers something. They walk to the front door and flip the sign to CLOSED. They walk behind the bar and offer Laura some more hot chocolate. She nicely declines. It doesn't take Carmilla more than 30 minutes to make their dinner and in the mean time Laura had taken a book out of her bag and started reading. Carmilla walks out of the kitchen, catching Laura's attention. They lock eyes, neither say anything. They just look fixedly into each others eyes and it isn't until LaF clears their throat that their trance is broken. Carmilla looks to the side, hiding her smile. Laura stares at her shoes a little embarrassed and follows Carmilla to the booth at the end of the dance floor. Carmilla sets the plates down and LaF brings over some water.
"You can head home LaF, I can close up tonight," Carmilla says.
LaFontaine mock salutes Carmilla and goes to get their bag. They wave on their way out.
"Nice to meet you LaF!" a cheery Laura called out. Looking back to Carmilla, "I didn't know you guys closed this early."
"Perks of owning this place cutie."