"Hi can I get a -what ever is coffee snob for a large- chai tea latte?"
"It's called a grande. "
The girl behind the counter snapped her gum, sighed and finished with a roll of her eyes.
"And it will be $3.50"
I handed the overly unhappy teenage the money and shuffled off to a high perched table. Looking out of the towns cafe I see some familiar faces, like Mrs. Felix, some nameless jocks from my old high school, and I am pretty sure that is the old librarian walking into that magic shop. Then the one person I never though I would never see again walks right into the cafe and places his order.
" I will have a grande hot chocolate – with an ice cube if you don't mind"
The girl looks at him like he is the lamest thing she had ever seen. I just smile.
"$ 2.70" she said it with smirk that made me want to hit her really, really hard.
The short man in front of her hands her a crisp new bill and takes the change back ever so carefully. God I missed this guy. Well I guess I better make me presence known. I leaned against my table with my back slight arched I shouted to the girl.
"My drink ready yet?"
The girl only shook her head in a no response. How ever the boy I was really hoping to the attention turned around in shock. I did my best to look sexy and disinterested at the same time. I am pretty sure I look like a constipated lamb.
"No way. Tabitha, is that really you?"
"Who the hell else would it be?" I asked as I straightened myself out
"No one I suppose. So what are you doing back in town?"
"I am moving back." The second I said the words a 'I told you so' look washed over his face
"Jonathan Levinson don't you dare give me that look. You could have been wrong"
"I knew you would come back to Sunnydale I knew it"
"Ya, ya whatever." I said as I closed the space in between us and gave him a big hug.
"Your latte and hot chocolate are ready"
Letting going of my friend I walked over to the counter and picked up both our drinks. Turned and gave a 'shale we' nod.
"I still just can't believe your back in town where are you staying?"
"Currently you are sitting in my home sweet home." I said as I pulled out of the parking lot "I just pulled into town an hour ago. If I remember correctly there is always a house for sale in this town"
It was the truth to. Some people in Sunnydale had to get out quick so they would sell there house cheap and run to start new somewhere more 'normal' or whatever.
"That's true, I am on my own now you know. Well I am living with two other guys. You might remember Andrew Wells. Well I am living with him and this warren guy you wouldn't know."
"I remember Andrew for sure he came to D and D sometimes right?"
"That's the one. He is pretty cool for a roommate so is warren I mean sometimes is a little spazy but he's alright."
"Sounds like you got the good life Johnny."
"God no one has called me that since you left...I – I missed it."
I could hear the slight tremble in his voice. We were tight at one point like best friends tight, when I left I think it hurt us both more than I thought it ever would.
"So do need to be somewhere or can I kidnap you so you can help me find a place?"
"Kidnap away my lady." He said laughing
I turned onto one of the many residential streets looking for those magic words 'OPEN HOUSE'. Up and down the streets we went, at least twice. I even went to the areas around the graveyards, where people with any sense in this town try to avoid.
"Nothing. Not a single house so much as for rent. Well fuck."
I was screwed. I could crash in a motel for a couple of nights I guess then go looking again. I looked over to Jonathan who was typing away on his phone. I minute later he looked up with a big grin.
"Problem solved."
"You found one? Where did I pass it?"
"About two blocks down, the one I pointed to and said 'that's my place'. I just got the ok from Andrew on you as a 4th."
"What about that Warren guy?"
"2 against one we will win"
I couldn't help but smile even after 3 years he was still looking out for me. Well living with some guys couldn't be that bad.
"Really? That would be Great!!"