"Are you really planning on applying to that school? Don't you think that's a little out of your league?"
"What? You don't think I can get in?"
"That's not it…"
The waves lapped at the shore, their arms resting on their knees and their eyes watching the sun set on the fiery water.
"Then what?"
"It's just… far away. And more interested in the student's pedigree than talent…"
"Have you even researched it? I have. I'm good enough, I'm already accepted. I may not have the funds, but I have the talent, and they value that more than you know." She was indignant.
"Is there nothing I can say that will make you stay?" he shifted on the wet sand and looked at her profile; her hair was drying in short wisps. He wasn't used to it this short and didn't like it.
"No, there's nothing you can say," she glanced at him sideways and quickly looked away; she didn't like the dejected look on his face.
"Why did you cut it? Why are you bent on changing?" anger snaked its way into his familiar voice.
"I didn't need it; do you know how much hair they use to make wigs? And do you know what people are more likely to buy wigs? The people who don't have hair because they're so sick, it's not by choice. I wanted to help… in any way I could. I'm not changing Scott, not on the inside, you of all people should know that," she put her chin in her hand and continued to gaze at the sunset.
"Look at me Peypey," Scott whispered.
"No," she knew what he wanted and she couldn't give that to him.
"I'll miss you Peyton," he resigned himself to look at the ocean's gentle waves.
"I know, I'll miss you too Scott."
…
"Have you really rented out a building on campus?"
"Yes, it was relatively inexpensive compared to what it probably should've cost, and I took the liberty of installing a coffee bar."
"Terrific! This is going to be a great school year! I can practically taste it!"
"How has the music been coming along?"
"We've mastered the instruments, which wasn't hard, we've been learning for practically our whole lives…"
"But now we have a reason to apply ourselves."
"We've also been picking out background music and themes for the café…"
"And we've picked out the songs we'll be covering for the opening night; I think it will be a big hit."
"So do I and I also think our ability to karaoke each other's voices will add to our identity confusion…"
"Should be fun," their smiles were wicked and their amber eyes shone with mischief.
"Good," he checked something off on his clipboard. "How about the barista issue?"
"Gotcha covered," they winked in unison, perfect mirrors of the other. "We have one in the summer home on the beach and the workers are too slow so we figured it out on our own, we'll have the best coffee on campus made in efficient time."
"Aren't you two being a bit too confident?" he was utterly bored with this business talk.
"Of course not, we have reason to be," they glared, bored with his attitude.
"What about sweets? And food? And cake and stuff? Are the chairs comfy?"
"Don't worry, everything will come together once we get settled into the new arrangement. You'll have full reign in the kitchen, Billy, you can cook whatever you wish," he pushed his glasses up his straight, elegant nose. "And I made sure the doors were tall enough for you Stan, so no need to watch your head this year," his smile was dryly amused.
"Thanks," he seemed indifferent, but nobody questioned the big man's appreciation.
"So when do we get to see it?"
"I've arranged for our rooms to be ready the day before the students arrive. We'll have the day to arrange everything the way we like and for Jason and Damien to get use to the speaker setup and the coffee bar. We have the day to do whatever we want," the dark eyed boy smiled dryly at his friends.
"This school year will be the best yet! I can feel it!"
…
"It's not something I can change mom, I can't help it that I think girls are a waste of time and not attractive. Honestly, I've tried everything," not that he really cared that much to put forth the effort, truthfully, he had given up on ever liking girls a long time ago, and now he just had the guts to admit it.
"Everything? By everything, do you really mean 'everything'," it hadn't helped that his mom was the type to freak out about every little thing. He knew this would be hard for her to accept and that there was a possibility that she wouldn't be able to, but he had to tell her anyway.
"If you're thinking what I think you're thinking mom then: No, I have not had sex," really he had never even gotten close to that point.
"Oh thank God," his mother slumped into the couch cushion and brought her hand to her young face.
"Mom, that's one thing that I would never do to you, I know how you feel about it," he stood from the hammock he'd been lounging in and stood in front of his mother, hands on hips. "Besides, it's just a phase right? The only reason I am being this way is because girls just plain stress me out… and they're way too caught up in their image, they're just not my style," he smiled, his mouth a perfect shape, his eyes bright with eye-pigment, he was always changing his own appearance.
"I hope you're right," his mother spoke now with a hint of defeat in her voice. "Just don't get in too much trouble at that school, we're lucky you're grandparents are so generous or who knows where you'd be without your cosmetics and average intelligence. I'll get supper ready," and she left the room.
Rafe breathed a sigh of relief and fell onto the couch, it had gone better than he had expected. Now if he could only convince his mom and his grandparents that a normal education was more than adequate for his interests, but he knew their reactions wouldn't be anywhere near understanding.
…
One, two, three, four, five… six, seven, eight, nine… ten perfect serves soared over the net. It was what he cared about, the game, the sand, the sweat, the fun. But to heck if anyone ever noticed in this place, he was eternally ignored in his own home. They didn't have enough time or care for a son, which did nothing to explain why they had had one. He supposed it was a mistake.
But what did he care? He lived for school and getting the girls and this game, and that was it.
…
The meeting that changed everything…
Big, fat, ferocious drops fell from the darkened sky, the 5k had taken longer than Peyton had intended, stopping by the stables had probably clocked on some time. Lightening flashed and thunder roared from the imposing clouds, making Peyton flinch, but only slightly, the rustling sound of a maple tree made her subconsciously pick up the speed. The school's 'downtown' was just a bit farther up the path; she knew she was close when she felt the pavement beneath her worn out sneakers.
She couldn't see much, due to the outrageous amount of rain, but she did see a light in the distance and as she got closer she recognized it as the café many of her classmates were so excited about. It seemed like any old coffee shop, and she had a hard time figuring out why a brand new café was already so popular, it's not like it had been publically commercialized or anything. Without much thought on whether or not the shop was open, she raced to the door and pulled, a little bell hung on the inner handle jingled cheerily, and just as the wind picked up, Peyton flung the door shut. She stood dripping on a door mat in her boys running shorts and oversized t-shirt that did little for the eyes other than make her true gender indistinguishable.
The shop was nice, overly stuffed couches were arranged around a small coffee table, with a matching loveseat and two beanbags. Modern chairs and tables were placed in a scattered but pleasing arrangement around the open room; the lights were also a modern style and were accented with differing shades of bulbs, but right now the coloring in the room was normal. The floor was concrete, stained and bright, looking and smelling new and clean, the walls were a plain off-white cream shade. At the back of the room was a drop-down, carpeted in black and containing multiple guitars of both electric and acoustic varieties, a couple basses, a set of drums, a keyboard piano and two mikes, speakers were set on either side of the drop down and at the very back of it was the mixing console. Something from Boyslikegirls was playing lightly from the big speakers, and nothing but a mop and bucket were present in the main room.
The lingering smell of coffee clung to the walls and furniture, giving the room a warm, welcoming feeling. Peyton was just about to call out to see if anyone was here, but she never got around to it.
"I knew I heard something, I told you Damien," he was about a foot and half of another taller than Peyton, and from the looks of him, stronger, his eyes were a strange amber color, dark near the outer edge of the iris and a fierce yellow close to the pupil, his nose was small and sharp, his jaw naturally tense and defiant in shape, his bronze hair came to his earlobes and nape of his neck, wispy curls forming at their ends, his skin was tanned and his muscles toned, Peyton couldn't quite wrap her head around how attractive he was, so she stood dumb at the door.
"What's wrong with him? What's with the deer-in-headlights look? What'd you do to him, Jason?" a mirror image of the fallen god standing just inside the kitchen door stepped into Peyton's view. For a split second she wondered if it was possible that she had stepped into an alternate world where all the men were the fallen gods of every girl's fantasy.
"I haven't done anything," the first one, who she guessed was named Jason, replied to the other, who must be Damien.
"Yet," Damien grinned at Jason who returned the wicked grin and adjusted his position, leaning on one side of the door frame, every part of his body a sensual suggestion. Peyton felt the hot rush of an intense blush race to her ears and face. Damien strode toward Peyton, his grin still wicked but his eyes sultry, almost vulgar, how could he possibly emit so much from those fierce eyes? "Didn't you know that coming in afterhours is dangerous? Even for an athlete such as yourself, it's a bit bold," he put his hand on the door behind Peyton, the bell tinkled lightly.
"Did you hear that?" Peyton hadn't seen Jason move until he was not two paces to her left side, leaning leisurely against the wall, one elegant finger posed on a light switch. The lights dimmed and a red tint emitted from the ceiling. "That was the sound of no escape, you're ours," he whispered the last two words into her ear. Both pairs of fierce eyes stared at her, orange in the lighting.
Peyton was about to scream, but never quite got around to it.
"What are you two doing now?" the lights lit the room again.
"Oh come on Kyle," she wasn't quite sure which one had said that, she had lost track of who was who when her eyes had snapped to her savior.
"We just wanted to scare him a little, just one scream you know?"
"Yeah, harmless fun," they harmonized while speaking; Peyton figured they were whack jobs, so much for fallen gods.
"I apologize for their inappropriate behavior toward you Peyton Eerie," there was an almost vampiric aura about him, his eyes were black, emotionless abysses, his hair black as well, his nose was straight, his jaw and chin sharp, and his skin pale. He wore a sophisticated pair of wire rimmed glasses and dark clothes, he carried a notebook in one arm and a jacket slung over his shoulder. He was tall and thin, but still muscled and had an athletic air about his sure movements. He was attractive, but in an intimidating way. "I see you came in here to escape the rain, please feel free to use our restroom if you'd like to dry off, there's a hand dryer that should help with your damp clothes. It's right over there if you wish to use it," he motioned to the door next to the kitchen door, and, as if he thought he had been more than efficiently hospitable, he sat in the loveseat and opened his notebook, pulling a pen from behind his ear as he did so.
Peyton quickly walked to the restroom, feeling the twin demons trialing her at a slight distance.
"If you need any help, just let us know," they said as the door closed in their beautiful faces. Peyton leaned up against the door, having a hard time understanding why she hadn't left this weird world yet.
As soon as the door had shut, the twins turned and eyed Kyle fiercely. "So, remind us, why did you ruin our fun?"
Kyle sighed, annoyed, "Because, that student you harassed happens to be the new sophomore with a full ride scholarship. I will not tolerate you two bullying the top student in this school. Not to mention the fact that Peyton Eerie is the only student unable to afford tuition, it wouldn't be good for the school's image if that got around."
"You mean he's poor?" the twins looked at each other in shock.
"Who's poor?" Danny entered the main room, all smiles and cheer.
"The guy in the bathroom," the twins grabbed the bucket and mop, all interest lost, Danny was a pro at ruining their mood at times.
"Oh! The poor boy is here? We must make him feel welcome! Give him anything, everything he wants!" Danny, ever the dramatic one.
"Don't be ridiculous Danny, things cost money, Peyton will pay like any other person," Kyle continued scribbling in his notebook.
"Ah, so the poor boy has a name! Peyton… weren't you telling me about this boy during the summer?"
Peyton could hear voices on the other side of the restroom door, but couldn't make out what they were saying due to the roaring hand dryer. Her shirt was nearly dry and she had already dried the shorts, but really, she didn't know why she was drying them anyway, she would have to go back out in the rain soon enough. She pulled the oversized shirt over her head and looked in the mirror. It was true then, she did resemble a boy somehow, but her face didn't seem so manly to her.
The restroom door swung open, and immediately, Danny was standing before Peyton, his face shining bright with a smile so radiant she thought she was staring at the sun and nearly shielded her eyes, but realized that would probably be rude.
"Welcome to the café!" he might as well have been standing in a spot light with the way he acted. His lean muscled arms flung wide, absorbing the attention, his head thrown back allowing his luscious blonde hair to fall in messy, lazy curls over the nape of his neck, his eyes were bright with cheer and blue as the ocean waves in a storm, everything about him seemed so welcoming, but from the shape of his nose, he somehow resembled a dragon, a very tall one. Maybe, a tamed dragon, Peyton thought, she could feel the runner's high winding down, leaving her tired on her feet and a bit loopy.
"Your name is Peyton right? And this is your first year at the academy isn't it? Well welcome! We're so happy you're here! And we're even happier that you decided to visit our café, we certainly weren't expecting you," his smile was disarming and so full of true happiness Peyton almost lost her balance, how could he be so happy to meet her? "You certainly are a lot cuter than I thought a poor boy would be," he put one hand on his hip, the other on his chin, looking thoughtful. "Ah well, long live the poor!"
Peyton was beginning to think that this guy was a whack job too, were any of these amazing looking dudes normal in any way at all? "Uh… thank you?"
"You're quite welcome, honored guest. Please, you must be thirsty, you look as if you ran a mile or something, you must be exhausted, what would you prefer to drink?" the tall blonde went to lean against the counter, apparently unaware that the beverages were stored on the other side, or in the kitchen.
"Oh, I'm fine, I don't need anything," Peyton stood awkwardly in the doorway to the restroom, not sure if she wanted to make a run for it or lock herself away until they finally were forced to leave due to curfew.
"Hey Kyle! There are leftover cookies, can I take some back to my room please?" a boy quite a bit shorter than Peyton walked out of the kitchen, how many of them were there? Aside from being short, he was very cute, he had strawberry blond hair that was messy in a fashionable way, and huge dark brown eyes that sparkled when he smiled in Peyton's direction, and his build was also athletic. Not two steps behind the small boy came a giant, towering over all of the others, his arms bulged but somehow weren't overly muscular as to look grotesque, his height and muscular physic balanced out, his eyes were lazy chocolate, somehow in a face so strong those eyes gave him a less intimidating presence, a friendly giant. Why were all these athletes manning a café?
"Sure Billy, take all of them, day-old cookies don't sell well anyway," Kyle said, he sounded irritated.
"Would you like a cookie?" who could refuse that wide eyed face?
"Sure," Peyton walked over to the short boy and took one of his offered cookies.
"I made them myself! What do you think?" the boy asked.
"They're delicious," Peyton smiled for the first time in front of these fallen whack jobs of gods, and it nearly blew them away. Well most of them, namely the twins, the tall blonde and little one, the other two found it either sellable or sweet.
And pounce: "You know, you should really get out more Peyton, with your charming looks and sensational smile you would win the hearts of thousands! Possibly even mine, if I were that type, you know..." Danny approached abruptly, forgetting that he had ever offered Peyton a drink.
"He is that type actually, the question is: is he YOUR type?"
"Or rather: are WE your type?" they slinked up to either side of Peyton like two prowling cats, in sync in order to hypnotize their prey.
Peyton began giving ground; intimidated by these displays of… what was it exactly? All of them seemed intent on capturing her, but for what purpose?
"You have to come visit us sometime, Peypey! I'll bake you more cookies since you like them so much! We can be best friends!" Billy bounded right up to Peyton and jumped up and down so he could get a better look into those deep blue eyes.
That did it. Peyton tumbled into the drop down and smashed an acoustic, no grace about it. The four who had been unintentionally pushing her back immediately crowded around her asking how she was and if she was ok and all those things that normal people say. When she was lifted up onto her feet, the twins acknowledged the smashed instrument.
"Damn…" said one, rubbing the back of his neck.
"That blows…" said the other, shoving his hands into his pockets.
They just stared at it for a moment, in silence, mourning their loss.
"I'm sorry, I'll pay whatever it costs," Peyton looked at her shoes.
The twins looked at each other doubtfully.
"That guitar alone costs close to four thousand, add in the cookie and you're probably past that…" Kyle spoke from his chair. "And since you're already low on funds, we'll be generous."
"Yes… very generous," the twins said, looking at Kyle, wondering what was coming.
"From today on I'm afraid we'll be needing your services, Jason and Damien will teach you how to properly make coffee and you will be at Billy's disposal if he ever needs any help. Also, we are lacking a janitor," the smugness of Kyle's smile was unmistakable; he was enjoying this far too much.
Peyton's plans for this school year just hit a major bump. Nothing seemed to be going as planned.
