No Place Like Home
~Marianas Trench~
When I wake up, the water has cooled off and my body is covered in goose bumps. I fumble for my phone and realize it's three am! It's the longest I have slept without nightmares since the funeral. Today marks two months since their accident. Slowly I get out of the tub, stretching out my stiff joints an shivering. I wrap a towel around my body and walk slowly to my bed. I sit down and put my head in my hands. I can't stop the tears of sorrow from pouring from my eyes.
I can't sleep, so I get up and take a deep breath. Maybe it's time to start going through the bedrooms I haven't touched. I start in my parents' room. I walk over to the bed and run a hand over the duvet. It still smells like them and it overwhelms me. I open the closet and slowly run my hands over their clothes. I sink to the floor and wrap some clothes around me, just breathing in my parents' scent.
Eventually I stand and make my way to my mother's makeup table. Her foundation cap is still off, just like she left it in her rush that night. I gently grab it and replace the cap before placing it back where it was. Daddy's cologne still sits on the night table, waiting for him to come out of the shower and get ready for the day. I crawl under the covers in their bed and lay down, remembering them, picturing their faces in my mind. I remember how I used to crawl between them in this very bed when I was little and had a nightmare. They would hold me close and tell me everything would be alright. Now it is empty and cold. There is nobody to tell me things will be ok.
I lay in their bed, staring at the ceiling until my eyes begin to water. Sleep is completely lost and I lay for a few more minutes. Finally I stand, running my hand over the covers to smooth them once again. "I miss you guys," I whisper.
Moving as to not make a whisper, I begin to get dressed for the day. Work will drag on and I know it. I pack my uniform into my backpack and quickly let myself out. The sun is barely cracking the horizon, but the city is as bright as mid-day. There are a few vehicles driving through this area of town and I begin to walk. My breath appears is small puffs, it's almost too cold for the sweater I am wearing. I meet a young man walking two dogs. He smiles at me, but I can't bring myself to meet his eyes as I send a small smile back. He looked to be the same age as my brother would have been. I keep walking, not paying attention to those around me. Their faces blur as the day comes to a start for everybody else.
Before long, it is time to head to work. "Hi Jack!" I call as I walk into the café.
"Hello there, Britt." The young man calls from one of the booths. The café is mostly empty, as it will be until eight o'clock. I run to the bathroom and quickly change into my black dress pants and white shirt. As I walk out Jack is starting a fresh pot of coffee. "How goes it kiddo?"
I shrug, "The usual."
"So no sleep?" His eyes hold concern for me. I nod and he gives me a sympathetic smile before chuckling, "try not to burn yourself on the burner today, yea?"
I laugh as well. "I'll try not to boss!"
Our banter is cut off as the morning rush begins. Business men and women in their suits run in, talking on their cellphones and order their drinks. Our newbie is running the till and I am trying to keep everything straight. If we run behind, we lose business. People often brag that Jack's Coffee Shop is the best one for blocks. I pride myself for being an employee and I want to do my best work for my boss. He has been with me through it all and we have a mutual understanding. He had lost his parents at a young age as well.
After a solid two hours of running around, the rush is over. Jack, Stacy, and I all flop down at the table in front of the counter. "Oh. My. God." Stacy rubs her hands over her face.
"I know," I smile kindly at her, "it can be a little overwhelming at first!"
"You get used to it; hang in their." Jack smiles kindly and it lights up his blue eyes.
"How long is the break?" Stacy gives a weak chuckle.
Jack pulls out a deck of cards. "Well, we never really know. But for now, do you know how to play crib?"
I take my cue and get up to grab the worn-out cribbage board. Since Jack has taught me how to play, it has become a daily ritual at work. I can now count my points mentally withing the first twenty seconds of being dealt my hand. I am excited to teach Stacy and have a new opponent. We play crib for two hours, with only two customers. In the mornings, everyone knows about Jack's Coffee Shop. After that, it become so deserted it's like a morgue. It is so small, not many besides those that work around here know of the place. We never get celebrities or even many teenagers.
Our next rush occurs at noon and Stacy is already getting the hang of things. I feel way more comfortable than I had in the morning. As we are all more relaxed, we joke around while completing orders.
"Hey Britt," Jack calls, "That guy wants to eat your muffin!"
I turn beat red as I hand the older business man his blueberry muffin. As he leaves I turn and burst into laughter. "You are such a pervert!"
I absorb the feelings of everyone that enters the café. This is the only place I feel at home; the only place I truly feel happy. After the lunch rush dies out I grab my backpack and take out my soup in a cup. After it is warm I raise my mug to let Jack and Stacy know I am eating my lunch. They nod and I slip into my usual chair and sip at my soup. I burn my tongue and my eyes water. When I look up I see the dark-haired gorgeous man from yesterday walk into the café. I feel my breath catch in my throat as I look at him from under my bangs. Today, his hair is contained by a black cap and he isn't wearing any makeup. His appearance is breathtaking and I find myself staring. The other guys walk in and I look away, my cheeks a bright crimson.
I hear Stacy stutter, "H-h-hello. W-w-what c-can I g-get you?"
A deep voice with an accent speaks up. "Well, if I could have one of you, I'm sure I'd be satisfied."
I hear skin connecting with fabric and the deeper voice cry out. "Well," the higher voice speaks, "don't be such a pervert and it wouldn't happen! We will get three large coffees with two cream and two sugar, one medium coffee with three cream and three sugar, and two large straight black coffee please."
"Britt!" Stacy calls me and I look over, the blush still evident in my face. "Help?" She squeaks.
I brush past the tall men and feel their eyes on me. I turn and watch as they walk back to a table. I quickly gather their order and set the glasses on a tray. With one arm I carry the tray over to the table and set it down. "Brittany," Bill speaks first.
"Hello," I mumble, "are you needing anything else?"
"No, danke. This is great." He sends me one of his bright smiles and I can't help the blush that creeps up my cheeks. "You work here?"
The dark-haired boy, Georg I think, smacks the back of Bill's head. "Of course she does, dummy."
It was the gorgeous man's turn to blush. "I am sorry, it was a stupid question. Forgive me?" I nod and he continues with a smile. "You ran out of the other coffee shop quickly yesterday, we never really got to say goodbye. I thought I would never cross paths with you again."
I smile and actual smile. He is too much of a bubbly person to not truly smile at him. "I'm sorry, I was in a hurry."
"Well maybe I could get your number?" His accent is making my heart melt into a puddle on the floor. He could be a serial rapist for all I know, and I am writing my number on a napkin for him.
"I'm sorry, I have to get back to work." I say after a quick glance at the clock.
"No problem," the men all smile at me.
"I will talk to you later." Bill is all smiles and his brown eyes light up.
I walk to the back of the café with a silly grin on my face. Stacy is waiting for me when I get back there. "You do know what you just did, right?"
I look a her with worry on my face. "What?"
"You just captured Bill Kaulitz' eye!"
"I'm sorry, who?" I ask, still completely confused.
"Bill Kaulitz, you know, gorgeous lead singer of Tokio Hotel?" At my look of confusion she stares at me with a gaping mouth. "Are you deprived?"
"I-" I am completely lost for words as she disappears into the closet.
"Found it!" She shouts and comes back with her Ipod. She pops one of the earbuds into my ear and turns on a song called Zoom into Me. I feel my walls shake as the song plays and my heart throbs in my throat. When the song is over she looks at me and smiles, "That, is Bill Kaulitz and Tokio Hotel."
I cough a few time, trying to rid of the lump in my throat. "Are they real big?"
"Are they big?" Stacy laughs. "I think you have been living under a rock. They have been big in Germany for years and are owning the music charts here in the States right now!"
"Oh," is all I can say.
"And you Britt, are one lucky girl!" Stacy's eyes are gleaming with excitement and her voice is raised an octave. "Bill doesn't flirt with anyone, he is a romantic."
I feel the damn blush creep up my neck again. I gather my long blonde hair in my hands twirl it into a bun, one of my habits when I am stressed or nervous. So I seem to have caught myself a rock-star unwillingly. I don't know if I can even wrap my mind around the thought. Lately, things seem to fly over my head. I keep twirling my hair, lost in thought. It's not until Jack calls me back for the evening rush that I realize I have been lost in thought for forty minutes. Things could get interesting.
Author's Notes:
This is a Lil longer, a bit of a birthday present for you guys since its my birthday ;) haha
I hope you guys are enjoying! As always, review (good/bad/suggestions) are always welcome! :)
This chapter could have been up sooner, but we got a major snow-storm that knocked the power out for 32 hours! But it's up and running once again! :) Enjoy!
