I do not own the Darkest Powers. Please R&R!


Chapter 4: More than a caffeine fix

Simon was buzzing. Literally buzzing. He had been ever since Wednesday afternoon.

Mila had brought Chloe to "meet the squad" and, as cheerleading practise corresponded with basketball practise, Simon finally had the chance to meet her. Friday had now rolled around, bringing with it more basketball, and more cheerleading… Hence, the buzzing.

"It should be a good practice. I mean, like, we suck, but I think the team's definitely stronger this year. Also helps that we've got some great cheerleaders. I guess I'll see Chloe again today." Nonchalance wasn't Simon's strong suit.

Even when Simon wasn't talking about it, you could tell he wanted to. I did feel kind of bad for him as Tori and I weren't exactly the most receptive audience. After the first 20 seconds of Wednesday's story, Tori pointedly put in her headphones. To her credit, she probably got a similar run down from Liz the next day. I don't think Simon even noticed that Tori had checked out of the conversation. If he did, he clearly didn't care. He probably thought I'd stopped listening too. I usually did.

"Like, she wasn't that bad, kinda cute actually. Just needs more practise… She should ask Liz for help; Liz wouldn't mind." Apparently cheerleading required coordination that Chloe didn't quite have.

I'm not sure why I was still listening to him blab on about the new girl. (Again.) Curiosity I guess. Chloe and I had become… amicable this past week. She would always make friendly conversation and, though it was nothing ground-breaking, Miss G would usually pretend not to be listening in. Often, we'd just sit in comfortable silence, each getting on with our own thing. It was easy with Chloe. She would wave at me if we passed in the hall and I soon found myself nodding back. I guess she could be a friend, but that was just Chloe, she was nice to everyone.

"She was a cheerleader before she left BH so she'll probably get the hang of it again soon. She blames too much gelato and not enough pilates." Simon laughed like she was here saying it herself.

I still didn't know much about her. Not that I should. It had only been a week. I knew she'd just got back from Europe, something that Miss G wanted to hear about in painstaking detail. Chloe was always modest about it, only ever getting excited about small things like where the best paella was or how she missed the beaches. She was quiet but, if you asked, honest. I liked that about Chloe and I was thankful she never pried with me. Not that I'd mind too much if she did. Just a little.

"Where's the nearest ice-cream place here? Gelato is just ice-cream, right?"

"Do you have everything?" It was blunt but we'd be here all afternoon if Simon didn't snap out of it.

We were at Simon's locker, me standing like a packhorse as I watched him make a mental checklist. When he was happy I had all his stuff for the weekend, he gave me his winning smile, I rolled my eyes, and we headed towards the school exit.

As soon as we broke free of school confines, Simon set off towards the gym at a jog, shouting his goodbyes without so much as a glance over his shoulder. I gave the back of him a half-hearted wave and watched him catch up to his basketball teammates. I then lugged three-people's worth of crap to my car.

This was our Friday tradition. Simon had basketball practise and Tori had some geeky meeting in the computer labs. (I. Know.) This gave me at least 2 hours free to do whatever I wanted. This usually meant Drierial's.

Drierial's was a slightly hippy dippy coffee shop about a block away from school. It was down a quiet road. There was the odd store here and there but the road held absolutely nothing that would interest a teenager. Perfect.

As I walked in I was greeted by Drierial herself. "Derek!" she boomed.

She was old, I think… I couldn't really determine her age but she had wrinkles around her eyes, probably due to the permanent smile, and wore a different floral headscarf every time I saw her.

"The usual my dear?" I nodded and gave her a smile, one that made Drierial flutter her eyelashes at me. She'd gotten used to my visits. Every Wednesday and every Friday. She's also gotten used to my semi-permanent silence.

I handed over the money and took my usual seat at the back. I guess it was kinda lame that my usual Friday plans consisted of homework and the company of an old hippy. At least it meant I was homework free for the rest of the weekend?

I'd barely settled in to the worn leather armchair before Drierial waltzed over with my coffee. I only ever ordered coffee but she usually brought over a slice of something accompanied by the phrase "You're a growing lad." I didn't have the heart to tell her I wasn't keen to grow any more.

I mumbled my thanks and she patted my shoulder before drifting off to check on the other customers around the room. Sure, she looked like an old lady, but she was graceful and full of energy.

I can't have been sat there for long as I was still working my way through some boring quiz-worksheet thing when she walked in. The twinkling bell on the shop door hadn't even finished before Drierial exclaimed: "Chloe my darling!" I looked up in time to see Drierial launch herself around the girl, a familiar blonde halo could just about be seen amongst the flood of shawls.

"Oh it's been so long," Drierial gushed, "Just look how grown up you are." The girl in question was released from the embrace and turned to face the floor as Drierial instructed her to give a twirl. Poor Chloe, this was her hell.

I didn't hear the rest of the conversation but it clearly delighted Drierial, lots of excited woops and loud "of course my dear's" filled the room. I tried to focus back on my work. Why was Chloe here? I guess cheerleading really wasn't for her; Simon would be upset…

"Hey Derek," a small voice broke my concentration "mind if I sit?"

I looked up to find Chloe gesturing at the chair opposite me. A little shell-shocked, I sat up straighter and gave a jerky nod. As Chloe settled in her chair, I looked over at Drierial, who seemed like she was about to pass out with joy. At her encouraging waving, I looked away quickly and cleared my throat.

"So… no cheerleading then?" She cocked her head to the side at my question. "My brother said you made quite a scene on Wednesday." She laughed at that, only blushing slightly.

"I warned Mila I wasn't ready! Wait, who's your brother?" I frowned slightly but wasn't exactly surprised by her question. It's not like Simon would have mentioned me.

"Uh… Simon Bae," she looked surprised, as expected, so I deadpanned "We're identical twins." I got a good laugh from that.

"I thought he looked familiar," she teased "Nate was having an absolute field day at my expense and I don't think he would have stopped if Simon hadn't come to my rescue." She said the last part dramatically and rolled her eyes but it was clearly playful.

"So, not a basketball fan?" A fair enough question.

"Not much of a team player" I mumbled back.

"Shocker." It wasn't much more than a whisper but, when I looked up, she was looking at me with an obvious smirk on her face. I couldn't help but give a small smile in return. She sure was ballsy.

Chloe didn't push the conversation, just pulled a book from her bag and let me get back to my business. We sat there, not saying very much, until Chloe finished her drink. She gathered her bag up slowly as if she was unsure.

"Well… see you Monday," Chloe was fiddling with the strap on her bag, probably thanks to my social awkwardness.

"Yeah," I replied lamely, "Uh, have a good weekend."

"Thanks, you too," she smiled warmly, seemingly put at ease. I watched her take her finished cup to the counter and exit the emptying café.

I finished up my work slowly before reluctantly heading back to the school. The school parking lot was sparse when I approached, most people keen to escape for the weekend. It was still warm out though, the sky a lazy mix of pink and blue, and it put me in a good mood. One that didn't even falter when I reached the squabbling twins waiting for me at my car.