Piper walked out of her room sleepily, stifling a yawn. It didn't take long for her to adjust to college life. With a famous actor for a dad and a supermodel for a mom had always made her yearn for a normal life. Small but cosy bedroom, takeout every Saturday, watching a movie for family time, having your dad driving you to your friend's house, walking your dog, begging for a new cell phone, fighting with your sister for the last oatmeal raisin cookie...all experiences she never had.
When people say college offered you new opportunities, normally you automatically think to your future, jobs, higher pay... But college gave Piper an opportunity to a normal life, one she was very grateful for.
The bathroom was empty so she walked in, locked the door, and turned on the shower. Pulling the baggy t-shirt she slept in over her head and dumping it in the hamper, she stepped into the shower and enjoyed the hot spray on her skin. It instantly cleared her mind. The past two weeks had been a bliss, being able to go around and live her life as Piper, not Piper McLean the daughter of Tristan and Aphrodite McLean. Sure, she struggled a little in some classes (cough music history cough), but it's all part of the experience and she plans on to live it to the fullest.
She stepped out of the shower and dried her hair, only to hear a squeal coming from outside. Hastily pulling on a HBU sweatshirt and jeans, she stepped out to see what the commotion was about.
"Oh there you are! Piper, come look at this! There's this place on campus that sells amazing bubble tea and scones! And it's on our way to class! We could skip breakfast and grab something there!" Marlene exclaimed and waved Piper over, excitedly showing something on her phone. It was a senior's blog, Piper scrolled through it, stopping at pictures of delicious looking scones and a wide assortment of pastries. Even through the phone, the baked goods made Piper's mouth water.
"We are definitely grabbing breakfast there." She looked up at her two other roommates, one of which was lying backwards on the couch, fiddling with a couple pieces of wires and paper clips. The other was squinting at the words of a book, probably written by Plato or Aristotle. Both were seemingly very absorbed in what they were doing, though she could tell they were listening.
"You guys coming?" She asked, cocking an eyebrow. Immediately Leo jumped up, pumping his fists in the air.
"Hell yeah!" He slung his bag over his shoulder in one smooth motion and glanced at his best friend. "Jace, you coming?"
The blonde looked up disappointed. "Can't, I have a lecture."
"They have brownies." Marlene said teasingly in a singsong voice. It became known during a game of truth or dare that Jason's weakness is brownies. Just a mention of it could make his willpower crumble. Judging by the twitching of his lips, Piper could tell he's about to cave in.
"You could always come with us next time. If it's as good as the pictures, we would definitely be regulars. Besides, skiving so early in the school year won't be good for your education and would make a bad impression on the teachers." Piper suggested. Jason smiled at her gratefully.
"You're right. Intro to American Politics awaits me." With a mock salute, Jason grabbed his bag and headed to the Mess for breakfast.
"I think we took one too many left." Remus stated.
"Yeah, we're definitely lost." Frank replied.
Kat sighed, worn out from walking in circles on campus. Annabeth rolled her eyes and took out her phone, pulling out a GPS. "We go straight and turn right. It's across the street to the auditorium." Both boys looked embarrassed but complied. They arrived five minutes later.
It was a quaint looking store, cozy and warm. Orange lights emitted from the round windows, giving a vibe eerily like the fireplace on Christmas Eve. Round, tinted glass door with a wooden rim and the wooden panels on the exterior of the bakery made it look like a small cabin, a sanctuary for students. On top of the door was a sign with the words 'Bombilo's Bubble Tea and Baked Goods' in large cursive letters.
The inside was, if possible, more inviting. The round room was sculpted like the inside of a pumpkin, with low wooden tables Roman style and comfy bean bags scattered all over the place. The back half of the store was the kitchen and counter. The timer on the oven went off and a short, energetic girl with shoulder-length brown hair and greyish green eyes came skipping out of the back room where they kept all the supplies. Pulling on a oven mitten, she hummed to herself as she pulled open the oven and took in the smell of freshly baked croissants and doughnuts. The heavenly aroma soon spread out into the room.
The girl carefully pulled the tray out with one hand, closing the oven with the other. Then she proceeds to waltz over to the display and slid open the doors, using a spatula to arrange the pastries in the display case. It was beautiful to watching her work, an energetic dance, never stopping, every motion fluid and connected to the next. They stood there for a good five minutes taking in the scent and sight before them. And then the girl noticed them.
"Oh hi! I didn't see you there! I'm Scout Adams. Come on in, what can I do for you? The scones will be done in five minutes." She said cheerfully, tying on an apron.
As they walked closer, they noticed the counter was divided in two, display case of baked good on one side and the stuff you need to make bubble tea on the other side. In the middle separating it was where you order and pay.
And gods, the pastries looked like heaven. Chocolate doughnuts, doughnuts with powdered sugar and sprinkles, croissants with a chocolate drizzle, cookies with jam in the middle, oatmeal cookies, sugar cookies, macaroons in all the different flavors you could imagine, chocolate chip cookies, French bread, loafs of toast still steaming, coffee cakes, cheesecakes, strawberry cupcakes... Basically, it has everything you could imagine and more. The bubble tea menu looked equally appealing. Suddenly they wished they hadn't have breakfast.
After ordering what they wanted(it was a hard decision to make, with all the different options, each more delicious than the next), they found a seat near the window and sat down. Or rather Annabeth and Remus did. Kat seemed pretty insistent on chatting with Scout as she worked, loading pastries on a white, paper plate and boiling the tea needed for their bubble tea. Frank was using the bathroom although the second he came back, he got roped into Kat and Scout's conversation. Remus wasn't stupid, he knew what Kat was trying to do. Trying to make him be alone with Annabeth, how creative. He made a mental note to get back at her later. Hey, he wasn't called a Marauder for nothing.
Walking with Leo down the street proved to be a hazard to society. He was the poster boy for ADHD. Marlene had already lost count of how many bench he jumped over and how many trees he had climbed on his way to the bakery(don't ask, seriously DON'T). Not mention he flirted with every living thing in a skirt on the way.
Both girls sighed in relief when they finally arrived at the store. The shop was very homey, and reminded Marlene of her first date with Sirius(to be honest, Leo reminded her of her first date too. Sirius was one of the biggest flirt she has ever known). Of course, a date with Black always ended in tragedy, whether it was falling in a lake(it was December for Merlin's sake)or getting splattered with paint...
Marlene shuddered and had to remind herself that it was just grabbing breakfast with friends. Nothing bad is going to happen.
Although she did keep an eye out for paintball guns. Better safe than sorry.
She must've zoned out for a bit because Piper was looking at her concerned. Shaking her head to tell her roommate she's fine, she glanced around the room and her eyes landed on the four students that were already there.
Marlene always like to look at random people and wonder what they were thinking, what they are doing, what's on their mind, what kind of life they were living... It was the curiosity for people she developed that made her choose her career as a publicist. Working with people always made her happy. It's nice to know she has made an impact, no matter how small, in another person's life.
A brown haired boy and a blonde girl was sitting by the window, laughing and sipping their drinks. Marlene could tell they really enjoyed each other's presence. Maybe they were a couple? The boy looked quite familiar for some reason, though she couldn't place a word on it. There was a black haired girl with pink highlights at the counter, chatting animatedly with another girl behind the counter. A tall, Asian boy stood next to her awkwardly, occasionally chiming in and adding to the conversation.
"...sound be like if I used long bread sticks as drumsticks? Oooooh! I could used a cake as a drum, seeing as it's both round!"
"Oh gods, yes! I could use the frosting to make it look like an actual drum and use icing to add details to it! Add some cupcakes and half a bagel and you'll have an entire drum set! We could call it the drum cake!" The girl with brown hair said excitedly as she bounced up and down, unable to contain her energy.
"I'm sure it'll be a hit." The tall boy supplied.
"Ohhhhhhh, watch a got there? That looks delicious, so does that..." Leo trailed off glancing at all the different baked goods. Marlene's stomach grumbled, making her realize how hungry she was. She dragged Piper over to get a closer look.
"Piper!" The girl with pink highlights headed over to them. "Nice to see you here!"
"You two know each other?" Marlene asked, mildly surprised.
"Oh yeah, I was at the music building a little early and met Kat there. She's in a band. Kat, Marlene. Marley, Kat."
"You're Marlene! I know you! Sirius' high school sweetheart, lend him an article of clothing for his Victoria's Secret fashion show yesterday. I'm his roomie." Kat exclaimed excitedly.
"Woah, woah, woah so you are the roommate of that guy who came barging in yesterday, screaming for underwear? I like you already." Leo came barreling in their conversation with his elvish grin.
"Let's order first and continue this lovely convo. You want to sit together?" Piper asked.
"God yes! I was hopping you'd offer! I wouldn't want to interrupt the two love bird's date." Kat grinned evilly, glancing at the two by the window, confirming Marlene's theory.
"A date you set them up on." The big guy next to her muttered. So far he stuck to sticking by her sides quietly, frowning at the utter lack of sense in their talk.
"Shhhhh. If you don't say anything Frank, then no one will know."
"The scones are done!" Suddenly a cheery voice called out.
"This is Scout, she sorta owns this place since the manager is busy sleeping or out most of the time. She makes good food, is really nice, knows her drums, and have scones." Kat chirped as they gave their order to Scout. "Heck you're basically my best friend!" She exclaimed as a afterthought. Scout smiled as wide as it is humanely possible.
"Awwwww! Thanks Kat! Flattery will get you anywhere. Now would you like your coconut bubble tea hot or cold? I recommend the hot one since it's starting to get chilly." Scout said jotting down their orders.
"Whatever you want, my lady. Hot is absolutely okay." Leo winked while Piper rolled her eyes and shoved him.
...
"Okay these scones are superb." Frank stated, letting out a content sigh.
Annabeth and Remus had joined them, much to Kat's disappointment. They spent thirty minutes stuffing themselves full of deliciousness and talking about everything and anything. Suddenly Piper and Marlene stood up.
"As much as we love to stay, class is gonna start in about ten minutes. We really don't want to be late."
They waved goodbye to the others and exchanged phone numbers. As they were about to exit the doors, Piper stopped in her tracks.
"Hey Marley, wait for me. I'll be right back." Piper said to her best friend before sprinting across the room to the counter. It was a spur of a moment idea. Growing up in Malibu with her parents, it became clear to her that everything was choreographed and pre-determined. Every speech at a red carpet event, every action under the spotlight, every move on the stage...Even what her mother ate daily was arranged by a nutritionist and her personal fitness trainer. Piper learned to cherish these moments of spontaneousness and listen to her gut feeling.
Scout looked up from a book she was engrossed in. "Piper! I thought you left? Can I help you in any ways?" She cocked her head to the in a questioning way, eager to help out. Piper smiled fondly at that, she moved in a cheerful and bubbly way that matched her personality. She was the kind of person that was truly nice and kind deep down. It was rare for people to be like that these days. Scout's optimistic way of looking at things reminded Piper of Kat. No wonder the two girls clicked so quickly.
"I have a friend who can't come today because of class even though he really wanted to. I was wondering if I could have a dozen brownies to go?"
"Of course! I'll put it in a paper bag for you. I'm not trying to toot my own horn or anything but I made some peach jam this morning. I've always like to eat it with brownies. Would you like to buy a jar too?"
"Sure! Peach jam sounds great! How much would that be?" Piper asked as she sighed around her backpack for her wallet.
"That'll be twenty five dollars!" Scout slid the bag of brownies and the jar or jam over the counter.
Piper paid and left, slipping the jam into her bag but holding the brownies in her hand. She didn't want to crush such perfection. Marlene glanced at the bag curiously, raising an eyebrow.
"I heard the brownies here were amazing." Piper replied nonchalantly. Realization dawned upon Marlene as both girls burst out laughing.
Slowly they trickled out one by one, until Kat was the only one left. They talked about this and that, going from their favorite characters in The Hunger Games to what's better, the turkey or the stuffing. It was when two people truly clicked and understood each other could they talk about anything and everything to each other. Spilling their guts and giving their opinion on matters without thinking what the other thought about their words and actions. No second guessing and analyzing the each other's every movement. These were the moments where a person is the most true, not to the person they are talking to, but to themselves.
Another half hour went by but neither of them noticed, Scout continued to talk as she made more goodies and occasionally sneaking one to Kat (because flattery could really get you anywhere). The were in the middle of a debate about who is to blame for World War II when a timer on Kat's phone rang.
Kat pulled the phone out of her boots(do not ask). "I got classes in twenty minutes, I have to go seeing my tendency to get lost. Here's my number, text me! Bye Scout!" After slipping a piece of paper with a number scrawled across it messily to Scout, she waved goodbye while slinging her backpack over her shoulder and exited the shop.
Apparently music history is in a different building than the music building, which really didn't make sense. But after several minutes of walking in circles and frowning at the map, Kat finally found the lecture hall. However as she walked in, she bumped into another girl making her fall backwards.
"Oh gods, I'm so sorry." Kat reached down to help the blonde girl up but was swatted away.
"Don't touch me," she snapped, glaring at Kat. Her cold blue eyes filled with fury. "You have done enough by pushing me, you imbecile. You ruined my designer jeans!" Too be fair, her jeans didn't look ruined. And isn't ripped jeans all the trend these days?
A boy with black hair that fell onto his face perfectly and blueish grey eyes walked over. He was dressed nicely, as if ready for a fancy party, in a white button down and blue jeans. Kat vaguely wondered what sort of creature would dress so nicely for a class in college. Kat would've said he was hot if he didn't look so like Sirius. That guy was a nightmare.
"Narcissa, what are you doing on the floor? Are you okay?" The guy asked concerned, offering a hand.
"No! All because this idiot decided to shove me!" The girl crossed her arm once she stood up and glared harder, if possible.
"I did not, you were the one who decided to stand behind the door. Doors open, in case you didn't know that. And if you stand behind it you will be hit." Kat was generally a easygoing person, but once someone offended her, she got mad. It would put any cat fights to shame. Haha, she thought, a Kat fight. That thought made her burst out laughing. Narcissa's face turned a deeper shade of red. She was going to say something back when the boy decide it was enough.
"Don't Cissy. Class is about to start." He said as he guided her away. Kat wasn't able to resist wiggling her fingers at the 'blonde menace'. However she knew this was far from over. With that taken care of, she walked into the lecture hall, marveling the perfect acoustics as her good mood returned to her.
3158 words not including the author's notes. Round of applause for me!
Again, I have included Scout Adams in this chapter. She's going to be a minor role, but will come up in plenty chapters in the future. I really hope I captured her well. If I didn't...apollo-gy to McShizzleSupreme778
Also I had a bit of a writer's block writing this chapter, the words and dialogue just doesn't seem right... thankfully it's better now. The wroter's block is gone! Also I decide to pull an Annabeth and wrote out an outline for the future chapters. I'm already planning out the twentieth chapter. Although I'm not the kind of people that would do pre-written chapters because the moment I finished writing, I have a huge urge to post it.
Also for future chapters, I plan on doing a 'story' of their lives each chapter. It's not going to happening in a short period of time, like this happened on the third day of class and this happened on the fourth day of class... that's just really unrealistic. Every 'story' will have several days pass between or sometimes weeks. If you catch my drift(oh gods I sound so old). Each chapter will mainly focus on one story or event but sometimes I will combine a couple small ones and make it multi POVs. Mainly it just depends on my mood.
So yeah... hopefully you enjoyed this chapter. Please review!