Chapter 7: Karen's Café Pt. 2
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the One Tree Hill characters. I only own my original characters.
"Alright Kaiana, this is the place," Haley said as they parked next to the curb. The girls gathered their stuff and locked the car. Kaiana smiled to herself as she followed Haley into a quaint little coffee place called Karen's Café. Apparently, this was Haley's place of employment where she 'supposedly' could get her some free coffee. Coffee is definitely something she could use right now as a quick pick me up. Haley led Kaiana over to a table over by the window and instructed her to put her stuff down. Haley then went behind the counter and proceeded to put on an apron. She waved Kaiana over to sit on one of the stools at the counter.
"Come on over here," she said. "There's someone I want you to meet." Kaiana placed her tote bag and books on the table and headed towards the counter. Her eyes glanced around the room to see who Haley was talking about. As far as she could see, Haley was the only person standing behind the counter.
"Haley, if you're gonna introduce me to your invisible friend...well you don't have too," Kaiana said in a teasing voice.
Haley rolled her eyes and chuckled. "No smart ass, I was just going to introduce you to my boss...and...well she's my friend too. I've known her like my whole life." Haley yelled out 'Karen'. When no one appeared, Haley went further into the back towards where Kaiana assumed was the kitchen area. She came back out to the counter with a pretty dark haired lady who was also wearing an apron and a smile.
"Kaiana this is Karen Roe...the greatest boss in the world," said Haley with a beaming smile.
Karen laughed and shook her head. "Thanks for the great introduction," said Karen. "Haley is being a little over dramatic because she wants this Friday off." Karen rolled her eyes good naturedly as Haley wore a slightly guilty look. "Stop pouting," Karen said. "Alright, you can have Friday off. You know that I was going to say yes anyway."
Haley clapped her hands together and gave Karen a hug, pulling back wearing a smile wide enough to split her face. "I'll make it up to you Karen," Haley said quickly. "Oh I know you will" Karen replied.
"So...Kaiana are you new in town," Karen asked. "I don't think I've ever seen you around before."
Kaiana smiled and nodded, silently wondering how many times she would hear that question today. "I've only been here a couple days," she said. "Today was my first day at school."
"Really," Karen said. "How was it?"
Kaiana hesitated in answering. She noticed Karen's expression showed that she was concerned. "No, no...it was ok," Kaiana rushed on. "I had a couple weird experiences, but nothing major. It was cool...really".
Karen looked at her for a moment before turning to grab a cup off one of the shelves. "So do you want regular hot coffee, flavored hot coffee, iced latte, or a frappucino."
Kaiana breathed a small sigh of relief, glad that the subject was dropped. No way was she ready to re-hash the drama filled first day of school with an adult. "Uum...a frappuncio would be great," she replied happily. "What flavors do you have?"
"We have mocha blend, vanilla swirl, chocolate brownie, and malt mocha," said Karen, counting them off on her fingers.
Kaiana's face scrunched up in thought as she tried to choose. "Uuh...how about a mocha blend," she said finally. "That's sounds pretty good. Actually, any of the flavors would be great. I just need some caffeine in my system." Karen smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Well I'm glad that you've seemed to make friends with Haley," said Karen, glancing fondly at the young girl she had known nearly forever. "She's a great girl...a brat...but still great." Haley snorted and stuck her tongue out at Karen as she wiped down the counter. Kaiana couldn't stop the smile that appeared on her face. It was obvious they had a great relationship. Just seeing the two of them together made her think of her own mom, which caused a frown to appear on her face. Haley noticed and asked if she was ok.
Kaiana pulled herself together and pushed the negative thoughts away. Now was not the time to go all dismal and depressed. She was starting a new life now and had just made new friends. There was no reason to spoil it by killing the mood with her depressive past. "No Haley I'm cool," she said, faking cheeriness. "It's just a lot to take it in you know...the move...new school. It's just been a long day. " Karen and Haley exchanged a look that spoke volumes. Then Karen nodded and smiled at Kaiana once more before heading towards the back. That must have been a secret code for 'leave us alone for a minute so that I can find out what's wrong with her'.
Haley frowned. "Look, if you want to go home and lie down for a while it would be fine," she said. "You can take a nap and we can meet a little later or even tomorrow morning before school...if you want."
Kaiana shook her head in refusal. "No I want to do this now. I still have to read up on something else later. All I need is a little caffeine to gear me up and I'll be fine."
"Alright, I'll make that frappucino for you in a minute," Haley said. "So do you want something to eat," she asked. At her question, Kaiana's eyes strayed to the far end of the counter where some very delicious looking pastries sat atop glass trays. Her mouth watered slightly at the sight. "I guess I'll have one of those croissants," she said.
Haley nodded and said 'ok'. "Do you want some cheddar cheese melted in between," she asked.
"Oh god yes," Kaiana replied enthusiastically. Haley laughed at her eager response, causing Kaiana to blush. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. She had always had a healthy appetite and thanked God everyday for the metabolism that kept her slim.
Her fingers tapped the counter absentmindedly, while Haley prepared her meal, quietly taking in her surroundings. The café was pretty cool actually. It had a homey, comfortable feel to it. It made you feel like you could hang out there forever, even if it was your first visit. Kaiana especially love the counter with the old fashioned stools that looked similar to the ones in those old movies. You could just happily plop your butt on a stool, order a burger and fries, and just sit to eat your meal. No one would say anything if you didn't use a fork. You didn't have to fold some expensive napkin over your lap while sitting prim and proper while pretending to enjoy eating some sort of exotic dish like snails or octopus. It was just simply eating a 'fast food' meal in an environment that made you feel comfortable. It was what she had craved for so long...to finally be apart of the real world...where people really mattered to each other. She had finally escaped that superficial world of modeling.
Haley finally placed a rather large croissant in front of her, along with a couple of napkins and utensils. Kaiana's eyes widened slightly at the size of the croissant, but she was too hungry to protest. "Thanks a lot Haley," Kaiana said as she began cutting her croissant in half. She watched studiously as Haley prepared her frappucino in between bites of her meal. At last, Haley placed the frappucino on the counter next to her plate complete with a straw. Kaiana frowned noticing the whipped cream topping.
"What's wrong," Haley asked.
Kaiana swallowed the food in her mouth first before replying. "Not to sound ungrateful or anything, but I hate whipped cream".
Haley's eyes widened. "I didn't think anyone hated whipped cream," she said.
"Well, I guess you've finally met someone who does," Kaiana said, smiling widely.
"Hmm...you must not be aware of all the great things that can be done with whipped cream," Haley said with a devious grin.
Kaiana laughed out loud. "I'll just bet," she said in between giggles, which started Haley's laughter as well. Karen hearing the loud laughter finally ventured back out from the back area of the café. "What's so funny guys," Karen asked. Haley and Kaiana's eyes met and a faint blush creeped up Haley's neck until it reddened her entire face. That made Kaiana laugh harder. "Oh nothing...you had to be there." Haley said, glaring at Kaiana and sending a signal with her eyes to stop laughing.
"Yeah", Kaiana said in between giggles. "You had to be there to get it." Karen regarded the two girls with a strange look, but she simply gave them small smiles choosing not to question them any further. Kaiana quickly glanced downwards to her plate still with a smile adorning her face. She heard the bell jingle on the front door signaling someone was entering. Hearing the sound of laughter coming from the doorway, she spun around on her stool. She gasped in shock to see Lucas standing in the doorway of the café with an older guy with sandy blonde hair, the both of them laughing. Lucas saw her at that moment and she could see the surprise on his face matched her own.
"What are you doing here," Lucas asked while walking towards her. He perched himself on the stool next to Kaiana, still watching her with a slightly surprised look. He seemed to have forgotten all about his friend at the doorway while his attention was focused on her. Kaiana was at a loss for words for a moment. She was just as surprised to see him here. She wasn't expecting to see him again so soon...well until school the next day.
"I...uh...ca-came here with Haley to catch up on notes for English," she said, cursing inwardly at her stuttering. Lucas smiled a slow smile. Lucas turned to Haley with a questioning look, inside wondering why Haley didn't just tell him back at school that she was bringing Kaiana to his mom's café. Lucas chuckled when he realized Haley was deliberately avoiding his stare. 'Alright', he thought... 'I'll get it out of her later'. Seeing the silent exchange between Lucas and Haley confused Kaiana, until it dawned on her. She remembered something Haley said earlier in the parking lot...about Lucas seeing her much sooner than he thinks. Kaiana chuckled softly at the irony of her being worried that Brooke was up to something, when it was now so obvious that Haley was. Just when she thought she had these people figured out they surprise me.
Meanwhile, the gentlemen at the doorway continued to stand in the same spot in the doorway with his hands in the pockets of his jeans silently watching the scene in front of him. Lucas and this girl who he had never seen before were definitely into each other. What other reason could there be for Lucas to just forget all about his presence, walking away from him like they weren't just having a conversation. But he couldn't be annoyed with Lucas because he remembered how it was to be 17...hormones and all. His eyes finally strayed to Karen and he saw a knowing smile on her face. It seemed Karen also picked up on the vibes between the 'couple'. Well, Keith had to give it to his nephew...he had great taste in women.
Note: Alright, here's another chapter you guys. Anyway, please hit that little review button. Bye for now!
