The surroundings had changed. The forward design Deb designed over six years ago was beginning to grow. There was still a 'home' feeling in the air. It was like she never left. She filled her lungs with the sweet aroma of the home cooked food. She closed her eyes as she took it all in. She slowly glanced around the Café, turning her body away from Karen at the time.
A petit brunette woman noticed the blonde who was leaning into her back pockets of her jeans. "Hey Peyton. How are you?" Her smile gleamed upwards.
Peyton walked up to the kind woman. "Hey Karen. I'm really good actually." Peyton's smile was wide as she nodded her head.
Karen's eyes went slightly wide with surprise. "Gosh, I haven't seen you smile so big in a while. What's got you so happy?" Karen said.
Peyton took a sigh inwards. "Things are changing for the better I think." She looked over to her right. Her head slowly glanced backwards at her old friend who still stood by the door. "Umm…" Peyton swallowed hard as she felt Haley's dry lump in her throat subconsciously appearing in her own. "There is someone here I think you should talk to."
Karen looked around the Café. Her eyes went wide in anticipation. "Well…who is this person?"
"Hmm, one second." Peyton stepped backwards and towards the backwards Haley. "So" she whispered. "You ready for this? Or are you just gonna leave it all behind again?" Haley's eyes gave her a deadpanned look. "Sorry." Peyton interjected softly. Slowly Haley nodded before Peyton stepped forward to Karen again. Karen stood dumbfounded for a moment as the mysterious girl remained turned away.
Haley let out her held breath and looked over her shoulder first, then turned on her heels to face the woman who had been like a second mother. Her lip biting habit was now in full affect as her bottom lip seemed swollen. Her eyes darted over the Peyton as she stepped up to plate.
"Hi, I'm Karen. Nice to meet you." Karen proudly greeted ignoring the shocked faces on both the girls' faces.
The awkward silence stood for a moment. "Karen—" Peyton started.
"Hi…" Haley's voice was small and shy. Her shoulders eased down with a small breath was released. Her hazel eyes locked as her lips perched together.
Karen swiftly ran around the counter and stood before the girl who was now a woman. She reached for her shaking fingers and held them in her hands. Her hair laid down her back and on her shoulders in layers. The dark colour was closer to her natural roots then her blonde locks once countered. Her health glow still remained on her face.
Haley weakly smiled to the woman. Karen soon embraced her in her arms. Haley closed her eyes trying to brace back her tears that she hadn't shed for years. Karen rocked side to side as Haley felt like she was coming home finally.
"I missed you Hun. What took you so long?" Karen said leaning back from the intimate moment.
Haley raised her eyebrows was a quick smile. "Sorry. It's just…feels so good to be home."
"I bet." Karen nodded before finally hugging her again. "Well you must be hungry. What do you want, on the house?" Karen said returning to her post.
"Um, how about some home made Mac and Cheese, for old times." Haley smiled taking a seat on the stool.
Karen laid her hand on top of Haley's. "Of course." Karen said disappearing.
"So how did that feel?" Peyton asked with a smile voice of comfort.
Haley looked at her through the corner of her eyes. She left out a sigh as she turned to face her friend. "Amaz…" Haley started but faded. She clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. "Like home." She whispered. Peyton smiled before bringing her into a side hug. The both let out a small giggle before Haley was able to smile like herself again.
Maybe everything would be this easy. She hoped and dreamed it would. But everyone knows that dreams and hopes are only pipe dreams. She wasn't going to let her insecurities cause doubt.
