JENNIE

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When I got back to my room, Tzuyu was sitting on the bed with a book in her hands, and the smell of daisies hit me. I glanced over to see a huge bouquet by my bed. Tae.

"Your boyfriend stopped by," she said, smiling. "He's really nice."

Yes, he was. Always nice. The perfect guy.

I hadn't turned my phone on all morning, so I wasn't sure if he had texted or called. I knew he had practice again today. That and his classes. I didn't see a reason to bother him. But seeing the flowers made me feel guilty.

He was busy here and I had let him be. I didn't go out of my way to see him. During classes yesterday, I had seen a glimpse of him surrounded by girls. He seemed to be enjoying himself. And the odd thing was, I didn't care.

That bothered me the most.

I took the card from the flowers and opened it up.

This week has been too busy and I miss you. Sunday afternoon is ours. I have somewhere I want to take you. Love, Tae

I didn't read it again. Instead, I sat the card down on the table and looked straight ahead out the window. I'd never felt so lost.

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Saturday morning I arrived thirty minutes early to help Winter get the place open. I had worked with Connie and Blake on Thursday morning. Winter worked on Wednesday mornings and weekends.

Winter was a lot more pleasant than Connie. I was almost convinced that Connie hated the job. Blake was a lot more chipper, and I enjoyed chatting with him during down times. Connie texted a lot and mumbled curse words. Not real pleasant.

Blake was a senior at Bington and was majoring in mass communications. I had been considering that and was curious if he was happy with that decision now that he was almost done.

I did pick up on the fact Blake wasn't a fan of the Greek, so I didn't mention my brother being in Kappa Sigma. I myself wasn't going to join a sorority simply because I liked to keep to myself. I wasn't a very social person.

When things started to pick up on Saturday, it was almost nine. Even then, the early crowd was over thirty. The college-age crowd didn't start drifting in until closer to ten. I had almost learned how to make all the drinks without the cheat sheet taped to the counter. I also knew all the different muffins now and the names of the pastries.

"God, she is gorgeous," Winter said under her breath as she handed me a chocolate-chip muffin. I started to ask who, when I followed her gaze to see Lisa walking in the door.

Oh.

"She's a slut, though. Sleeps with a girl, then on to the next one the next day. I wouldn't go there, but I love to look at her. She's got a pirate thing going for her. She just needs an earring," she added with a giggle.

Lisa's eyes met mine and I smiled. This was going to be a hard day for her. Winter didn't know that. She only knew what Lisa had let the world around her see. I knew Lisa had a reputation, but she was also a human. Someone's nephew. She had a soul. And it was hurting.

I handed a customer his muffin. I wasn't sure how to respond to Winter or if I should just let her estimation of Lisa go. Maybe that was what Lisa wanted people to think. Who was I to change that?

"Can I help you?" I asked the next customer.

"A Butterfinger latte with light whip and a banana nut muffin. Two forks, and make it warm, please."

I rang them up before going to fix the drink. This was a popular one. I made it several times a day. Winter came with the large muffin, nice and warm, on a plate with two forks. We made a good team in the mornings.

"Here you go," I told the customer.

Then Lisa stepped up. "Good morning," I said, knowing this wasn't a good morning for her.

She smiled at me and the sadness seemed to fade. I had an urge to hug her. I'd had that Thursday in her room, too. It had taken all my willpower not to.

"Morning. You look good in the yellow apron," she replied. Her voice still had the raspy, sleepy sound to it. She hadn't been awake long.

I held it out and curtsied, because somehow I knew she would laugh. It was weird how I sometimes could anticipate what she needed from me. Like I expected her to, she laughed. A real one.

"Now, what can I get you?"

"Black coffee and one of those cream-cheese croissant things."

"Chocolate or vanilla?"

"Vanilla."

I nodded. "Good choice. I don't like the chocolate one."

"Me either."

I turned to see Winter watching me like I had lost my mind. I was confused for a moment, then remembered what she had said when Lisa walked in. Normally she was off getting the customers' food request. Not this time. She was frozen in her spot. It was awkward, so I smiled at her and said, "Winter, this is my friend Lisa. Lisa, this is Winter. She's the pro here and is teaching me everything."

Lisa nodded her way and smiled. "Nice to meet you, Winter."

"Uh, yeah, uh, you too," she said, then cut her eyes at me like she couldn't believe me before going to get her croissant.

I fixed her black coffee. The easiest drink I had done all day.

"You enjoying the job?" Lisa asked as I handed her her coffee.

I nodded. "Yes. It's fun, and I get to smell coffee all morning. It doesn't get much better."

She chuckled just as Winter came back with her croissant. Lisa thanked her and I was afraid she'd melt in a puddle on the floor. She barely got out a "you're welcome" before running to the back room.

"You have a reputation around these parts," I teased, knowing she'd understand exactly what I was talking about.

She smirked. "Your talking to me and calling me your 'friend' is going to confuse the hell out of everyone. I don't have female friends."

I would have laughed. I should have smiled. But those words. I knew them. They were so familiar. Which made no sense. My chest tightened when she said them, like I … like I missed them.

"You okay?" Her voice snapped me out of the weird in-between state I had drifted into.

"Yeah, I'm good. Bit of a headache," I lied.

"I'll go grab you some Tylenol."

I shook my head. "No, it's okay. I just need coffee, and luckily I can fix that easy enough."

She didn't seem convinced. But she finally took her things and went to find a table. One where I could see her and she could see me. Something about that also made me feel like I had done this before. Was I dreaming about her and not remembering it?

"Why didn't you shut me up and tell me she was your friend when I was talking about her?" Winter whispered behind me.

I turned to look at her. "I know her reputation. I didn't have time to explain she is my brother's frat buddy and roommate. We met this summer."

That was the most I was willing to tell her right now. My coma and Lisa being in my hospital room while I wasn't awake was more information than she needed.

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