JENNIE

..

..

The trees were full of fall colors, and I stood in the path with my head thrown back, staring up at the blue sky peeking through the branches. It was as if I were in a fairy-tale world out here. Beautiful and perfect. The sound of the stream running through the rocks along with the birds chirping filled the air, and I laughed and spun in a circle with my arms spread wide.

This felt like falling in love. The simple beauty of it. So detailed, yet fluid. The wind blew through my hair and I inhaled the fresh air. Then she said my name and my heart fluttered and pleasure coursed through me. I loved hearing her say my name. She was what made this perfect. Dropping my arms, I turned toward her voice.

And there she stood, so tall. Her dark hair brushing her shoulders and her green eyes full of laughter from catching me dancing under the trees. She was my safe place. I hadn't known I was lost until she found me.

Lisa Manoban was my hero.

..

My eyes flew open. That was a new one. My feelings for her were stronger in that one. Like I wanted to run and hide in her arms. Know she wasn't leaving me. This was all crazy, because Lisa was not the kind of girl you had these dreams about.

Lisa was a player. She liked women, and they liked her. That was obvious at dinner last night. She'd dated most of the females in there, it seemed. Several came over to flirt and rub up against her. Then the way JK talked about her and her conquests being legendary, you would think my brain would register all that and stop having silly dreams about her.

It must have been something I ate. No one should eat that much whipped cream and chocolate before bedtime. It must have the same effect as pizza. Crazy dreams. I wanted these dreams to stop. Looking at her made it hard when I had these images in my head.

I glanced over at Tzuyu, and she was sleeping soundly. All eighteen stuffed animals in bed with her—it was a packed house. Smiling at the sight she made, I got up to go to the bathroom. It wasn't even six in the morning yet, but I was going to get a shower. I didn't want to close my eyes again. My dreams couldn't be trusted.

I took my time washing my hair and drying it. Dressing was easy enough with the sunlight finally coming into the room. Tzuyu was a hard sleeper and didn't even budge while I got myself ready. I was going to go find coffee and take my book with me. I wasn't sure just how late Tzuyu slept and I didn't want to wake her early.

Deciding against driving, I chose to walk toward the campus center. I needed to find the library, too. That was important. There were several books I was supposed to have on my reading log for two different classes.

No one was awake. The early morning light was something to take in on the quiet campus. I doubted I would walk through it empty like this again. Today was Sunday. On Monday classes would begin. Today the rest of the students would arrive and get settled. It was move-in weekend. I wondered how long it would be before the campus started stirring with activity. I knew Tae had gotten back late because he'd texted me. I didn't expect to hear from him until closer to lunch.

I passed the main office and turned on the downtown street when the smell of coffee finally met my nose. I was getting close. I saw someone walk out of a storefront up ahead with a coffee in his hand and knew I'd found what I was looking for—and walking distance from the dorm. That was really good news.

In the café window, EARLY PERK was painted in green with brown and yellow accents. There was a display of huge muffins and pastries just under the name, and I decided this might be my new favorite place. Café tables with yellow umbrellas were scattered along the sidewalk out front. Inside there were about seven tables, and benches lined the walls.

I inhaled again as I walked in the door. This was exactly like I expected. Which was odd. Why I expected anything, I wasn't sure. I'd heard my brother talk about his college life plenty last year, and although he wasn't very descriptive, I have a vivid imagination and tended to create how I think things should look in my head. This coffee shop, for example.

My mother had always said I should write books. All my life I've had a very bright and colorful imagination. I liked telling stories and exploring other realities. It was my escape many times to daydream.

The barista was a girl about my age. A job here wouldn't be bad. I'd enjoy being in this atmosphere.

"What can I get you?" she asked with a smile. Her short brown hair was curly and had a wild look to it that I liked. She had a pixie-shaped face that it fit with. An interesting tattoo of tiny birds flying away went down into her neckline.

"I have two questions," I told her.

"Okay."

"Are they hiring here?" I asked her.

Her smile became a relieved one. "Oh my God, yes. We just lost our other weekend girl and I'm here alone until twelve when the afternoon help arrives. No one wants weekend mornings from five to twelve. Then one more day during the week you would have to work a five to twelve."

I had no problem with early mornings. "I don't have morning classes on Thursdays. Would that work?"

The girl actually bounced on her feet. "Yes! Here." She scrambled under the counter in front of her and pulled out a paper and a pen. "Fill this out and I'll call Jude, the owner, while you do that. She might hire you today."

"Great!" I had been worried finding a job was going to be much more difficult than this. I loved this little place. Working here on weekend mornings would be perfect.

I sat down at the nearest table and began filling out the paperwork.

"Hey, what was your other question?" the girl called out. "And I'm Winter, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, Winter. I'm Jennie, and I was going to ask what coffee you suggested. The menu is extensive."

She beamed at me. "Let me fix you up."

I ended up drinking my café mocha latte with whipped cream while she taught me where everything was in the back and how to work the espresso machine.

I had a job.

..

..

..