Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

My eyes open drearily the beeping sound, ringing till I got up to shut it off I stumble over to my alarm and turn it off I grab my glasses of my desk before wiping them and plopping them on my face, I look at the world a bit clearer. I made my way to get ready for my new school I pull my binder over my body I feel relieved I smile in my body length mirror I was always happy with how flat I looked. My old friend was able to buy it for me I relished in my serotonin before snapping back to reality my eyes meet my new school clothes a white button up with burgundy blazer and a matching tie with stripes paired off with black trousers I get ready for school almost excited I was happy for a new start I didn’t have to be the weird gay loser though I still felt I was being a bit hopeful. I finally finished changing topping off the outfit with a watch and my messenger bag. I felt so androgynous looking in the mirror it helped I couldn’t see my face. I made my way downstairs and watched some dumb kids shows before my dad came down bloodshot eyes dressed in his tightly shut gown though I knew he was wearing nothing but his boxers under I got up “Don’t you wanna wear a coat” he says in concerned speech “Nah it’s not that cold” I respond shutting down the conversation. I follow him to the car he checks his phone for the email which told him where he needed to drop me off I stare out the window before the car starts moving. The ride is silent almost echoing our past relationship I’ve lost all respect for the man who I found my only comfort in it hurt it hurt a lot but I know I just need to remember he would disown me if he knew everything about me he hurt me and I want it to hurt him.

~-----(Time skip)-----~

     We finally arrive in front of a gate with a kind looking teacher “Have a good da¬-” I climb out the door and quickly closing it cutting off my dad’s remark I walk over to the teacher hearing my dad’s car speed off she greets me and asks if I’m *dead name* I cringe slightly at the name being spoken so kindly I mutter yes feeling uncomfortable “Oh good” she says with a bubbly tone “I’m Mrs. Vienna it’s nice to meet you” “It’s nice to meet you too Mrs. Vienna” I reply respectfully and maturely as possible “Well since your new I just need to walk you to your first class and help you introduce yourself to everyone luckily you won’t miss any learning time today since you’ve already had a tour of the place” I smile sweetly as she start leading me to my new start my start. Immediately my mind starts racing wait I have to introduce myself oh shit what if I embarrass myself what if I fall over what if I start crying what if I say something stupid what if someone laughs at me okay just plan something now and nothing bad will happen what’s interesting about me I collect stuffie’s no no stupid uh I draw yea I’m an artist okay just one more thing I have I guitar in my room my room that I can’t play I can say I like music yea yeah perfect maybe say I listen to beach goons and insane clown posse no they don’t care about that okay one more thing 3 thing minimum “Alright we’re here” Mrs. Vienna says interrupting my internal conflict fuck I don’t have three things to say she knocks the door a tired teacher opens the door begrudgingly. A man with a button nose with glasses propped on he was slightly plump with chubby cheeks he seems like the kinda dude to crack lame puns to make his kids cringe It was a nice energy to be around his eyes looked at me then to Mrs. Vienna “This the new kid” he tried to seem a bit more energetic but I sympathized with his tiredness he turned around leading us in I felt all the attention be placed on me I turned to the class as Mrs. Vienna stopped walking forward I saw a class of about 30 kids no wonder the teacher seemed so tired all the kids looked at me with menacing faces. God I wanted to shut my eyes and pretend I wasn’t there.  I looked down at my feet squeezing the belt of my messenger bag holding it close as if someone was going to steal it from me, Mrs. Vienna Introduced me briefly “Hello class this is *dead name* they are going to be a new student *dead name*would you like to introduce yourself” there was a second of silence before I look up to her I’m met with expecting eyes I turn to the class heart in my throat “Um hello as you know my name is H- *dead name* I um like to draw stuff and listen to music.” I say this staring into empty space so I don’t see anyone’s faces I turn to the teacher to indicate that I’m done with my speech. “Well that was quite short wasn’t it” well yea you interrupted my planning time I say in my head “well I really do hope you all welcome *dead name* into your classroom but as you all know when a new student comes here we partner the up with someone for the week so they don’t get lost and might be able to make some friends” she pulls the clip board she had been carrying through my entire journey through the school she traced her fingers down skimming whatever text was there she then tapped the page and the announces continuing her previous sentence as if she hadn’t just have to search for the name “and *dead name’s* partner is Wilbur soot” I turn back to the class everyone was silent as a boy with brunette hair picks up his head from what it seemed like he was doodling on the desk scratching up the wood he put his pen down and leant forward resting his chin on his hand locking me in a stare Mrs. then says “Well that’s all today I do hope to see you all soon” she then leaves the class resumes back to its random natter. I’m locked into this stare I don’t know what to think of this it’s so strange he breaks the eye contact and goes back to doodling the teacher the tells me to sit in front of a conveniently empty seat in front of the weird dude I sit down putting my bag on the side of my desk the teacher makes his way over to me and says “if he gives you any trouble let me know” obviously gesturing to the dude behind me I nod he makes his way back to his desk continuing his lesson I pull out all my stuff before turning to the dude behind me I say “Hey your names Will right?” “Don’t try to be my friend” he said before quickly going back to doodling I turn back defeated I huff out some hot air before I hear some girl say “god the teachers must think it’s funny to pair that kid with Will ”I hear a violent chuckle come out with her thick accent I didn’t even have to look at her to know her face was caked with orange foundation with barely glued on fake eyelashes I huff again and lean back in my seat tuning back into what the teacher was saying. God this is going to be a long couple of school year’s...

Chapter Text

I was right from my time at that school I didn’t make a singular friend I had a couple popular people approach me but they always seemed to snicker during talking to me like it was funny to just be associated with me. The first week there I sat with Will though he didn’t talk to me he only showed me round school. I followed him to class and he only talked to me then, it was clear that he was only tolerating me now he later became a big bully for me more than the popular students I didn’t have any friends so I would eat in the library until he found out he’d show up and tease me and throw paper at me he told the rest of the kids too they would show up and steal my stuff some girls even decided to pester me even more outside of class with trying to make me draw them I made the decision to eat in the toilets after that. I quickly became a favorite for teachers even though it wasn’t something I particularly wanted the kids called me a suck up when I wouldn’t try to steal answers for them for an upcoming test I just wanted to nail down on school why did everyone have to make that difficult. I stayed away from everyone there the only person I talked to was an old friend from my old school I still miss her now talking about it we just drifted apart, I hope she’s doing good now. I don’t know why I constantly have to replay memories from secondary school maybe its just cause I never really got why Will had to mock me he seemed as much as a loner as me so why be mean I just didn’t get it the times he’d pin me against a wall and ask me for money or else he’d hurt me was always the scariest he seemed like someone who had nothing to lose at least if a popular kid were to slam my face in their parents would get on their case but I don’t think this would be the case for him I always carried an extra fiver with me after this became a regular thing.

I huff some air out in frustration I’m sat in my bedroom the night before I have to move and I’m thinking about this shit. I look around my room sat on my mattress looking at my cat all my stuff is on the way to my new place I finally rationalize to myself I need some sleep for the three hour drive I need to be there before the movers are there I shut my eyes and slowly drift off to sleep.

I wake up to the blearing sound of my alarm from my phone I sit up my cat peacefully sleeping on the floor next to her bed god does she have to make everything I buy her useless she seemed startled by my alarm and she shot up I walk over to my alarm to stop its whining I look at the time 6:20am cool just enough time to get ready and avoid any delay cause of traffic. I walk back over to my mattress I place my pillows in the blanket as I fold it up creating a wrap shape I open my cats carrier putting some treats leading into it with a huge pile inside right at the back I get up from my crouching position and look at my cat licking her paw I make my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth to get rid of the putrid smell my mouth emitted I look at my dreary eyes in the mirror god we’ve come a long way my friend I wash off my tooth brush and grab the toothpaste tube to put in my suit case I go back into my room cat disappeared from her spot I peer into the cat carrier to see he tail wiping back and forth I went over crouching down shutting the carrier as I giggle slightly imagining her betrayed face I open my suit case shoving the items in my hand inside I ponder whether I should change my outfit but I just decide to stick with the white t and grey sweats though I did decide to wear my binder I flatten out my shirt a sense of euphoria overwhelms me feeling the flatness I shake my hands with excitement god that feeling does not get old I zip up my suit case picking it up and pulling out the handle I grab my cats carrier and made my way downstairs I put her net to the door and went upstairs picking up my items one by one bringing them to the same place I went up for the last time grabbing my favorite stuffy a pink rabbit I’ve had since I was born it was a gift from some relative It was wearing a black t shirt one I wore when I was a baby I shove it under my armpit as I put a bag on filled with some of my favorite books mostly manga though I remember something I almost forgot I went over to my mattress lifting it up slightly to find my goodbye letter it was filled with toxic words I spilt my guts into this and I was going to make my dad cry he deserved it after everything they did I then grab my suit case and went down stairs I drop all my stuff at the door except the letter I turn around and enter the living room I put the letter down I place a dirty mug on it to make sure it stayed there I turn back and put on some slip on shoes and I carry all my stuff all my stuff out to the car my cat with a bowl of food and little bit of water with a litter box was all placed into the backseat I shoved my bag of stuffy’s as well as my other bag of cloths with the rest of my cats stuff in the boot I placed my suitcase on the seat next to mine retracting the handle and sitting my stuffed bunny on top buckling it in I then put my backpack on the floor of this seat. I finally finished packing up my car god all this felt so freeing finally leaving this hell hole I start up the car and pull out my drive way I cruise through the 3 hour drive only making a couple pit stops for gas and toilet breaks.

I finally arrive I look up at the building its tall I cringe thinking about the possibility of my room being on the top floor though I knew that wasn’t true I look back at my cat she was asleep in her carrier I reach my hand over the back seat and shut the door of the carrier throwing her small blanket on top. I get out my car and go to the boot and grabs my two trash bags I shut the boot and went back to the front door to grab my suitcase and back pack I grab my key out of the backpack and make my way into the building reading the room location I sigh in relief only the second floor. I make my way in I walk over and kick open a door in the apartment its full of stuff a bed a pc I quickly realized this was not my room so I waddle over to the second room seeing nothing but a bare floor I set all my stuff in the room and I make this trip a couple more times I make my final trip with just my cat and my rabbit plush I lean against the wall and blow out some steam I really need to exercise I head out my room to go shut the front door till I’m met with some brown eyes.

Chapter Text

(Wilbur POV)

I felt so tired I had been so high energy for Tommy’s vlog the headache I had was killing me I made my way up the 2 flights of stairs I was so ready just to kick of my shoes and sleep of the pounding in my head .I arrive on my floor I walk over to my door strange its open I walk in and see someone walk out their door their deep brown eyes met mine.

(Hallow POV)

My eyes reached the stranger as I stop in my tracks he looks so familiar I spoke “Um hi you my roommate.” “OH uh yea” I walk up to introduce myself “Hi my names Hallow” I say sticking my hand out for a hand shake he takes it awkwardly almost hesitantly “It’s nice to meet you Hallow I would talk some more but it’s been a long day for me and I just need a nap” he says politely “Oh have a good nap then stranger” he turns to the door I kicked open previously and shuts it I better be quiet I stand in the hallway for a couple of seconds god I can’t shake off the feeling I know him from somewhere. I go to the front door to shut it until I hear some bustle from outside I leave out the door to go investigate it’s the movers I wave to them they come up to me I say I’m *deadname* and they lead me outside to the truck grabbing some boxes with taken apart furniture they carry it up to my room as I lead them we do this a couple more times finally unloaded the truck fully I stand outside watching them drive off I make my way back up all sweaty I shut and lock the front door I go to my room that had boxes of stuff I couldn’t fit in my car. I check up on my cat she was wide awake with all the noise I pull the blanket over her carrier and pick her up I don’t want her in here while I assemble stuff I head out my door and put her on the kitchen counter I sat and thought for a bit where should I put her I don’t want to sit with her for two hours until she got comfy to come out I can’t leave her alone I just need a room and someone to sit with her in the amidst of my thought my roommate walks out of his room.

(Wilbur POV)

After my interaction with “Hallow” I shut my door and sat on the floor it can’t be them but they look exactly like them the only thing different now was they had a mullet but their name was Hallow I want to scream okay its fine I just need some rest so much is going on I get up and change out of my fancy dress shirt and into a black t and some sweats I sit on my bed and glance at my clock 10:15am god we were recording for 2 hours I crash on my bed falling asleep instantly god that was the easiest ive fallen asleep in a while. I wake up from my nap feeling a bit dustier than before I glance at the clock it was almost 11am I get up and head out my door seeing my new roommate sat there at the kitchen counter pondering with what looks like a cat carrier

(Hallow POV)

I glance up at him he looked a bit tired “Good nap” “No” he replied in a grumpy voice I cackle before my brain jumps to ask him a question “Uh you like cats?” “yea they’re pretty cool” “Can mine just chill in you room for a bit I promise she won’t cause trouble” I smile awkwardly before moving out the way so he could see the carrier he says “sure” and turns to lead me to his room I grab the carrier and follow him he walks in and turns to me “What’s her name?” “Oh its Artemis” “You named her after a Greek god” “Yea you got an issue with it” I say a bit standoffish “No need to get on my case you history nerd” he says “Aye!” I say insulted he laughs “Just set her down ”I put her down and I take off the blanket off her carrier she peers up at me and my roommate with her bright yellow eyes “She’s cute” he says “Yea she is don’t steal her from me though” he giggles at my joke I open the door she sits there and doesn’t leave immediately which is understandable “Alright I’ll leave you two to it then.” I say as I exit the room I make my way to my room I stretch finally ready to start assembling my shit I didn’t get a bed frame so I pushed my mattress into the corner of my room and set my pillows and stuffed animals on it I move over to start building my desk I start building It once finished I pushed it against the wall above the outlet I roll out my cats favorite rug before I start putting all my cats near my bed I then look at the assembly requirement for my wardrobe god I can’t do that by myself.

(Wilbur POV)

Hallow has just left the room any their cat has already come out of its carrier she revealed her orange and black fur coat huh a tortoiseshell cat cool I crouched down and sat on the floor she sat in front of me licking her paw I stick my hand out as she walks over sniffing my hand she starts licking it then bites softly and leans her head into my hand I really am the cat whisper I pet in between her ears slowly moving down to the rest of her body she moved around my hand to make sure she got pet all over after a couple of minutes of this she decided my lap would be a more comfortable spot god this cat was social I grab my phone off my bed I scroll on twitter for a couple of minutes before deciding to think a bit more so my roommate who somehow suspiciously looks very similar to the person I bullied in secondary school name is Hallow? Did they change their name or something? Hallow didn’t really look like a girl though they did Is Hallow a guy or a girl I forgot to ask, all this is so confusing I huffed up my pride and decided to call the old man of wisdom Phil . I called him waiting for the rings I look back down at Artemis she seemed to be asleep I kind of wanted to be asleep right now too. 3 rings and Phil answered “Hello mate” he said in his chipper tone “Hey Phil.” I say in a worried tone he immediately picked up on it “Well it’s something about my new roommate” “What they a asshole or something” he said with a slight cackle “No it’s just I’m scared I think it’s someone I know” “Were they horrible to you when you were younger.” “No the opposite” I kind of expected him to be mad “So your roommate was someone you were horrible to?” “Well might’ve been someone I was horrible to” “Well their name is Hallow that’s not what it was when I think I met them.” “Maybe they changed it. Why are you so worried about this they are just a roommate.” “I don’t know I just, they are so kind and I don’t think there is anything I can do to stop us being friends.” I say frustrated Phil realizes this and spouts a solution “Honestly this is probably really bad advice but you could use an alias.” “What do you mean” I say puzzled “Well like a fake name to hide who you are but only temporarily of course.” “Phil I know what an alias is but how is this supposed to help me?” “Well if you pose as a different person they will see you as a stranger rather than a past enemy and you’ll be able to prove yourself as a good person and then later reveal your identity and they will be less mad at you and you guys can be friends or something like that.” I sit in silence wide eyes as a grin slowly forms on my face “Phil you are so smart thank you so much.” “Alright Will I gotta get going so good luck then bye mate” “Cya Phil.” I inhale and lean back as if all my problems have been solved before I hear a knock at my door my head takes a second to screw on straight I shakily say come in as if someone had caught me with my pants down.

(Hallow POV)

I get up from my spot on the floor I decide as much as I don’t want to annoy him it’ll be the best just to ask for my roommate’s help. I make my way out of my room and head to his door ready to knock until I hear slight murmuring maybe he’s on the phone I wait a couple seconds not really listening to the conversation until I hear the noise of someone hanging up on a phone call I instantly knock the door and wait for a response before a slightly startled voice says come in. I slightly creek the door open sticking my head in I see my roommate sat on the floor with my cat in his lap looking wide eyed at me I fully walk in knowing that I’m not intruding in on anything I shut the door behind me with a slight click my cat immediately gets up out of his lap stretching a bit before coming to greet me I crouch down and stick my hand out she sniffs it then bits softly and then licks my hand her normal routine of greeting me I give her a kiss on the forehead before my roommate chimes in “I’m here to y’know.” I look at him while continuing to pet my cat “Stop interrupting my moment.” I say bluntly before turning back to look at her “You interrupted my moment with her if you couldn’t tell when you walked.” He says with a bit of attitude “Well she is my cat so she loves me more anyways.” There is a moment of silence before he says “You know what, fair enough” he gets up “You in here to retrieve your cat.” I remember the whole reason I came in here and stand up and turn to him “Well no I just need your help constructing my wardrobe and it seems like a two person job just sorry in advanced I know it’s a big ask.” I say I bit stutter it had always taken me a lot to ask for help even since I was a kid I was always so used to doing stuff myself I just wish I didn’t feel uncomfortable asking for favors he says “Oh sure dude it’s no worry” I feel a huge weight off my chest I smile and lead him to my room saying he should leave his room open so Artemis can explore the rest of the apartment I wanted us both to be comfortable here we finally make it into my room and we start constructing the wardrobe. I lead him into the room and he shuts the door behind him as I handed him the wardrobes instruction. He studied the paper before looking up at me “Let’s get started then.” I sit on the ground and dump out the wardrobe parts before he quickly joins me and sets the instructions on the ground “Alright Mr. handy man where do we start.” I say he looks up at me slightly puzzled before looking back at the instructions “We need part A first which looks likes the base.” He says pointing to the diagram of the piece I search through the pile separating the bags of screws while looking for the piece I find it and set it near where I eventually want it placed I bend over hands on my knees he looks up at me a little smug “Hey don’t think your all high and mighty right now just cause I’m sat down.” he says “Wow a bit intimidated now are we?” I say mocking his statement he quickly gets up making me feel as small as ever with his stature I look up at his brown eyes god this feels like secondary school all over again “Are you scared now?” he replies a little mischief in his tone I turn from him and say “In your dreams.” I turn back to look at him and ask “How tall are you actually though?” “6’5 I think.” He says answering my question “Wow you tall fuck spare me some height jeez.” He laughs “How tall are you then?” he asks “5’4” I say shyly “Ha you’re a short cunt aren’t ya.” “Stop being so standoffish then! ” I exclaim “Stop thinking you’re scarier than me” he says with a jokey shout “I DIDN’T EVEN SAY ANYTHING!” I shout back “You were giving me the EYE! ” he shouts back. There is a moment of silence between us before both of us break down laughing we stop and my roommate says “So we both agree I’m the scarier one.” “I quickly grab his shirt before pulling him down to my level .He looked at me wide eyed ha bet you weren’t expecting that bitch I say in my head he smirks and says “That’s sooo hoooot.” I burst out laughing and let go of his shirt not expecting the response he rose back up and looked back down at me “God I don’t even know your name yet and we’re already flirting. ” I cackle out while holding my stomach “Well call it love at first sight.” He says “That’s some arranged marriage sounding bullshit you said right there.” He laughs loudly with a slight wheeze. Once we calm down over our laughing fit he says “Well I guess I didn’t actually tell you my name.” “So?” I say excited to learn more about my roommate he hesitates before saying “Evan.” “Lame” I jokingly say “What did you expect?” “I don’t know something cool and mysterious since you made friends with me before even telling me” wait I should have assumed we were friends shit “Wait we’re friends?” he says a little stunned shit “Well if that’s okay with you if I call you a friend” “hell yea.” He says smashing any doubts I had in my head “Well since we are getting to know each other are you a guy or girl I can’t really tell sorry if that inappropriate I just don’t want to misgender you.” I my heart coughs up to my throat what if he reacts badly I hesitate being truthful but I decide its better for me to spit it out “Nah dude it's cool uh I’m non binary.” I say the last part with a squeak “Oh cool I have a trans friend now, dope.” I feel relive absorb me I think that’s the first time I’ve ever come out to someone about that I smile glad it went well we both simultaneously remember we were building a wardrobe not soul searching we both get to it following the instructions it goes smoothly until we were on the part where we had to put the top part on.

(Wilbur POV)

I had followed Phil’s plan of pretending to be someone else I felt bad lying to them but I at least need to prove myself as a changed person I just need to remember I’m Evan well at least in front of Hallow I am. Me and Hallow are now in a predicament with the wardrobe I’m holding the left and middle panel and hallow is holding the right one with one free hand and we need someone to hammer in the top of the wardrobe and Hallow can’t reach and if any of us let go of a panel it will just crumble Hallow decides to hold the middle and the right panel so I can hammer in the top. Hallow tells me to move back a bit I scoot back and they stand in the empty space still holding the right panel their body is pressed up against mine and my breathing hitches they grab the middle panel and they say I can hammer in the top now I grab the hammer a bit shaky from how close we are I hammer in all the panels the ask if I’m done I say yes they back up and I fall down grabbing onto them as the little bit of hope of still being able to stand I bring them down with me and they are sat on top of me “Yo get off” I say a bit winded they look down at me “No this is what you get for bringing me down with you.” “Well you made me fall.” I justify “That was an accident” they say before lying down on me and stretching practically star fishing on top of me I wrap my arms around them so they can’t get up they giggle after I touched there sides and say “Hey I’m ticklish.” I then seize the opportunity for chaos and start prodding their side they close up squirming slightly as they scream a slur of stop its along with their cackle “I’ll stop when you get off of me” “Okay okay I’ll get off stop tickling me!” I stop and as they promised they roll of my body now lying next to me instead of on top they lie there for a couple of seconds before lifting themselves off of the ground slightly by their elbows they look up at the wardrobe “Ey we did a pretty good job” they say looking back at me I sit up along with them “Yea just needs the doors and you’re good.” They lie back down and whine “But I’m tired now can you just do it” “No get up” I say they lift their hand up and say “But what if I make you breakfast tomorrow” “Are you bargaining with me…cause its working” I get up and I finish off the wardrobe while asking them where I should move it to they also ask me just to put their pc stuff on their desk they get up and stretch slightly “thanks dude” we hear scratching at the door I walk up to the door and Artemis walks in and heads straight to the food we laugh slightly and I say “Dude I’m probably gunna get dressed and head to the park so I won’t be home” “Oh okay have fun” I shut the door and quickly get dressed to go out and I take my phone and wallet and head out the apartment complex.

Chapter Text

(Hallow POV)

I chill around the apartment with Evan gone it’s gunna be pretty hard to entertain myself for what I look at my alarm clock 12pm another 6 hours I worked the night shift at my new job and it was my first day it’s a pretty big brand of coffee shop it was Starbucks competing brand Mermaids and Matcha pretty fun name they stayed open for way longer than Starbucks to get a catch on those late in customers and this meant easy working hours for me I stay up until after 12am anyways. The only difficult thing is I have to close up shop but I had experience closing up shop at my old job because I was constantly covering shifts and if I didn’t I would get fired and I couldn’t risk losing it I was so ready to leave my house my plans couldn’t come crashing down then and I’m glad they didn’t I feel so free here and I’ve already made a friend no mishaps really well except that part of building the wardrobe he’s definitely going to use the fact I’m ticklish against me in the future I think to myself I can’t help but feel as if I’ve seen him before it’s a feeling so familiar talking to him I feel I would remember someone being this kind to me though I sit up from my mattress seeing my cat rolling around on her favorite rug I giggle at her before getting up to deciding I could make some food I go to the kitchen finding everything in need quite easily to make myself a cheese sandwich I head back to my room and I eat the food on my bed letting the slight murmuring noise in my head becoming something I zone in on I finish my sandwich and I put my plate on my desk I lie back down and decide to reflect on some old memories ones of my parents. I can’t help the feeling of ‘loving’ them I told this a lot to my friend at the time she always reasoned with me reminding me of all the horrible things they did to me then I really didn’t understand it then but I do now I was never loved my parents I loved the thought of parental love they provided a little bit of that but the bad outweighed the good and my lungs being intoxicated with cigarette smoke was just the icing on the cake I have never smoked a day in my life not even those stupid fruit flavored vapes everyone was addicted to yet my coughing was always worse then everyone else’s it’s kinda sad my health was risked for someone else’s habit. The only person I had there was my sister it’s sad though she was 6 by time I was in year 10 going to a new school how old is she now I stick up my hands counting on my fingers she’s 13, 14 this year since her birthdays in March and its January now mines in April so I’m going to be 25 soon holy shit and I’m finally out took a while but I can finally be an independent adult and I can be friends with anyone I can date people I have my own place god I feel so free I stretch out my limbs as I say this in my head. I just hope my parents have given my sister a better shot at life more freedom to be a teen I wish I could have taken her with me but that would have been classed as kidnapping and I’m not letting that title be under my name well dead name I haven’t got the money for surgery nor do I have any for changing my name or sex assigned at birth on any of my ids. I get up and went onto my phone I’ve done enough thinking for right now and I open tiktok as I mindlessly scroll.

(Wilbur POV)

I head out my apartment and decide to go to my office and stream I haven’t streamed in a while and it’s something to get my mind off things I make my way to my office pretty quickly I head inside and unlock my door I sit down and take a breather I’ll talk to Phil after the stream since it was his idea to lie anyways. I click the go live button as my steam opens up on the starting soon screen I create a separate tab and go to twitter copying the twitch link and posting it with the caption ‘Doing another you laugh you lose stream ’ I lean back in my chair and I take my bottle of water out my backpack and take a sip I set the water on my desk I look over to the viewer count 100 people I look at my phone scrolling twitter just seeing senseless political argument’s I get off the app and go to Instagram I mindlessly scroll for a couple of minutes before I set my phone the side I get up and head to the toilet .I finish up and I head out the toilet back to my office I walk back and sit back in my chair I see I made them wait for 5 minutes I stumble and quickly turn on my face cam I look up at my camera a bit shocked before I sit back up “Uh sorry chat I took a while in all honestly I was in the toilet.” I chuckle a little “But at least we have a fucking load of videos holy shit” I peered at the amount of queued videos “You guys are something, I guess we can get started right away” I lean into this world of distraction from the predicament I’ve found myself in.
I end up streaming for well over 2 hours much longer than I wanted once I realize how long I steamed for I panicked really for no reason in particular and I said bye to my chat quite abruptly and end my stream I lean back with a feeling of accomplishment before the realization snaps back into me I quickly call Phil within the privacy of my office three rings echo in my head before he picks up I hear him say “Hello” along with some stirring sounds was he making tea I questioned myself before remembering why I called I wanted to ignore this so badly but I knew I couldn’t “Hi Phil it’s about the roommate.” He hummed on the other end of the line waiting for me to spill everything to him I swallow my pride and pull my legs up to me cradling them like a child not really caring if my shoes got the chair dirty I rest my chin on my knees as i tell him everything “Well I’m still not sure if its them but I did do what you said” “What’s your new name then” he says briefly interrupting my monologue “Oh I said it’s Evan in the spur of the moment so if I’m on call with you just call me Evan unless I say otherwise um but we are friend’s now just I didn’t really mean for it to happen I just didn’t want to be mean to them god that’s the last thing I’d want to do and we just ended up clicking really good and they called me a friend and they asked me if it was alright and I didn’t want to say no since that just makes things awkward you know god Phil I don’t know how I get myself into these things.” “Will it’s going to be fine just any info you know about them.” “I don’t really know much I they already told me their name was Hallow…Oh but I did find out they are Non binary, which doesn’t really nail things down.” I groan in frustration “Will this is just beginning steps you will have plenty of opportunity to get to know them for this will take a while you will just have to bear with it for now at least.” “Okay Phil I’ll call you tomorrow unless something comes up.” I say a little defeated “Good luck mate” he says before he hangs up the call I sit back this will be a long game then I guess I can play patient.

(Hallow)

I look at the clock on my phone it’s been 2 hours so I get up and stretch my limbs before the brain rot took over I lay on my bed thinking of something productive to do before it hits me I should probably go explore the place I’ll be living for at least a couple of years I get up and slip on some doc’s and a coat and a beanie on since British weather can be a pain in the ass and I slip my wallet in my sweatpants pocket. I step out my apartment and lock the door I make my way out the building and inhale a breath of fresh air its cold and gloomy with grey clouds as usual I walk through almost aimlessly I walked across the beach of Brighton strangely it had pebbles on the shore instead of sand not exactly something I’d like to sink my toes into on a summer day god not doing much research on the surrounding place of the apartment really made everything so jarring I figured there was a park I stayed there for a bit before quickly finding it boring since there’s not much to do at a park by yourself I got up got up from my spot from setting next to a tree watching kids bug their siblings and teens vape while making out with each other god I’m glad I wasn’t like that in high school. I got up from my spot before going off to wander again I make my way out of the park before a boastful amount of noise catch’s my attention it’s a bin with some adults around it clearly trying to relive their teen years but replace those bubble gum scented vapes with cigarettes and you got them a chavy looking woman cradles what looks like her boyfriend’s arm while another dude who looks in his late 40’s was huffing on a cigarette as if he had just lost his right to see his kids while a couple of other dudes have a chat on the other side of the bins leaning back on them god they were making so much noise for 5 people the old dude seems to notice my staring and looks at me with bloodshot eyes he crushes his cigar on the bin before making his way over me I didn’t move I know what ever he says or does to me I’m not going to back down I’m standing my ground this time round I’m not going to run he makes his way over to me with hazy steps it was clear he had defiantly drank some alcohol before this, he stumbled over to me he stopped once he was close enough he was tall but defiantly didn’t tower over me the same way Evan does “Stop staring at me kid unless you got some ideas.” He says with flirty undertones “You’re disgusting I’m 15” I lied “Always said I like em young” shock paints my face I can only think to do one thing I pull down the hood of my coat and take off my beanie his face develops into shock before disgust takes over he says “Fucking Tranny .” in response then he turns back and stumbles his way back to the bin’s clearly I wasn’t girl like enough for him, good .I hear running sounds coming for me I turn to see Evan he puts his hands on his knees and pants for a few seconds before he looks up at me still heaving “Are you okay?!” he says in between breaths “Yea I’m fine just old drunk people shit.” I reply he stands up straight “So where are you going I can take you there.” He says clearly curious “I don’t really know I have the night shift at the job and I’m just trying to use up time until then.” “Huh Well there is this coffee place I know and we can get some coffee to go if you want.” “Sure Evan, sounds fun.” I reply to his proposition his eyes light up as he takes my arm dragging me to the coffee place with a steady pace.

Chapter Text

(Wilbur POV)

I had been taking a quick photo with a fan and had just about said bye and started leaning against a wall before I see a small figure with a familiar green coat with an unfamiliar figure in front. My instincts kick in and I bolt for the two figures I felt like I wasn’t running quick enough I weaved in-between all the people before I halt being met with my roommate I realize the person is no longer near them and I huff my limbs felt like jelly I take a moment to compose myself before asking them if they are okay worry laced my tone they said they were fine and I couldn’t be more relived I stand up straight and try to lean into a regular conversation I end up inviting them to a coffee placed in my panic. We walk there I’ve let go of them at this point it’s an uncomfortable silence I try to drag them into a conversation “So why did you decide to move here” I kept the topic broad they respond quickly and shortly “Oh just I’m an adult and I just want to live my own life ,you know” I keep the conversation going trying not to let it die out “Yeah I feel ya. But why here?” “I don’t know really just it’s pretty far from where I lived.” I scoff slightly in a jokey way “Why would you want to live that far from where you grew up?” they looked hesitant to answer I looked and saw the coffee shops name ‘Mermaids and matcha’ I smiled and grabbed their arm again they startled before I began almost racing into the establishment I didn’t know why I was so excited for this. We headed in the bell chimes on the door the stubble behind me as I stop I let go and turn to them they looked disheveled I open my arms out in an extravagant kind of way as I beam them a smile the look of confusion painted their face ridding of their tiredness I bring my arms in and giggle slightly they give me a soft smile before saying “Guess we should order right”. I turn around looking at the empty establishment before nodding we walk up to the barista she had short black hair with shaved sides a few neck tattoos and a bunch of facial piercings she looked pretty cool .Hallow stood beside me before the barista greets us “Oh hi welcome anything I can do for you?” “Oh yeah just ordering some stuff” she pulls out a note pad and pen as I say this “Just a medium vanilla latte for me” “And for you?” She and I turn to Hollow they seem to jump at the reaction “Oh a medium caramel macchiato” “That it?” she questions “Yep” they reply short and simple “alright that’ll be £5.25 please.” I reach into my pocket for my wallet pulling out my card ready to pay before I see hallows card already on the reader paying for our coffees “Thanks” they say to the barista as she turns around to start on our coffee’s before Hallow started looking at me giving me a slight smile “Oh you really didn’t have to pay I could’ve just paid” I mumble out “Stop muttering you dork lets go sit down” they say interrupting my thought’s.
We go to sit in the corner of the shop away from the few people there the mint green table emitting an oak smell as we quickly settled into the cosy corner facing each other.

(Hallow POV)

Turns out the coffee shop Evan decided to go to is my new work place I mention this to him “Oh seriously, at least you’ll be here on time” “Yeah I guess” the conversation says stagnant for a couple awkward seconds before Evan cuts it short “So what did that drunk dude do?” “Oh like he just came up to me cause I was staring at his posse or whatever because they were so loud for like five people I understand this is Brighton of course its not going to be quiet but no one wants to be hearing a bunch of drunks practically screaming about nothing.” Evan puts his head on his hands almost leaning into my rant in an understanding way he nods as I continue my story “I swear they are just so annoying personally I don’t think I was over reacting but then I think they all notice me and the oldest geezer comes over and I think we are about to scuffle I was a bit scared since I’ve never really stood up for myself especially not in secondary school but whatever I decided I’m not going let people take advantage of me anymore and stood my ground and let me tell you I was not ready for this crusty musty middle aged divorced father to flirt with me ” Evans eyes widen before quickly turning back to normal “So he basically says something like” I add a bit of a disgustingly phlegmy rasp to my voice before saying “Stop staring at me kid unless you got some ideas. I just so gross and I say I’m 15 and then he says some noncy shit I didn’t really know what to do so I took of my beanie” I stop my monologue and pull out my beanie from my pocket and put it on the table Evan looks down at it before looking at me again “An you know I got a mullet he didn’t like it walked off and called me a tranny under his breath and then you showed up” “God some people” Evan huffed almost as frustrated as me “So you said something about secondary school” I hum in response “Tell me more” he says “Ah well” I start

Chapter Text

~-----*Flash back*-----~

Will and I had barely met the first week and he has already seen the need to bug me at lunch it’s the 3rd week now and I asked some teachers if I could eat in the library I head there with my packed lunch of a ham sandwich a packet of crisps some chocolate and an apple pretty standard lunch I open the library door the smell of old books hit my face it was a nice smell I used to go to the library a lot when I was younger back when my parents were together. I huff out the nostalgic smell before on my way to scavenge a place to eat I find a small area with an antique looking sofa with a small coffee table on the side I set my bag down and sit on the sofa putting my lunch box on the small table I take out my ipod I look at it for a moment a lot of people have the ipod nano and I’m stuck with this I wasn’t mad or anything just why do shitty people get the good things in life. I put it on the table I put on the song ‘crushcrushcrush by Paramore’ it was a good song, I played it low I just needed background noise at that point I then open my lunch box before digging into my food. The room is silent and my mind starts pondering the question how long can I take all of this everyone at this school hates me I hate my father my mother is nowhere to be seen and my one friend I don’t think I’ll ever see again. I felt tears rise in my eyes as I repeated this over and over again how long do I have to suffer to finally see the fruit of my labour I hate everything I want to die but hope won’t let me, I hate this. I hear the door of the library open. My tears erase from my face I turn off my ipod slipping it in my pocket, I hear footsteps of leather shoes as I peacefully eat my ham sandwich slow and quiet .The footsteps slow and stop before they start to get louder more near. I hear the footsteps halt to my right my head rises with the noise my eyes met with a familiar face ‘Will’ his hazel eyes gaze at me in almost disgust I notice the food he had carried with him in a cardboard tray instead of the usual plastic ones I huffed knowing it was bought with my money he scoffs at me and walk’s past me and sits on an armchair similar in looks to the sofa I’m sitting on. His bags were settled his food tray on his lap he looked at me the same way I looked at him I turn away hurrying to finish my food. He sat a comfortable distant way from me he dug into the jacket potato.
He finished his food and got up throwing the waste in the bin he then walked back this time not taking his prior seating place but standing right in front of me. I look down and carry on eating my food before

“Hey”

I quickly replied with “What”

he takes no time grabbing my hair and making me look up at him I mumble a whine at this action as tears form in my eyes I winced at the grip he had on me

“Look at me when I talk to you” he says with a smug smile he lets go while I maintain the unsettling eye contact

“So why are you in here?” I say nothing

“So why are you in here” he says with a tinge of aggression

“Because I can’t eat in the cafeteria without people pissing me off” he takes a moment to respond

“Do I piss you off?” he asks I take a moment to respond no longer caring if he hurt me again I say

“Yes”

he looks at me and cocks his head smiling at me “Good” h

is demeanour quickly changes from cocky to intimidating

“because you piss me off too, it’s no surprise everyone hates you.” He smiles once again before making his way out I slump my head down before he says in a snarky remark turning around

“Oh yea and thanks for the lunch”

he snickers and continues making his leave. My head snaps up when I hear the door shut I let out a lot of hot steam I almost started hyperventilating but I calmed myself I checked my clock 5 minutes left I quickly packed my stuff before noticing his stuff was still there. I stand there for a few seconds before walking over to them picking them up God am I really going to return these to him I think for a moment maybe if I be sickly sweet to him maybe he will get bored of me and leave me alone yes yes good plan I pick up the bags and make my way to science.

~-----*time skip*-----~

I finally get to science and I head into the room the teacher was in the room by herself so I assumed I was early I walk in to the table in the right of the room and placed his bag on top of his chair I pull out a post it note and wrote

‘Hey you left this thought you would like it back : )     -*DEADNAME*’

I hate writing my dead name, still it’s something I have gotten used to .I place the note on his backpack and walk to my seat waiting for the lesson to start. I wait patiently leg bouncing until Will finally rocks up I smile almost smug he walks over to his seat, he looks at the bags on his seat puzzled he picks off the note reading it until the boy he sits next to snatches the orange post it out of his hand I hear a nuisance of a cackle bellow out of him my face loses its colour Will takes the note out of his hand and walks over to the bin finally catch a glimpse of his face it was red and scrunched up god he is so angry he throws the note in the bin turning back and sitting down.

“Alright class simmer down” the teacher announces

The class quietens with her command and my mind starts racing as sweat dribbles down my face I feel as if a thousand voices are murmuring in my head its so loud please stop I try tuning into the teachers voice through the thick screeching of panic in my head eventually I make it through I write down her workings on the white board.

Class is finally over I start packing up my things and my tension has eased before a familiar voice leans over me grabbing my shoulders I feel his body heat so close he whispers in my ear

“Wait for the end of school”

he lets go and makes his way back to his seat to pack up. I shudder and continue to pack up I felt so queasy through my next class I could barely concentrate. Everything was overwhelming the smell of sweaty kids filling my nose the clicking of pens the endless muttering the shaking in my hands only driving my shaky writing I kept wiping my eyes not sure whether the cold on my face were tears or cold sweat. I swallowed my stress hard before the dreaded sound of the bell echoes through the class banging on my soar head quickly followed by the bustle of students packing up. I snap myself into reality packing up the jittering in my body making me aimlessly shove things into my bag with no care or prestige in my presentation. I throw the bag over my shoulder quickly running out of the history class. I felt the adrenaline swell my lungs as I swerve in-between the student filled halls pushing through the crowds of big and small children alike I finally escaped the halls. My steps now on the smooth tarmac running the crunch of pebbles following me in suite I ran and ran before I collapsed.

My ankle twisted I lay on the floor in anguish but there is no time to pity myself ,as I try to pull myself up a pair of tattered black shoes a pair I was all too familiar with.

I peered up at the figure my pupils constricting as I did so. Meeting cold eyes I quickly scrambled to my feet trying to make my escape I dash past Will before I feel a force pull on my bag shooting me back to the ground on the rubble. I felt so pathetic in the moment. Will quickly pulls my hair snapping my neck up to look at him, his face dark with anger before a smile played on his face. I gulped feeling my heart in my throat, my hands shaking, lip quivering I have never felt so much fear. He uses my hair to drag me up now standing as I grip his hands squirming beneath his grip the pain in my scalp seethed through my face. He dragged me squealing before slamming me into the metal bins my arms blocked the initial impact I turned around to see the cackling boy, a ghastly sight he was. My face scrunched up I begged my eyes to not falter a tear. He looked at me

“I don’t like that look on you” he said before quickly smashing in my face with his fist

I spat blood

“that’s better” he mutters

“now I think that’s enough of a lesson for you today oh one last thing though”

I shut my eyes bracing any sort of impact to only feel something landing my lap before hearing the clicking of footsteps walking away I pierce my eyes open gazing at my lap seeing a scrunched up piece of paper clearly ripped out of a book for one of his classes. I grab it in a delicate fashion unravelling it read

*meet me at the boy’s toilets at break. I’ll drag you there myself if you don’t show* the note left a grim taste in my mouth I threw it in the bin I was leant against and made my way home with the note ingrained in my memory.

Chapter Text

(Wilbur POV)

My face soured at the story realizing it was in fact them I was speaking to, god I was so vile I thought to myself

“So did you meet him at the bathroom?” I said already knowing the answer

“Well yea but..” they stopped mid-sentence gazing past me looking slightly upwards

“We should go home I have to grab my uniform and you probably have better things to do then let me blabber on”

I quickly interjected “Oh no its fine I like hearing you talk” I said immediately regretting my choice of words though they seemingly didn’t pick up on the weird wording

“I want you to talk more then next time, okay?”

next time! So I get to know them more… “Yea that’s fine, okay lets go then” we both left our seats and we both walked back home the silence plaguing my mind.

(Hallow POV)

Me and Evan were on the way home I honestly kept quiet on the way home I questioned myself a lot in the silence. How was a man I barely knew make me open up that easily it intrigued me his character made me ease into that topic and I didn't stutter once, why wasn't I nervous around him I'm like that with most people so why not him? I repeated these questions over and over in search for some sort of an answer to no avail. We arrived at our shared abode, he fiddled with the keys with jittery cold fingers finally unlocking the door he headed in waiting for me to do the same I slipped in heading to my room to change my wardrobe. I glanced at my alarm clock while heading in 5:50pm... shit... I HAVE 10 MINUTES I ran to my suitcase hunching over it while tearing clothes out of it I pick out some Blue jeans a black polo shirt as well as my wallet and I run out of my room slipping on some brown boots and haling my ass out the front door.

I ran through the cold my adrenaline pumping enough heat to keep me going in the mist of the freshly risen moon. I see the lights of the coffee shop in my vision and I bolt for it. My hand reaches the cold metal as the bell chime rings as I make my entrance. A girl pops her head up scanning my disheveled appearance

"Hey do you have a job here?" I nod with little effort

she turns and heads into the staff room. I shut the door and I lean myself against it catching my breath she comes out the staff room clipboard in hand as she reads " *deadname*?" in a questioning but sympathetic tone,

I gulp as a shiver runs down my spine "yea" I say meekly.

"Okay I just need proof of identification and you can start working"

I walk over and fiddle with my wallet pulling out my I.D she glances at it then takes another look at whatever she had on the clipboard

"Okay, Welcome to the team I'm Mrs. Derrick or you can just call me Blossom I am the manager of this establishment I will go and get your uniform-" she is then cut off by a woman leaving the staff room she had rather elaborate dark makeup on with lots of piercings quite drastic from her simplistic outfit and apron

"Hey I found the apron you wanted" she looked up from the apron folded in her arms to make eye contact with the manager as well as myself

"Oh, did I interrupted something" she said awkwardly but apologetically.

"No no your just right on time actually" the manager says changing the tall employees' expression of concern to one of delight

"Oh good, here" she hands the light green apron to Blossom while she directs her attention to me giving me a quick smile and heads into the back .

Blossom hand me the apron "Here, go change in the back and you can set whatever you have back there in one of the lockers" she then turns and heads into the back presumably to her office.

I pull up the door on the counter and head into the back meeting the other employee standing there envelope in hand she hands it to me, I take it cautiously before she starts

"Hi I'm Abby its a pleasure meeting you." I quickly respond changing the subject to the envelope

"Uh hi Abby, what's this for."

"Oh its just the password for your locker" I hum in response she continues

"Ah well I've got the hour of my shift yet so I'm going to leave you in here so you can get yourself sorted." she then briskly walks past me back to the counter to serve whomever.

I set all the things in my arms on a spare table slipping on the apron over my plain outfit and slotting the envelope in my wallet since I had brought nothin with me I wont be needing a locker today. I also pull out a chain with my key's on it and I connect it to my trousers.

I head out of the staff room meeting with the site of Abby drawing on her arm with a biro pen she was hunched clearly concentrated on whatever she was drawing

"What are you drawing?" I ask, hesitantly

"Oh just an eye" she responded not picking her head up from her work.

I slowly move myself closer to her but not too close, she set the plastic pen down lifting her arm up to my face so I could examine her work, it looked fantastic for what i presumed was a quick sketch

"Oh wow" i said praising her work

"I was gunna be a tattoo artist before I landed a job here" she scoffed I just hummed appreciatively.

"Uh hey what do you want me to call you" I looked at her quizzically not really sure in what she meant

"Oh its just you seemed really disheartened when the manager called you by the name on your ID"

I gulped how did she figure it out already

"Hallow is just fine" i responded to her previous question, now she was the one looking confused

"What's that look for?" I questioned.

"You just reminded me of an old friend " she sighed looking off into the distance almost like she was reflecting on some old memories, I felt a similar sense of nostalgia as the one painted on Abby's face before her name clicked

"WAIT, are you Abby Haywood from Elkgrove academy!?" I exclaimed.

I saw the excitement rise in her face

"HALLOW" she screamed with joy wrapping her arms around me as she did.

This hug felt different it didn't feel like my skin was crawling in its own discomfort it felt... nice. My attention was quickly drawn to Abby as I hear the whimpers of sobbing. I patted her head in some sort of way to comfort her she looked up at me showing the tears at pricked at her eyes I noted the sweet smile on her face

"I just didn't think id see you ever again" her voice sounded a little more hopeful than it did before.

I chuckled "Same old touchy Abby ey?"

"Shut up" she said removing herself from the hug leaving me to bask in the coldness of my own body once again.

"God look at how you've grown, I'm so proud of you right now" I smiled at her complimentary tone

"Look at yourself your finally living your goth kid dreams" she smiled

"And those tattoos are fucking sick" I added on to my compliment she chuckled

"Same old Hallow, I'm glad you didn't change, was really worried about you " she was more sympathetic now.

A ring from her phone echoed through the establishment she pulled it out of her pocket revealing an alarm had gone off she sighed more frustrated this time

"Guess I gotta go now" she looked up at me her eyes a bit dull

"Can i have your number?" I asked it sparked a little light in her face she unlocked her phone going into her list of contacts

"Yea we gotta catch up later" she handed me her phone as I pulled out my own putting my contact in.

She grabbed her phone and headed out the door

"Talk to ya later Hallow" she called out waving her goodbyes i waved back.

The chime of the doors ringed as she exited. Guess I'm on my own now.

It had been a couple hours and I had been stuck in my head thinking up lyrics to a song I haven't wrote yet I added the good lines in my notes app and I mostly just scrolled on various apps. The chime of the door startled me making my shove my phone in my pocket placing an appealing smile on my face to greet whatever customer I had to meet. A small group of three dudes entered the shop one was fairly tall with short blonde hair, blue eyes quite young I noted, another was in a similar height to the first dude having short brown hair and a beard and the last with brunette hair longer than the other two men he sported some glasses and a mustache he was average in height compared to the other two.

They walked in the blonde fellow and the bearded bickering "Its too late to get coffee James" the blond exclaimed

"I have a caffeine addiction, Tom" the bearded responded rather numbly

"You do this every time" the bearded grumbled

"I don't, do I Ash?" the blonde asked the mustached, he responded with a simple

"Yes"

"What the fuck Ash" the blonde said crankily.

The sight was quite humorous they rocked up at my counter. The bearded first spoke

"Hey can I get a vanilla mocha with 3 shots of espresso, you guys want anything?" the blonde spoke once again directing his attention to me

"Hey do you lot sell pastry's" I was slightly startled by the loudness of his tone

"Yep" I say responding

"What do you have then?" I was slightly set off by the question I really didn't know what we had

"Oh uh sorry I'm new I just don't know all the pastries we have but we do have a menu I can show you one of those and you can choose"  I said meekly

"Yea give me one of those"

he said I grabbed one of the leaflets we had it handing it to him he opened it up his eyes skimming the paper before landing on something "Muffin for me, Ash?"

the mustached man just asked for a "Donut".

I noted the order in the handy notepad I was given "Is that a to go order or...?"

"No we will be staying " the man I presumed to be James answered handing me the total cost of the order

"Okay you guys can go take a seat then" I smiled reassuringly, they all walked concurrently to a table as I slotted the cash into the register .

I started the order with the vanilla mocha often checking my notes to make sure the recipe was correct making sure to add his extra shots, I plated the pastries the other lads ordered putting the whole order in a tray so it was easier to carry I head out into the open space heading to the only table with people. I walked over setting the glassware delicately on the mahogany table they seemed pleased with the plating. I turned heel heading back to the counter as chatter ruptured between the men. I sat behind my counter playing on my phone.