The voices floated around the café as more people came in for lunch break. There seemed to be even more people than usual today. Lucas served twice as fast, Mrs. Briggs used more materiels at once and Adana and Diego tried to take as many orders in as possible.Adana wiped her brow with her forearm and squared her shoulders just as another couple walked in. She made a beeline to the table. "Welcome to Big B's Café, what's your order.""Adana?"Her head which was concentrated on her poised pencil over her small notepad snapped to the wide eyes of the woman at the table and she choked on a gasp."You didn't tell me you worked here?" It came out as a shocked question to anyone listening but Adana could just here the implore

"What?" Lake bolted upright in his seat. "When? Where is sh—"He quietened down, listening to the explanation given over the phone and nodding every now and then. Storm and Celia exchanged looks over the table as their mom came in from the kitchen. Just as Lake ended the call, Storm voiced his question. "Dude what was that about who was it?"Lake took a second to soak in everyone's curious expressions before saying, "It was Adana.""And?""She was in an accident." Lake takes off his reading glasses to massage the bridge of his nose while reeling from the new information. "She only called to let us know that's why she won't be in school for this week or until everything is resolved."Celia clicked her tongue in her mouth and shook her head. "I saw the news this earlier this morning but didn't know you guys knew the girl involved. It wasn't a pretty sight. Can't imagine how she must feel."Sara stood from her chair and came

Small wisps of smoke emitted out of the cup of cocoa on the breakfast table, the gleam of the sun reflected off it and unto her face. Her fingers swiped and tapped endlessly on the phone in her hand. The clattering behind her seized and the sunlight got blocked out by a particularly curious shadow."You're on that picturegram thingy again." Sarah pointed out and."Instagram, mom." Celia rolled her eyes and narrowed it at a particular post. "It's called ÏÑSTĀGRÂM.""Whatever it's called, you can do it after breakfast and right before first period." Sarah turned away to switch off the cooker. When her daughter continued, she cleared her throat loudly. Celia sighed and dropped her phone on the table."Mom, do you think it's possible to skip P.E?" Sara carried her tray to the table, sitting across her daughter. "Why would you want to skip P.E?"Celia lowered her eyes, playing with a piece of toast. For the past week, she'

Wisps from the cigar end infused the air as she took a big inhale, releasing through her nostrils."How are you gonna pay up the credit?" The man beside her asked, lifting a bottle to his lips.The stars ahead beg for their attention as they conversed. "I don't know but I'll pay up okay? ""Boss is getting suspicious and it gets harder to keep things from him." He lifted his shoulders in what should be a shrug. "I got a few friends that owe me a favour tho, and I can easily pay off the debt myself.""But?" Nothing goes for nothing with the man, she had come to learn over the treacherous path which defined their 'friendship'. "I wanna taste a certain broad." He salivated on his thick lips. "See if bigger is always bett—""Don't."His now empty bottle clanged against the floor. "You don't have a roof over your head, your debt is causing trouble, and did I mention you're homeless?!"Her nose flared, eyes darkening. "You lay a hand on her and there's no telling what I'll do to you.""I do

"Do you have a date to the dance?" Riley shifted his weight from one foot to the other."Are you asking me to the dance?" Celia stuffed a textbook in her locker. She had to keep her cool. Can't have her slight crush on him show. "Uh Yes, but it's okay if you don't want to go with me, I mean why would you wanna be seen with Humpty Dumpty, I—""Riley." She turned to him staring at his sneakers. "Don't."He sighed. 'I understand. I'll see you around?"She gathered all her courage to make eye contact with him. "I don't have a date to the dance, Riley."The reddish tint of his ears and nose didn't go unnoticed to her while he fiddled with his bag strap. "Is that a yes?""Do you want it to be?""Yes.""Then yes." She smiled through the pain of suppressing a full-blown smile. "I'll go with you."Shock registered on his face for a while but he quickly recovered with a beam. "Awesome, I'll see you