Now id heard and learnt a lot about Huntington since my arrival here.
It appeared that only a few students knew of what really went on in the town. Those who were clued in wore rings like mine,
not the same color of course, these were silver rings that were stone less but I recognized the inscription on the bands. Those who mustn't have suspected anything continued on about their day without a care in the world, id like to be one of them at the moment, then I wouldn't be racking my brain trying to figure out what Jimmy's project will be, guess I'll just have to wait to find out tonight..

I wondered around campus on my lunch break, the hot sun glared down on me threatening a decent sunburn.

I took a right at the physics classrooms and made my way down the long concrete path to the Coffee Shop in common grounds.
The coffee shop was where Chrissie worked and she told me this morning before I left for class that she'd have a break at one, It was 12:30 now so I figured id arrive a little early.

The coffee shop was buzzing with students ordering their cappuccinos and mochas, I squeezed through the crowd of caffeine demanding youngsters and sat at the last available table.

i saw Chrissie working furiously fast behind the large silver coffee machine, she dumped shots into cups at break neck pace then filled them with steaming milk before shouting the order out to the waiting customers.

She glanced over to my table and shot me an award winning grin before throwing her tea towel over her shoulder and nudging the guy standing next to her to inform him she was taking a break.
He seemed to oppose her leaving at peak hour but she shot him the finger and walked over to me anyway.

"Hey darlin, how's school treating you?" She fiddled with her hair as she took a seat beside me.

"Ah, fine I guess, so far I've managed to avoid the Barbie dolls and their death threats"

i had seen Ashley earlier today, we locked eyes for a moment on my way to school but she hadn't approached me or attempted to break any of my bones,
so far I was doing well.

"it's pretty busy in here today Chrissie, you don't have to stay over here if their overloaded"

"aww Brendan will be fine, he's a coffee expert." Chrissie beamed
She smiled over to Brendan and he shook his head slowly as if to say 'thanks for leaving me here to die.

I smiled at her workmate who brought two short blacks over to our little table
"on the house ladies, or on Chrissie actually since the boss is in today"
Chrissie slapped him lightly on the arm and accepted the small jug of milk from his waiter tray and pulled two sugars from the canister between us.

I froze a little knowing Chrissies boss was here, he still scared the shit out of me, but apparently since the coffee shop is on common grounds we'd be fine.
Id wondered how a vampire could even be out during the day, didn't they melt like an ice cream in the middle of the savannah?

"No, I actually use 50thousand plus sunscreen, my dear"
That voice!
a chill ran down my spine as Zachary pulled a chair from the table beside us, the students who had reserved it objected but Zachary told them it was this or they could leave.

He faced the chair backwards as he say facing Chrissie and myself,

"I'm only joking," he cooed, "the older the vampire, the more resistant we are to the sun, come to think of it I believe other than James' mother I may be the only one of us who can tolerate daylight"

Great, now apparently Mr creepy can also read minds
"yes Kayla, some of us can"

"you certainly surprised me by showing up here today, how are we after last night? Word travels fast in Huntington, especially when you've made a deal with the devil" his eyes shone brightly as he mocked my mistake. I wanted to slap that stupid grin off of his face, but didn't want to risk a deadly
feat, not to mention this was Chrissies boss...

I don't know how anyone could stand to work for one of these blood suckers.
Chrissie seemed to handle herself well around him though, she glared at him and placed her arm before me, I doubt he'd attack us on mutual territory, but I appreciated her gesture all the same.

"did you need me for anything? Or have you just come over to bloat about our problems, which actually have nothing to do with you boss" she exaggerated the boss part immensely,

Oh if looks could kill, Zachary didn't take kindly to Chrissies open mocking, he rolled his eyes and pushed away from our table abruptly which made both our drinks spill a little.

"well I think if you wan to keep your job here you'd better get your perfect little ass back behind the coffee grinder, or would you like me to get you over there with a little help?"
He blew her a kiss which made Chrissie seat the air with a look of disgust.

"Yeah yeah," she raised her hand in the air and waved him off, something tells me this isn't the first workplace harassment she'd revieved from him. I didn't want to go into it so I got up from my seat and grabbed a to go lid for my cup.

"I'd better be getting out of here anyway, I have to get home and organize myself for later tonight, I don't even know what I have to bring"

"did James ask you to take anything?"

I shook my head

"then screw him, if he wants you to bring books or whatever he can either supply them or be more punctual in his letters, look I have to get back to work but I'll see you later ok?"

i waved as I made my way out of the shop and last the coffee hungry kids

"oh Kayla!" Yelled Chrissie, she waved her arms frantically as she pulled the door open just enough to stick her head out,

"Brian's going to be coming with you later, I thought id give you a heads up, and make sure you have your protection.. Make him wear his!!"

"alright! See you after!"

I wasn't really delighted that Brian had invited himself along to my meeting with James and my partner, but he could come in handy if things turn sour.
i just hoped he'd behave himself in front of the other vampires.
now I just had to get home and ready, then get Matt to tell me what the hell happened this morning, I'd already been thinking of questions to ask him, I study physics every day and I've never had any calculations that make
someone appear and disappear.. But then again, there was never any scientific proof of vampires either..
Ugh.. It's going to be a weird and long night..

Notes