My day today was slightly magical. I sort of felt like a princess.. So I was wearing a skirt and I sat on a concrete slab during lunch. I sit here everyday... I sit in this weird way all the time but especially when I'm wearing a skirt. I sat that like for about 20-25 minutes so my left foot was severely asleep. When I got up because the bell rang, I felt pain searing into my leg and foot. It was that weird sort of paralyzing pain that hurts when you even if you slightly move your foot. In order to get to this concrete slab, you have to cross this span of grass and dandelions. I was just having the hardest time and it was just so horrible. BUT on a good note, TG visited us at lunch and as I was hobbling my way to the sidewalk, he held on to my backpack and helped me... So moral of the story is, no matter how bad things are there is always going to be a plus side. I would not recommend being a damsel in distress but you know if you're in the right place at the right time.... haha.
It just got really hot this week, the temperatures are somewhere between 90 degrees and 100 degrees. I don't like wearing shorts and I have a lot of skirts tucked in so I want to wear as much of them as possible. PSAT this month! I can't believe it's already October. I hope you guys are all doing well and hope you enjoy!
As I was writing this short intro to my life, I have a tip for all of those who want to write. Writing is such a great way to express yourself and release the bad thoughts from your brain. Write based on your personal experiences or what you would like to happen to you. When I was writing the first few pages of Coffee Shop, I wrote with a backbone of my own happenings. A lot of the funny things tucked in are from my blunders and mistakes and etc. It sounds way more real to include stuff from your life. Then I just enhance it and include what I want to happen. I would love to be Claire for like three days. That's pretty much how I make all my characters: I take a part of me and add some other characteristics. Another tip would be to make a rough outline of events and characters. Without it, it ends up being a rambling mess. I used to not make outlines ever but now I do and my stories can be longer and more in depth. I would probably be fantastic at making really long drawn Korean dramas. There are three main categories of Korean dramas: everyday, weekend, and twice a week. The everyday dramas include every single scenario of a tragedy or love story because everyday dramas have more than 100 episodes. My favorite everyday drama is High Kick because it doesn't seem like an everyday drama because it has so many characters and rotates which characters to feature. I'm working on trimming characters down. Writing is never perfect and editing is one long process. xx
Innocently Evil
Claire stood breathlessly in her own restaurant. For the first time ever, Noah had given her a hug. He was almost breaking down and audibly choking back tears. She wondered what his issue was. Whenever she was around before, he would say how much of a nuisance she was. He never forgot to tell her how bad her cooking skills were.
“Wow, you got good,” he said putting the spoon back down. Claire smiled at the first compliment she had ever received from Noah. She wondered if he was still chasing after Vanessa. Vanessa was still single for all Claire knew. “This actually tastes edible!”
“I had boot camp for a whole year,” she said laughing. The place was a bit of a mess but Claire had never felt so at ease. She had had a long day. Anderson had retired and Lola had gotten a job, as well as a husband, somewhere else. Grady was still around, somewhere. No one had told her anything about the state of Le Cordon Bleu. The halls were filed with people she didn’t know and she felt like she was returning to that first day again.
“You might even make a decent sous chef,” Noah said tussling her hair. She stuck her tongue out at him. Claire was genuinely thankful that Noah had stayed by the restaurant’s side. It was almost lunch hour but there wasn’t a single customer.
“Is it always like this?” Claire finally asked. Noah shrugged. They had carefully avoided this topic for so long. His backpack was carelessly thrown on the floor and he took out his English binder. He started working on an essay and she watched potential customers walk straight past them. Claire looked at the dusty interior and grimaced. The Sunshine Bistro was in need of some repair.
“Pretty much,” Noah said. “Vanessa doesn’t even come around anymore.” His tone sounded wistful.
“So, are you going to tell me that you’re dating Vanessa?”
“Who told you that?” He seemed more amused than alarmed. Claire shrugged. “Nah, I wish.” Claire just nodded. She was going to get this place back in business. She heard the door open and was pleased to see Kiana. The door opened a minute later to reveal Vanessa.
“Hi guys, we’re going to fix this place!” Claire said energetically.
“I’m glad someone here agrees with me,” Kiana said. “You guys all gave up.” Noah looked at her in disbelief. He was the one doing his homework in the middle of lunch hour. Vanessa had stopped showing up to support business.
“So let’s talk about some game plans, everybody! We’ll close the restaurant for a week. It doesn’t seem like anyone will miss it,” Claire said. “How can we increase business? We have good food, and we can clean our nice interior.”
“People got bored of this place,” Vanessa said jadedly. “It was awesome because it was the new thing.”
“People want excitement,” Kiana said. Claire beamed at her little team. They were all crowded around a table. Noah’s paper returned to its rightful place inside his backpack. He was jotting down notes.
“How ‘bout we start a delivery service?” Noah asked after a hesitant pause.
“We already have to-go,” Kiana said.
“No, no, not to-go, a delivery service, Kiana, where we go out and actually deliver food. Since I’m an attractive single guy, I can cater to girls out there alone on Friday nights. Vanessa is an attractive singe girl, she can cater towards guys!” His tone got increasingly louder. Claire couldn’t believe that he had thought up of this amazing idea.
“That’s perfect!” Claire said. “Kiana and I can handle orders here while you guys go out and deliver.”
“Will you do it, Vanessa?” Kiana asked.
“Of course I will,” she said fiercely.
“Where’s Susie?” Claire suddenly asked.
“Susie didn’t want to work anymore,” Kiana said.
“Did you guys replace her?”
“No one wants to work here,” Vanessa said. :”We don’t have enough business to pay anyone either.” That was the problem! They didn’t have good service.
“For now, until we can find someone, we’ll only do deliveries,” Claire said.
“I’ll take care of the business end,” Kiana said.
“That’s awesome,” Claire replied. “Vanessa can search for some more employees and Noah can teach me recipes. We also need to clean up this place. I’ll do that.”
It was a restless week for Claire. The restaurant was dutifully closed and she was staying up until the sun rose cleaning the little bits of grime in the kitchen. She wondered how exactly it had gotten to this state. Kiana was always the first person to unlock the door and say good morning. Claire was lucky to have someone like Kiana in her restaurant.
“Claire, good morning,” Kiana said opening the door. Claire smiled. She was barely able to lift her eyelids. The kitchen was getting cleaner every moment. Classes started in half an hour and Claire hurriedly chugged the coffee that Kiana dutifully brought.
“Where’s Vanessa?” Kiana asked breaking the silence. Claire shrugged. She hadn’t seen much of Vanessa lately. They didn’t share any classes and Vanessa was busy finding another worker. Noah came by in the afternoon solely to help her cook.
“Oh she’s busy,” Claire simply said.
“Well it’s a good thing you have me. Now, I have some fliers waiting in the printer. I have to go but I just wanted to check up on you.”
“Thanks Kiana,” Claire said before slowly drifting off to sleep. It was so peaceful in the dark room without any sort of distraction. Wasn’t coffee supposed to wake you up? Maybe her body had gotten immune to the effects of caffeine. She only fluttered her eyes open when the sun streamed in. Someone was knocking at the door.
“Claire?” Who was that? She stared up to see a teacher outside. What? What time was it?
Kiana sat down in her own bed somewhere in the Diamond Dormitory; nicknamed DD. Vanessa hadn’t allowed her to build a floor in the glamorous building anyone could see from anywhere. That was the dormitory that was in every pamphlet and brochure. The dean wasn’t able to do anything about it since her parents didn’t see the importance of living there. She was in the second best place but she wouldn’t be second best for long. It was seven thirty when Kiana was ready to go. She stopped by Eugene’s coffee shop. He was as close to an accomplice if there was to be one. Mara and Jessie were waiting for her right outside.
“Girls, you know what to do,” she simply said. She had told them the plan three times. They both had enough brain capacity to do what they were told.
“Hi Kiana,” Eugene said in his chirpy voice. She actually couldn’t really stand him but he was probably the only person that slightly disliked Claire. He already had her order on the counter.
“Thanks Eugene,” she said and left. He was too easy to manipulate. She walked a block to the Sunshine Bistro. Claire was yawning and it was obvious that she had spent yet another night in the restaurant. Kiana unlocked the door and greeted Claire with a big smile. She handed the drink to her and Claire gratefully took a big quaff. She left after she pulled down the blinds and turned off the light. Claire was too tired to realize. Kiana waved at the door and locked it shut.
“Good bye, Claire,” Kiana said. Ryan was visiting today for the first time in months. It was already midafternoon and Claire still hadn’t shown up. Kiana couldn’t care less and pranced to her dormitory. Ryan had agreed to meet her there.
“Mara how’s my hair?” She asked after looking into her compact mirror.
“Fantastic, you have to tell me which salon you go to,” Mara squealed. They dispersed once they saw Ryan’s motorcycle.
“Hi Kiana,” he said with a smile. He would learn to love her too.
“Ryan, I’ve missed you so terribly,” she said. He enveloped her in a hug.
“Kiana, do you know of a Stanley? You’re pretty well connected.” Stanley? She had heard that name somewhere. Kiana closed her eyes. It always helped her think. Lillian. Lillian had said that name in some phone call, a phone call to Claire.
“Yes, Stanley is Claire’s boyfriend. I thought you knew.” Kiana said smugly. Ryan wouldn’t chase after a taken girl. He had that much decency.
“Oh,” Ryan said. He let go of her and Kiana sighed. How was it that almost all of their conversations nowadays revolved around Claire?
“You should really hear Claire. She’s happy with Stanley, Ryan. It’s time you move on too.” He nodded and kissed her. Kiana wondered if she was supposed to be happy that he was kissing her while thinking about Claire. They walked into her room and he sat down on the carpet. None of her roommates were here, thankfully. She saw his eyes flicker to the package in the back corner. He walked over and gently picked it up. It had the Sunshine Bistro’s logo on it.
“What is this?” She felt her stomach quaking with fear.
“I’m doing some work for the Sunshine Bistro. We’re doing a new delivery business and I need to publicize it. Those are some posters that I still need to hang around school.”
“That’s really nice of you, Kiana,” he said putting the package down. He left after twenty minutes and she sighed. She wondered what always went wrong. It was almost time for phase two. He would have to pick a side soon. Kiana went by the restaurant at about six thirty. The lights were on and she could see Noah from the glass window. She opened the door and was surprised to find the dean sitting at a table with them.
“What’s the matter?” She asked. Claire had been crying and Noah looked pissed off. Where was Vanessa?
“Miss Claire O’Shea has not been showing up to class because of this restaurant. That is unacceptable,” the dean said. This was too perfect.
“She’ll raise her grades to perfect A’s by next month. Just give us some time, sir.” That was impossible and everyone seemed to sense it. The dean even audibly laughed.
“I’ll do it. If I can’t, then you can take this place away from me.”
“Understood Miss O’Shea, you have one month.” The dean left and Kiana took his spot. Noah was groaning when he saw Claire’s progress report.
“How are you failing five subjects? Do you not show up?”
“I fall asleep, Noah,” she said quietly.
“You are not coming to this restaurant for a whole month, okay? None of us are coming here.” This was playing all too perfectly. There was nothing else that she had to do now.
“Fine,” Claire said barely lifting her head. The door opened and Vanessa came in. She pulled up a chair and immediately asked what was wrong today. She pondered about the situation before finally opening her mouth.
“You used to have horrible grades before. Ryan helped you. You could ask him again. Kiana, you wouldn’t mind right?” Kiana gritted her teeth. She did mind a lot but what could she say?
“I couldn’t ask Ryan,” Claire replied for them.
“Why can’t you?” Once Vanessa was determined there was no stopping her. “Do you mind, Kiana?”
“No,” Kiana said with a forced smile.
“So, it’s settled,” Vanessa said with a prideful air. “The restaurant is closed for one month until Claire brings up her grades. Thanks, Noah.”
“It was the only thing that I could say to possibly save this place.”
“You guys better just quit now,” Claire sighed. Kiana returned to her dorm and opened the package. Thousands of coupons for Delectable Eats spilled out. Any campus needed more than one restaurant and Le Cordon Bleu needed a new original one to replace an outdated place. Phase two started now. She only had a month. She opened her email to find hundreds of new documents flooding any available space. Kiana had secured a spot on the other side of the Sunshine Bistro. She sat down in her plush chair and couldn’t wait for the grand opening. How perfect it was that Claire, Vanessa, and Noah were shutting down the Sunshine Bistro temporarily. Temporary things often became permanent.
Vanessa marveled at the first blooms of her garden outside. It was her mini garden, an array of various flowers and potted plants. Gardening was a slight hobby to keep her mind away from the pressing fact of the Sunshine Bistro. It had already been two weeks and she had barely seen Claire. She was always at the library with Ryan studying. It brought back painful memories as Vanessa breathed in the fresh spring air. Oddly enough, the only person who had really comforted her during these weeks was Kiana. No one knew her situation better than Kiana. Kiana was so willing to help the restaurant. Vanessa really hadn’t seen that side of her before. She smiled as her phone rang. It was Tuesday after school and a weekly coffee break with Kiana. She used to have these with Claire. Vanessa missed Claire’s friendship immensely. When would everything get better?
“Vanessa!” Kiana yelled in the coffee shop. Eugene was still there but neither of them acknowledged the other. She sat down at a table and put her bag on the chair next to her.
“Hi,” Vanessa said brightly. She had been friends with Kiana before but they hadn’t had anything close to what they had now. Vanessa had finally let her walls down regarding Kiana. They talked about school and life in general. Maybe one day, Kiana would move in to her dormitory. It would be the three of them, Vanessa, Claire, and Kiana.
“Have you heard from Claire?”
“No, I rarely even see her,” Vanessa said sighing into her empty coffee cup.
“How did you live without her for a whole year?” Vanessa shrugged. It was always Claire that was leaving her. Kiana had stuck by her side even as Vanessa tried to push her away. Claire was right about Kiana, she was a good friend and a good person.
“You, I guess,” she laughed. They both knew how much a lie that statement was. “You know, I’m really glad that we became real friends. I was wrong about you, Kiana; I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“Of course I forgive you,” Kiana said with a smile. “I’m worried about Ryan. I wasn’t too happy with the whole tutoring arrangement. He fell in love with her before while pretending to be tutored.” The words stung Vanessa close to home. She never thought about what had happened before. They seemed so perfect in a way that Vanessa had not felt. She never doubted that they were studying either.
“Your relationship with him is different,” Vanessa said wondering if that was true. Why had Ryan hated his relationship with her so much?
“I truly hope so,” Kiana said.
“Please don’t hurt Claire no matter what happens,” Vanessa said before getting up. Ryan was still a touchy subject for her no matter how much time passed.
“Nessa,” Kiana began to say but Vanessa had already left. She saw Noah by the Quad. Vanessa plunked her bag on the grassy field before sitting down at the empty chair across from him. He was studying Calculus and Vanessa closed the textbook with a groan.
“Noah, don’t tell me you’ve become like Ryan.” Noah laughed wholeheartedly in a way she hadn’t heard for a while. Everyone knew that Ryan had become slightly a nerd. He skipped parties for homework and hadn’t touched a drink in at least a year. Claire was a really special person to him. In her absence, he had sworn that he would become someone she could love.
“Where have you been?” Noah said opening the textbook again. “I don’t have anything better to do.” It had always been awkward with Noah. She had rejected him and he wasn’t quite over it. He didn’t do anything so upfront, like follow her or ask for dates, but he kept a good distance away from her.
“I was just talking to Kiana.”
“Why? We discussed it before, Vanessa. She doesn’t mean anything good for the Sunshine Bistro.” Vanessa shrugged at that statement. Kiana had given up Ryan and Vanessa knew that Kiana really liked him. It wasn’t something she could explain to Noah.
“I know, Noah, but I think we tried to see in her a negative light. Have you tried to talk to her in a friendly manner? She works a lot for the Sunshine Bistro and I think that we should recognize it.”
“Why didn’t you like her before?” She wasn’t ready to answer that question.
“I thought that she was replacing Claire and that made me feel so guilty.” Noah curtly nodded.
“I don’t trust her, okay? You can get all caught up with her but don’t try to convince me too.” Vanessa picked up her bag and left. What had she hated Kiana for? Kiana had stolen Jessie and Mara away from her but that was all in the past. Vanessa walked to her dormitory in a brisk pace. She had homework to do anyway.
“Hello,” someone said blocking the way to her dormitory.
“Excuse me,” Vanessa said trying to push her way to the door.
“I’m Stephen,” he said putting a little card in her hand. “Call me, maybe?” Vanessa shook her head and wondered what this madness meant. No guy had actually approached her after her breakup. She wondered why and stared at Stephen for a reasonable amount of time. He was attractive, there was no denying that. But she wanted more than just attractive guys nowadays. Maybe her standards were too high? She was Vanessa Atkins after all. No one recognized that either. They just saw her as the Atkins girl that was dumped by Ryan Nichols. She didn’t ever want to repeat a relationship like that again. If a guy really wanted her, they’d make an effort. She would not be the clingy girlfriend ever, ever again.
“Vanessa,” she said and he finally moved out of the way. She crumped his card and threw it away before opening the door to her dormitory. Why had she done that? He picked up the little paper ball with his number typed up. It was probably some prank. The lights to the second floor were turned off. Had Claire been romantically involved with Ryan then? Had Ryan cheated on her with Claire? She had never asked that question, until now. Vanessa didn’t even actually know what happened with Claire. She just knew that in a swift moment, Ryan was in love with her. The doorbell rang incessantly and Vanessa looked at the security camera to see that it was still Stephen. Maybe she should give him a chance. She did have a bad rep partly because she was still single.
“Hi again,” he said brightly when he saw her. He placed another one of his cards into her hands. She crumpled his card yet again. It was an impulse.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do,” Vanessa said and waited for him to leave.
“I’ll just leave another one of these cards here,” he said putting a card on the lobby desk. Vanessa didn’t know why she had wanted her dormitory to look like a hotel. There was no receptionist and no need for one. Stephen left and Vanessa studied the card without crumpling it. Maybe she would call the number. Maybe she wouldn’t.
Ryan patiently pointed out yet another fallacy in Claire’s math problem. He had done what she had told him to a very long time ago. Ryan started working hard at school and it hadn’t gone unnoticed by Claire. She smiled and praised him. It had been worth it for this sort of recognition. He had been ecstatic to learn that Claire wanted to be tutored by him. It was more of Vanessa’s bidding than Claire’s desire but he was still happy to be around Claire. She seemed a lot tenser than she had been on the subway.
It was yet another late night and it was a good thing that the library closed late. Neither of them was comfortable studying anywhere else. She was falling asleep but her grades were improving. Ryan couldn’t believe what Noah had said. It was near impossible but the only thing keeping the Sunshine Bistro slightly alive. He hadn’t seen much of Kiana.
“Claire?” He turned away from the whiteboard to see her sleeping with his jacket over her head. She always had stolen his jackets. He smiled and sighed when he remembered how he had confessed to her while she was asleep. He shook her awake and she seemed irked.
“Ryan, why are you even trying so hard? There’s only two weeks left and I only have a B average. I need A’s in all my classes.”
“That’s a huge improvement,” Ryan said optimistically. He sat down next to her.
“I know but that’s partly because I’m not asleep in the restaurant every morning.”
“Claire, I’m doing this because I like you. You don’t have to accept my feelings, but that’s why. I know you have someone named Stanley in your life.”
“Ryan,” she started crying. He was taken aback.
“Do you hate me that much?”
“Ryan, I can’t do this again, not to Kiana. I have a really strong friendship with her and it’s not something that I want to jeopardize.” He nodded. He had been rejected by her far too much. He pushed his jacket away from her face and kissed her. Ryan had missed the feel of her skin against his.
“Ryan,” she sputtered out. “I told you, I can’t do this!” He shrugged.
“I’ll break up with Kiana, okay?”
“Everything’s not about you,” she said. She was choking on her own tears.
“Tell me you didn’t miss me at all and that you felt nothing from that kiss. Again Claire, tell me what you want and I’ll do it. If you want to be left alone, just say. But you know… I have loved you ever since you left. Remember, you don’t need a hero.”
“Ryan, maybe you shouldn’t have dated Kiana then. It hurts everybody when you say something like that to me. You should love Kiana now.”
“Are you still with Stanley?” She was beyond frustrated.
“No,” Claire finally said. Ryan perked up. Why hadn’t she said that before?
“And why’d you do that?” He asked kissing her again.
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