Hybrid

April couldn't contain her excitement, she was bouncing on the balls of her feet when I arrived at college that morning.  "Blackened heights Harper! BLACKENED HEIGHTTTTSS!"She screeched before I could open my mouth to greet her.  I frowned, taking in Harper in her Blackened Heights band shirt and skinny jeans. She was wearing her old beat up red converse and a studded belt. Her nose ring gleamed in the early morning spring sun and her dark burgundy lips were stretched into a strange smile. "What about them?" I replied groggily. It was far too early to be THIS enthusiastic for the day. I knew little of blackened heights, I only knew that they were April's favorite band and were pretty new on the rock scene. They hadn't taken long to gain popularity though and the teenage rock chicks were losing their minds over the lead singer. I started to look past April towards the campus coffee shop when she bobbed her head back into view. "They have just announced that they will be coming here! HERE to Oakville to do a one off gig in Delights!" She squealed as I eyed her, her icy blonde hair was stick straight as usual and she was no longer bouncing on her feet,instead she was jumping up and down like an excited baby rabbit.  "OK, have you got tickets? I am happy that you have had this amazing and life-changing news " I replied sarcastically, side-stepping April and beginning to walk towards the coffee shop which I frequented most days before I attended my lessons at St Martin's college. Before caffeine, I was to be approached with caution. The campus was full of groups of students, some walking to their tutor rooms and others gathered and catching up with friends before entering the buildings that circled the site. This was our last day of term and people were happy, they all smiled and joked and there was a thrum of positive energy in the air. April bounded after me like an excited puppy dog. "I got US tickets and its tomorrow." She panted and I stopped. "Tomorrow is Saturday. Saturday is my birthday." I stated, frowning.  "I know it is," She had the grace to look guilty, "but we didn't have much planned and I know you will LOVE this." I shook my head slightly, auburn hair swishing in my face. I resumed my march towards the coffee shop. Fool be the man who stood between me and that delicious bitter drink. "The gig is at Starlight lounge." She stated as I reached for and pulled the heavy coffee shop door open. A picture of a large coffee cup with a smiling face and a thumbs up hovering above it was hanging on the door. The smell of coffee immediately hit me and I noticed our friend Jack sitting at the table in the corner, raising one eyebrow at a book he was reading. The shop had a worn but comfortable decor, it had plaques with quirky quotes hung around the walls. "Is Jay going?" I asked tilting my head towards the long, slim figure folded into his chair at the table in the corner. He was resting his head in his hand, holding his brown hair out of his blue eyes, engrossed in whatever it was that he was reading. The world around him lost to the words on those yellowed pages. I had been friends with Jay Rossiter for as long as I could remember. Our mothers had met at a baby group and been inseparable ever since. Many of the girls on campus asked why we weren't together but even though I could appreciate that Jay was handsome, we just didn't see each other like that.  "I'm about to ask." April informed me as I stepped towards the Que of people who waited patiently for their morning beverages.  "Do you want anything?" I questioned, gesturing towards the barista, who was energetically jumping between serving her customers and making the coffees. The barista wore a name tag on her chocolate dusted apron - Lola. I didn't know Lola personally, but she was my favorite barista that worked in the campus coffee shop named Eazy Beanzie. Two or three years older than me, she made each drink to perfection and was able to create latte art and just generally seemed to know her stuff when it came to coffee, I was a bit of a fan girl.   "I am going to ask Jay about tomorrow now," April said as she shook her head and took off towards the corner table. I reached the counter and Lola greeted me with a warm smile.  "What will it be today?" She asked pleasantly.  "Medium caramel cappucino please." I replied, doing my best to pull my face into some semblance of a smile. Lola took payment and made the drink promptly. I lifted the cup to my lips and inhaled the sweet smell , sighing in delight. Lola laughed and shook her head before calling up the next customer as I made my way towards my friends who were chatting and laughing easily. Jay saluted as I arrived at the table, flashing his picture perfect smile.  "Hey JayJay," I greeted plonking myself in a seat that looked as if it had seen better days. "April has interrupted my solitude," He began raising one eyebrow, "To inform me that even though you had a 'no party' rant to me, this year we are indeed going to party. I sighed, looking at April, her eyes were pleading and even though I HAD requested a quiet movie night for my birthday, I couldn't refuse, it would be like kicking a puppy. "Fine." I huffed, "Tomorrow we go to Delights."