The Lost Queen

Chapter 3. Latte with an almond milk

Kayla

I went home after school feeling lost and tired. I still remembered taunting black eyes and his voice calling me in a hallway. In that moment I just needed to go and didn’t stop but I couldn’t. I looked up and found amused smile on a burly guy’s face. He had bruises under his left eye and cheek. I needed to ignore that stupid shout but when I looked up, I found a pair of beautifully light brown eyes. It’s looked like a liquid gold was floating inside his orbs. I choked breathing at the same moment as our eyes locked and I could feel bizarre feeling brewing inside my chest. This guy was event taller than the one with dark eyes, his hair was coal black but longer and face was similar. I assumed he was burly guy’s brother.

When he turned his back to me, I ran as quickly as possible from the school building into to street. I needed to get away and go home. I couldn’t risk getting involved in something. He was beautiful but the same time he looked like a predator, and I wasn’t ready to become his prey.

I came home a little late than I should, and I found Ruth standing near the outside doors with hands on her chest. Her dark hair with a little touch of grey was made in a neat bun. She had some wrinkles around her eyes and mouth, but she was a tough woman. Sometimes too tough. She looked angry for no reason, and I stood holding my ground, waiting till her shouting will start.

“You are late.”

“I know. It’s my first day. What did you expect? I got lost going back home.” I said through gritted teeth. She stared at me with her grey eyes half a minute before stomping away. I let myself sigh and climbed the stairs to my bedroom. It was light blue shade with dark oak floor. I believe it was one of Ruth’s and Arthur’s sons’ bedroom before he went to college, and they took me from orphanage. I didn’t have much stuff, so walls were empty. On my small desk was few textbooks but that’s it. I didn’t even have a computer, but my phone was enough. Unless I needed computer for school projects but then I could go to school and use one in here.

I changed my school uniform into some sweatpants and hoodie. Tied my long hair into messy bun and looked at the mirror. My face was slightly pale, but my green eyes were brighter than usually. Something felt different inside my heart, but I wasn’t sure what. Knocking sound snapped me out of my misery and I opened the door more eager than I should. Ruth looked at me with raised eyebrows, but I pretended that everything was normal.

“Your package arrived.” She held small box in her hands. I took it and shook a little bit. Same as every month. My doctor from orphanage sends me this every month for seventeen years. No matter where I am, every month on the same day I get a package with medication and toiletries because I have very sensitive and allergic skin. “When you finish here come downstairs to do your chores.” Ruth’s voice was displeased, and I looked up at her eyes. Last few days she looked at me like I was a wild animal, and it was starting to annoy me.

“Why are you looking at me that way?” I asked trying to sound serene, but I could feel that she didn’t believe me at all. Ruth was silent for a moment, and I thought she wouldn’t answer but finally I heard quiet words:

“Something is different with you. After your night walking you look different.” After saying it she turned around and left me standing speechless at the doorway. Few minutes passed till I started moving. I closed my doors and sat on the bed. I opened the small package and like always found bottle of pills with no label, shower gel and shampoo. Also, this time I got a face wash with the same annoying smell. Couldn’t they have found more pleasant smell than this one? I didn’t even know what it was but after seventeen years it grew more and more infuriating.

I put everything away and left my room to the chores I was assigned to. My foster parents weren’t bad people, they just were strangers and after living with them for a few weeks I still didn’t feel comfortable. My adaptation should be faster by know but it was hard to process all the moving from place to place and unloading all stuff just for a few months and then move again.

I sighed trying to shake gloom thoughts out of my head and stoop up. I went downstairs and found a list of chores I needed to finish till the evening. I rolled my eyes thinking that I’m more of a housekeeper than a schoolgirl but started doing it anyway. Just few months till my 18th birthday and half a year till I finish school. I just need to wait and everything’s going to sort out of their own. One step at a time. One step in a house with a vacuum cleaner. One movement at a time dusting the shelves. Everything will be okay only in a few months.

After I done with my tasks, I took my phone, wallet and left the house for an evening stroll. I needed fresh air and wanted to enjoy the sunset. I passed an enormous office building and found a small café. For a few moments I wasn’t sure about going in because it was full of people my age and I didn’t want to meet someone from school but after another thought I grabbed door handle and gently pushed. When I set foot inside, I could almost smell coffee and gingerbread. I heard faint music from the speakers, but peoples’ chats were louder. I looked around in a cosy space and noticed a few paintings with a white wolf and a goddess with a gold crown. She looked at a beast with loving gaze and one of her hands was in a soft fur.

I walked through the occupied space and spotted Josephine’s curled hair in the back. I quickly turned my face and tried to move fast enough to prevent from meeting with her.

“Hi! What would you like to order?”

“Can I get a latte with almond milk?”

“I will pay for the lady. Could you also make an espresso for take away?” I flinched after hearing low rumble behind me. I turned around and found the same golden eyes from earlier. I looked at him surprised and wanted to say something. At this moment anything would be fine, but I stood there like a moron and couldn’t make a word.

“You don’t need to pay for me.” Finally, I managed to gather some words.

“I know but my brother was an i***t in the school, and I think his shouting in the hallways was the most disgraceful thing that he could do in his short life”. I chuckled without knowing and I looked up into those beautiful eyes.

“It wasn’t the first thing when he acted like a horny puppy.” I said in a joyful voice and rolled my eyes but suddenly man’s eyes darkened, and I stepped back. I think I just crossed the line.

“So, he misbehaved more than that one time in the hallway?” I stood there dumbfounded. I didn’t know what I should say. Should I tell about our first meeting or act like nothing happened? Why everything is so difficult? I smiled nonchalant and turned to the redhead girl in the front.

“I will pay for my drink myself.” I told her silently. She smiled like an accomplice, and I paid with my card till the guy behind me checked something in his phone. After that I turned around and smiled politely. “Thank you for the conversation but I have to go.” He raised his eyebrows after my sentence and looked at the barista in front of both of us.

“You are Kayla, right?” He looked desperate so I nodded feeling awkward. “I’m Ace. It’s very nice to meet you. If my brother tries to harass you, please don’t hesitate, and let me know, okay?” He hold out a business card and I was hesitant. I looked into the golden eyes and found a worrying glance in there. I bit my lower lip and felt how his gaze shifted to my lips.

Finally, I took his business card and put it in my sweatpants pocket. I didn’t say anything else. Just took my drink and turned to leave when I heard Josephine’s voice through the entire café. I turned around with pained expression and I caught a glimpse of sympathetic smile from Ace.