The Ember in the Storm

Chapter 5: Stranger again

Chapter 5

I arrived at school and headed to my locker. I grabbed my sketchbook again and then headed down the hallway to Misty and Tyler's lockers to see if they were there, yet I needed to let them know my hours for tomorrow so that we could make our plans. They were surprisingly both there even though it was earlier than normal. I saw their heads bowed toward each other as they whispered to each other. I decided to sneak up behind them. I grabbed both of their shoulders as I yelled "Boo". They screamed and turned around. I bent over clutching my sides as I laughed.

Tyler throws a punch at my arm. "You b***h, you scared the s**t outta me." Misty is in near tears as she starts laughing after realizing who snuck up on them. I grabbed both of them in a hug. "I love you both so much, that was funny. So I wanted to let you girls know that tomorrow I'm working the early shift, so instead of 11-9 I'll work from 7-5, then you girls can have me the rest of the night."

Misty smiles at me. "Awesome because we have dinner reservations at 7:30, so we will meet you at your house at 5 to get ready." Tyler looks between Misty and I. "After dinner we are hitting the town. So we are going to doll your ass up, be ready to turn some heads!" I laughed and just shook my head. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have these two lovely ladies in my life. Just then, the bell rang and we waved goodbye as I headed to study hall.

I make sure I don't get caught up in a drawing today as I sit in my favorite reading nook. I decided just to pull a book up on my phone and read it. It's about powerful women taking on the Luna role and werewolves and were-bears and other fantasy creatures. I can't get over how good all these books end up being and it takes me to another dimension.

Before too long, my alarm rings to signify the end of study hall. I put my phone back in my pocket and get ready to head to work. 11-9 is my regular shift. I can't wait to get there and get a spiced chai tea and a fresh baked croissant with cream cheese. I worked out so hard this morning I'm starving. I walk the five blocks to work and smile at the regulars and wave at Wendy and Bobby.

"Where do you guys want me today?" Bobby answers "How about you, man the register again today, we've got everything else under control back here." I smile and nod, I grab my apron and sketch book and go stand at the register. "Hey Wendy can I get a spiced chai tea, and Bobby will you please grab me one of those lovely croissants you just pulled from the oven, they smell divine!" I can just imagine the taste of them and my mouth starts drooling. Wendy just smiles and shakes her head. "Of course dear, we'd be happy to." I'm doodling in my sketchbook as Wendy sets my drink and croissant down. I smiled "Thank you both so very much."

The day passes by pretty quickly with a lot of our regulars coming in, all I have to do is see them and I already know what they want. As it gets later in the evening, the shop starts to kinda calm down, with just a few people trickling in just for something warm and to go and sit or read their poetry out loud, so I decide to pull my sketchbook out again.

I started drawing, just letting my mind wander. I took a look at what I drew. It was a gorgeous white wolf with crimson paws and crimson-tipped ears and the tip of its tail with a crescent moon on its forehead, one eye emerald green and one eye Amethyst colored. I look at it and think, wow how beautiful when I see a very tanned and manicured hand being placed down on my sketchbook, then the hand goes to turn it and look at what I drew. I looked up to see that same handsome face as yesterday and I couldn't help but to shiver.

He looked at my drawing, then looked at me. "Well, hello doll-face, what do we have here? I've never seen a wolf like this except for told in ancient books. Where did you get the idea to draw something like this?" His voice is so deep and husky it makes me want to hear him moan my name.....wow where did that thought come from. I forced myself to focus on him and the question. "I don't know, I just let my mind wander and this is what I drew. I wish something similar to this existed. I would love to see it in person. What can I get for you today sir?" He looked deep into my eyes "Jed, my name is Jed." Okay, Jed, what can I get for you today?" I heard him take a sharp breath in and I could have sworn I saw him shiver a little bit. "I'll take a hot chocolate and slice of apple pie again, by the way I noticed both times I've came in you've been writing poems about wolves or drawing wolves, why?" I smile and laugh a little before I answer. "Well I see wolves in my dreams all the time and I just.... I wish there was more out there, that all those stories we were told growing up about the supernatural world were real, but I know it is all fantasy." I shake my head and look at him he just smiles and leans forward and whispers in my ear again. "What if I told you it was all real?" I frown and answer as politely as I can "Well then I would probably say your just making fun of me, here's your hot chocolate and apple pie, that'll be $6.75." he hands me a 20 like before. "Keep the change, doll-face." He grabs his stuff, smirks before turning around and walking out the door.

Thankfully, it is closing time now. I told Wendy and Bobby bye and told them that I would see them, bright and early tomorrow. Before starting my walk back home, yet again, I feel like I'm being watched. I really don’t want this feeling following me around constantly. I've never had it in all my years of walking this route. I've always felt safe....but not now.