Book of Grievances Chp 3

Grievance #3 People Who Cut In Lines and/or save places in line for loads of other people.


After leaving, Frey, Shane and the annoying one, I went up to the library to get some peace and quiet. I had hoped it would calm me down before swim class. It wasn't smart swimming in 20 feet deep water with a temper. There was something about being in a library that always gave me solace. Maybe it was the sound of the humidifier, or the smell of the paper. It reminds me of home, my real home and my parents.

Our house in New York had a massive library filled with 100's of volumes of books. My mum and dad loved collecting old and rare books. It was their hobby and mine. I would make my dad stay up and read to me. Now I know what you're thinking, typical girl would have their dad read fairy tales and what not. My dad, the professor, would read me things like Frederic Nietzsche, Plato, Aristotle and Aesop's Fables. The only Prince I heard about was Niccolo Machiavelli's and trust me, he is anything but charming.

I would sit on the hearth rug in front of the fire place in dad's lap and just fall asleep listening to the sound of his voice. The mum would creep in and carry me to my bed. I'd smell her lavender perfume, wake up and insist that I'm not sleepy, just so she would tuck me in.

So when I went the library, I grabbed the one book I knew would make me feel better. I found it easily without even an upward glance at the numbers. Once I had the book, I headed to my usual study carrel. Then I opened "Important Roman Families" by Marguerite Engle, my mother. I was just diving into the life and death of Commodus, when someone entered my study carrel.

Oi

I sighed and turned to see Frey.

"I knew I'd find you up here," she said triumphantly.

"Good. Give yourself a gold star and sit at the head of the class," said waving her away with my head still in the book.

She glanced at the book I was reading then back to me looking quizzical, and then her eyes opened wide.

"That's why you were so upset! Nothing to do with that boy, you were upset because Ancient Studies was your mother's specialty."

I didn't want to admit it, I just looked down. There was some truth to her statement. I read this book cover to cover hundreds of times. I knew the subject backwards and forwards. So I didn't think for a second that there was someone who knew more about Rome than me in this school. Sure it was absurd but that's why it was so shocking. That's why it got to me so much. It being my mum's subject was just the icing on the six layer cake.

"Why didn't you say something?" Frey asked but still I remained silent. "I know you don't like talking about your pa..."

"Its nothing, I'm fine now," I said calmly cutting her off. "Was there something you wanted?"

Frey put her finger to his chin and looked up then back to me.

"Well I thought we could stop by Starbucks after school if you're up to it.'

"Starbucks!" I said perking up. "That's perfect. I'm in desperate need of caffeine. Let's go right after swim class.

"Okay!" she squeaked.

Though I was being a bit short with her, she still had this vibrant smile on her face. I knew she had come looking for me to try and cheer me up and using my one weakness as her weapon (caffeine) to do it. But I was grateful, despite appearances. Frey knew me pretty well. She knows all my hiding places, knows how to make me smile and what to stay clear of me.

In the shot 6 months we've known each other, we've become best friends. Frey has become to one good constant thing in my life here in California and I was happy to have her.

Directly after our last class we headed straight to Starbucks. Lucky for us, it was right down the street. As soon as we walked in, the familiar aroma of fresh roasted coffee hit my nose and I felt more relaxed. Frey was ordering so I just walked beside her in line. Behind the counter was Frey's favorite Barista, Mark Rosen. He was tall with golden blond hair the fell a little over his eyes. He was cute in that I just rolled out of bed and I always look like this kind of way. Effortlessly hot and he served the best coffee in town.

Frey fancies him but she tries to hide it. (Not very well mind you) but I humor her.

"Hello Frey, Adelaide. What can I start you lovely ladies off with?" he asked pleasantly smiling at Mouse.

"Adelaide needs a pick me up."

"What kind of mood do you think she's in? Americano?" he asked seriously and Frey looked thoughtful for a second.

"Mmm, no more sugar?"

"Hazelnut latte?" he suggested

"Mmm, think more sugar and more espresso." They thought for a moment, then said in unison "Caramel Macchiato."

Oi

*****Break
They always did that when we come in (guessing what coffee to get me) and strangely enough, always knew what to get me.
I love coffee and I'm an exclusive Starbucks drinker. My drink choices always change depending on my mood. The wrong combination of espresso and sugar would either calm me down or put me in an even fouler mood. Which I think is something they definitely don't want. ***end of break


So right after paying, we took our seats at our usual table.


"He so wants you," I whispered to Frey in a mock girly voice and she playfully hit me on the hand.

"He does not. He's only nice to me because it's his job to be nice."

"Wow, I never heard you be so cynical," I commented surprised. She was always the optimist.

"Maybe you're rubbing off on me," she said chuckling in her cute voice.

"What's this about rubbing?" Mark said behind me as he came over with our coffee.

"Oh you didn't have to bring it over, I would have gone over to counter and gotten it," said Frey sweetly but she seemed very pleased nonetheless.

"No its fine, I'm taking my half now anyway and thought I'd join you, that is if you don't mind?"

"No go ahead," I said taking my Caramel Macchiato. I took a sip and it was heavenly. Its the perfect mix of espresso, milk, caramel and vanilla. "Mmm, perfect." As always, they knew just what to get me.

"So how was your day?" Mark asked making small talk. I hate small talk.

"My day was shit, wrapped in failure, wrapped in disappointment, how about yours?" I said in fake pleasantness.

"Aww cheer up Ads," came a voice behind me. "Want Shane to kiss the boo boo and make it feel all better?" he came toward me with his arms outstretched.

"Want Adelaide to give you a boo boo?" I said threateningly and he put his arms down.

"Chin up Ads, you'll beat that pretty boy blue next time," he said reassuringly as he took the seat next to me.

"Can I hold you to that," I said as he put his arm around me and pulled me close so that my head was resting on his chest. I closed my eyes and took another sip of my coffee. Shane acted as a very comfy pillow. The others talked and I just sat there drinking my Macchiato and drowning out all the annoyances around me. Then suddenly I felt Shane's body tense up and opened my eyes to see Francine standing above me with a very pissed look on her face. (Does she wait until Shane is touching me to show up?)
I thought Shane would stand up right away but he just adjusted himself as I sat up in my seat, taking my head from his chest. However Shane didn't remove his arm. Francine watched this exchange with rapt interest.

"Hey babe, take a seat," he said smiling but Francine didn't return the smile.

"I thought we were going out," she said

"We are out," he stated, puzzled finally removing his arm as he got up. "You don't live here do you?"

"Of course not, I meant like out, out. Like a club or something."

"Its 4:00 in the afternoon!" he said incredulously and she walked towards the exit. He followed and they continued their conversation out of earshot.

"Well that was pleasant," I said. "I'm going to go look at the music section. See if they have anything new."

I just wanted to get away from the drama and the Frey and Mark's getting to know you small talk.

I picked up a CD and started looking at it. Then I felt the hairs on my arms stand up and I turned to see none other than the boy who ruined my day standing next to me.

"Wow I never would have pegged you for a Killers fan," he stated looking at the CD.

"But I sure had you soused when I pegged you for an annoying prat," I said not really in the mood to play nice but he didn't seem fazed.

"Well its just I've heard a lot about you in school," he said inching closer to smile with that same big grin on his face.

"Oh and you thought you had me all figured out did you?"

"Mmm relatively," he said smugly.

"Then you must know that I have little patience for annoying people, especially nosy gits."

"Point taken," he said "I just wanted to say that you were brilliant in class today. I've never met anyone as smart as you. You...surprised me. I've never seen someone take their school work so seriously."

"To me school is serious," I turned to face him. He was about an inch taller than me but our eyes were about level with each other. Up close they looked even more dazzling. But I wasn't going to let his good looks distract me. But being that close to him was a distraction on its own. I backed away. "I should return to my table."

"Goodbye Miss Engel," he said after me but I didn't turn. I went back to the table just as Mark was standing up.

"Time to go back to work, talk to you girls again later," he said as he touched Frey's shoulder. I sat down and looked at her and she had a tinge of pink on her white skin.

"Mouse, you should tell him how you feel," I said

"What? Then he'd know I like him?"

Oi...girls.

"Mouse, that's bloody point!"

"Shhh, he'll hear you."

"Du wirst nie einen Freund haben, mit dieser Einstellung (You'll never get a boyfriend with that thinking)," I said in German "I'm getting tired of watching this never ending tango with you two. Its obvious you're into to each other."

Frey just looked down.

"I'm sorry for being so blunt, I just want you to be happy," I said a little softer.

"I know Addy and thank you. You're right. I should do something about it."

"That's my girl," I said as Shane came back inside.

"What happened to Francine?" Frey asked

"She went home. We're going out tonight instead. Say you guys want to go to a club opening tonight?"

"Club opening?"

"Yeah, this new Live House Club in North Hollywood. A mate of mine is the owner, could put us on the list."

"Sounds like fun!" said Frey "How about it Adelaide?"

Hmmm, It would be nice to go to club before it became too popular and in essence as place I wouldn't want to be.

"Sure why not, I'm in," I said

"Oi! Mark!" Shane called and Mark popped his head up from the counter.

"You should come too. We're going to a new club tonight in North Hollywood. You should join us if you're not doing anything."

"No, I'm not doing anything."

"Great, I'll have the car swing by here and pick you up. Leave your number with my sister."

"Okay if I'm going to party tonight then I have to do my homework now," I said standing up.

"It's Wednesday?" said Frey looking up at me. "You're homework for today isn't due until Friday. Can't you do it tomorrow?"

"No, I like to do my homework the day I get it so that Thursdays and Tuesdays are free for just studying."

Shane and Frey looked at me like I was an alien.

"You know if your parents were still alive you'd win daughter of the year," Frey stated. I looked at her and thought I was smiling but the sudden look of worry on her face told me that I wasn't smiling.

"Oh my God, Addy I'm so sorry," she said clamping her hands to her face.

"Its nothing, I'm leaving now. I'll call you when I finish."

And with that I was gone without looking back. Okay I know that was really rude but I needed to get out of there. I don't like the subject of my parents being sprung on me out of the blue like that. It's been 8 months and I can still remember the sound of their voices. Mum's favorite lavender perfume and dad's classical music records. Everyone always says that time heals all wounds, that I'll eventually get over it and other cliché bull. All I knew was that no amount of time was going to make me forget my parents and how much I miss them.