Chasing Storm

The honking of the Taxi jerked me up at once. If I had know the ride from the airport to my new apartment would be this long, I would've bought tacos on the way. I jumped out of the taxi, paid the fare and then greeted an elderly woman also entering the apartment building as I.

I made my way quickly for the front desk. A red head smiled unknowingly at me. She was the one behind desk.

"How may I help you?" She asked. Somewhat grumpy. I traced the stain of ketchup on her shirt all the way, to under her table where a big burger sat. I was obviously disturbing her lunch. The tag on her shirt read. Judy.

"Hi, Judy. I'm here to collect the keys to my apartment."

Her brows rose up instantly. "And your name is?"

"Stormy Banks"

She pressed into her computer until she sighed and handed me a slip and then the key to my apartment.

"The house is all yours" she grinned at me. I'm sure she did that because she finally got rid of me. I read the number on the key. Apartment 50. I started up the elevator to my apartment eager to see it. Of course, I'd checked the house online before I bought it but still, the internet can be tricky.

Staring at Apt 50, a smile crept up on my face opening this door and stepping into this place is starting a new life. A new life away from Canada where my mom is. I turned the key in the lock and opened the door halfway. The sight of the wooden floor made me smile, next came the milky and ash wallpaper and then I stepped into a room of cushions and sofas. It wasn't all that big but everything was arranged and in order.

A thought came to me and I hurried to check out the most important place in the house. The place that made me loved this apartment. I hurried to the kitchen and stared in awe at the wonderful sight. Everything was placed well. Cabinets, drawers, a coffee machine even sat on the counter.

A vision of me in the kitchen all day cooking and baking made me giggle out loud. It was no secret I love to cook and bake. The kitchen is where I work out most of my stress. I grabbed my phone from my bag calling my mom.

"Sweety" her voice was squeaky and I missed her instantly.

"Hey mom. I arrived already"

"Hmm...how was your flight darling?" The sound of an espresso machine going off in the background made me smile. I'm just like my mom. I could spend a whole day in the kitchen. Just having espresso.

"It was nice mom. Thanks for the first class ticket"

"Anything for you darling she gulped her espresso and made a satisfying sound. "So have you checked your apartment out?"

"I'm standing in the kitchen mom" I squealed.

"That's wonderful honey. Send me a pic" she chuckled. I instantly took pictures around the kitchen and gave a close shot of the coffee machine on the counter and sent it.

"Oh..baby when can I come visit" she sniffed.

"Anytime mom" we both giggled like school girls.

"So how about your school. You signed in yet?"

"I'll do that tomorrow. I'm jetlagged and need to rest" my fingers ran down the body of the coffee maker.

"Oh sure honey. Don't forget to take Ginseng tea, dear. It's relaxing"

"Yes mom"

"Alright. Bye honey and take care of yourself" I told her bye and then the phone went dead. Great I need to charge. It went off right on time. I blew kisses in the kitchen before exiting and going up the stairs to check out my room. It was as beautiful as the rest of the room but nothing stood out to the kitchen.

I got into the shower and relaxed a bit before going back into the kitchen. I opened all the drawers. I need to go grocery shopping. I pulled out a ginseng tea bag and boiled it before adding milk to it. Mom was right. It is relaxing.

I glanced at the wall clock. It was past five but I could still do a little shopping for breakfast tomorrow. I grabbed my coat and the key before locking up. I noticed Judy again and waved at her. She only grinned. She'll warm up to me anyway. She'll be seeing me more often now.

Instead of taking a taxi, I decided to walk down the street, at least checking out my surrounding. I discovered a mall was close by and then the sight of a certain Perry cafe made me jump. I skipped towards it. The place was downright amazing. It was also organised and put cleanly in an English style. I walked up to the bar stand. A pretty lady stood making cappuccino.

"Hey there"

"Oh..hi. didn't see you there" she smiled. I read her name tag. Barrister Rose. Hmm...I'm sure she could show me a few recipes on cafe makings.

"I'm sorry I startled you. I just saw this place and loved to come"

She leaned against the counter. "Let me guess, you love the art of cooking"

A smile crept up on my face. "I sure do"

She clapped her hands pulling out a seat and ushering me to take a seat too. I grabbed a bar stool. "You and I are going to get along swimmingly"

"How so?"

"I could show you some new cafe stunts. I've been dying to share it with Someone" Rose grinned. Her braces shown in The light.

"Well, good cause I'm ready to listen"

"First" Rose poured me a mug of espresso and then added milk. I took the mug with a thank you and then sipped on it. My brain sizzled. Now that's what you call an Espresso Macchiato.

If I had buzzed my mom and told her where I was, I knew she'd be giggling and sqealing in my ears. My mom always had this sweet little dream of opening her own cafe.

Rose taught me a lot on how to make, espresso. I also helped serve some customers since one of her staff was down. How cool is it that she owns the place. I returned back to the bar counter after serving an Americano to a very annoying teenage girl. My age though.

"How say, you work here Stormy" Rose patted my back. "You're really good at this kind of stuff"

"I'd love to but I have to focus on studies"

"I see. Where do you school?" Rose seemed really interested in me.

"Well, I got a scholarship into Cornell University" I grinned.

"Whoah. That's a big shot." Rose poured herself a galangal tea. I've noticed she takes that almost every second.

"Yeah I guess. Well I'm starting next week. I'm yet to sign in"

"You should do that quickly. Rich schools don't look at nobody. Where are you from anyway?"

"Canada" I took off my apron and hung it back on the stand.

"Exotic" Rose chimed. "I've always loved to go to Canada"

"It's a nice place once your there" I said. Plus, if she visits, my mom would really love her. Rose is twenty three. They would get along nicely.

"Well, I ought to be on my way"

"Come soon, and often. Wait!" She went behind a door and came out again with packaged cookies and tartlets. "Here. Thanks for today"

"No worries. And I'll come everyday" I took the bag and then left the cafe. I looked at my watch. I planned to check around the neighbourhood but it seem the cafe took all my time. So I just stopped at a grocery store and got some stuffs before heading home.

*****

I woke up really early so I could make breakfast and then head out to the school. I decided to have Tarlets. My phone vibrated indicating a message. It was from rose.

Rose: you coming over today?

Me:not sure

Rose:bummer! I have a surprise for you

My insides churned excitedly. She promised me a lot of things yesterday so I wonder which one....

Me: I'll be there by six.

Rose:sure. Expecting ya!

I stuffed my phone in my bag after texting my mom I was on my way to the school.

I hailed a taxi from the apartment building. It wasn't that much of a distance but it also made me realise I need a car. The school on it's own was a sight to see. The main building was set off of campus and everything was perfect. I was directed by another student to where I'm to sign in.

There weren't much people so it came to my turn soon enough. I sat in front of a middle aged man in rimmed glasses. He looked a bit young though.

"How may I help you.?"

"I'm here to sign in. My name's Stormy Banks"

"Ah! The scholarship student" he said and I nodded. Happy we were both on the same page. He started typing into his computer. "Well Miss Banks only you got a scholarship into your department this year"

That's a first I guess.

"So apart from your literature classes are you taking anymore extra classes?" He asked me.

"I'm thinking of taking Religious class and yoga"I grinned.

"Excellent. Your all done. And I'm sure you know your supposed to resume next Monday" he arranged his glasses to the brim of his nose.

"I do"

"It's already Friday anyway. You were supposed to be here last semester but you missed it so you have to study hard to meet up"

"Yes sir"

"Call me Mr Williams" he took out a file. "From what I see, your grades from the exam is excellent. You're a perfect student so you shouldn't find trouble fitting in" he smiled.

*****

After I took some walks to some stops, I discovered a cafe right in the school. Well of course it had to be nice looking. I strolled inside to discover not so many students. Some chattered away while some just ate. The place looked more like a relaxing ground for students. I spotted the counter but before I could get there, I bumped into someone.

"Shit!"he groaned.

"I'm sorry" I looked at the stain of Knish on my white shirt. Lucky me huh? The guy brought out a handkerchief and handed it to me, and that was when I looked at him.

"Here" he said shoving the white clothe between my hands. I was stunned between staring at him and gazing at the white neat clothe. His blue eyes were fixed on mine. He twisted his lip ring between his teeth.

"Thank you" I mumbled. I brushed the stain of my shirt but it only got dirtier. I groaned inwardly. I have to visit many places today and going back home to change is too bad. I spotted the dumped plate of good looking Knishes on the floor. "I'm sorry about those"

"They cost me a lot" he said placing his hands in his pocket. A flicker of anger coursed through me.

"They're just knishes! What about my shirt" I called him out. His eyes travelled to the stain on my shirt and then back up to my face.

"At least you can wash the stain off. I can't eat the Knishes again." He shrugged. I bent down and took a handful of the knish and then rubbed it on his black jacket.

"Now we're even" I said. He looked stunned like he never believed I'd do that. Some students were staring now. Not how I pictured my first time on Campus. Starting a fight or more like a show.

"We're not even yet" He took slow steps toward me. When he got to me, he bent so he was my height. The nerve. "You still owe me Knishes" he mumbled and then walked off. "See you around," he said and then he was out the door where I came in from.

I looked, stunned at the amount of eyes gazing at me right now. How fast do gossips travel at a school like this? I need to know. I rushed out the door but he was gone. Looking from left to right of the area, I couldn't spot a blue eyed jerk in all black and a lip ring

Scott POV

Valeria strolled into my room. Like always, she had on her usual smirk. She looked like an award winner dressed in a perfect golden dress and slipper. Reminds me of when it was her tenth birthday and she wanted to outshine all the girls so she used up all mom's glitter and make-up.

"We're you off too?" I ask her. She sits on my bed and watches me as I stuff some things into my bag.

"I'm having dinner with dad" she groaned.

"Happy for you" I grunt.

"Really? I need you to save me from spending my day with boring old people talking business. " she scoffed. "You should be the one with him. You're the man".

"Good luck Val," I said and got up. I zipped my bag, heading for the door but Val grabbed my hand.

"Please Scott take me with you"

"You're my elder sister Val. Stop sounding whiny" I grumble, shoving her hand away. I took quick steps down the stairs and to the living room where mom was reading a fashion magazine.

"Is your sister all set?"

"I guess..." I caught sight of Val behind the wall, shaking her head at me and I sigh. "Um...mom!"

"Yes dear"

"Val is coming with me" I groaned. That took all my inner energy to say.

"You know she's having dinner with your dad right?" Mom dropped her magazine tapping the seat next to me. I sat down.

"She doesn't want to go"

"Not for you to decide"

Val came down that very minute. She had changed into comfortable jeans and a red top with sneakers. That's more like Val. Not wearing gowns looking like a trophy daughter. Left to dad, Val would be married to a real estate guy by now with a kid or two even.

"Valerie Bentley Russo!" My mom screeched. "The chauffeur is coming to pick you up soon to be with your dad" mom got up. "Come, honey, let's go make your hair"

"No mom. I don't want to go" Val grumbled. I took this as my queue to leave but Val grabbed my hand again.

"Have you told your dad dear?"

"I was hoping you'll tell him mom" Val sighed. She was always one to be scared of dad. As for me, I do as I please. His being a senator does not affect my life in any way. Val has to be the trophy daughter and marry some rich guy but not me.

"Alright honey, I'll tell him you couldn't make it" mom finally agreed. Val rushed to hug her so I quickly left. My work here is done.

I made my way for my Chevrolet Camaro. I was supposed to be meeting the guys at the bar for some drinks but I had other intentions. One of which kept swimming in my head all day. The blue-eyed girl with raven hair dumped my Knishes on the floor.

I know I have to see her again so I had Jack, a really good hacker and a friend of mine, get her name and location for me. she wasn't hard to find, given she was the only student granted a scholarship in her department. Smartass isn't she?

"Scott!"

I looked around to see Val running toward me. "Aren't you going to drop me off?"

"Drop you were?" I slid into my car and shut the door but she kept banging at the window. Fuck! I took the glass down. "What the fuck Val! I got you out of there isn't that enough?"

"Nope. Just drop me at the boutique I'll find my way back home later" she cornered the car and took the seat next to me. "Step on it baby brother" she clicked her tongue making me sigh. Annoying little muffin. I revved out of the Russo Estate. I have an hour to get back to New York. This is the second reason why I never visit home.

*****

Sitting in my car, I stared at the fancy Perry Cafe waiting for her to come out. It was getting dark already, does she live there? I kicked my hand against the wheel before stepping out of my car. A little boy on a bicycle rode past me almost knocking me down. My inner self wanted to pull him by the shirt and scold him but he wasn't my problem right now.

I marched to the cafe and stepped in. A little bell rung above me. The place was dim lighted and I must say, it's not bad. It looks romantic in some kind of way which creeped the hell out of me. Not my kind of place.

I spotted a black-haired girl with an apron on. She was backing me and talking to a blonde so I decided to walk up there.

"Excuse me" I interrupted their discussion and earned a cold stare from the black-haired girl. Yes! That was she. Her brows shot up in confusion and a creepy smile crest my lip.

"Good evening" I greeted the blonde and she smiled at me before stalking off. Good riddance.

"What are you doing here?"

"you work here?" I ask her and she places her hands on her hips.

"It's rude to reply to a question with a question" she scolded. I would've sworn and walked away but she looked cute with her hands on her hips scolding me, and being all smart. I'm curious to know where this takes me.

"Your question seemed rhetorical" I blinked making her groan out loud.

"Argh! What do you want" she picked up a tray filling it with mugs of espresso.

"You owe me Knishes " I shrugged stuffing my hands in my jacket. She flung her hair to her back so it would stop returning to her face.

"You came all the way here for Knishes?" She sighed and I nod. "Well, order, and I'll get you one" she wasn't even looking at me. I frowned.

"I..." before I could finish my statement, she pressed the button on the espresso machine allowing the sound to shut me up. The nerve. She looked at me and smiled apologetically before storming off.

And a little tease.

I went to find myself a seat and sat down, watching as she moved around the cafe attending to others except me. I raised my hand to get her attention but she brushed past me so I grabbed her apron letting it come loose. It wasn't the nicest thing to do but at least now, I got her attention.

She looked at me as if ready to release all the storm in her and I readied myself for her next move.