Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 8

October 9th, 2019

Javi and I entered the cafe hand-in-hand. He had been eagerly telling me about his new friend, Alicia. She spoke Spanish, and she was helping Javi translate. It wasn't 100% accurate between the two languages, but the similarities helped nonetheless.

Javi took his usual seat at the counter while I headed into the back room to get ready. I tied my apron on and plaited my hair per usual before stepping out and taking my place behind the counter. Janie wasn't coming in for another few hours so I was working practically by myself as I didn't really know the other girl. I wasn't even sure of her name. Chloe, maybe. She didn't seem to like me anyway, always ignoring me and snapping at me to hurry up on orders.

For two hours I tried to mind my own business, helping the few people who came to the counter and delivering orders to tables. Javi was busy working on his homework again and was slowly starting to get better with his schoolwork. I really needed to thank his new friend.

"Mia, I need you to take the floor for a minute please," Chloe came over and said, picking at a fingernail. "I need a break. I'll cover the counter for you for a while," I forced a smile and nodded, grabbing my notebook from my apron pocket as I approached a couple who had just come in.

"Hi, what can I get started for you two today?" I asked them cheerfully. The couple was young - a handsome brunet and a pretty redheaded woman. Both seemed very kind. They gave me their order and I smiled politely and went to hand the list off to the kitchen.

The door chimed as I moved onto another table who had called me over, wanting a refill on their drinks.

"I'll be right back with those," I told the lady with her two kids. As I left to convey the order to Chloe, I noticed a familiar figure taking his seat on a barstool.

"Neo?" I asked in disbelief, handing the tray to Chloe for her to refill. He flashed me a grin.

"Hey," he answered.

"What are you doing here?" He shrugged.

"I thought I'd come to say hi," I smiled despite Chloe practically shoving the tray of drinks into my hands.

"I'll be right back," I quickly delivered the drinks to the kids, making sure they were satisfied before I left.

"Do you want anything?" I asked Neo.

"I'll take an iced americano," he replied with a smile.

"Sure thing," I handed the tray back to Chloe and stepped behind the counter to make the beverage. Chloe stomped off, clearly not pleased about having to work again.

"Thanks, Mia," Neo said gratefully as I placed down his drink in front of him.

"You prefer the more bitter coffees, yes? I question, a small smile forming on my face. Neo grinned.

"I guess so. Ma always makes it that way so I guess I'm pretty used to it,"

"Do you have a big family?" I asked, trying to keep up with the small talk as I wiped down the counter. He nodded.

"Oh yeah. I've got four siblings, and we live with my cousins, so I've got three of those, plus Ma and my Tia and Tio," Neo explained. My eyes widened slightly.

"Wow. That sounds nice," I commented. Neo shrugged, laughing slightly.

"It has its perks, I guess. What about you? How's your family?" My fingers involuntarily clenched the towel in my hands, my body freezing for a millisecond before I regained my composure.

"It's just Javi and my dad," I said softly, gesturing to my brother who was sitting not too far away. Neo thought for a moment.

"Javi..." he repeated. "That's Alicia's new friend from school. He's Italian, I should've guessed there was a relation," he chuckled. I smiled.

"Is she your sister then?" I asked. He nodded.

"Yeah," he trailed off. "So it's just you and your brother?" I nodded, organising the little basket of salt and sugar packets.

"Yes. I had an older sister but she died a few years ago," I said quietly. Neo's face twisted into a guilty expression.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he sympathised. I smiled gratefully.

"Me too,"

The doorbells chimed as a tall blonde girl walked, instantly brightening as she saw me.

"Janie!" I waved excitedly.

"Hey Mia," she replied. "Neo," she tipped her head. "I'll be out in a few, m'kay?" I nodded and watched her walk into the back room and disappear.

"How did you know where I worked?" I asked Neo suddenly. He shrugged, a coy smile on his lips.

"Your cafe is on my side of town. Java House is fairly popular," I nodded slowly.

"'Your side of town'?" I repeated, arching a brow. He downed another sip of his coffee.

"I'm sure you've heard I'm in a gang, right?" he continued on at my nod. "Well, the Adams have always been our biggest rivals. They have everything east of Central Park, and we have everything west," My mouth formed an 'oh'. "Plus I happen to know your friend there," Neo gestured to Janie, who was just now exiting the back room and heading towards me.

"Chloe, you can go now," she told the girl, who happily took her leave. "Hey Mia, table four needs a refill," I smiled, heading over the couple I'd served earlier. I collected their glasses and quickly hurried back to the pop machine, refilling one glass of lemonade and one of Pepsi.

As I was distributing back their drinks, the doorbells jingled. I turned to see another familiar face making his appearance. Alan. But he was too busy glaring at Neo, who'd noticed him immediately.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Alan growled.

"You're in my territory, Adams, I suggest you beat it," Neo quickly shot back, rising to his feet.

"Piss off, Snake, this is neutral territory," Alan snapped. Janie stepped between the two boys, clearly fed up with the two boys.

"Take it outside," she demanded. "Now,"