lottie la bouff

Evelyn smiled looking at the other for a moment she enjoyed seeing what people came into her little store for. Given that she really did get all types it was almost as if one could see the world by just hearing the bell above her door ring. “You are from the south much like myself?” She questioned before pulling out the necklaces they were various sizes of four-leaf clover pendants. “That’s the thing about magic, you sometimes have to believe in them to work, I will say these are my best sellers and plenty of people have told me of their lucky properties, do you believe such things can happen? Something so small can change things in your favor?”

“Lot-Alright fine.” Tiana sighed knowing this was not a battle she would be winning. Especially since now she was pushing a box into her hands. Tiana watched as Lottie bounced back out the kitchen. She put the box of trinkets in the small cubby she had, making sure to cover it with her jacket. Then she clocked out, taking a break and joining Lottie in the restaurant. “ You want your usual?”

Lottie bounced on her heels excited that Tiana had given in to her. “You know some day you’re gonna marry your self a prince and you’ll have all the time in the world to sit with me during the day and snack!” she told her as matter o’factly. Lottie had wanted to marry a prince since her nanny had read her all about those fairytales when her and Ti were kids. Her lifelong goal was for them both to marry rich and go on vacation, however unrealistic it was. “Yes please and a strawberry milkshake, extra whipped cream hunny.” 

“Guess we’ll just have to drink enough for three,” Aurora suggested mostly as a joke, though she wouldn’t mind an extra drink or two to move the night along. “She’ll be with us in spirit.” She decided. “Oh yes, but no, you’re gonna think differently when you hear how its been going. Nothing but boring florist work.”

“I know the owner, well, big daddy knows the owner, I’ll have him send ovah a bottle of prosecco for us.” Perhaps something sweet would help both their moods. “Must be beautiful working with flowers though.” Lottie liked to think of herself as an event planner but really she just planned the parties for her dad’s company and their family events. 

“I mean, I could…” Georgette muttered, without actually glancing up from the phone in her hand. “I gotta post on a schedule, okay? People expected content from me at certain times of day.” Which just coincidentally happened to be the time of day when people were most active on the app. It was all down to math, really. Finally, she glanced up and wrinkled her nose at the blue dress. “Definitely not,” she said. “Blue washes you out.”

Lottie was used to having a more attentive friend, Tia would have at least acknowledged her when she came out of the room in the dress. She clicked her tongue but continued to stare at herself in the mirror. “Can’t ya just queue the posts or somethin’” she asked. Lottie nodded agreeing with Georgette. “I’ll take the pink.” she told the salesgirl. 

“Well, you’ve definitely come to the right spot, Rabbit’s foot is only lucky to the one that kept it off a key chain” Evelyn mused with a smile on her face she could tell the other was looking for a special gift for someone they cared about. “We’ve actually had these really cute four-leaf clover jewelry pieces or if your friend isn’t into jewelry, we do have this little tasteless luck mixture that can be mixed in anything so long as it’s free of caffeine. Of course, the effects do wear off, meaning it’s not a permanent solution.”

“Thank you Lottie.” Tiana smiled softly.  “She listened as Lottie came up with excuse after excuse to why she should accept the jewelry. She should have known better. There was a reason the blonde was her best friend. Once she got an idea in her head, there was NO changing her mind. “Alright I’ll accept ONE piece ok? The rest you keep. Fair?” she tried to bargain. “go on now.” Tiana waved her at Lottie playfull.” Out the kitchen before someone sees you. Take seat at one of the tables. My lunch break is as soon as I finish up these. We can eat togetha’ if you’re not too busy.”

“One piece!” Lottie squealed in indignation. “Tia, you won this contest jus as much as ah did. Fair would be a split of the whole collection, half is ta go ta you and the other half ta me. Now, I won’t hear anotha word about it sugah!” Lottie handed her the package, she’d taken the liberty of splitting the collection up already, picking things her best friend might like and of course putting the more outlandishly sparklier items in her own pile. “Alright alright i’m goin’” she laughed heading out of the kitchen and towards a seat in the restaurant. “I got all the time in the world for you hunny.”  

“Better than Salty. Though perhaps Pepper would have been the best option,” Aurora mused. “I’m not very good at making up names on the fly.” She confessed, more amused than embarrassed by the admission. The guy looked insulted though Aurora couldn’t care less if she tried. “Bye.” She waved him off once more and turned toward Lottie. “You’re a sight for sore eyes my dear.”

“Well I was tryin’ ta get Ti to come join us but she said she was workin’ late and that usually means all night, besides, this really ain’t her scene.” she sighed lightly. Her best friend was always overworking herself. “But I get to see you! So that’s excitin’” 

“Yeah that doesn’t mean he can’t work me more to bone than I already am.” Tiana muttered under her breath. She loved Lottie, but had to admit was a little jealous of how things just always seemed to work out for her. But she was still happy for her best friend. “ Oh Lottie I don’t need any jewelry. All I did was hold the camera for you. You enjoy your prize. Besides where wouldI  even wear such fancy stuff?” 

“Alright alright i’m sorry sugah, i’ll tone it down.” It was just her natural state to be bubbly and excited, like she had coffee in her veins. She tried her best to hush her voice not wanting her best friend to get in trouble she knew how hard of a worker Tiana was. That just wasn’t the life for her though. “Nonsense, you’d wear it out ta dinner with me or you could sell your portion and add to those wish jars you keep for your very own restaurant!” she suggested.

Tiana was in the back shining silverware when she heard Lottie’s voice ringing through the restaurant. She quickly wiped her hands to meet her before she got a scolding from Cal. “Lottie! You have ta keep it down! I’ve told you that a hundred times!” she smiled at her best friend’s excitement. “What happened?” she asked amused. “Did you have a new princess dress made?”

“Oh you worry too much Ti! You know big daddy won’t evah let you get canned from this place, Cal wouldn’t dare do it!” Regardless though she hushed her voice, well, as humanly possible for Lottie who operated at a volume of 100 percent. “No silly, I won that jewelry instagram contest, or rather we won! I’m obviously going to split it with you! They’re sending a whole package!”  

She was bursting with so must excitement the moment she saw Tiana she knew she was going to burst, the whole restaurant probably able to hear her. “Yoohoo! Tiana darlin’ are ya back here?” Lottie called poking her head at the back of the kitchen of Cal’s diner.