Nick Turner

Janice listened to the light tap of his fingers against his phone, the speed and sudden plastic against glass catching her attention and bringing her eyes once more upwards catching that wink. That simple gesture had a flush rising to her cheeks as she swallowed hard anxiety rising as she fumbled for something to say, something to do as she tore another piece and slowly chewed it. “Wh-Which exam do you have left?” she finally asked, voice thick as she tried to remember how to swallow. 

Nick retrieved a napkin from the dispenser next to him and began to wipe his hands, brushing off fallen crumbs out of his lap as he did. Janice was sweet, but he was beginning to get a sense that she was a little guarded. He wasn't sure if it was just towards him, or if that was her usual disposition towards others. She seemed a little unsure of herself, too; maybe it was because of school, but he had a suspicion that it was more about her role in Carpe Noctem. He couldn't blame her. He had seen it in some of the other Keepers over the years. He knew it couldn't be easy.

Even though she knew about him and what he was, she never seemed to bring up the topic. And regardless of his probing, she was a closed book and Nick wasn't sure how to pry open her cover. He didn't want to impose, but if they were going to be stuck together overnight, he wasn't sure he could last the entire duration of it without figuring out what she was really about. 

“Who’s the father?” she asked with a smile turning for a moment to clean up her mess, with a single swipe the drops of coffee disappeared and before she knew it she didn’t have anything else to busy herself with. There had been too few costumers, and too much free time for her to have left anything behind. Taking a breath she pointed to the sign above her head turning as she spoke next “Well most of the things up there I can make, well all except—” she peered upwards brow creasing “Yeah no you can’t have the tuna, I refuse.”

He licked a melted dab of chocolate from his thumb and winked at her before pulling out his phone to check for any messages. "Let's hope you're right," he said, shooting off a couple of texts to check on his friends before sliding it onto the counter next to him. He watched her movements as he picked up another croissant, his hunger beginning to subside. "But part of me just wants to get it over with so I can go out and celebrate after.

Amicus had been her constant bane for as long as she could remember, but that didn’t make it any easier for her to deal with the repercussions of having it in her life. Just having Amicus in the same room was disorienting to her. Strange visions flashed through her head of fires and screaming, distracting her from what was happening.  

"Come on," he muttered, pulling her close to him as his hand went to her waist, practically lifting all of her weight up off the ground. He whipped his bedroom door open, ushering her through the short hallway and through the front door of his place, not even caring that he was leaving behind an apartment full of party guests. The loud music was muted as the door shut behind them, and they hurried towards the stairwell to make their descent towards Rowan's apartment.

When they'd reached the front door, Nick opened it with ease - she had charmed it so that he could always enter without a key - and helped her inside. He looked down at her wrist; the redness of her blood bloomed through the fabric of his white t-shirt and he felt his canines threatening to extend at the sight. 

“No usually there’s a manager and five or size regulars but with the storm—” she cut herself off her prior worry shifting slightly at the sight of him. The way he peered at the case, hands pressed to the glass like a child in a candy store, he looked so different – so unassuming and nothing like the overtly confident man from the library. This version of himself Janice couldn’t help but smile at, an easy grin as she shook her head. “Why do I have the feeling I should be telling you not to spoil your dinner?” she teased reaching into the case and pulling out the plate. Without pause she turned her back to him setting about making him coffee as if it were any other day, and he was any other person.

Despite her refusal to charge him for the food, he pulled out a twenty dollar bill and dropped it into the near-empty tip jar before taking the coffee. "I suppose I could probably make it through the snow, but..." he eyed the storm through the windows again before looking back towards Janice, smiling, "I don't suppose you will. I guess that just means I'll have to stay and keep you company. Because I'm certainly not going to leave you alone here." 

After stowing away his wallet, his free hand grabbed the plate of croissants and he took a seat at one of the bar stools placed in front of the high-top counter, facing Janice behind it. He pushed the plate towards her to offer her a pastry as he took a sip of his drink. "I'll take you up on that offer, for sure," he said, picking up a croissant and taking a bite out of it. "I eat like a pregnant lady, you know. For two." He chuckled at his own joke before taking another two bites. The sweetness of the chocolate melted across his tongue and he groaned in content. 

Swallowing she looked back to the door the man now gone as she shook her head “What is it with people believing their invincible?” she mumbled, a question asked mainly to herself as she moved from behind the counter. Letting go of the cloth she took hold of the keys, their light jingle filling her ears as she made her way to lock the door. She’d open it again if needed — if someone needed in. But who would she wondered, no amount of caffeine was worth that.

As Janice moved to lock the door, Nick made his way downstairs, the wooden steps creaking slightly under his weight. He rubbed his tired eyes with his palms and felt his stomach growl as he got closer to the display of food next to the cash register. He pressed both hands against the edge of the glass panes and leaned down to observe what was available. "Thirsty? Yes. But hungry, more than anything. I can't believe it's already dinnertime." 

The cafe was silent, most if not all of the patrons having left hours ago braving the weather for the fix of caffeine before quickly scurrying back into that sheet of white. It was coming down in harsh gusts the flakes large and near impossible to see through – it was a wall of bitter cold and Boston was feeling it. Janice’s arms crossed over her chest as she stared out into the night, hand wrapped tight around a cloth as the radio cut through the usual calming beat…Attention. This is a weather warning. Due to the storm a curfew has been put into effect. Please remain in doors for your own safety. This is not a warning. Attention…She turned eyes wide as the voice, far from human, filled that portion of the cafe. Her eyes darting to her manager his appearance not helping the sudden shudder of her heart – he wouldn’t leave she thought, the sudden worry filling her as she watched the older man rifle through his things. He wouldn’t be that dumb, would he?

Attention. This is a weather warning…The voice started again but Janice couldn’t hear it over the sudden sigh of that man, his aggravation clear as he shoved his arms into his coat. “Forget that” he mumbled to himself, voice harsh – filled with gravel as he stepped around the counter. Janice swallowed eyes growing wide as she stepped in front  of him, suddenly acting brave.

As the afternoon had worn on, he barely noticed how few people were actually in the cafe itself. He sat alone on the upper level, tucked away in the far corner table with his headphones blaring, away from the railing overlooking the main floor. It wasn’t until a silent lull between songs that he heard Janice’s voice calling out. He took off his headphones, setting them on top of his open books, and walked over to the railing to look down. 

Janice stood behind the counter, looking out at the front windows in slight despair. The snow completely whited out the view; Nick hadn’t realized how bad the storm had gotten. 

She felt the way his body moved before she saw it, the sudden warmth coaxing those honey browns up from the page they had been searching as her heart sped. Subtly leaning away as she stared “Innocent?” she wonder aloud, a fresh blush rising lightly through her cheeks as she attempted not to smile. “Innocence is subjective.”

What are you talking about? This face could change the world. 

Chewing on the inside of her cheek she stifled those giggles eyes once more seeking the safety of the text, those words which still seemed to make little sense in her over crowded mind. What a jumbled mess she thought brow creasing slightly “Worried? I don’t know—I mean you don’t scare easily do you?”

"A family business?" Nick mused. "I guess you could say that. But it's not just about money. I really find it interesting, and you're supposed to do what you love, right? But the money part of it doesn't hurt." 

We'll show you the ropes! Nothing to worry about. 

And ha! A girlfriend? God no, I don't have a girlfriend. I don't have time for one. Even if I did, I certainly haven't met anyone who would be a good candidate. I'm more interested in just having a good time. 

"Why corporate?" She looked up eyes searching his with curiosity. He seemed interesting she thought, daunting but interesting. Smiling Janice shrugged again a real laugh falling from her lips "Which one? There’s a plan for the plan, and contingencies for those…I’m a little odd that way."

He hummed, looking for the right words to explain as he tilted his chair backward, leaning on its hind legs. "My dad's a criminal defense attorney, and my mom's a personal injury lawyer. Both are interesting, but I find learning about the nuts and bolts behind a corporation fascinating. I'd eventually like to specialize in mergers and acquisitions, which could give me a chance to float between firms and be more of a consultant. Plus, it's a pretty lucrative career.

Janice tried to read the words before her but her anxious thoughts crowded out her eyes, her nerves making her throat dry as she shrugged. “It’s interesting, and it’ll help me with the plan so… What about you? What sort of lawyer do you want to be?”

He chuckled. She was cute, in an innocent sort of way. Nick folded his arms, watching her as she attempted to read and ignore him.