#haener

The summer was officially over. The first day of the new year was effectively tomorrow. Unlike most of the students at EHS, Nari lived in Geneva. Because of that, it really was not too hard for her to set up her room and did not need to come to EHS a few days earlier to do so. Not that she had too much stuff to begin with anyway. But that was besides the point. Having already set up her room, Nari decided to spend her last few days of summer with her aunt Valentina, helping her as she usually did at her café, Sternenlicht.

Sternenlicht was Valentina’s café. Valentina had set it up about 15 odd years ago, when Nari was still quite young. Young enough that her adopted mother, Sofia was still in the picture. Nari grew up helping Valentina run the café of her dreams. She had always wanted to run a café, and when she had earned enough, she promptly quit her job at the bank. Valentina had always hated that job and frequently described it as a “soul-sucking profession.” When she ammased enough savings, Valentina bought a small café. It was quite run down when Valentina bought it, but she instantly fell in love with the location. She loved the quiet, cobble-stone street it was located on. She also loved the fact that the café had a small apartment above it, which made it a perfect place for Valentina and a young Nari to live in. Over the course of the years, Nari and Valentina fixed up the café’s interiors and eventually, had a successful café. The café was known for its baked goods and cakes, although they made great coffee as well. Most of their business was during the summer when tourists frequented Geneva. Because of this, Valentina encouraged Sofia to go to EHS when she was offered the scholarship, knowing that she would not be as busy during the rest of the year. And while Nari loved her aunt for sending her to EHS, she still missed Sternenlicht dearly.

Seeing her bus stop approach, Nari quickly snapped out of her thoughts and stood up, walking to the front of the bus. A few seconds later, she stepped off the bus, waving goodbye to the conductor. After doing so, Nari turned around and began to walk down the street. The café was a short walk from the bus stop. Within 10 minutes, Nari would arrive. But as she did, Nari relished the familiar streets of the neighborhood she grew up in- old, Swiss chalet-style buildings, cobble-stone pathways filled with tourists and shopkeepers, bustling storefronts selling everything from flowers to clothes, food, wine, and chocolates. Smiling and waving at familiar faces, Nari reached the café. As soon as she saw the exterior of Sternenlicht, a wide smile broke out across Nari’s lips. The three outdoor cast-iron tables were occupied by groups of young people drinking coffee and eating various baked goods. Inside, all of the café’s tables were occupied. A group of customers were collected by the bakery, curiously browsing the café’s selection of freshly baked breads and cakes. A small line of 3 people patiently stood for their turn by the cashier. Nari’s eyes carefully surveyed the café for her aunt and when she could not see her, Nari knew it was time for her to go back into the kitchen. Nari knew that her aunt would most certainly be found there, and she was right.

Walking back, Nari pushed open the doors to the kitchen and there was her aunt. Valentina stood behind the counter, wearing her apron, her long blonde hair tied up tightly as she kneaded the dough with great concentration. Valentina had not even noticed Nari enter the kitchen. Behind Valentina, a group of 2 chefs worked to make various baked goods- taking out bread and tarts from the oven, icing cakes and pastries, etc. Nari waved at them with a smile before walking over to her aunt, who still had not noticed her. Wanting to take advantage of this, Nari walked as quietly as she could and hovered her palm over the dough her aunt was kneading. For a second, Valentina was stunned. But she quickly recovered and when she did, a smile broke out across her lips as well. Letting out a light laugh, Valentina quickly hugged Nari, careful not to let her dough-covered palms touch Nari’s clothes or hair.

“Hello love, I didn’t know you were coming today,” Valentina greeted.

Nari grinned in response. “I know,” she admitted. “I thought I’d surprise you and see if you needed any help today.”

Valentina smiled in response as she returned to kneading the dough. “Well you certainly did surprise me,” she admitted. “But love, I don’t need any help today. You’ve worked hard enough all summer as it is. It’s your turn to enjoy and relax a bit,” Valentina continued. “Aren’t your friends back yet?” she asked.

Nari shook her head lightly in denial. “Not yet,” she admitted. “I think they’re all coming next week- Kat might come earlier though, but I am not too sure,” she explained.

Valentina nodded as she listened to Nari. “And what about that boy?” she asked cheekily.

Nari rolled her eyes at her aunt’s reaction. “Aunt Val, I already told you, Henri’s just a friend. Besides, I think he went back to Sweden until school starts back up again,” she explained.

Valentina rolled her eyes lightly at Nari. “Sure, he is,” she commented dryly.

“He is!” Nari insisted with a grin. “Besides, aren’t you supposed to be against me dating?” she teased.

Valentina rolled her eyes at that. “I should be, but I know I raised you to be smart enough to know what are the bad apples so to speak,” she replied, as she placed the kneaded dough in a bowl.

Nari nodded with a grin. “You sure did,” she admitted.

As a child, Valentina had never been overprotective towards Nari. Nor had she been especially strict. However, Valentina had taught Nari how to read people at a young age. She had taught her how to distinguish between trouble and kind people, and that was one of the most valuable lessons Nari had ever learned. It was because of Valentina that Nari was able to navigate EHS as well as she had done so far. Nari to be honest, was one of the few students at EHS who has not involved in any drama. While a scholarship student, she got on well with almost everyone-those on scholarships like her, and those who weren’t either. She also was excellent at navigating her way out of unnecessary drama and scandal. It was because of this that Nari was really on good terms with almost everyone at EHS.

“Anyway,” Valentina began. “Since you are here, have you eaten?” she asked, as she put away the bowl of dough to rest.

Nari nodded lightly in response. “Yes, I had a fruit on my way here,” she explained as she watched her aunt roll her eyes. “Fruits are snacks not meals,” Valentina retorted quickly, reaching for a freshly baked croissant, fresh from the oven. Removing it delicately from the hot pan, she placed it on a plate, accompanied by some fresh butter and blueberry jam. “Eat,” she ordered Nari as she handed her the plate. Nari nodded in response with a grin. The scent of the freshly baked croissant was addictive.  She could smell the butter in the air. She could see the steam seeping from the baked pastry and the sight of it was almost irresistible to her. Once it cooled a little, Nari carefully picked up the croissant and took a small bite of it- she could hear the crunch of the pastry and could feel the pastry dissolve on her tongue. It was beyond delicious.

“This is so good,” Nari spoke, her eyes closed as she savored the taste of the croissant.

Valentina grinned in response. “Good, I’m glad,” she responded as she watched Nari eat the croissant.

“Tell me when your friends come back. I’ll bring by a basket of croissants and cakes for them,” she offered as Nari nodded. “Luca would legitimately love you for that,” Nari commented between bites of croissants. Valentina laughed lightly at that.

“Do you want another one?” Valentina asked as Nari shook her head lightly in denial. “No,” she admitted. “This is enough for now,” she added as she moved to tie her hair back. Carefully looking around the room, Nari walked to pick up her apron hanging from the wall. Tying it, she turned to her aunt. “So, what do you need me to do today?” she asked.

Valentina rolled her eyes lightly at her niece. “Love, I said take the day off. You don’t need to help me today- Christopher and John are here,” she explained, motioning to the two chefs in the kitchen who grinned at Nari. Nari, grinned at them in return too. “I know,” she admitted turning to face her aunt. “But I want to, you know how much I love baking,” she added as Valentina nodded with a light laugh. “I certainly do,” she agreed. Nari nodded in response with a grin. “So, let me help you,” she began. “It’s not like I have anything else particularly pressing to do- none of my friends are here anyway,” she admitted.

Valentina nodded as she heard Nari. “Fine,” she responded. “Do you want to help me with the tarts then?” she asked. Nari nodded excitedly with a wide grin. “of course!” she admitted enthusiastically. “What tarts by the way?” she asked.

Valentina grinned at her niece’s enthusiasm and gestured to a tray of strawberry tarts which were to be placed in the display case next. “We just got the freshest strawberries, so I thought I’d make strawberry tarts and a vanilla-strawberry cake,” Valentina explained. Nari nodded excitedly. “That sounds amazing!” she admitted. Valentina laughed at Nari’s response lightly. “It is,” she admitted.

“So, do you want to do the tart or the cake” Valentina asked. “I can do the tarts and help you with the cake when I’m done,” Nari responded. Valentina nodded at Nari’s response. “Alright,” she replied with a smile.

Henri: Wednesday