#ptstart

Kevin adjusts the beanie on his head as he walks down the street, all he wants right now is a coffee and an empty place to read. It may not be early but he needs to wake up. He could have stayed inside- there’s just something about the feel of the breeze on his face and the gentle fluttering of the pages of his book that he really needs. 

Kevin pulls out his phone, checking for notifications before getting distracted by the text on the screen. As he goes to turn the corner he feels a force hit him, knocking him back on his feet. He takes a moment to gather himself as he sends a silent hope out that whoever he bumped into doesn’t start a conversation. 

Hearing the bell from her shops front door caught her attention. Kaya quickly fixed her posture and brushed off the excess flour from her blush-pink apron. “Morning! With any purchase you make today you’ll get to choose a free cookie of your choice.” Kaya smiled brightly, motioning her hands over the glass case that held everything and anything sweet.

“Alright, you won. You got me to take the night off for you, are you happy?” Ella chirped with a raise of her eyebrows, a blush of her cheeks, and a coy smile with peach lip gloss to match. “I think you ought to tell me a very good joke and buy me another drink for it. One more drink, let me be very clear, my favorite little enabler. Some of us have to work tomorrow.”

HERCULES skidded to a halt, throwing his hands up as he just narrowly avoided a collision. His own fault for not being careful enough, he let out a breathy chuckle of relief and removed his earphones. “Woah there!” he smiled, happy not to have hurt anyone. “That looks pretty heavy, do you need a hand? Trust me when I say its no big deal.”

Landon hadn’t abandoned Dom but he had taken a step back. In the time he’d been keeping his distance he had decided to change. He’d cut his long hair short, he’d gotten some decent clothes, and had what he’d heard the kids call a ‘glow up’. For the first time in a long time he was happy with himself. He still hurt when he thought of Dom but he figured it would hurt less and less as time went on. He couldn’t wait for that day.

He pulled up in front of Tiana’s place. He had been craving her key lime pie for ages and he had decided that while avoiding his friend was necessary, avoiding pie in any form wasn’t. He pocketed his keys and stepped inside the restraint; inhaling the scent of gumbo and other spicy foods that were favored by the residents of Prentiss before finding a seat at his favorite table for one.