#verse 2.1

       "Vanilla Latte for Carly!"

The barista called out over the noisy, crowded coffee shop. Monday morning was always the busiest in the shop as other college kids flocked towards the nearest caffeine fix before eight a.m. classes. Monday's are her least favorite day, she thought to herself as she pushed her way through the crowd to collect her drink. When Carly picked up her latte and took a sip, a sigh of bliss passed her lips. Her muscles relaxed and her mood was instantly lifted. Coffee was the only way she'd get through her morning art class, and the best way to lift her spirits if she was ever homesick. It reminded her of her favorite sister, and the life she was liberated from.

Once again pushing through the crowd, Carly hastily made her way towards the exit. Usually she'd sit and relax before class, but the noise didn't offer the peace the blonde liked in the morning. Besides, it would be nice to walk around in the sunshine before her class started, she mused to herself. When she got towards the door, however, Carly thought she'd heard her name and turned her head back. In that instant, the door of the coffee shop swung open and the blonde made impact with the latest arrival. 

          "Oh!" 

Her blue eyes widened, a gasp escaped her lips, and the blonde tried to regain her balance without spilling any more of her coffee. Some trickled down her hand, eliciting curses under her breath as it scalded her. After making sure none got on her clothing, Carly lifted her head in slight annoyance to see who had been so careless to open the door when she was visibly in the way.

      "You're lucky my coffee didn't spill all over you with the way you barged in so fast." 

"Hey, come on!"  Marcus pounded on the bathroom door, groaning loudly.  His new roomate tended to spend more time styling his hair than Marcus spent getting completely ready, which was saying something.  The Alchemist had spent nearly half an hour making sure his clothes were neatly pressed.  This mission had to go smoothly.  After he successfully handled a hostage situation in Rome, the Alchemists had moved him to Athens, Greece, and appointed him as the head Alchemist.

The Alchemists had enrolled Marcus and the Moroi living with him in International School of Athens, an English speaking school that ranged from kindergarten to high school.  Marcus and his roommate were enrolled as seniors, and as brothers.  The Alchemist couldn't understand how anyone would believe the latter, seeing as they looked nothing alike.  

His roommate, Adrian, stepped out the bathroom, not nearly as worried about punctuality as he was.