18. The past

12 years ago.

Third person POV

It was a hot summer afternoon and Rose had just come out of the school counselor's office when she decided to get a drink from the school cafe.

The past few days weren't easy for her as she was currently working on what courses she should add and what activities would add more to her portfolio.

Rose entered the not so busy café wearing a floral summer dress with sunglasses and a summer hat before settling on a chair and that was when the waitress came in in a simple shirt and jeans.

Rose had been noticing her for the past few weeks. It wasn't just the girl's beauty or her radiant smile that caught Rose's attention.

It was her air of confidence with a layer of innocence and her ability to lit up a room and bring it out of boredom which was what Rose needed in her life at the moment.

Alice was a popular girl in the college and not because she was rich or the smartest. No, she was the kind of person who made everyone feel comfortable around her.

When Rose enters a room, a lot of people look up, some to appreciate her looks and some to appreciate what she was wearing but not everyone dared approach her and the ones that did, didn't always have the right intentions..

But Alice wasn't rich, no. She was just a barista in the café who seemed to know almost everybody.

Rose watched as she greeted some of the people she knew before wearing her apron and taking a notepad and pen before proceeding to take orders with a bright smile on her face that made the customers smile as if she was making promises to fulfill their dreams.

Soon it was Rose's turn and she came over with that bright smile on her face. "What can I bring you to make your afternoon better?" she asked.

"You," Rose replied and Alice looked at me with a confused expression.

"Pardon?" Alice looked around them but there was no one there but them. "Are you perhaps hitting on me?"

"Why? Do you have a boyfriend?"

"You aren't serious, are you?"

"Why not? I just want to be friends."

"Well I can't say no to do that," Alice smiled. "What else do you want me to get you?"

"I want the virgin Pina colada."

"Nice choice," Alice noted the order on her note before leaving.

Some minutes later, she came back with Rose's drink.

"Here you go," Alice said putting it on the table.

"I am serious about the friendship thing by the way," Rose said when Alice turned to leave. But when Alice looked at her, Rose was sipping on her drink as if she said nothing.

When Alice went back to the station, Billy came up to her.

"Hey, it looked like you were having a conversation with Rose over there. What was it about do you know her?" Billy asked curiously.

"Not really. At first it sounded like she was hitting on me, but she just wanted to be friends," Alice replied him.

"Really? Wow!" Billy gasped. "You are so lucky. I wish she would just look at me once."

"You are crazy for hot women aren't you?" Alice shook her head.

"It's not just that. Don't you know? This woman is actually rich. She has it all, looks, money, fame,"

"The how comes I don't know her?"

"It's no wonder though. She is a third year and before now, she had tons of friends. She suddenly stopped hanging out with them and no one knows why. ButI'm telling you Alice, it's not every day you get to meet old moneys like this. People like. And once you become one of their's, you path is already laid out for you," Billy said dreamily.

"All the more reason to stay away from her," Alice stated. "And how can you be so gullible? A lot of college students pretend to be rich when they come from more humble backgrounds."

"Oh come on, Alice," Bill stated. "Look at her table but don't make it obvious. See? She ordered the most expensive drink but I bet you she won't finish it and would leave a huge tip behind."

"We will see about that. Loser does all the dishes," Alice declared.

*

Ten minutes later and Rose walked up to the counter where Alice was standing by herself. Alice was about to talk when Billy beat her upto it.

"How may I help you pretty lady?" Billy asked.

"When did you get here?" Alice was surprised. She could have sworn Billy went to the storage room.

Instead of answering, Billy continued talking to Rose. "Did you enjoy your drink miss?"

"Yes, I did, although my eye kept twitching I could have sworn someone was looking and talking about me," Rose said with a smile. Billy looked at Alice exposing himself, and Alice resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Your bill is 8 dollars," Alice told Rose.

Rose reached for her purse and brought out a 10 dollar bill, placing it on the counter.

"That includes tip. Have you considered my friendship offer?" Rose asked while Alice tried printing the receipt.

"I'm not sure. It's just that we are both so different."

"Come on, that's a lame excuse," Billy spoke out. Our missus here just wants someone to hang out with. Right?" he looked at Rose who nodded. "Now that I think about it, there is going to be a party at Border boy's fraternity. We should go together."

"I can't."

"I can't."

Rose and Alice both said at the same then smiled, amused.

"I mean, I would love to," Rose stated. "But I have to study."

"Me too," Alice stated.

"That's too bad," Billy said, displeased. "But I thought your department didn't need to study that hard," Billy said to Rose.

"Oh, I am no longer in the theater arts. I changed my major to business management," Rose said and Billy let out a gasp.

"Really?! That's Alice's major!" Billy grabbed Alice by the shoulder and she swatted his hands away, annoyed.

"Here's your receipt," she handed it to Rose who took it.

"Thanks. I guess I will see you around," Rose turned and left.

"She is so cool!" Billy said dreamily. "Right?"

"Quit dreaming and go get the dishes done," Alice told him, pulling him out of his trance.

"Eh?" Billy looked confused.

"She finished her drink and turns out she studies hard," Alice explained to him.

"B-but the tip," Billy stuttered, flustered.

"That's still 2 to 1,so I win!" Alice smiled in triumph, much to Billy's dismay.