Nialani and the Astrarians | book one: The Secret of the Flames - chapter 1.part 1

Instructions

Chapter 1 : "Starbucks Isn't Supposed to be Cryptic" Starbucks changed Nialani's life forever… And it was all because she saw him. Going to Starbucks was both the worst and best decision of her life. Yes, a coffee shop ruined her life. Changed the way she viewed the world. And most importantly: added chaos to her life. All she ever wanted was to be normal, funny how the world doesn’t give you what you want. It gives you what you need. Nia bent down and clipped a leash onto her dog, March’s collar, humming a mindless tune as she did. Her mom had given her 10 dollars to spend anywhere, as long as she was responsible. And Nia made the smart choice of picking Starbucks. The one major chain coffee shop that felt like a cozy little home. She had decided to bring March, because he had major separation anxiety. Plus, he loved Starbucks. or maybe getting puppuccinos was his favorite part of it, but it's hard to tell with dogs. Nia opened the front door and walked out, and squinted from the bright winter light as it reflected off the snow. She and March walked along for a little bit breathing in the fresh winter air until her phone buzzed in her pocket. Nia pulled it out to see who had texted her. It was her best friend Mae. /Hey Nia, how are you? (Mae)/ Nia read the message and then responded, thankful for auto correct saving both herself and Mae from her own terrible spelling. /I'm good. How about you? (Nia)/ A few moments later, Mae texted back. / I'm pretty good. Would you like to come over for a sleepover tonight? (Mae)/ /Sure (Nia)/ /Awesome. I'll tell my parents if you tell yours. (Mae)/ /Got it (Nia)/ Nia turned off her phone and slid it back into her pocket of her jeans , and continued walking to Starbucks, humming the same tune from earlier as she did. Suddenly, a blast of icy wind hit her face, causing her hair to fly into her mouth. She spat out hair, and pulled up the hood of her hoodie to block the wind. Then, March stopped in his tracks and started barking at a tree. Nia sighed and looked up at the tree. There was a squirrel, with tiny black eyes staring back at her. She frowned. The squirrel titled its head and chirped and March growled right back. For some reason, animals had always just watched Nia in a creepy way, they never ran away, even if she got close, too close. But March hated that. Probably because he adored her, or maybe it was another reason entirely, like the fact that dogs don't like squirrels . She shook her head and said, “C'mon, March, don’t you want a puppuccino?” Nia gently pulled on his leash, hoping he’d walk. March continued growling at the squirrel. “March,” Nia said exasperated, “I don’t want to be in the cold all day, let’s get going.” She tugged on his leash again until he reluctantly moved. They walked through the cold streets until they made it to Starbucks. And she almost slipped on a patch of ice grabbing a table to steady herself Nia tied March’s leash to a pole and asked an old woman reading a newspaper if she could watch March while Nia got a drink. The old woman smiled, and kindly replied, “Yes dear. I’ll watch this little fellow,” Nia smiled and thanked her, then walked into Starbucks, smiling as the comforting warmth of the air and smell of coffee and cake pops hit her nose. Nia got in line behind two younger girls with makeup covered faces, both holding Stanleys'. Nia rolled her eyes. Of course, she thought, Those girls with their Sephora and Starbies. /Glad I’m not like them./ thought Nia She looked down at her phone, to quickly look at herself in the reflection, just to be sure. She had no makeup on and probably didn’t drink enough water to be healthy. She definitely wasn’t like them. She ordered the drinks, and took a seat while she waited for them to be made. That’s when he walked in. He looked to be only a year or two older than her. she noticed him because of the fact he radiated power and… kinda celestial.(+)