United States of America

[Logan Henderson]

The great united States of America. (Just clarify a state when you post. Making a topic for each state would be a little much.)

[Caroline Berry]

California

Alia walked into work with her hair up in a ponytail. She put on her apron and started working.

[Logan Henderson]

California

Logan walked into Starbucks. He was on his phone, trying to find a place where he could complete his senior year of high school. He walked up to the counter at Starbucks, looking down at his phone.

[Caroline Berry]

"Welcome to Starbucks. How may I help you?" Alia asked, not looking up just yet.

[Logan Henderson]

"I'd like a coffee with cream and sugar please." He said. He knew the routine so he continued. "My name is Logan, L-O-G-A-N. It's not that hard to mess up." He was angry at Starbucks employees who wrote his name wrong. He still hadn't looked up from his phone.

[Caroline Berry]

Alia picked up a cup and marked the right boxes. When she said his name was Logan, she spelled it out loud right along with him. "An old friend of mine had the same name. Your total comes to-" she cut herself off when she looked at him. "Oh dear Zeus above."

[Logan Henderson]

Logan's head shot up when she said Zeus. Another half-blood. "Oh my." He said. "It's you."

[Caroline Berry]

Her face paled and she dropped the cup and pen. She quickly picked them up. "Your total is $3.25." she said, not looking him in the eye.

[Logan Henderson]

Logan reached into his wallet and grabbed the money. "How much will it cost to talk with the barista for a little while during her break?" He joked.

[Caroline Berry]

Alia looked at the time. "Give me 15 minutes." she said. She accepted the money andgae him his change before getting ready to serve the next customer.

[Logan Henderson]

Logan smiled "Gladly." He said, taking his change and sitting down at a nearby table. He couldn't help but stare at her.

[Caroline Berry]

Alia could feel Logan staring at her but kept focused on her job, looking at the clock every now and then. When it had been 15 minutes, she took off her apron and grabbed a coffee before going and sitting across from Logan. "Hi," she said softly.

[Logan Henderson]

"Hi Alia." He said. It felt so great to finally hear himself say that name again. "What brings you to San Diego?"

[Caroline Berry]

"Well, I'm working. And going to college. What about you?" she asked. She pinned a loose strand of hair against her head and looked at him.

[Logan Henderson]

"I've been spending months trying to find a way to finish high school at 19 and trying to get a job all the same." Logan said. "I just need a college degree and I can pursue my passion."

[Caroline Berry]

"You can do it." Alia said before taking a sip of her coffee. She didn't know what to do. She was so happy to see him but didn't know how he felt about seeing her.

[Logan Henderson]

"I honestly just want to get this all over with. It's all so much work. I think my friend pulled some strings with the local high school and I'm going to be able to finish my senior year there. Then I can go to college and pursue my passion. But I need a way to support myself and I don't have a job at the moment." Logan said sighing.

[Caroline Berry]

Alia glanced at her manager. "One second." she said to Logan before getting up and going over to her manager. The two started talking quietly.

[Logan Henderson]

Logan sighed. He knew what came next. "She has to return to work." He told himself.

[Caroline Berry]

Alia walked back over to him, with her manager following her. "Logan, this is Holly, my manager. She wants to offer you a job." Alia said with a slight smile.

[Logan Henderson]

"Yes! Of course I'll take it. I need it." He paused and smiled at Alia. "Thank you so much!" He hugged her.

[Caroline Berry]

Alia was taken aback when Logan hugged her but hugged him back nonetheless. Holly smile and placed Alia's apron on the table along with a new apron before walking off to do a job.

[Logan Henderson]

Logan pulled back to the point where he was no longer pressed against Alia but he still had his arms around her. He stopped and looked at her for a moment. He smiled.

[Caroline Berry]

Alia smiled at him too. "We should, um, get to work." she said, pulling away and grabbing her apron. "Here." she told him, handing him the new one.

[Logan Henderson]

"Yeah." He said letting go. He put on his apron. He needed to tell her that he still loved her. He was worried what she might say.

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