Kenny Givens was walking a brisk pace down the old sidewalk he'd walked down a thousand times before, following his usual morning routine of getting coffee at the local cafe just around the corner from his loft. His hair was spiked up, and he had on a blue button-down shirt that complimented his black jeans nicely. His converse were laced up to his ankles, and he had on a pair of "nerd" glasses, his eyes shining. Kenny walked in the cafe and with one swift move, grabbed a newspaper, and nodded to the cashier. He was a regular there, and they had his order down pat. As the waiter brought him his usual frappucino, he acknowledged him with a slight nod and wave, then dropped a $5 in the waiter's hand, looking down the whole time. His lips touched the brim of the cup, he could feel the heat soaring out of the slight hole in the top.

Charlie Renwald

---

---

An overwhelming smell of burning filled the small café, overpowering the tranquilizing aroma of pastries and coffee that had once before created a warm environment. Little Charlie Renwald, face stuck in a horrified expression, staggered out of the back room and collapsed on the floor. She hurriedly stood up, brushing off her small apron and standing perfectly still before the manager of the shop barreled out of the room after her.

"MS. RENWALDS!" The woman barked, face contorted in rage.

"Yes, ma'am?" She questioned in a thick British accent, eyes wide and feigning innocence.

"This is the LAST STRAW. You come in late the first day and break our coffee machine. I think to myself, well, this is a newbie and she's going to be nervous. You come in the next day and FALL INTO OUR WEDDING CAKE WE'D BEEN WORKING ON FOR A WEEK. I give you one last chance, and you come in today and nearly set my café on fire! Well, now YOU'RE fired!"

"I will say, ma'am, that that was some clever word play. However, it's very upsetting that I have to leave now."

"Yes, you do. Goodbye." She waved her off and turned around, sighing in frustration.

"May I stay for a tea? The tea here is absolutely incredible."

"WHATEVER, just make it quick!" She snarled before disappearing again.

Hearing the uproar in the back, Kenny lifted his slightly, just in time to see a cute little brunette come out of the back and set her apron on the counter. He watched in curiosity, sipping his frappuccino.

She leaned against the counter, running her hands through her hair. "Johnny!" She cried in an exasperated voice. She turned around and flopped her upper body across the counter where Johnny, the cashier, stood. His lips were pursed, making it obvious he'd seen quite enough of Charlie's shenanigans.
"Johnny, I need tea. Please. Pleasepleaseplease."

Johnny let out a defeated sigh and punched in her order, apparently knowing exactly what she wanted. This wasn't the first time she'd done this. "When are you going to give it a break, kid?" He mumbled. The irony in that sentence was that they were the same age, though Charlie acted much younger.

"I can't give it a break, Johnny. I was just fired. Honestly, it was a rather loud conversation."

He raised his eyebrow, not humored.

Kenny, interested in what was going on, walked up to the register. "Johnny, my man." He smiled, high-fiving him, his coffee in his other hand. "Who's this?" Kenny smiled, looking over at the playful brunette. He then looked back at Johnny, sipping. "Nah, she's too pretty to have a name that fits her right."

Her face curved into a big smile. "My name is Charlie!" She peeped excitedly, holding out her hand for a handshake. She was very oblivious to any kind of flirting, which was probably the reason she'd gone her entire high school and college careers without ever having a boyfriend to speak of.

Kenny smiled at her warmly, and shook her hand with a steady handshake, he then looked around, and sat next to her. "I heard the commotion in there. Lose your job?" He looked at her curiously, and smiled, sipping his coffee.