Boston Born

The name's Jared Reyes, I'm a barista at Kaffeine, a Student at the University of London, and I was born and raised in Boston before moving to London. I'll try my best not to talk your ear off but I make no promises. @Jarbear

[xcynthiahastings-deactivated201]

Well knock that off, I prefer being the one complimenting— not the complimentee. 

[jared-reyes]

Yeah well so do I. So it looks like we have a problem.

[e-pierce-deactivated20140722]

Jared & Emily | Beach Time

Emily let go of a quiet laughter at the male’s enthusiasm, it was good to see that someone was as excited as herself when it came to having fun at the beach. She always had loved the ocean, it had something magical, something fascinating and it reminded her of home. But she didn’t fool herself, it might be the beach yet it wouldn’t be the same like in South Carolina. “This will be so much fun. I will grab my stuff and get changed. Let’s meet here again in thirty minutes?” A big smile brighten up her features before she waved a goodbye and disappeared in the crowded streets of London.

It took a couple of minutes until she reached her apartment, she hadn’t figured out all the short-cuts yet, in fact she was lucky finding her way back by simply following the main streets. Once at home she undressed and put on her swim suit. Emily tugged a white dress over her head, letting the fabric fall smoothly down every curve of her figure. She then took her towel and her bag with everything in it that she might need. From the kitchen she grabbed a water bottle and a pack of cookies.

She was happy that she met Jared, not only because through him she mostly likely found a great job, but also because she felt like she made a friend. He was friendly and funny, something that was rather rare to come by these days. Stepping out of her apartment she locked the door and made her way back to the spot were they earlier met. It was a hot day, perfect for spending it on the beach.

[jared-reyes]

"Thirty minutes." He confirmed with a smile on his face. Jared waved as he watched Emily's dark brown locks bounce behind the heads of the swarms of Londoners. Letting go of a small chuckle, he pivoted in the direction of his apartment. 

Once he had reached his place, Jared fumbled with the key as he hoped his roommate wouldn't waiting for him on the other side of the door. Jared opened the door slowly, and peeked his head in the doorway to check if the coast was clear before walking in. The second Jared closed the door, his short red-headed roommate popped up from behind the couch with a yellow toothed smile stretched underneath his unkempt beard making Jared yelp with shock. "Ha! Got you!" Alo laughed as he held his slight beer gut underneath his arms. 

"Afternoon Alo." Jared grumbled, slightly mimicking Alo's British accent. "Look I don't have time to-" he started walking swiftly into his room to grab some clothes.

"You should've seen the look on your face!" Alo exclaimed, interrupting him as he followed Jared into his room. Jared rolled his eyes in annoyance as he shuffled through his drawers. "Eh- What's with the face Jar? Don't be mad, fuhgeddaboutit!" Alo laughed at his own impression of a Boston accent. Jared admittedly did think that Alo's faux Boton accent was pretty funny- the first few times he attempted it. 

"Uh Alo? I'm gonna put these on," Jared started, gesturing to the pair of board shorts he held between his hands. "So if you could uh?" He asked, nodding his head towards his bedroom door.

"Oh yeah, no problem mate." Instead of actually walking out the door, Alo simply turned his body away from Jared and continued to gab. "So where you headed off to anyway?"

"The beach." The brunette sighed, and began to put on his boardshorts and a light yellow tank, giving up on getting any privacy. 

"Oh the beach? Which one? I've been to loads. But I only like the sandy ones. The best sandy beaches are as follows. First there's Broadstairs in Kent, that one's lovely. Then there's Camber Sands, Littlehampton Beach, Shoeburyness- too many pebbles on that one for me I'm afraid, but still loads of fun." Alo went on and on as Jared threw a pair of flip-flops and various other items into his backpack. As he moved on to the small kitchen, with Alo hot on his heels yammering away, Jared grabbed a few sodas and a couple of sandwiches he had brought back home from work. 

"Alo!" He yelled, interrupting his roommate mid rant.

"Ya Jar?" Alo asked, staring up at Jared with wide brown eyes. Every part of Jared wanted to tell him to shut up, but for some reason he couldn't bear to turn Al's smile into a frown.

"I'm leaving now," he sighed "I'll be back later." And with that, Jared walked out the door and headed back out to meet Emily. 

When Jared saw her standing on the sidewalk, a smile spread across his face as he waved. Emily was great, the type of positive person he needed around. And even though Jared was enjoying London, it was nice to be reminded of home- not that he'd ever been to South Carolina, but still. However, Jared was rather uneasy about going to the beach the more he thought about the last time he'd been there. He shook the thought out of his head and ran to meet Emily. 

"Well since we're already in Victoria, we should just take the train." Jared pointed just behind the young girl at the station. "It's a direct line to Littlehampton Beach- which according to my roommate is the third best sandy beach near London."  He said again mimicking Alo's accent. "Ready to go?"

[e-pierce-deactivated20140722]

You should go to the beach then. I would totally come with you. Then we could fly a kite, it would be super much fun. Today is also warm enough to maybe think about swimming, depends how warm the water is.

[jared-reyes]

Why the hell not? I mean, it's about a two hour commute to the nearest one. And I've never been one to say no to much of anything. So again, why the hell not?

[xcynthiahastings-deactivated201]

Ah, see, now you are just being too kind— attempting to flatter me. Jared? Well that’s easy enough for me to remember in regards to putting a name to a face. My name is Roxanne. Roxanne Oliver. 

[jared-reyes]

Nah, I'm just heavy on the compliments. Pleased to meet you Roxanne.

[e-pierce-deactivated20140722]

That would be amazing. I could come in tomorrow if that is okay with you. Maybe around two or three in the afternoon? I’m already super excited for this one.

Yeah I don’t know the difference either. But the bar I talk about is pretty old, almost like in the wild west, you know. I think they call it country club now. I’m not really into alcohol so I just go there to hang out with friends who enjoy going there. In my opinion the beach is still the best place to hang out.

[jared-reyes]

Yeah, yeah that'll great. 

Oh I love the beach. We didn't get out there too often back in Boston, but some of my favorite family trips were at the beach. Come to think of it, I haven't actually been to a beach in like... years probably.

[xcynthiahastings-deactivated201]

Thank you, I am quite sure you are easily one of the kindest people I have happened upon since I have lived here in London. It’s rare you know, to meet the acquaintance of someone who seems to be so genuinely considerate of others. Not that I am trying to be heavy with the compliments, though I suppose I am rather guilty of such a thing from time to time. 

Perhaps it will seem more like a visit, and less of an imposition— if I knew more of you. A name may be a good start. 

[jared-reyes]

Well it's rare to meet the acquaintance of such a fascinating, independent, and admirably determined person. Makes being kind and considerate that much easier.

Oh yeah, I'm Jared- Jared Reyes. You?

[geezlouisecurtis-deactivated201]

And you’ve warmed mine, like a cup of hot cocoa. My name’s Louise, by the way. 

No, I haven’t actually. believe it or not. What I do is, sometimes I play around with the restaurant recipes, only to make them better of course, but my boss disapproves. A barista, huh? And is making creme into designs your passion, or is there something else? 

[jared-reyes]

Jared- nice to meet ya.

Well I'm sure the customers don't. Passion? I uh- well I'm studying at the University of London, but I don't know if I would consider biological sciences to be my passion. Uh- not sure if I've got one of those quite yet. But you'll be the first to know when I find one. 

[bridgetwildes]

—if being delusional works for you.

He lost a pair of my favourite shoes.

[jared-reyes]

Usually does. Why did he have your shoes?

[e-pierce-deactivated20140722]

I think coming in by person is easier, this way I also get to meet the person I would work for. It be silly to apply for a job if you don’t hit it off with your boss, right? I mean… co-workers and boss are part of the job. Gladly I already get along with one of the co-workers. When do you think I could come?

I shall try their tea here. I do however like African tea for some reason. I guess hanging out in pubs can be fun. Not that I ever tried it. I usually just went to local bars or drive ins. 

[jared-reyes]

Come on any weekday around 1:00pm until around 5:00. That's when she'll be in. And I'll be working so I can give you an introduction if you want.

I'm still trying to figure out the difference between pubs and bars honestly. But yeah, it's pretty fun, as long as you're with the right people.

[geezlouisecurtis-deactivated201]

Well, with a faith that persistent, you might just change some minds. Thank you. Oh, and you’re not irritating, not even initially. No swatting here. 

Oh yes, and for some inexplicable reason, people seem to like it. I’m a waitress, not exactly where I want to be, but I’ll find my way into the kitchen eventually. And what about you? Where do you work? 

[jared-reyes]

I appreciate that, really I do, warms my heart.

Waitress? Did you drop something on someone? I did that once back when I had a job waiting tables when I was sixteen, and I'm not sure my boss ever forgave me completely. Oh yeah, I work as a barista at this cafe called Kaffiene.

[xcynthiahastings-deactivated201]

I came to London, with the goal of being in the Royal Ballet— so yes. As a matter of fact, you would be correct in your assumption. Though I do happen to wonder how it is exactly you came to such an assumption. 

— Oh, I mentioned my dance instructor. Right. I suppose that was rather the giveaway. 

Fair enough. Perhaps at some point I may take you up on that offer, but the chance of that happening is quite rare. It may just be a couch, but I would still be invading your space in some degree. 

[jared-reyes]

Well- I mean, I'm also a great detective. I don't really know what the royal ballet is, but it sounds fancy and prestigious and I wish you all the best.

Eh- I don't consider it invading, more like visiting. But I understand what you mean. In any case, I hope you do decide to take me up on that. 

[geezlouisecurtis-deactivated201]

I see. Well, first impressions aren’t always so reliable. People usually find me just fine in the beginning, and then go on to realize that I’m rather irritating. So, I suppose it’s better to have it the other way around. 

Yes. He’s like an Irish Gordon Ramsey, except with a third of the charm and two times the ego. He owns The Melting Pot on Rossmore. Have you heard of it?

[jared-reyes]

Aw c'mon, what? I find it very hard to believe that you become irritating after any amount of time. And I've believed a lot of things. I'm still holding out on the tooth fairy.

The Melting Pot? Yeah I've heard of it, didn't even know they had 'em here. What do you do there? 

[darlingmcmahon-deactivated20140]

Oh, for shame! I’m sure we would have eventually found a substitute. I mean the worlds at not shortage of superhero templates. 

If I had the patience and the personalty to shower you in them, I would - but it’s the thought that really counts, right? 

[jared-reyes]

Ouch! You insult me so? I may be a hero, but that does not me I do not feel.

Please don't, I could live off just that one for the rest of this relationship.

. 

[catrussia-deactivated20240711]

I bet there’s something you love, pretty much everyone has a passion.

That’s great! What are you studying?

[jared-reyes]

Yeah, I don't know- we'll see. I'm still young right? Something like that...

I'm uh- majoring in biological sciences until I get my bachelor's degree. Then off to medical school. 

[xcynthiahastings-deactivated201]

Apparently I am far too stubborn to go running back home. Though some might argue that would be the wiser thing to do, hang my head— admit defeat. Go back to Dorset. Don’t think I could stomach it really. Again, I am far too bull-headed. London is where I need to be, if I want to achieve my dreams and if that means living on the streets and working my nights away in a somewhat demeaning manner… then that’s what it takes. 

It’s awful kind of you to offer to a stranger, but again I wouldn’t wish to impose. For all you know I could be an ax murderer. 

[jared-reyes]

I think the word determined  is a bit more accurate here then stubborn. I admire it, really. I don't got the guts to do anything that ballsy. I'm just spit balling here, but is your dream to be a dancer?

Oh I already considered that. But here's what I figure- I'm never home anyway. So at worst, you'll probably end up just killing my roommate, and he never pays rent anyway so whatever. And if you're like a thief or something, well there's nothing worth stealing in there anyway. But for the record, it's just a couch, and a crappy one at that, hardly an imposition. 

[xcynthiahastings-deactivated201]

I think people perhaps make a bigger deal out of the ideal then need be, merely because there is a degree of a negative stigma attached to people who acquire the label of a ‘bum’. 

Of course it’s not a manner in which I aspire to spend the rest of my life, but I accept it as my current fate without any shame to the matter. 

[jared-reyes]

Well paint me impressed then. I know I wouldn't be able to do it. No, I'd run back home to my ma. And hey, if you ever decide you would like a couch to surf on every once in awhile, I don't think my roommate would care. Keep in mind, it's not a very nice couch.

[catrussia-deactivated20240711]

I just always knew that I would work with animals. My house was a little zoo, mom and dad never yelled at me for bringing in frogs or lizards on generally animals most people find disgusting. Then I studied zoology and volunteered for some time at wildlife parks and zoos and animal hospitals just to gain experience, and finally I got a permanent job at the London Zoo. 

And mothers are almost always right, like it or not. So, what are you doing?  Except from working as a barista, I mean. Are you studying?

[jared-reyes]

Awesome, I wish I had that. Ya'know, something I was just like born loving. But hey, props to you for sticking to your passion. Your completely awesome passion.

Yeah, I'm studying at the University of London. I mean at the moment I'm just gathering up some credits this summer with a couple of night classes and what not.