Eve calmly straightened up, turned around, and stared at him. Not a word. One thing Claire could say for Goth makeup, at least it covered up blushes. She was blushing, furiously, on Eves behalf. And shaking.
Excuse me, Eve finally said, and moved him aside with one hand flat against his chest. She got behind the bar again and slammed down the hatch, took the two espresso shots and dumped them into a fresh cup, stirred, put a lid on it, and put it on the bar. Here. On the house.
The creep reached out, grabbed the cup, and squeezed. The top popped off. Coffee went everywhere, splattering Eve, the counter, the floor, the guy holding it. His buddies burst into open laughter when he said, Oops. Guess I dont know my own strength.
Eve looked at the guy at the register, but he just shrugged. She took a deep breath, smilednot, Claire saw, her normal smile at alland said, You ought to see a doctor about that, Bullwinkle.
Plus the crotch rash. Next! I have a mocha for Claire! Eve thumped down another cup and vigorously scrubbed the counter.
Claire hurried up. Oh my God! she whispered. What do you want me to do? Get somebody?
Who? Eve rolled her eyes. Its my first dayits a little early to run tattling like a girlie girl. Leave it alone, Claire. Just take your coffee and go on. Ill be fine. Ive got a PhD in taking shit from jocks.
ButShane? Should I call Shane?
Only if you want to be cleaning up blood instead of coffee
Hey, bitch, wheres my drink? the guy asked loudly from behind Claire. She felt him crowding up against her a second before he body-slammed her hard against the bar. Oops, sorry, little girl, didnt see you there. He didnt move back. Since when do we have kindergarten classes, anyway?
Her mocha hadof coursetumbled out of her hand and was rolling across the counter, bleeding coffee. Eve caught it and set it back upright. Hey! Claire squirmed to get free; he just kept her pinned.
Hey! Asshole! Eve echoed, louder, and pointed a finger over Claires head, glaring. Back off, man, or I call the campus cops.
Yeah, theyll really come running. Still, he backed up enough to let Claire twist away from him, clutching her mocha. He wasnt even looking at her. He was a big guyShane-bigwith black gelled hair in the latest cool style and fierce blue eyes. A nice face, good lips, high cheekbones. Altogether too pretty for his own good, Claire thought. Get me my damn coffee. Some of us have class around here.
Claire grabbed paper towels and began mopping up the spill on the customer side of the counter, so Eve didnt have to come around. Eve gave her a grateful look and began to pull shots. She assembled the drink in record time, slapped the top on it, and handed it to her tormentor.
Who grinned at her, tasted it, and put it back on the counter. Sucks, he said. Keep it.
Chapter Fourteen
He high-fived with his friends, and they all walked away.
What a jerk! Claire said, and Eve just raised her eyebrows, took the latte, and poured it out down the sink.
No, he was right, it did suck, she said. But then, he paid three bucks for it, so I win. Hows the mocha?
Claire swallowed a mouthful and gave her a thumbs-up. Im sorry. I wish there was something
Gotta fight our own battles, Claire Bear. Go on. Im sure youve got some kind of studying to do.
Claire backed away as Eve began to pull another set of drinks; the line continued to queue up in front of the register.
The guy picking up his latte nexta tall, kind of awkward-looking boy with a round face and big brown eyesmade a point of thanking Eve, who dimpled at him and winked. He looked much nicer than the hard-bodied jerks whod just left, although Claire noticed that he was wearing a fraternity shirt.
Epsilon Epsilon Kappa? she read out loud. EEK?
He gave her an apologetic smile. Yeah, well, its kind of a joke. Because of the town. You know, creepy. He blinked and focused on her, and smiled wider. Im Ian, by the way. Ian Jameson. From, ah, Reno.
Youre a long way from home, Ian Jameson, Claire said, and stuck out her hand. He shook it. Claire Danvers. From Longview.
Id say you were a short way from home, but everythings far from this place, he said. So, yourea freshman?
Yes. She felt the dreaded blush creeping up again. Early admission.
Yeah? How early?
She tried to shrug it off. Couple of semesters. No biggie.
Whats your major? Ian took the top off his coffee and blew on it to cool it down, then took a sip. Thanks again, by the way, this is really good.
No problem, Eve said. She sounded much more cheerful now, and gave the sorority girls their skinny-half-caff-no-sugar lattes with a sunny, slightly manic grin.
Nobody had actually bothered to ask Claire what her major was before. Of course, it was customary for a freshman to change three or four times before settling on something, but Claire had always been pretty definite. Physics.
Really? Ian blinked. Wow. Thats pretty intense. You must be good at math.
She shrugged. I guess. Modesty in action; shed never failed to land an A, ever.
Gonna transfer out of here, I suppose. I mean, a degree in physics from Nowhere U isnt going to do you all that much good, right?
Im hoping for MIT, Claire said. What about you?
Ian shook his head. CE. Civil engineering. Yeah, Ive got to take physics, but no way would I volunteer to take more. And Ive got one more semester. Then I transfer out to UT Austin.
A lot of students transferred out to the University of Texas; it was a major school for just about everything. Claire nodded. Shed considered it herself, butMIT? Caltech? If she had a chance, shed take it.
Sowhats EEK? A professional fraternity? Because there were some on campus; you paid your dues and went to some meetings and put it on your resume later.
Its a bunch of guys who like to party, really. Ian looked embarrassed. Im in it because Ive got a couple of friendsanyway, they do throw this really cool party every yearits a big bash. Its called the Dead Girls Dance. All zombie-freaky scary-movie stuff. He glanced over at Eve, who was steaming milk. Your friend there would fit right in as is. Most people wear costumes, though.