I was riding my bicycle alongside four other friends when it hit me. I immediately knew something was weird but couldn't pinpoint what it was.
We'd closed early from school and I use the word closed because admitting otherwise would mean I was saying we escaped classes. Tony one of my classmates had just found this space where we could practice our bicycle moves and since we wanted to avoid running into anyone familiar, we decided to go through Alleys-way.
Alleys-way was just a bunch of alleys which somehow connected buildings from one side of town to the other. No one knew how it got the name but it was obvious that going through alleys-way was our best bet at avoiding running into anyone familiar like our parents. It connected to the back of many buildings and the front of some buildings as well. The few people who lived in this parts were poor and liked to keep to themselves. This would be my first time riding here and I was tensed.
We were in alleys-way cycling when I perceived the most wonderful aroma in my entire life. Immediately I felt different, it simply felt like freedom and I noticed all the tension I'd been bottling in was all gone. I came to a stop and Tony who wasn't expecting my abrupt stop almost crashed into me.
What's that smell I asked as I sniffed the air once again. It was the smell of coffee and a promise of something more
This was a sharp contrast to the almost acrid smell I'd been perceiving since we entered alleys-way and as I looked up I saw Tony and the others all looking speechless and I knew they must've perceived the same smell.
Tony pointed to the building just in front big me, it looked like a shop with the inscription in front which read MOODIES and try as i might, I just couldn't leave without knowing what kind of coffee would literally stop me in my tracks. A quick discussion and we decided we were going in.
We walked in and immediately noticed the shop was almost full although just outside had been almost empty. It looked like everyone in alleys-way came here for coffee.
What do y'all want asked a female voice and we all turned to face the lady at the counter.
Ohh we'll have coffee I replied
I haven't seen these faces around here which must mean you're not from around here.
Yes, we were just passing by when we decided to come in.
Stopped you right in your tracks ehh, don't worry it happens all the time she replied giving me a knowing smile
What do you mean by all the time I asked
Do you know why this place is called MOODIES?. it's because I guarantee you my coffee will leave you smiling again no matter the mood you walked in
Five minutes later and two cups down and I agreed with her that her coffee was more than magical. Immediately I took my first sip, I knew there was a possibility I would bite into my cup as the taste and warmth spread through my body system.
The lady whom I would later know as Bianca was all smiles as she watched us savor the taste of the coffee.
By the way I noticed you're all students, which must mean you all skipped classes Bianca said as we all stared at our coffee in guilt
In the end she made us promise not to skip school again in exchange for free coffee whenever we came around. I didnt know about the others decisions but there was no way i was rejecting that offer, Moodies was now my diamond in the rough.