welcome to the black parade.

[Taryn Brett Andrews]

Taryn was going through the motions of her job. Yes, it was her favorite place in the world. And yes, she did do it voluntarily. Still, it was hell to say the least. That probably had something to do with the fact that it was soccer-mom day or something at starbucks. It was like they were having their not-so-top secret meeting that day. Taryn had already served up too many decaf-no-fat-no-milk-just-soy-vanilla lattes to count in the last hour, and they were buzzing around like flies, bitching about this and that. About how Jimmy had a soccer game and how Cindy had art class and oh however would they drive them all?! Taryn just laughed and rolled her eyes at the funniness and patheticness of it all. Instead, she began watching some of her favorite customers. There wasn't a line so it didn't really matter.

The first guy on her agenda was the highly caffeinated artist. Every day, he would order a coffee with two shots of espresso no milk, no sugar, no nothing. Saying that that guy liked his coffee black was an understatement. As usual, he was merrily drawing away in his sketch book, energized by the large amounts of coffee pulsing through his veins. Despite the fact he seemed somewhat crazy in his coffee preferences, Taryn had to admit he was a decent guy, always managing to give her a friendly-not-creepy smile and thank her for his caffeine of choice.

Realizing that watching this guy was amusing her all too much, Taryn lay her head on the granite counter out of bordem. Why oh why did this place have to be swarmed by so many creepy ladies who were trying too hard to look young!! She only hoped that someone who was sane and less motherly could walk in soon to amuse her and get her out of her mother madness. As Taryn waited she made herself a latte and sat down at the nearest table, slowly sipping and watching the people buzz around Starbucks.

[Aaron Richard Boxer]

The sky was clear, but the wind was fierce. The air was dry and felt cool on the skin. It was a day that most people loved. Of course, there were those people that complained about everything and then went home and cut their wrists. Aaron wasn't one of those people. He was always happy with the weather. Except when it was really hot or extremely cold. He was on his thirty minute break from work. Sure, he wasn't supposed to have that long, but his boss really didn't care. He could come back tommorow and not be fired. After he was a few feet away from the area that reeked of gasoline, he placed a cigarette between his lips and lit it. He didn't like the taste or the smell, but the niccotine was just amazing.

The white and orange stick dangled from his lips as he walked. He strutted down the street, glancing at the people he saw. His camera dangled from his neck and it bounced off his work clothes. He didn't like them, but he had to wear them. I mean, who wouldn't want to wear eyesores? Taking another drag from his cigarette, he spotted a Starbucks, not too far by. He blew out the smoke he just inhaled and crossed the street to get there. He wasn't the biggest fan of coffee, but he knew one of the workers and hey, she was an interesting girl.

He almost entered the coffee shop with the cigarette in his mouth, but then stopped himself. "Duh," he murmmered, flicking it to the ground and stepping on it. He didn't feel like getting yelled at by some fat guy. He pushed through the doors and saw that the girl wasn't at the counter. Instead, there was some skinny black girl that was yelling at some short woman. He looked around and saw Taryn. He grinned and walked over, taking a picture of her sitting there. "Hey youngster."