chapter two ; introduction jitters

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"Have a nice day ma'am," the driver called out as Natalie stepped out of the cab, the wind blowing her hair around her face. Fixing her hair, she turned around to wave goodbye to the driver before stepping on the sidewalk and watching the cab drive away. Staring until she couldn't see the cab any longer, Natalie ripped her gaze from the cab and searched the streets for Jitters. Her eyes quickly landed on it and she headed towards the doors. As soon as she opened them, the smell of coffee beans and vanilla instantly filled her senses and relaxed her even more.

While taking in the aroma, a body collided into her, wrapping their arms around her back and squeezing her into a tight pull. "Nattie! I missed you so much!" they squealed in excitement before releasing her. Stepping back and adjusting her hair was her older cousin, Caitlin Snow. Natalie noticed that she seemed happier than she was a few months ago, after the particle accelerator. Her smile was wide and lit up her eyes as she beamed at Natalie.

Overwhelmed with her thoughts and excitement, Natalie simply responded by pulling her cousin back into a hug. "I've missed you too. But at least now we can see each other more often," she said as she pulled away.

Caitlin laughed and gestured for Natalie to follow her to a table where a young man with shoulder length black hair was seated, "More like everyday. We're making up for lost time. Anyways-"

"Why hello there," the man said, looking up and down at Natalie as the two girls approached them.

"Cisco. Behave yourself. This is my cousin, the one I've been telling you guys about. She's just moved to Central City," Caitlin said with a motherly tone before motioning to Nat.

He held out his hand with a smug look on his face that only made Natalie giggle, "The name's Cisco. Cisco Ramon." She took his hand and gave it a shake, biting down on her lip to keep from laughing, "Natalie Reed. Nice to meet you."

"Well it was certainly nice to meet you," Cisco replied after letting go of her hand, earning him a smack from Caitlin in the arm. "Ow" he said with a hurt look up at Caitlin who replied with a simple smile.

Natalie smoothed down her pale yellow dress before taking a seat opposite Cisco. "So you two are.." she started, looking between her cousin and Cisco.

Caitlin turned from facing the doors, "We're coworkers, friends, you know. Of that sorts. Cisco, where's Barry? He was supposed to meet us here."

Cisco checked his phone and shrugged, "He's always late."

Caitlin pulled her eyebrows together in frustration before they relaxed as soon as she spotted someone, "I'll be right back. I'm gonna ask Iris. Nat you think you'll be okay here?"

Natalie nodded her head. "Great. Now Cisco, please don't try and scare her off," Caitlin said before turning on her heel to go talk to her friend, Iris.

Cisco shifted in his seat to turn and face Natalie, "So, Nat, can I call you Nat?"

Natalie laughed at Cisco, "Yeah you can."

Cisco smiled, "Okay. So Nat, how are you liking Central City so far?"

Natalie pulled on her jean jacket before clasping her hands together on the table, "Oh I absolutely love it here. Everyone seems so nice and friendly. Some others..more than friendly," she said with a laugh while gesturing to Cisco, who smiled and laughed in response.

"Well that's great. And you chose the right city to come to! We have nice people, we have Jitters, best coffee on this planet, we are home to the Flash, and most importantly we have the one and only, Cisco Ramone," he said while gesturing to the coffee shop around them and then lastly himself.

Natalie couldn't contain her laughter through his speech, "Wow I guess this really was the right place. But what's a flash?"

"The Flash-"

"Cisco!" Caitlin said as she approached the table. She put on a smile and then gave a glare in Cisco's direction, "What were you two talking about?" Cisco shrunk in his seat, trying to hide from Caitlin's glare.

"Oh! Cisco was talking about Central City being home to a flash. Is that some sort of local sports team you have here?" Natalie said as she looked between Cisco and Caitlin.

Caitlin and Cisco looked at each other before Cisco opened his mouth, only to be interrupted yet again by Caitlin.

"Barry! You're late." Caitlin said while crossing her arms at someone behind Natalie.

Natalie turned around in her seat to look at who Caitlin was talking about. She saw a tall, young man approaching their table as he ran his hand through his short brown hair. Instantly he took Natalie's breath away, which she thought was silly. How in the world could someone do that?

"I am so sorry guys. I was helping Eddie with a case and we lost track of time," he said as he stood next to Caitlin. His soft green eyes settled on Natalie, instantly making her wriggle in insecurity in her seat and push her hair behind her ears, "Is this your cousin, Caitlin? It's Natalie right?"

Natalie looked back up from the table and nodded her head yes. "Well I'm Barry Allen and I'm sorry for being late to your "Welcome to Central City" get-together," he said with chuckle as he grabbed a chair from another table and sat it next to her.

Natalie waved it off and smiled, "It's fine. Cisco here was just talking about this Flash in the city,"

Barry's smile fell from his face and changed to one of worry right after he shot a look at Cisco, "Oh. Was he now..."

"Natalie, Flash is not a sports team. It's really nothing," Caitlin started while finally taking a seat.

Barry seemed taken aback, "Well, I don't think he's nothing,"

Cisco cleared his throat before getting up and slowly walking away, "I'm just gonna go..and..get us some coffee."

"Wait. It's a he?" Natalie asked while glancing between her cousin and Barry.

"Barry! There you are and it seems like Caitlin did find you," a young woman said as she smiled at him. Both Caitlin and Barry sighed in relief, the latter seeming especially happy at the stranger's presence.

"Iris, hey," Barry said as he pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry I don't know how you are," Iris said as she looked at Nat.

Natalie smiled in response. "It's fine and I would be surprised if you did know me. I just moved to Central City. Natalie Reed," she said as she held out her hand.

Iris took it and they shook hands, "Iris West. Well, welcome to Central City. You already seem to know Barry and Caitlin."

"We just met," Barry said quickly and stood up to give Iris his seat.

Caitlin put her hands on Nat's shoulders as she moved to stand behind her, "Natalie here is my cousin."

Iris smiled and raised her eyebrows, "Cousins huh? Are you in the same field as Caitlin here, Natalie?"

"What being a brainiac? No. Not by a long shot," Natalie said with a laugh as Cisco came over with the drinks.

"I've got one for Natalie, one for Caitlin, Barry, and one for me. Oh Iris! Hey." Cisco said as he handed out the drinks and looked down at the empty cup holder, "I don't have one for you."

"That's fine Cisco. Here, take mine," Barry said as he gave Iris his drink and dashed to the counter to get his own drink.

Natalie laughed at his awkwardness but felt a little disappointed. He w!as really cute but he seemed to be already taken.

"So umm, Iris," Natalie started while taking a sip of her drink, "You and Barry huh?"

Iris looked confused then started laughing, "You think me and Barry are.. No. Not at all. Barry's my foster brother. Besides, I already have a boyfriend. His name's Eddie Thawne or as I used to call him, detective pretty boy."

Natalie felt a little bit happier after hearing that from Iris. After a while of everyone sipping their drinks, both Cisco and Caitlin's phone buzzed as soon as Barry came back with another drink.

"I'm so sorry Nat but we have to go. I'll call you later okay? Work and all," Caitlin said as she grabbed her bag and hugged her cousin goodbye.

"Until we meet again my fair Nat," Cisco said with a little bow before being pulled away by Caitlin causing Natalie to laugh.

"Well I should probably get going too. Duty calls." Barry said while checking his phone as well and pulling on his jacket.

"I'll see you later Iris. And it was really nice meeting you Natalie," Barry said with a smile and dashed out the door, leaving Natalie and Iris at the table alone.

"Well, how about I take you on a mini tour of the city." Iris said while gathering up her things.

"Umm yeah. That actually sounds great," Natalie replied, scrambling up as well.

"Great," Iris said with a smile and led the way out the doors. Natalie grabbed her cup of coffee before following her and leaving Jitters in her wake.