left eye high || lh *rewriting in the future*

02. Buttercup

Shocked would be an understatement. I've never minded the triple takes or long stares from strangers. They were inevitable. But blatantly commenting on my scar? After all these years, even this was new.

"And nice lip ring, sir, how beautifully alternative to match your dark and misunderstood image." I calmly said before I realized how rude it was. I guess I was just confused on how to react and the sarcastic remark slipped out before I could stop it. I mean, he did kind of look different than most around here, but still. I bit my lip with slight embarrassment and looked down from his face. "Now what can I get for you."

"I'll have a large coffee, black." He seemed unaffected by my rebuttal.

"Yeah, can I have your name,"

"Luke."

"Lovely." I said shortly. "It'll be ready in a sec, Luke."

"Oh, take your time. I see that business is booming here." He sneered through his thick accent. He handed me the bills from his exact change, $3.25, and smirked as he spun the leftover quarter on the counter with his middle finger and thumb.

I felt less remorse about my rude comment now. Luke was just an asshole.

I rolled my eyes and turned from the counter to make another pot of coffee. While waiting for it to brew, I decided not to go back to the front counter to grab my book - an attempt to avoid a possible conversation with the asshole. I impatiently tapped my fingernails on the side of the machine instead until it finished brewing.

The scalding hot liquid filled his to-go cup and I did all I could to refrain from spitting in it as I put the cover on. I mean, he might just be having a bad day. I picked up the black sharpie and scribbled his name on the side of the cup.

"Luke." I sighed as I walked back to the front. He was sitting at the table right across from the counter, looking at his phone, and didn't budge. "Dark and misunderstood Luke." He still didn't move. I paused and started tapping my fingers again. "I guess I'll pour out this perfectly good coffee because it looks like there isn't a Lu-"

"Just bring it over." He interrupted without looking up. You've got to be kidding me. I wish I actually had spat in his damn drink. I walked around and placed the coffee on his table, then went back to my book instead of waiting for a thank you that I wouldn't have received anyway.

"Reyna?" I heard my boss behind me. She walked out of the small kitchen and tucked a bit of her long hair behind her ear.

She was beautiful; she was slightly taller than me but otherwise had a similar build to mine, except for her it was effortless. Meaning she could test any and all bakery items she came up with without even considering her weight. She looked young for her age, being about 28 years now, and not changing at all since she started up the shop at only 24. I'd been one of the 5ish employees since the beginning.

"Hi Katherine." I said with a smile. "What's up?"

"I'm leaving now, so I'll leave you with the extra keys and you can lock up after this young man is finished." She said, pulling her red lips into a closed-mouth smile and motioning to Luke.

"Alright, have a good night Kath." She was sweet and I never minded locking up for her, but I was not looking forward to being alone with probably the most inconsiderate person I'd ever met. She gave me another quick smile and waved before leaving.

I began reading again so the asshole could finish his coffee, but it was hard not to look at him. Apart from his disgusting attitude, he was kind of perfect in a way that was hard to wrap my head around. Unexpectedly perfect. He didn't look like the type to spend hours in the gym or in front of the mirror. I wouldn't even say that he totally fit the 'tall, dark, and handsome' cliché, but any imperfections he had fit together like puzzle pieces. He was just interesting. And in this place it's hard to ignore interesting.

I broke my gaze when I saw him get up to come to the counter.

"Hey, Buttercup," he said, sliding a 10 dollar bill toward me- for an extremely rude person he sure gave a generous tip. "Thanks for the coffee, see you tomorrow." He winked and turned to leave while I tried not to look completely stunned at his total change in demeanor.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I assume that you go to only high school within miles of here, Douglas. Senior, right?"

"Yeah, never seen you there though." I'd definitely have noticed.

"I start tomorrow actually. And when I went to meet with the principal, get this, he told me that I had most of my classes with a wonderful student named Reyna, and that she'd be happy to show me around." He smirked again and left the coffee shop.

As if I didn't dread Mondays enough.