Another Dumb Romance Fic || ColeyDoesThings (Barista/Employee)

Chapter Three: The Fanartist

Gigi was Nikki's best friend, and there was no doubt about that in either of their minds. A very talented and free-spirited artist, Gigi worked at the Fanart Parlor that was across the street from the Fanfic Café. Her hair was bouncy and curly, and she had one of the calmest yet brightest attitudes that Nikki had ever seen. This was in stark contrast to the Ships R Us employee, who was rarely bright or calm.

The two often had long chats over the phone while they worked -- Gigi had much more time to multitask as an artist and could talk while working on her latest piece. Nikki, on the other hand, simply didn't care, and would gossip and complain while customers were waiting in line.

There was only one thing that the two argued over regularly: the subject of Isabella.

While Gigi found the barista entertaining and sweet, Nikki found her annoying and condescending. Gigi was used to sharing customers with Bella and welcomed them with open arms; Nikki would raise an eyebrow, irritated, and serve them with a dark expression. Gigi outwardly spent time with Bella, while Nikki tried her best to avoid the peppy girl.

So, of course, they'd had their fair share of mix-ups and arguments over the subject. Today was one such day.

"I don't understand it," Gigi whispered softly, sketching a gorgeous piece of work for No Straight Roads. "No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to help you two get along at all."

"Well, she's annoying," answered Nikki flatly, gathering cards from the shelves in one section of the store. "That's why. We're not gonna mix, I'm sorry. Just stop trying to force it."

"I know you two can manage to get along, I've seen you do it before. If you weren't constantly expecting all interactions with her to be negative, maybe things would look up a bit."

Nikki rolled her eyes at the statement. "Gigi, really? Do you think that she and I could do anything but argue? Hell, yesterday we fought in the ten minutes she was in the store."

"From what I heard, she was anticipating rudeness, and you had a bad attitude. You're both at fault for your arguments, you know?" Gigi adjusted her position with the phone, then started her lineart layer. "Maybe we should have a hangout day, the three of us. I can be the mediator while you two try and actually have a civil conversation. How does that sound?"

"Hell no," the employee grumbled, stalling in the aisle for a moment. "I'll never voluntarily hang out with her."

"I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad. How about you let me set something up? I'll make sure that you two don't set something on fire, and things will be fine."

Groaning, Nikki carried a small bag of cards to the front register. She rang up the customer, still talking to Gigi. "Fine, if you insist. But don't be surprised if it doesn't end well."

Gigi smiled a little triumphantly. "Perfect. Does this Saturday work for you?"

"Sure," the employee sighed, accepting her defeat and going back to work on the computer. "What sort of 'hangout' are you planning, anyway? It better not be something cheesy."

"I have a few things in mind," the artist hummed quietly, an air of satisfaction in her voice.

"It's something cheesy, isn't it?"

***

Sure enough, on Saturday morning at 7:13, Nikki received a text from Gigi while brushing her teeth. She finished what she was doing, then grabbed her phone to check it.

"Meet me at the parlor, 11:30. Dress for light weather."

Nikki took a moment to process, then sighed. She'd forgotten about the "hangout" that Gigi had scheduled, and now that she was reminded of it, she also was unfortunately reminded about the fact that she would have to interact with Bella on her day off.