Mad Love: An Austin Rivers Love Story

Chapter 1

                               Mad Juice

There was a long line of angry customers as soon as I got to work, each waiting for their freshly mixed juice.

I'm sorry, where are my manners? My name is Dezi. It's a nickname for Destiny. I'm twenty-five years old. Biracial. (Mother's African-American and my father's Puerto Rican). I currently work at one of the most popular juice spots in LA, "WHO'S GOT THE JUICE?". It's no ideal job but it pays the bills..for now.

I walked in already regretting my decision to show up. I quickly hopped on a second register to help shorten the line and, at least, get everyone's order in so I could assist with making the juice. In about fifteen minutes, I was able to satisfy the "angry" mob of customers and I began doing what I normally do which is inventory.

Work was pretty steady as it usually is. I was able to get all of my work done and at this point I was just waiting until closing time. One of my coworkers, Amy then came to me with an emergency.

"Dezi! My son's babysitter just called and told me she wouldn't be able to watch him today."

Amy is one of those coworkers who assumes that being coworkers equates to friendship. She can be very annoying but I have grown to like her and even care for her and her 4 year old son Carson.

"Okay so I'm assuming you have to leave early?" I replied.

"Yes. I do. I promise I will make it up to you. Do you mind covering the rest of my shift on the register?"

I didn't mind covering for Amy, mostly because it was 5:30PM and my shift ended at 8:00.

"No girl it's fine! I understand. Things come up. Handle your business and I will gladly cover the register for you."

"Thank you so much Dezi!"

"Not a problem." I said with sincerity.

"Get your son and drive safe. You know traffic is a bitch this time of day"

"Will do." Amy said with a smile

"Thanks again!"

Amy left immediately and it was just me and my coworker Simon, the primary "juice" maker.

It was now a quarter past 7. We were slow but we usually are around this time. I was reading my horoscopes when four new customers walked in. I began taking their orders and asking for their names and the proper spellings so we can write their names on their juice cups. When it was time for me to take the fourth customer's order I couldn't even ask what he wanted before he cut me off and asked-

"Where's Amy? She usually takes my order."

I started to look him up and down, obviously annoyed with him. Did he see Amy around anywhere? She was obviously gone. However, I decided to reply nicely.

"Uhh..Amy left early. Family emergency. What would you like?"

He smirked and paused while staring at me before he finally decided to tell me what he wanted.

"I would like the Mango Kiwi Lime please."

Something about this guy made me cringe. I felt like he was undressing me with his eyes the way he was staring at me. That's when he asked--

"Are you wearing contacts or is that your natural eye color?"

My eyes where a greenish gray color. I get them from my mother, although her eyes were just plain grey.

"Oh no." I replied hesitantly.

"These are my real eyes. No contacts."

While he kept staring at my eyes, I admit that I started to scope him out as well. He was tall (or at least taller than me since I'm only 5'4). He had very light skin. I figured he could be mixed himself. He had very dark hair and dark brown eyes. Almost black. He looked like he had just come from the gym. He certainly smelled like he had just left the gym. He was wearing a sweaty Duke Blue Devils T-shirt with black basketball shorts and some light grey or silver roshes. I shortly realized that he was saying something to me. I snapped back to reality and realized that Simon was calling my name while handing me the orders for the other three customers.

As I was handing out the orders to the other three customers I handed Simon the fourth guy's order and apologized to him for not hearing what he said.

"I'm so sorry I didn't hear you. I have a lot on my mind."

I'm a terrible liar. The way he laughed let me know that he knew I was daydreaming.

"It's cool." He said still smiling.

"I just said you have very beautiful eyes."

I paused as I was wiping down my work area. Was this guy seriously complimenting me or was he just being a flirt. I bet he didn't know that I was into women. I still thanked him for the compliment even if it wasn't sincere.

"Thank you! You know I didn't even get your name for the order. What is it? I asked with my pen already in my hand.

At this point he was still staring at me but strangely I was getting used to it. He waited right until I got his juice in my hand before he finally replied.

"It's Austin."