The Bakery (Brian Quinn)

0.1

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Aphrodite's POV

As 'Baker Jelani's Cafe' finally opens, our first customer of the day shuffles in with her arms linked with, who I am assuming, her daughter. The elderly woman happily greets the owner of the bakery/cafe, William Jelani. 

Her bright hazel eyes meets up with my pale ocean blue eyes as she then brightly flashes a smile showing off a lot of her wrinkles, "good morning Aphrodite, how are you this beautiful sunny morning?"

"Morning Merida, I'm doing just fine thanks. Would you like the usual?" I ask walking behind the register from cleaning one of the coffee machines.

"Would be perfect thanks, oh and could you please get my daughter a gluten-free lemon poppy seed cupcake and a chai latte?"

I look at her daughter, she looks to be around in her late 30's. She had a mum bod, thin straight brunette hair and a deep set of green eyes. We both then exchange a smile.

"Of course, what size?"

"Small" her daughter speaks. Her voice was so soothing and mum-like. I type it in the register, "is that all?"

"Yes thank you" Merida answer, I nod once with a small "mmhmm"

"All up that will be $20.50, whenever you're ready" I place the card machine facing her. I could already hear Aaliyah behind me making the chai latte and cappuccino.

Her daughter pays for it as she pulls her card out of her purse. As she brings her hand to the machine creating a response from it, I notice a gigantic silver rock on her wedding finger. She once again smiles at me.

"Won't be long" was my response. I grab a flat cardboard making a small box out of it before carefully placing a napkin, fork and the lemon poppy seed cupcake inside of it.

I place the order on top of the glass. Aaliyah comes past with the two drinks calling, "order for Merida"

"Yep" the daughter comes up and collects their order.

"Thank you, I'll see you again tomorrow" Merida waves off.

"Have a great day" I wave back. I watch them walk out the front door as they sit themselves down in front of the cafe.

"I have a feeling we might be having a quiet day today" Aaliyah speaks.

"I have that same feeling" I say kind of bummed out. The cafe wasn't always like this. It used to be packed filled with customers. That until they opened 'Cup O' Joe'.

I look at her before looking at her sister, Angel who was approaching us. Angel and I have been best friends since high school. She's literally the sweetest person I have ever met.

"So, how are you and Zach going?" She winks and a massive grin, hoping for some juicy gossip.

Zach is my boyfriend, we've only started dating 6 months ago. I've had a major crush on him since the first grade. Crazy how I-me, Aphrodite Romano could pull a guy like that. He is crazy hot, always smelling soo good and he's on a rugby team so he's very toned.

"Good I think... it's been 6 months since we started going out, do you guys think it's time for me to, you know? Do the deed?" I quietly say the last bit.

Angel gasps, "do you think you're ready?" She asks holding my hands excitedly, "I mean do you really think he's the one"

"I hope so" I begin to fantasise about how good he could be in bed.

"You've liked this guy since primary school, surely you'll know if 'he's the one'" Aaliyah air quotes not really believing in that kind of stuff. Angel releases my hands as she begins to lecture her sister about how sex should really work.

It's embarrassing to say but I'm still a virgin. I'm 21 and afraid of having sex. The whole concept of another person seeing my naked body freaks me out. I'm already self conscious enough staring at myself in a mirror.

Just thinking about him and I just makes my heart run in loops. It's all too scary for me.

"Just don't think about it too much if you do have the chance to do it" Angel responds as if she's reading my mind, "you're beautiful, Aph, and he will see that too. I mean it's all in the name" she chuckles.

"Yeah thanks" I give her a soft reassuring smile to let her know that I'm okay and doing a lot better now.

The thing is, and only my close friends and family knows about this but I have an eating disorder. I hate it when I gain weight but I love it when I lose weight. Some days could be worse than others. Some days I refuse to eat all day. Some days I'll end up finding myself with my head in the toilet.

But now that I'm out about it, I'm trying to recover.

"You got this" Aaliyah says encouraging me.

I open my mouth to say something, "ladies enough gossiping and start working" William tells us off.

"Yes dad" Angel and Aaliyah says at the same time.

"Sorry, Mr. Jelani"

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