John Hughes Movie

Chapter 8

Lara Jean

The sound of dripping coffee was like a symphony to me. It made my headache dull. The quiet sound worked as a metronome, keeping pace as I took a few deep breaths. After last night's party, the slow, reliable drip brought me the peace I needed to get through a busy Sunday morning at B&B. One of our coworkers had called out leaving Chris and I in a mad dash until someone could come in to cover about an hour ago.

I wouldn't call what I was this morning hungover. I just felt a little hazy. In every other circumstance, I would have no stayed out so late last night. I knew I had the open the shop at 5:30 this morning, but that didn't stop me from staying out until almost midnight. It sounded so lame, but I am someone who needs their sleep. The haze was slowly lifting as the day paced on, but the latest iced coffee I made for myself, hadn't quite kicked in yet.

I heard my phone beep and pulled it out of my back pocket. A text from Sam, the boy from the other week. I had given up on him, especially after last night when I think I was flirting with Peter's friend John. I had given Sam so many opportunities to ask me out, but he never took it. That was until now.

I've been building up the courage to ask for a while. I really like you and want to go out. Dinner tonight?

I stared blankly at it for a minute. I had been waiting for this. I should be more excited, but felt a little torn. Was the waiting too long? Had I moved on? How was I supposed to feel?

I left him on read and texted Peter.

SOS! Coffee shop boy, finally asked me out. What do I do?

Chris burst through the swinging door to the back in a huff. She forcefully planted her hands on the butcher block counter and turned her head to me in the most dramatic fashion. "How does my professor expect me to read a 500-page book by Tuesday when he only assigned it on Friday fully knowing that all us Archaeology work at least one job over the weekends." She readjusted the bun of curly blonde hair into an even messier bun. "Do you think we can report him or something?"

"I don't think that's how it works." I slid my phone back into my pocket and tried to look busy.

"Well if we all just don't do it, he can't punish us." She rolled her eyes. "Is this how strikes start? Am I a revolutionary? Will people write about me years from now as that rebel girl? Am I Jack Kelly in Newsies?" Her eyes lit up, making it the first time she wasn't hiding a scowl all day.

I started to laugh. Chris tries to put on a tough façade. She always wears black t shirts with bands you've never heard of and combat boots, but she loves Disney musicals more than anyone else I know. "I'll write about you."

"Fabulous. Remember to tell everyone how hot I was." She started walking over to the drink making station to do a wipe down. "Feel free to exaggerate my boob size."

"I'll see what I can do." I giggled as I began to organize the bakery section. I was counting down the minutes until I was off for the day. The café had gone dead this afternoon. There was no use baking anything new at this point. The least I could do was make what we have look good.

"So, that Sam guy just texted me." I offered up to my best friend.

"And?" she stretched her arms wide.

"He asked me out." I moved cookies into a small pyramid with my gloved hands.

Chris jumped up and down. "When are you going?"

I scrunched my face. "I don't know if I should. He was nice and all, but...I haven't been out on a date in like, a long time."

"You have to go!" She rushed over to me. "Rip the band aid off and all that shit. You have to swing that leg over the saddle, if you ever want to ride the horse."