Honey Whiskey

Ashlyn

Morgan answers on the second ring, "Oh my god, Ashlyn! Where have you been? I was about to go to campus security because I was afraid you walked home by yourself last night and got kidnapped or you were dead in a ditch or something!" I can't help but smile at how worried Morgan is. It's a different feeling to have someone worry about your well-being when you've spent your entire life alone in that aspect. "I'm fine, Morgs. Some stuff happened at the party last night and James took me up to his room for me to calm down and I ended up falling asleep." While I tell her this, I feel a flutter in my chest from how nice James was to me yesterday. "You slept with James?!" This had her practically screaming. I chuckle and clarify, "Not in the way you're thinking, you pervert. We actually slept and I woke up to him cuddling me like a teddy bear. It was odd, to say the least." As I finish my sentence I'm walking up to Bean and Tea. "Alright, Morgs. I have to go. I'm heading into the cafe to fill out an application. I'll see you at home later and fill you in on what happened last night." 

After we hang up, I take a quick look in the storefront window. It's tinted enough to act as a mirror for me and I'm thanking whatever god is up there because if I went into the cafe looking like I do now, they'd call the nearest homeless shelter to report a runaway person. I run my fingers through my bedhead hair and use the hair tie that's on my wrist to tie James' shirt tighter. Hopefully, there isn't someone sitting at the counter that's directly behind this window, otherwise, I probably ruined their breakfast. Once I'm satisfied with my look, I step inside and instantly get goosebumps from the cold air that hits my skin. It isn't blistering hot outside, but when you walk in the sun for a while, you do get pretty warm. I put my best smile on and head for the counter. There's a small group of people who seem like they're waiting for their drinks to be made and I feel bad for bothering the barista while she's so busy, so I make my smile bigger when I say hello. I clear my throat and begin my introduction. "Hi! Are you hi--" I'm cut off when she says, "Yeah, yeah. Your drink is coming right up. I'm the only person here and I'm trying to be as fast as I can." I feel even worse about bothering her because I'm assuming people have been rude to her all morning, especially if she's the only one working today. But I don't let my smile slip, "Oh, I'm not asking about a drink or anything. I was wondering if you were hiring? If so, where can I find an application to fill out?" 

She glances at me with a questioning look and is probably wondering if I'm being serious or facetious. "Do you know how to make any drinks? Lattes, cappuccinos, iced chai tea?" She asks while filling another cup up with ice. My smile is beginning to crack and I start itching my wrist. "Uh, no. But I'm a quick learner! I can at least run the register until I know what I'm doing regarding the drinks." This earns me another glance from the barista, whose name is Kate according to her name tag. "I'll tell you what," Kate says, "if you can start now, you have the job." I laugh at her joke, but it's short-lived because I realize she's serious. "You mean right now? Like, literally?" I ask, probably sounding dumbfounded, as I look around and feel my nerves building. "Mhmm" Kate singsongs. She has a unique look about her that reminds me of Halloween-- her orange and black striped hair is pulled into a low ponytail but her bangs hang freely on her forehead, and her eyeshadow is a dark purple with a small amount of glitter in it and she's wearing false lashes. It truly makes her green eyes pop. "Where are the aprons?" I ask trying to seem confident. My question makes her give me a half smile and she points to the wall behind the counter.