Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop | A TSP Coffee Shop AU

Chapter 1 | Coffee

First chapter is mostly filler sorry :(, the actual plot starts next chapter.

Poor Stanley gets berated at by a karen :(
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Thursday

8:27 AM

It read on Stanley's clock next to his bed.
Stanley's eyes shot open as he realised the time. He was supposed to have left his house at 8:15 AM!

"Shit, I'm almost late for work." Stanley thought to himself as he jumped out of his bed and rushed to get ready.

Throwing on his work clothes and grabbing his bag, Stanley ran out of his apartment, almost forgetting to lock his door.
After locking his apartment, the brunette rushed to get into his car and drive to work.

9:10 AM

Soon enough, Stanley pulled into the parking lot of the coffee shop, named 'The Parable'. Stanley let out a sigh of relief, he had made it in time.

As he walked through the door, Stanley was greeted by Jim and Mariella. They exchanged quick hellos before getting to work, the smell of coffee filled the air as they prepared for the day ahead.

-

Nolan walked into the bookstore, where his sister, Curaline, was stationed at the register. After exchanging pleasantries, Nolan inquired about how her job was going and how his latest novel, "Yellow Zone," was selling.

"Ah, well, it has been busy at the bookstore. Your novel has been selling well, we had a lot of sales last week.'', Curaline said to Nolan.

"That's good." Nolan replied to her.

Their conversation eventually turned to personal matters as Nolan asked about Curaline's girlfriend.

"How's it going with Mariella? I heard she works at a coffee shop now?" Nolan asked his sister as she put away a few books on a bookshelf.

"She has been doing well, and she works at a coffee shop now. The shop is quite nearby actually, you should check it out sometime." Curaline replied to Nolan as she was still putting away a few books.
"The coffee shop is very cosy and quiet, the place might help you with writing your new book."

Nolan nodded, "Ah well, I'm glad that she's been doing well and thank you for the recommendation, I will make sure to check that coffee shop out sometime." Replied Nolan as he made a mental note to check it out.

-

The coffee shop was quiet, almost too quiet..

Stanley was behind the counter, sitting on a stool. There weren't many customers at the coffee shop, as it was currently Thursday when it would usually be quiet.
All the coffee shop customers had already ordered, so Stanley decided to continue reading his favourite book.
That book in particular was called "Yellow Zone" which was written by his favourite author named "The Narrator".

Suddenly, a blond-haired lady storms into the coffee shop, Stanley put his book on the counter and wrote on his notepad;
[Hello, and welcome to 'The Parable'. What can I get for you today?]

"Make me an earl grey tea, and make it quick!" The woman snapped at Stanley.

"Hm, rude.", Stanley thought to himself, his brows slightly furrowing.
Stanley has had annoying customers before, sure. The best thing to do was to stay calm.
"Stay calm Stan, stay calm." He repeated to himself.

[Coming right up, Ma'am!] Stanley quickly wrote back, sighing as he left his stool to make the woman's order.

After a few minutes the brunette came back with the woman's tea, putting it on the counter.
[Here's your tea ma'am. That'll be 3 pounds.]

''That's too expensive, give me a discount!'' The blonde snapped back at him.

The woman took a sip of the tea;
''Ew, this is disgusting!'' She declared as she spits out her tea.

"Your job is to make tea, correct?" The woman glared at Stanley.

''Actually it's making coffee, plus, if you are gonna order earl grey tea, couldn't you just make it yourself at home?''
That was what Stanley wanted to reply to her, but he smartly decided that he shouldn't make the woman any angrier.
So Stanley nodded instead.
"Then do it correctly!" The woman screamed at Stanley, whilst slamming her hand on the counter.

Stanley looked down at his notepad, about to grab it, until he got interrupted by the angry blonde who snatched the notepad from him and threw it on the ground.
A few customers, some tables away, were staring at the commotion.

Stanley was stuck frozen in shock, he almost felt like crying after what had just happened. Stanley eventually snapped out of his trance as he heard someone run to them.

Mariella had heard the commotion going on and she ran to the two.
She shot a look at Stanley, who was almost on the verge of crying. Mariella's eyes widened as realised what was going on.

"Get out." Mariella said to the woman, her brows furrowing.

"What- your coworker was being rude to me!" The woman said frustrated to Mariella.
The Karen screamed at Mariella before she could respond;

''Get me your manager!" She screamed, whilst stomping her foot like a child not getting the toy that they wanted.

''Get. Out.'' Mariella repeated to her, as she bawled her hands into a fist and clenched her teeth a bit.

''Fine! But I won't be going to your shop ever again!'' The woman screamed to them loudly, making sure the entire coffee shop heard her, as she barged out of the Coffee shop.

''We won't miss you.'' Jim snorted back, walking in after watching what had just occurred.
''Damn, crazy lady.'' They whispered to the two, making Mariella giggle.
''You okay Stan?'' Jim asked Stanley while putting his hand on Stanley's shoulder.

[Yeah, I'm okay.] Stanley signed back, looking at Jim.

''Hey, how about you clock out early today?'' Mariella suggested, ''I can take your shift from here.''

[Are you sure? I don't want you to overwork yourself.] Stanley signed back, looking a bit guilty.

''Hey, I'll be fine, don't worry!'' Mariella grinned back at Stanley.
''Now go rest, you really do need it.'' Mariella added as she made an unceremonial shoo motion with her hands.

Stanley giggled, he smiled and replied;
[Thanks, Mari.]

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Stannarrator meeting next chapter I promise