𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐒 𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐆𝐎 | 𝘛𝘰𝘱 𝘎𝘶𝘯

004 | ᵐⁱˡᵏˢʰᵃᵏᵉ

CHAPTER FOUR

Milkshake

[₀₀₄]

song: Uptown Girl - 𝘽𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙅𝙤𝙚𝙡

⟵⌖⟶

"Uptown girl, she's been living in her uptown world"

𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐏. It was the early hours of the morning, and she couldn't sleep anymore. She sighed angrily before rolling over to check the time on her phone beside her. Five o'clock.

Before rolling out of bed, she rubbed her eyes. Her entire body was awake. She was fully awake. She knew of only one open spot in the area at the time. The milkshake bar. She was an early worm, and during her engineering studies, she would get up in the early hours of the morning and walk down to the milkshake bar.

She was in a craving for a satisfying strawberry milkshake. She shook off her drowsiness before grabbing her phone and purse. She was too lazy to change out of her pyjamas. Who was she going to see anyway?

She strolled down the streets she knew so well, down to the brightly neon illuminated sign reading 'milkshake bar'. She yanked the door open, the sun peeking out from behind the buildings ahead of her. The aroma of sweets attacked her nostrils as she entered the establishment.

Colette sighed contentedly before being greeted by Jamie, the owner. "Colette. I haven't seen you this early in a long time." Jamie turned to face the woman in front of him. Her navy top, striped leggings, and slippers made him smile.

"I know, Jamie, but I have a craving and I need a fix." Colette turned to face the older man. "Would you like the usual?" He inquires, eliciting a nod from the woman. Colette leant back on the chair besides her, studying the keys in her hands.

Jamie was a family friend. He'd been running the milkshake stand for 40 years. He had known her mother and father since they were young. Often crediting himself for their relationship. He was very familiar with Colette, their only child. When he glanced at her, he saw her mother.

He observed the woman, who had changed since her last visit. He smiled as he poured whip cream and sprinkles onto the milkshake and stuck a little lollipop to the side of the takeaway cup. The pair never broke the tradition of what he had done for her since she was a toddler.

"Ettie, the milkshakes ready." Jamie remarked this while grabbing the woman's attention. Colette grinned at her nickname before rising and approaching the counter. "How much do I owe you, Jamie?" Colette inquired of the grey-haired gentleman. "Five." The woman frowned as Jamie spoke. "It says eight, Jamie." Colette said pointing to the placard above his head.

"Colette, its five." Colette reluctantly handed Jamie some money. "I'd better see you more often, young lady, it's been far too long." He said giving her a warning look. "I promise, Jamie, I'll be back soon." Colette said as she moved towards the door.

"Look after yourself, Ettie." Jamie stated. "You know I'll look after myself Jamie." Colette stated as she opened the door to leave. Jamie opened his palm and discovered a twenty-dollar bill with a message inside. 'I keep score:)'

The dark-skinned man chuckled. She was far too generous to him. Colette walked out towards the beach, where the sun was gently rising. On days when she got up earlier than usual, she would walk to the beach with her milkshake and watch sunrise.