Behind The Counter/ Chace Crawford

Chandler Bing

Tisch groggily stepped out of her car, the familiar chill of the early morning air helping to wake her up. Last night's marathon of rewatching the fifth season of "Friends" had kept her up later than intended, but it was worth every minute. "Friends" had always been more than just a show to her; it was an inspiration. Central Perk, the cozy café where the gang spent so much time, was one of the reasons Tisch had opened her own café. She dreamed of finding her own Chandler Bing, someone who would understand her quirks and make her laugh.

As she approached the door of Bean Here, she waved cheerfully at Ben, the building guard. "Morning, Ben!"

"Morning, Tisch. Late night?" Ben asked with a knowing smile.

"You could say that," Tisch replied, stifling a yawn. "Another 'Friends' marathon."

Ben chuckled. "You and that show. One day, you'll find your Chandler Bing."

"From your lips to God's ears," Tisch said, laughing as she opened the café door and stepped in. Her employees, Shane and Mike, were already rushing around, preparing for the morning hustle. Tisch took a deep breath, feeling a surge of gratitude for her hardworking team. They had become like family to her, supporting her through the ups and downs of running a business.

"Morning, guys. Everything good?" Tisch asked, checking in with Shane and Mike.

"All good, boss," Shane replied with a thumbs up.

"Ready for another busy day," Mike added, grinning.

Tisch smiled, feeling a sense of pride. Her team was solid, and she trusted them implicitly. She grabbed an apron and joined them behind the counter, ready to dive into the day's work.

Chace was already in his usual spot, engrossed in his laptop. Today, she noted, he was alone.

Hours flew by in a blur of orders and small talk. The café was buzzing with activity, and Tisch loved every minute of it. It was already lunch when her phone rang, breaking her focus. She glanced at the caller ID and smiled—her mom.

"Hey, Mom," Tisch answered, stepping into a quieter corner of the café.

"Tisch, sweetheart, how are you doing?" her mom's warm voice came through the line.

"I'm good, just busy as usual," Tisch replied, looking around the café.

"I worry about you working so hard," her mom said. "Are you taking care of yourself?"

"Of course, Mom. You know I love this place. It's my baby," Tisch assured her.

"I know, honey. But remember, it's okay to take a break now and then," her mom said gently.

Tisch sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. Her parents had always been incredibly supportive, despite their own busy lives. Her mom was a famous fashion designer, and her dad was a well-known business man. They had hoped Tisch might follow in their footsteps, but she had chosen a different path. Owning and running a café was her dream, and she was determined to make it work.

"I will, Mom. How's Dad?" Tisch asked, changing the subject.

"He's good. Busy with his latest project, but you know him," her mom replied with a hint of pride.

"Yeah, always on the go," Tisch said, smiling. "Thanks for checking in, Mom. I have to get back to work now."

"Okay, sweetheart. Just remember to take care of yourself. We love you," her mom said.

"Love you too, Mom," Tisch replied, ending the call and taking a deep breath.

She returned to the counter, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. This café was her sanctuary, a place where she could be herself and build something of her own. She loved the hustle and bustle, the constant flow of customers, and the small moments of connection.

"Everything okay?" Mike asked, noticing the thoughtful look on her face.

"Yeah, just my mom checking in," Tisch said with a smile.

"Your folks are pretty cool," Shane remarked. "Not every famous fashion designer's kid wants to run a café."

"I guess I'm just not cut out for the industry," Tisch said, shrugging. "I like being able to control my own little corner of the world."

The afternoon wore on, and Tisch found herself lost in the rhythm of the café. The steady hum of conversation, the hiss of the espresso machine, and the comforting aroma of coffee all worked together to create a space that felt like home.

Chace remained at his usual spot, typing away on his laptop. Tisch noticed him occasionally looking up, observing the people around him. She wondered what he was working on but didn't dwell on it. She had more pressing matters to attend to—orders to fill, supplies to check, and a café to run.

As the day drew to a close, Tisch felt a sense of satisfaction. Despite the late start and the constant demands of the business, she had managed to keep everything running smoothly. She glanced around the now quiet café, feeling a deep sense of contentment.

"Another successful day," she said to herself, flipping off the lights and locking the door behind her. She couldn't wait to get home, maybe watch another episode of "Friends," and dream about finding her own Chandler Bing.