The Barista

Familiar

I hardly ate the food. I was too busy trying not to look at Liam the entire time. Now my eyes are trying to wander off to whoever the event speaker is and for whatever event this is for.

"So, Elle." The older gentleman acknowledges me like I matter. "Firstly, my name is Jericho and secondly I've hardly spoken to you but something is very interesting about you and I can't put my finger on it."

"She's the smartest person on this planet," Rynna interjects.

The whole family lightly laughs. "Most?" Holten adds with disbelief in his tone. "I think she would own the world if she was the most intelligent person on this planet. Am I wrong?"

"You're wrong," Abby interjects, glaring at him like she could kill him. "She just chooses not to show her intelligence. And I think she should use it more often."

I'm fighting to not look at Liam but it's hard and I notice the amusement on his face. "Brother, we don't know who's intelligent and who's not. I mean, look at you."

"What about me?"

"You're part of one of the wealthiest families in this city and you couldn't tell me the state bird or whatever eighty-five multiplied by nine-hundred and sixty-seven is."

I clear my throat. "The Eastern Bluebird is the state bird. And eighty-two-thousand one hundred and ninety-five." I lower my head, feeling embarrassed at how fast I can answer both of those questions.

"Excuse me?" The older woman interjects. "My daughter never told you my name. I am Annette and how in the world did you do that, sweetheart?"

I shake my head while keeping my eyes on the floor, feeling embarrassed. "My parents used to tell me I was smarter than Albert Einstein. I don't know. I guess my brain doesn't work like other people. I don't even have to try and calculate most numbers. It's just there in my head."

"Used to?" Liam asks.

I nod. "My parents passed away years ago, in a bad accident. But please do not feel pity on me. It's been years and although you will always miss the ones you love, you have to keep living and not give up for something lost that cannot be recovered."

"Even her words are motivational," Jericho adds.

"You are unique," Rynna adds.

"I'm sorry for your loss,

" Holten interjects. "But I don't believe you are the smartest person on this planet. I believe you knew the state bird and your math is quick."

"Son!" Jericho stops him. "No one can add those numbers that fast. Now, I'm not saying she's the smartest person on this planet, but your sister found a friend who could do some damage in the real world. Elle, what did you say you did for work?"

I shake my head. "I didn't. But I am a barista at One Cup Pup, and I write books for fun. Hoping one day I can become an author."

"Sounds like you are an author." Liam and his deep tone add.

"Nah." Holten argues. "I'm struggling here. What's the square root of sixty-nine?"

Rynna flashes her eyebrows. "Of course, he'd choose sixty-nine."

"Sixty-nine is not a perfect square," I say while watching him look down at his phone. "And I can't fully answer that. But I believe it is eight point three...possible zero..."