Set Me Free

Chapter 2 - Got a long list of Starbucks .......

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Flashback Part I

As I was walking at night, I saw some lights, and recognized it was Starbucks immediately. The smell of coffee, and the place was recognizable by anyone. I pushed the door, and realized it was empty. Background indie music was playing, but as I was looking for a presence, no one was to be found. I made my way to the barista place, and suddenly saw someone coming from the back of the place, with a huge smile.

"Hi, how may I help you ? What would you like to drink ?"

A sweet brunette was standing there, hands on her side, while looking at me with big eyes.

"I'd like to take a Cappuccino, normal size please. "

"You can sit, I'll take it to you as soon as it's done."

She smiled at me, and started to make it. Coffee smells good, it puts in a good mood. I sit in a table in front of her, and looked at the cakes. Cookies, pastries, chocolate cakes, all of these were tasty, there wasn't much though, probably because it's late already I thought. I looked at my phone, 11:03pm was lighting. It was really late. I wonder what time the store closes.... I couldn't think much about it, as I saw her walking to me and giving me my coffee with a huge smile .... and chocolate cake.

"I put it in a coffee mug, as you're staying here and there's no one anyway, as you probably saw. I also brought you some chocolate cake, it seems like you need it. On the house, don't worry."

I frowned and looked at her. I was very uncomfortable with people buying me things. I wasn't used to it, and always learned to do things on my own.

"No,you don't have to do that. I can pay for it. "

I started looking for money, but she placed her hands on my bag.

"You know what you can do ? Help me close the store, so you won't feel bad about not paying for your coffee."

I looked at her, and smiled.

"That's a deal."

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Pushing the door, I felt like home. People were queuing inside the store, Jane was all smiley and happy, and the baristas were doing their jobs.
Going to the back room, and took my beeper, Jane came to me and hugged me.

"Mia, I'm really sorry you have to take the shift until 11pm. Sam is sick, and the other baristas had already their weekly hours. You can do extra-hours and be paid, I promise you. You can do it ?"

Looking at her and giving her a smile, I nodded,and she walked back to the store and mouthed "you're a life savior" . I laughed, I owe her that. She's being sweet since day 1, and really need a hand for tonight.
Putting my apron on, I left my bag in the back room, and made my way to the cashier. A few of the other baristas said hi, and got back to work quickly. It was rush period, we couldn't talk much during it.
After asking a billion of hundred of times about coffee preferences and names, and watching baristas going home after they ended their shifts, I realized it was less busy, and the coffee shop was starting to get less crowded, and I was alone as a barista. I looked down at my watch "10:00pm", already.
I barely saw Jane, she was rushing from the cashier to the back room, to the room, it was part of her job, being a manager. You have to be everywhere at the same time. Time to break it down I though.
I paid with my employee card, and started to make a Cappuccino, and sit to enjoy it. A little break won't hurt anyone, I thought, plus Jane must be in the backroom calling her husband. These two are so adorably cute when they're together, he is so romantic. I recall when she told me how they met, it was super cute.