August 24th, 2010
"Damn, what a busy day it is today," my coworker Chloe proclaims.
"I know, holy hell. Probably because it's August and many people are coming back from vacation. But hey, I'm glad this place has air conditioning at least," I responded with a laugh.
"Very true!"
I head over to the kitchen to pick up the stock boxes filled with coffee grounds in order to refill the coffee machines. The french vanilla iced coffee with caramel whipped cream and chocolate chips has always been the most famous drink here. We're always the most busy during the holidays, particularly during December; and of course, Labor Day weekend is coming up, so that means we'll be making American-themed cookies.
Summer is slowly coming to an end. I will miss it here and there, due to the unique components that come with it; the beach, late-nights with friends, etc. Nevertheless, I do absolutely love the cold. My birthday is in December, which I am thankful for since I have a deep admiration and love for the holidays.
The magnificent aroma of the fresh danishes and cannolis fill my senses, signaling that our bakers have finished making the desserts for the day. We typically sell mixed-cultural desserts, since Philly is a very diverse city, which I love; cannolis, danishes, brownies, cobbler, etc. We also serve sandwiches and fruit smoothies; and since I work here, I get a discount!
"Hey, Amber, could you grab some newly-made desserts from the kitchen? It's gonna be a busy week. You'll do great, I know you're a hard worker!" My manager, Constance, says to me. She has always been a kind person to me; she is a friend of my aunt Vanessa, through whom I got this job.
"Of course! I'll put the desserts out," I reply. I go over to the counters and put the coffee ground boxes down, and I go back to grab some desserts.
"I'll help you, Amber!" Chloe proclaims, rushing over to help me. Ugh, I love Chloe. She has been working here for the same time as me, and we've formed a friendship ever since. She went to college to become a marketer, nevertheless she has decided to work here part-time just like me.
Chloe and I set up everything, whilst the customers begin rushing in. We're most busy in the mornings and lunchtime; our hours are mainly 6:00 AM-4:00 PM, whilst occasionally we stay open until 6:00 PM. Of course, I don't work all day due to my other part-time copywriting job. I work here Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 6:00 AM-1:00 PM (Although Fridays I do stay until 6:00 PM.) We don't really have much on our menu that appeals to dinner, therefore we typically close right before the dusk of the evening casts its way upon the timeline of the day.
Customers begin to pour in, and Chloe and I get to work. It is a bright Monday morning. Many begin asking for their daily cup of joe to get them through the day. Not that I blame them. Caffeine is a wonder worker.
Chloe goes over to the back to turn on the radio, and her fingers glide over to the pop station. It's always so nice to work with music. Music is God's greatest gift to humanity. It gets you through the day, helps you through good times and bad times, and empowers and uplifts you.
A half an hour passes, and we mainly sell our caramel macchiatos and danishes over anything else. Constance calls me over to the kitchen to restock, but Chloe interrupts my thoughts.
"Ugh, Amber! I fucking love this song. Damn, this guy is talented!" Chloe declares.
Oh, her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair, falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday
"Aw, it sounds really sweet!" I replied. I've never heard this song before; it must be new. After all, it is the end and commencement of a new decade, being it 2010, so who knows what new artists are gonna occupy the charts.
Yeah, I know, I know
When I compliment her she won't believe me
It's so, it's so
Sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me, "Do I look okay?"
I say
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
Damn, this song is actually pretty good, I thought. I love this man's voice and the way it just flows right into his emotions through the lyrics. It also has such a sweet and true message. There's so many women out there who aren't comfortable in their skin, and it's a shame. All should love their bodies no matter what.
I know I should be restocking, but I just have to figure out who sings this song so I can listen to it for later.
"Chloe, who sings this?" I curiously ask her.
"Bruno Mars," she replies. "He's amazing. He recently came out with a new album a month ago called Doo-Wops & Hooligans, and the whole album is amazing. You should definitely listen to it. This song, "Just the Way You Are," is on the Billboard Hot 100 right now.
Damn. I really need to be more in touch with the world.
"Huh, Bruno Mars. Never heard of him. I'll definitely check him out," I say to Chloe.
"Please do, you won't regret it girl," Chloe responds with a wink.
"I definitely will," I reply with a smile.
....
The eventide forms a dusky dim setting, embracing the metropolis into its fullness. The lights of Philadelphia reign throughout the soul of the city, and it is a luminated, peaceful night.
I'm laying on my bed with my laptop, watching the music video for Just the Way You Are by this Bruno Mars guy. Not gonna lie, he's pretty cute. He also seems charismatic. I really love this song, so I took Chloe's advice and decided to check out his other music on the Doo-Wops & Hooligans album too; I also really love "Grenade" and "Talking to the Moon."
It definitely seems like he will blow up. He has a lot of talent and a good voice that skyrockets itself into a wondrous blend of emotion, power, and tone; the blend of what makes a good singer a good singer. Damn, I'm glad Chloe recommended that I listen to him.
My phone rings, and my head turns over to the repetitive noise. My best friend Amari is calling. We've been best friends since kindergarten; she is my platonic soulmate. My body shifts over to my nightstand and my hand grabs the phone, and my finger presses the awaiting green button.
"Oh my gosh, hi Amari! How have you been?" I ask her excitedly.
"Hey, what up girl? I got a ton going on right now. Nonetheless, you know I'll always make time for you. How have you been?
"Eh, you know. Same old. Working, the cafe, all that shit. How about you?"
"I've just been chillin at the nightclubs and working, you know me," she responds with a laugh. She works as a cosmetologist at the salon downtown, but the nightclub she usually goes to in her free time (Electric Auras) is next to the Wells Fargo Center, where all the entertainment goes down.
"Wanna come over tomorrow? There's an event going on at the club; some laser light show," she asks.
"Oh hell yeah. What time?" I ask.
"5:00 PM."
"Perfect. I'll be there. See you tomorrow."
"See you girl."
YOU ARE READING
Fantasy (A Bruno Mars Fanfiction)
FanfictionAmber Sage Romano is an adventurous young woman from Philadelphia who has a deep love for music. During this time period, growing pop star sensation Bruno Mars skyrockets into stardom and takes over the charts, much to the attention and newfound del...
