Cheeky

№ 7. Jaffa Love

It was about one o'clock when our shift ended, and Josie walked in right as the minute hand struck. She had long, glossy locks of black hair that fell around her waist and wore bright red shorts that cut off just short of her bottom, with a yellow blouse tucked in. Ankle length laced shoes colored white decorated her feet and she slipped off a pair of tortoiseshell Ray Bans, revealing a set of pretty blue eyes. She had a light rose colored flush to her fair complexion and walked in quietly, slinging her satchel on the end of the counter.

"Hi Nick."

Nick spun on his heel happily; his mood had sky rocketed once I welcomed in a few fifty customers, and I smiled to myself in triumph. That's what's up.

"Hey Josie! We've had a great morning run, ready for the rest of the day?"

"Yeah," she nodded, a small curl of her lips fleeting for a moment until she looked down, and then to me.

"Oh, this is Rachel. Our newest addition," Nick shot a thumb in my direction.

I waved from the side, hoping I looked friendly. Josie did that weird smile of hers again and then looked down, again. Alright, not the talkative type I see. I turned to Nick as I wiped away the small spills of espresso on the coffee machine's tray, "So what are you doing after work?"

"I think I'll go get a bite to eat," He started to untie his apron.

I swallowed, "That sounds nice, um, would you mind helping me find a cellphone store?"

Nick smirked as he walked into the back room, calling out, "Sure. You don't have a phone?"

"No, I still don't have one since I got here. And it's been a couple of days, still haven't called my mom."

"You're telling me that you didn't have a phone in America?"

Nick came back out, a black V-neck in place, different form the navy tee he wore before. That means he changed. And by changed, he took of his shirt. And by took off his shirt, he was naked. Well - half naked, but nonetheless, shirtless and baring chest to all. Still counts. Yummy.

I cleared my throat, forcing my mind to get back on topic, "Well, yeah I did. What's your point?"

"You don't need to get a new cellphone. Just get another service switched here, you can still use your old phone."

My eyes widened at his logic and I mentally face-palmed - smart. Funny how I got a pre-med scholarship but can't figure out a simple phone plan. My brain cells must be dying off rom the lack of sunlight in this damn country.

"Oh, well then nevermind," I waved a hand and continued cleaning.

Nick came next to me, putting away spare straws, and glanced in my direction, "Do you want to join me for lunch?"

I didn't look at him, but smiled, letting my inner self do a little dance, "Uh, yeah, sure."

"Alright, then let's go now. You've got this right, Josie?"

We both looked up to see Josie still behind the counter, watching us. She nodded, and then disappeared into the back room with a stone face. My eyebrows merged together in a weirded out expression, wondering if Josie was the type to build secret shrines and steal locks of hair off of people.

Nick gave a sheepish grin, "She's shy."

"Right," I concluded, taking off my apron and grabbing my bag off the floor by the back room door. Josie was inside, sat on a rickety chair texting someone. I waved in her direction but seeing as she didn't respond, I called out a "Bye" to her instead. Josie looked up, the hair covering her eyes with shoulders slumped, giving me something of a mutant cross between a grimace and a remote form of a smile. The hairs on my neck stood up and I backed away slowly, fearful of what 'Josie' could do, if she was even a Josie to begin with.