Who Run the World? Girls.

10 - What the Hell

It was two days after Chloe and Beca had moved in together, and she had really settled in. She had finally managed to find herself a job at the local cafe, where she had always popped in for a refill during her time at college. Because of this, she was familiar with the manager, who was more than happy to take her on when she applied for the work when the vacancy for a barista opened.
She was due to start the following day, which turned out to be very convenient because it allowed Beca to spend some time alone with Jesse. Chloe had no problem with this, as long as they came in near the end of her shift so she could buy them all a coffee.
"That's a great idea, actually," Beca commented after Chloe made the demand. "And we are going out in the evening. That's final, no arguments."
"Sure. I need to let my hair down a bit. I haven't been clubbing in so long," Chloe said, realising that the last time she'd been clubbing was the night they had won the World Championships.
And that was too long of a time ago. She'd been deprived of her Jiggle Juice.
"Well, that's settled. Wanna coffee?" Beca asked, standing up from the sofa.
Chloe nodded and sat back, staring out of their large window as the sky began to transform into a deep shade of purple. The move had given her a burst of happiness, but the thought of her awkward attempt at a music career played on her mind all the time. Chloe was lost on what to do next, but she figured working at the cafe was a start. She hadn't told Beca anything of it, though, knowing it would ruin her joy, so she was keeping it in until the moment was right.
The last thing she wanted to do was make Beca upset, because she couldn't bare seeing her like that. An unhappy Beca made an unhappy Chloe.
"You lookin' like you're in some deep thought, Chlo. What's up?" Beca asked, placing the two mugs onto their newly bought coffee table and sitting across from her.
Chloe grinned. "Nothing at all. I just can't get my head around how awesome this place is," she said naturally, because after all, that's exactly how she felt when she forgot about the hardships of her life.

***

It took Chloe a while to adapt to the fact that she was wearing an apron and was serving people coffee. It was hard to keep up with it all. Cappuccino after cappuccino, Americano after Americano; the orders came and she whizzed around the counter producing the drinks to satisfy the customers' needs. Luckily for her, she was a quick learner and was able to to be from the watchful eye of her new boss, Tim, just after an hour of his guidance.
Then she was left alone on the till while he retreated to the back room to resume his "paperwork".
It was quite a busy day and Chloe was faced with a lot of work, but some time after two o'clock, it quietened down a little and she was able to breath more steadily.
An old lady approached the counter at that time, and Chloe truthfully smiled at her and said "Good Afternoon, ma'am. What can I get you today?"
"Hm... I think I'll go for a latte today, please," the lady replied. After a short pause where Chloe turned to start up the beverage, the lady asked "Are you new here, love?"
"Yes, it's my first day. How did you know?" Chloe said in bewilderment.
"I come here every day for my coffee after church meetings. It's nice to see a fresh pair of hands round here, though."
"Well, I'm happy to help. So if you need anything, just give me a shout," Chloe said, handing the lady her latte.
"Thanks, dear. I will do," the old lady smiled, before trotting over to a small table near the window.
The rest of the day ran pretty smoothly and Chloe hadn't realised it was nearly the end of her shift when Beca turned up with Jesse. Chloe was wiping down a table at the time, and she looked up to see who had entered.
"Look who it is," she said as they walked in. She hurried over.
"Well, if it isn't the ginger. Who'd have thought you worked here?" Jesse joked. Chloe loved their banter.
"The ginger's got a disgusting cloth to hit you with if you're not careful," Chloe smirked back.
Jesse raised his arms in surrender before they hugged. They had become good friends after his first year at Barden.
Chloe glanced at Beca. "I'm not gonna hug you, because you smell," she teased.
Beca couldn't help but laugh. "I'll sue you on the first day of the job, so watch it, Beale."
"Go ahead. But you ain't getting your coffee," Chloe said, waving the cloth in the air as she approached the counter. "So what you having?"
"Mocha latte for me," Beca requested.
"I'll have an espresso, thanks. I'm paying," Jesse said, removing his wallet from his pocket.
Beca sat down on one of the free sofas as Jesse paid and Chloe started preparing the drinks.
"So did you have a good day?"
"Yeah, it's been really great," Jesse began, assuming his place on the couch next to his girlfriend. "We strolled around and talked mostly, but it was pleasant."
"God, you're such a romantic. It's all those films you watch," Beca said. "But yeah, it was nice."
"Aw, that's good to hear. How's LA?" Chloe asked, placing the cups down. Jesse enthusiastically told her all about his new job and his life in Los Angeles. Chloe listened intently, raising her eyebrows at Beca every so often when he said something surprising or interesting. She just smiled faintly every time. But then again, she'd probably heard it all before.
Chloe closed up the cafe not long after that, and the three of them returned to the apartment to get ready for the night ahead of them.