The Perfect Song

Chapter 1

author's note: First story so comments and suggestions are welcome. just setting the scene, next chapter is more exciting we promise. (;

   The rain was splattering down in icy sheets, soaking through my thin t-shirt and jeans, all thanks to my dollar store umbrella which was currently flipped upside down from the violent gusts of wind. Seeing as there was no use to my umbrella, I ditched it and ran as fast as I could, already ten minutes late for work. Finally the Coffee Bean’s familiar wooden door came into view.

   Opening the door I’m immediately welcomed to the familiar scent of freshly grounded coffee and sweet pastries. Unfortunately, I’m also greeted by the sight of Ryan’s stern face. “You are so fired. This is the third time this month.”

 “Ryan, I’m so so sorry. There was this family thing…”

“Delilah, there are only so many excuses I can put up with.”

“I know. It won’t happen again. I really need this job. Besides, you know you’d miss me if I left. There wouldn’t be anyone here to annoy you every day,” I say with a slight grin.

“Yeah yeah enough just get to work”, he sighs, but I see a hint of a smirk on his face so I know he must not be too mad at me.

Having worked here for a few years now, I can tell when Ryan is joking around or not and when to push his buttons or leave him alone. All in all, he’s a pretty cool boss.

I quickly go in the back and put on my uniform, the signature Coffee Bean hat and apron. I look in the mirror noticing how the hat flattens my now damp brown hair that’s waving down my waist, and quickly wipe the rain smeared mascara from under my green eyes. Scowling as I do, I realize how unflattering this uniform looks on me. Another reason this job sucks, besides the fact that it’s a total snooze fest, seeing as we only get a handful of customers during the week. I see this job as a way to pay for the only chance out of the small town of Beacon Falls, Connecticut, a whole whopping population of 6,049 people with cookie cutter personalities and homes. The one thing I do like about this job is that it gets me away from home.

My Aunt and Uncle, if one could even call them that since they don’t even treat me like family, are the main reason I want to leave this town. After the incident, when Julia and Mark took me in when I was only nine, it started off fine until they realized I would never be as perfect as their daughter, Crystal, A.K.A the blonde devil in high heels and obnoxious red lipstick. The only semi decent member of the family I can tolerate is Trevor, their thirteen year old son. He usually just ignores me, and leaves me alone.

I’m pulled out of my thoughts by the all too familiar noise of the coffee machine once again breaking. “Not again! I groan, rushing over to the machine. “Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. Ryan is going to kill me”. My hands start to shake from my nervousness because even though I hate this job I desperately need it. Anna, my fellow barista, comes to the rescue expertly stopping the sputtering noise. Anna seems to always be cleaning up my messes and she’s super responsible and timely.

I don’t get why she doesn’t have a boyfriend, with her long wavy auburn hair and cute button nose. She’s flawless.

“One day you’ll finally figure out this machine. You know you can do other things besides singing”, she smirks.

“I doubt it.” I grumble under my breath. “I’m pretty sure my participation in open mic night is the only reason Ryan keeps me around. I don’t plan on making espressos for the rest of my life Anna”.

“The way you sing is enough to keep anyone around. It brings in a lot of our customers on Friday night.”

“If you say so…” I laughingly reply to Anna.