Just A Boy (ON HOLD)

Chapter 5

***Chapter 5***

I put on my apron and went out to the front of the café. I had literally sprinted from band practice to the shop so I would be on time. The familiar aroma of coffee filled my nose and I went to behind one of the tills.

The café was quite small with a few small booths and tables and the main feature being the glass cabinet in front of the tills that was filled with homemade cakes and pastries. On the wall behind where I stood were several large boards with the prices and specials.

It was only a small coffee shop that was mainly frequented by children after school and a few people around lunchtime. This might’ve been one of the busiest days and there were only a handful of people in the shop.

A short girl came to stand next to me; she had dark brown hair that was dip-dyed at the end and large brown eyes. Her skin was naturally dark; I would’ve assumed she was probably not from around here. I had never seen her before in the shop so I assumed she was the new girl. I turned to face her and she smiled back at me.

“Hi I’m Laila.” She said loudly.

“I’m Katie.” I replied.

“Oh I think I was supposed to meet you yesterday.” She said smirking.

“Yes, but I couldn’t make it.” I told her.

“I know.” She finished with yet another smirk before disappearing off through the staff door.

I didn’t like her already, I think first impressions are very important and she sure made an impression. Her cockiness made her hard to like, as if she thought she was above me because I forgot to come in to work. I turned to face the customer who had just walked up to the counter and smiled. This was going to be a long shift.

***

Emma was sat on one of the staff room benches and I smiled apologetically at her as I saw her. I hung my apron up and picked up my bag as she stood up.

“Sorry I kept you waiting.” I said as we walked out the front door, the little bell chimed above our heads.

“It’s fine, it gave me a chance to talk to Laila.” She said.

“What did you think of her?” I asked interested.

“Well let’s just say I don’t see us becoming best friends in the near future.” She said bitterly.

I frowned, it was hard for Emma not to like someone, the one thing that kept her going was being friends with new people.

“What did she say?” I caught on to what she was hinting at.

“She told me my hair clashed with my top!” Emma said incredulously. “Do I look like I care if my hair clashes with my top? Anyway she’s one to talk, did you see her hair?” Emma nearly shouted in frustration.

“I know, I know, I didn’t like her either.” I tried to reassure her.

“So what happened when you met her?” she asked shooting me a knowing look.

Emma and I were very similar, if one of us didn’t like someone chances were the other wouldn’t either. Emma seemed to hate Laila so she probably thought we were like worst enemies already.

I recounted the tale of how we met and she felt the same way as me, Laila was way too sure of herself.

We were nearing my house when I walked a few paces ahead of Emma.

“Careful it’s slippy.” I warned too late and a second later I heard a bump behind me.

I spun round and saw Emma splatted out on the floor looking murderous. I held my breath trying not to laugh but failed miserably and burst out laughing straight away. I clutched my stomach which hurt because I was laughing so much and tried to steady myself, but stood on a bit of ice and before I realised what was happening my feet had gone up in front of me and my bum pulled me back down to earth.