The Romeo Problem

Michael's Bakery

It was Saturday, Juliet's first day of work at Michael's Bakery. Julie rode her bike a couple of streets over to the bakery.

Juliet was shocked to see how empty the bakery was. Usually it was full of people. Everyone in Locking Grove loved their little bakery. It was completely empty.

Molly exited the kitchen. "Oh good you're here!"

"Yeah I'm here. Where's everyone else? This place is pretty empty." Julie asked.

"Oh you didn't hear? The sweet shop across town is having party to celebrate twenty-five years of business. That's where everyone is. It should be a pretty calm day." Molly informed her. She led Juliet back behind the bakery display cases.

"How many people are working today?" Julie questioned curiously.

"Right now there's just three of us including you, but Zack was supposed to show up half an hour ago. Zack's always late."

Molly went on to explain what to do to Julie. Julie had to make drinks if someone asked for coffee or hot chocolate or something like and had to reach in the display cases to get baked goods. Then Julie would ring up their order.

"If you have any questions just ask. I'll be in the back room doing an inventory count." Molly smiled and left.

Juliet waited for a customer to show up. Molly was right. It was a pretty calm day. It was too calm.

"Hey, gorgeous." Julie heard a familiar voice say right next to her.

"Cameron, what do you want?"

"I'm as bored as you are." Romeo told her honestly.

"Can I ask you a question?" Julie asked.

Romeo shrugged. "Go for it."

"You moved out of town, but this bakery never closed. Did you sell it or something?" Julie was curious. If they sold it then someone must have sold it back to them.

"Nope we've owned it for years. We just had some friends take care of it while we were away."

"How long have you worked here anyway?" Julie hated the fact that she was curious about Romeo.

"I don't know. Since I was seven, I think." Romeo tried to remember.

"That's pretty young. I'm pretty sure that you can't legally work that young here."

"Well it's a family business. I used to come here with my dad and help him out. It's not like I was doing real work or anything at that age. Usually I would help clean dishes or something that I already knew how to do at home. My dad is the whole reason why I became interested in cooking." Romeo reminisced.

They way he talked about his dad made Julie think that he wasn't around anymore. Romeo lived with his uncle instead of his parents. What had happened to them? Julie decided that it would be to personal to ask.

A bell snapped Julie out of her thoughts. There was a bell above the door that signaled that a customer was entering the bakery.

Two teenagers about their age had entered. The boy was slightly taller than average height and had messy blond hair. He was wearing a yellow shirt that said, Mischief Managed in black letters. The girl was shorter than him but still fairly tall. She had blond hair that had a streak of blue and eyes that matched.

"Can you tell us where the nearest gas station is? We're from a couple towns over but we ran out of gas. We're just getting back from a concert." The girl said.

Julie nodded. "Go the rest of the way down the street and turn right."

"Thanks," The boy turned to the girl and said "Lilly, as long as we're here we might as well get something to eat."

The girl, Lilly, nodded. "I was thinking the exact same thing."

"Could we get two cups of hot chocolate, please?" The boy asked. Julie nodded and turned to the hot drink machine but Romeo had already beat her to it. He set the cups at the counter as the two customers scanned the display case.

"Luke, I bet I can guess what you want." Lilly smiled at the boy.

Luke grinned. "How about this. I'll order for you and you order for me."

"You're on!"

Julie smiled at the couple. They seemed to be flirting with each other. She had to admit is was pretty cute.
Romeo glanced at her. A faint red tint spread across his face.

"Okay, Luke would like one of those mint brownies, please." The girl ordered. Luke nodded. She had clearly gotten it right. Julie slid open the display case and reached for the requested treat.

"And Lilly would like a red velvet cupcake." The boy ordered. The girl seemed happy with his choice. The two appeared to be very close.

Julie decided to tease them just like the girl at the movie theater had teased her and Romeo.

As she got out the cupcake she said, "You two make a pretty cute couple." Julie heard Romeo snort next to her, remembering where that line had come from.

The smile on the boy's face faltered immediately after Julie said that. His tone was some what disappointed as he told them the truth.

"We're just friends." He said. The girl didn't notice his change in tone at all and instead paid for the snacks and sat at a table. Julie made the right change and was overall pretty happy with how well she handled her first customers.

"Good job with your first customers, although I'm pretty sure that one dude could have done without that last comment." Romeo complimented her.

Julie smiled slightly, but she didn't want to give Romeo any satisfaction. "You know that I can make hot chocolate myself, right?" Julie changed the subject.

"I know. I just thought it would be faster if I helped out. Besides I was pretty bored." Romeo admitted. So he didn't think she was so incompetent that she couldn't poor a hot drink.

"You're pretty fast with that machine, you know." Julie decided to compliment Romeo.

"Well I have worked her for a long time." Romeo smirked.

"How come you're a dishwasher then?" Julie asked as she watched the door for customers. The two friends who had come through were still sitting at a table. They were laughing and seemed to be enjoying themselves.

"Dishwasher is just my official title. I do other stuff too." Romeo told his crush as he tried to sound somewhat impressive.

"Oh really?" Julie raised an eyebrow at him.

"Really," Romeo told her. They went quiet for a bit. Julie had to admit that it probably wouldn't be to bad to work with him.

Still there was something that was bothering her. It was about Romeo's family. She didn't want to straight up ask him anything more about it but she was very curious. Maybe she would have to do a little research when she got home.