The Day Everything Changed

Chapter 1 - Starbucks and V-Neck Shirts

Usually waking up in the morning is a struggle for most people, but when you have an amazing job at Nandos, you can’t really complain. I get out of my now mess ridden bed and walk into the bathroom ready for my shower before changing into my work uniform. The black v neck t-shirt and black jeans makes it a lot easier to get used to. I tie my hair up into a messy bun and brush light make up over my skin for that natural look. Once I’m happy with that I make my way out of the door and towards Starbucks to start my day with my favourite coffee.

The 10 minute walk seems to fly by and I find myself walking into the blissful coffee filled store. My eyes search around the store, finding it a lot less packed than usual. I waltz up to the counter and smile at the barista.

“Can I please get a caramel macchiato with a cinnamon swirl?” I asked him politely.

“Sure,” he answered, “Can I get a size for that and your name please?

“Uh, grande please. Darcy.”

“Okay, coming right up.”

I smiled at him before turning on my heel and taking a seat at the nearest table. A short while later I hear my name being called. I stand up and make my way over to the barista.

“Caramel macchiato with a cinnamon swirl for Darcy?”

“That’s me,” I smiled taking the drink, “Thank you.”

He nodded at me and I turned to leave. Just as I turned and began to walk I came in contact with something hard. My coffee spills over my shirt, and luckily for the person I walked into, not over him. Typical of my luck.

“Oh, my goodness, are you okay? I’m so sorry! I really didn’t mean to! Let me buy you another one. Oh and another top of course, that one is totally drenched!”

I look up and immediately my eyes lock onto the male I walked into. He was incredibly attractive, so this wasn’t too bad after all.

“No, it’s fine, really.” I replied, beginning to wipe my shirt with a napkin I was given upon being served.

“No, it isn’t. Seriously, come.” He ushered grabbing my hand and pulling me back over to the counter. He asks the barista for his drink and then looks at me. I tell him my order, name and size of the drink I want then we make our way over to the table I was previously sat. I found out the guy I had walked into was called Liam. Liam was very good looking. He had a mop of light brown hair on his head, and chocolate brown eyes. He had a noticeable birth mark on his neck, which I thought looked quite cute. I was interrupted from my thoughts when Liam spoke.

“So, Darcy, where are you from?”

“I’ve lived here in L.A. my whole life,” I told him shrugging my shoulders. “What about you?”

“I’m from England, just visiting L.A. for a while.”

“Thought so, you know, the accent.” I mumbled as I glanced at my watch. A worried look flashed across my face.

“What is it?” Liam asked, noticing the look.

“I have to be at work soon.”

“I see. Well at least let me buy you a new top.”

“It’s okay, you really don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

“Okay then.”

Just then our names were called by the barista. We both stand up and Liam goes to the counter to collect our drinks. We exit starbucks and walk onto the busy street.

“Would you look at that: Hollister is just across the road. That certainly makes things easier.” Liam exclaimed pointing at the store.

“So it is.” I replied, smiling at him.

We walked across the road and into the store.

“Do you need one that looks similar to that?” Liam asked, pointing at my now coffee stained shirt.

“Yeah I do, it’s my work uniform.”

Liam nodded and walked ahead of me looking for a shirt similar to the one I currently wore.

“Where do you work then?” he asked me as he flicked through racks of clothes occasionally.

“I’m a waitress at Nandos.” I replied grabbing a black v-neck shirt from a rack on my right.

“That’s awesome, Nandos is one of my best friend’s favourite restaurants!” Liam turned around and looked at me, noticing the shirt in my hand. “Cool, you found one.” He smiled.

“Yep.”

“Let’s go pay for it.”

“Okay.”

We walked over to the counter and Liam took out his wallet as I placed the shirt down on it.

“Liam, you really don’t have to. I can pay for it, it’s enough you bought me another coffee.”

Liam sighed lightly and flicked his attention to me as he handed the cashier the money.

“Darcy, like I said before, I want to. It’s the least I can do after what happened.”

I smiled at him, as it was my turn to sigh a little. “Okay. Thanks Liam.”

“My pleasure.”

I wasn’t going to argue with him that he didn’t even need to buy me a new coffee let alone a new shirt, but it was how I felt. Oh well. The cashier gave Liam the shirt in a bag and he then passed it on to me. We walked out the shop and turned to face each other.

“I really should get to work now, but thank you so much.” I said to him looking down and fiddling with the straps of the bag.

“It’s fine, honestly. Hopefully I see you around?” Liam replied smiling at me as I looked back up at him.

“Yeah, hopefully. Bye, Liam.” I gave him a little wave which he returned and then I turned and walked in the direction of Nandos.