The Convincing Plan

Chapter 1: The Accidental Encounter

"Never underestimate the power of a first love."

You've probably heard this said before, but you might've just nodded and forgotten about what it truly means. Every time I think about the first person I have ever loved, my heart doesn't fill with excessive happiness and gratitude. Instead, there's overwhelming emotions of sadness and anger. Why would they treat me like that? After everything that we've been through together?

You might not have had your first love yet, so you probably don't understand. If you have, think long and hard about every disappointment that they put you through. If it doesn't ache deep down, at least you're finally over them.

I still don't understand the overwhelming power of "love." It feels good for a while, like a good high, but once you're sober again, you're hung over from despair. It sucks.

"Kristen, I need a vanilla latte. Make it iced."

I was lost in my own thoughts as my boss tapped her pencil on the table in front of me, demanding my attention. "Hello? Kristen? I know you're only an intern, but you need to stay on top of things."

College was already out for break, so I was doing extra hours as an intern at an office downtown. My boss isn't horrible, but she definitely isn't the best. She tapped her acrylic nails on my desk impatiently, waiting for my response.

"Oh, yeah, sure. I'll get it." I gave her a small smile and headed to the break room which held all the coffee machines.

"Morning, Kristen! How's it going? How's your sister? I haven't seen her in a little while." My coworker Jake, also my sister's serious boyfriend of three years, never fails to ask about my sister, Lola. I feel like I can find everyone someone else to love except for myself.

"It's going good. Lola is fine. She's probably just busy with work, you know how she gets." I walked straight over to the coffee machine, hitting the side of it. "Is this broken? Again?" I turned to ask Jake, but he had already left. Figures.

I sighed, looking around for seriously anyone else to ask. It's a shame I've been working here for almost eight months, and I still don't know how to fix the dang coffee machine.

With no other options, I grabbed my jacket and purse while walking out the door and into the elevator. Once the elevator brought me downstairs into the lobby of the office building, I spotted the coffee cart.

I walked over and stood in line, squinting to see the menu above the barista. Damn, I forgot to put my contacts in again. Of course I wasn't paying attention, and it was already my turn to order.

"Oh– umm.. One second," I hesitated and squinted, straining my eyes to make out the small letters above on the menu. I heard a lady groan behind me while tapping her foot impatiently. I mumbled "shit" to myself, and the barista crossed his arms.

"Are you going to order or not, Kris?"

My eyes widened at my name, and I quickly averted my attention to the barista in the brown apron. "I need an iced vanilla latte."

"Yeah. What size?"

"Medium." I kept my voice icy and cold while staring back at the guy in front of me. I know what you're thinking: 'oh it's her first love, duh.'

Yeah, well, you might want to think again. This guy is an asshole. "Alright," he said while opening the cash register, "$4.37 is your total."

I handed him a five dollar bill and got the change while slamming the coins forcefully into the tip jar. "Here's another tip for you," I said while keeping my tone flat, "Don't tell a girl you'll call and then don't."