The Reason it Happened

Chapter 6

Once I see Ian come through the Chesapeake's door I am relieved. This means there are only three more hours until we close, just three more hours until I can start my weekend. And, now, Fallan can go home. She's been awfully chatty today, as per usual.

"Hey, Fallan. Hey, Sonny." Ian says as he's washes his hands.

"Hi, Ian", I say cheerfully. "Fallan can you do one final lobby check before you clock out?"

"Sure." She grabs a rag and begins cleaning the tables in the cafe.

"So, how was your first week, girl?" Ian asks over enthusiastically, pushing my arm as he passes by.

Ian is one of my favorite coworkers. He's always in good spirits, and he's diligent. I don't have to remind him that we're here to work, like I have to with Fallan. His playful attitude makes the time go faster. He's cute, but if I didn't know better I'd think he was gay.

"Well, I still have all of my limbs, so I don't think it went too bad," I joked. "How was yours?"

He tells me about his classes, but I'm distracted when this sexy Arabian guy walks towards with the cash register. Ian is quicker than I am, he reaches the register first. I listen for his drink request, and began making it before his receipt is printed.

I grab a medium cup and the ingredients for a white chocolate frappuccino. I pour eight ounces of milk into the blender and added the rest of contents inside. I pressed the number 2 on the blender, and waited for it to finish mixing.

Then, I decorated the inside of the cup with white chocolate syrup to add a special touch. Once the blender stopped I poured the frap into the adorn cup, and topped it with whipped cream.

I stared at my creation with pride. Just as I was about to call the drink out the Arabian dad startles me.

"Looks Good!", he compliments.

"Thanks," I respond, catching my breath. "Here you go."

He plants a straw in the center of the whip cream and sips with his tantalizing lips. He is wearing a tan bucket hat that cover his eye, but I'm only focused on his mouth. His smirk is confirmation that he likes the beverage, but he affirms my theory once he turns around.

"Tastes better." He says as he exits the cafe.

The store isn't busy. It's Friday and not many students are on campus. So by the time 3:50 rolls around Ian and I have practically cleaned and organized the entire shop.

"I'm going to take the rest of these dishes to the back." Ian says.

I nod in acknowledgement and continue to clean the pastry display case. Once I check my phone and see its 4:02, I lock the cafe doors. We are officially closed.

Ian washes dishes while I count our daily sales and calculate our profits. He's rapping along to Bad and Boujee, never missing a beat. We both clock out at 4:29, a minute earlier than scheduled. We walk out the door, exchange goodbyes, and go our separate ways.

***

"SOARING! FLYING! THERE'S NOT A STAR IN HEAVEN THAT WE CAN'T REACH!"

My senses are taking in all that is happening as I walk in the dorm. I smell dinner being cooked; the scent of grilled chicken fills my nostrils. I can hear the chicken sizzling in the pan, but my friends are louder. Their obnoxious rendition of High School Musical's "Breaking Free" won't escape my eardrums.

Lainey is twirling around the living room in her robe singing her heart out, while Emma and Aubree are cooking in the kitchen. Aaliyah is on top of the couch holding a water bottle as if it's a microphone singing along to the words on the television screen.