My Newsie Best Friend

Work

Bre's POV

As soon as I stepped over the threshold, the delicious smell of a roasted blend hit me. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. The smell of coffee was just as good as the taste. I stepped behind the counter and set my stuff in the back.

"Hey Bre, what can I get for you?" My friend Jasmine greeted me. Jasmine was a few years older than me, and had the best advice. She was a tall brunette that wore too much makeup and knew everything about boys.

"I'll take a large caramel latte and an espresso scone, please." I smiled back. "Alright, that'll be $4.75." I handed her a $5 bill and told her to keep the change. I love caramel in my coffee. It was a great combination.

I headed to the back and set my laptop bag and keys in my usual place. I headed up front, tying my apron on as I walked. "Hey Jas," I smiled, "what's the special for today?" I asked. "Strawberry-Lemon Smoothie." She replied.

I wrinkled my nose at it. I wasn't a huge fan of strawberry she laughed at me. "So how've you been?" She asked. "Eh. I've really been missing Nick lately, but I doubt you wanna hear about boys." I teased. She loved the subject.

"No, no. Tell me more." She pleaded, a huge grin spread across her face. I giggled. "Fine. I've just been thinking about Nick a lot." I sighed. "I don't blame you, girl! He's been gone, what? Two years?" She scoffed.

"I did see him briefly three months ago..." I tried to be optimistic. Jasmine just raised her eyebrow in suspicion. "I miss the old days. When we hung out every day." I downcast my eyes, then sorrowfully glanced at the door.

A customer came up, interrupting our conversation. Jas went to take her order while I stationed myself, ready to make the drink. Making drinks wasn't my favorite thing to do, but I'd rather do it than any other job in the world (other than acting, but that wasn't going to happen any time soon).

I prepared the elderly lady's drink, but my mind wasn't there. My mind was on the day I found this shop. Ive loved coffee as long as I could remember, and Nick and I were always looking for new places.

When we stumbled upon this tiny coffee house, we were hooked. We went there every Saturday, taking turns paying. Our weekly excursions ended once he got into Newsies, though...

Jasmine's POV

Ugh. None of the customer's left a tip so far today. Was I not being cheery enough? I thought my smile was rather convincing! I didn't like working in this coffee shop, but I didn't have enough money to do what I wanted.

All my life, I'd wanted to move away. Move anywhere but New York. Sadly, minimum wage was not going to get me away. Sure, it was fun to have Bre here, but she was a few years younger than me and we didn't have a lot in common.

I quickly spotted an old lady who had ordered the black coffee, and made my way over. I was careful not to spill the mug. Bre had filled it a little to full, and she would surely hear about it later.

The woman smiled sweetly as went to set her drink down. I was a centimeter away from the cup being flat on the table, but it tipped. The black substance ran all over the table and soaked the lady's lap, probably burning her too.

I winced at my mistake. I always seemed to mess up here... I hurried away to grab a handful of napkins. She left in a rush, but I felt awful. I had offered her another coffee, but she made a rude remark of 'you'd probably just spill that one on me too!'

My life was a wreck.