a cup of coffee

water

katherine
working at starbucks wasn't my ideal job at all. the sound of yells from my boss and the pressure that each costumer gave me can already kill me internally. i remember when i was younger, i have dreamt of working in a studio, a pen and paper infront of me, and a guitar in my hand.

musician. i've always wanted to experiment tunes and melody, as what my mother says. i've always wanted to connect to everyone through my songs. but somehow, i ended up at the wrong place.

i sometimes ponder. what would happen right now if i chose the right way? would i be on the spotlight, selling my greatest singles, or would i just end up hopeless and work here in starbucks?

then my stomach started to kill my mood with its pain. realization hit me that i didn't take my lunch. stupid me. i clutched my stomach as i try my best to act normal. working on my red days are not the best situations at all. i can be a sweet little princess to a big scary monster at any time.

"kat," eliza's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. i looked at her as her eyes flew to the direction pass me. "costumer."

i looked back, ready to put my fake smile when i caught glance of the person infront of me. may i say, goddess.

standing in front of me is a handsome, perfect guy. he had his hair perfectly styled with his teeth biting his bottom lip which made him look more hot. he stretched a little bit which may have gave me a sneak peak of his abs. luckily, before even embarrassing myself, i was able to catch my own attention and focused my work.

"i want a cup of coffee." that's when my smile turned into a frown.

"what kind of coffee?" i asked, hoping he would answer back properly.

"coffee." he smirked at me. i ran my hair in frustration as i asked him one more time.

"what kind of coffee?" this time, i asked him sternly.

"a coffee." i was about to protest when he went to the tables and sat. he gave me a sly smile before looking back to his phone.

"jesus christ why do i still have to cope up with this ignorant people?" i said as i stomped my foot walking towards the back.

"eli, this idiot wants fucking coffee. just fucking coffee." i screamed at her.

"then make him coffee." she stated.

"and plus, he was so hot." she said as she gazed at him who is still waiting for his coffee. how i feel so sorry for her. she doesn't know his real and true personality. beautiful face but an ugly heart.

i started to do my job still frustrated from what happened. then a light bulb hit me. i started doing the same routine, but added more water so that makes it so bland. just like his personality.

i started placing the cup of coffee on the tray and walked towards his direction. now, i'm the one who has the smirk on the face.

placing the cup in front of him, i walked back to the cashier when i heard that idiot's loud groan.

"what the heck, this is not my order!" he screamed at me as he took some tissue to wipe his mouth.

"and it's freaking bland." he protested.

"just like you." i rolled my eyes and gave him a deathful glare.

then suddenly, he grabbed my arm and pulled me near him. that's when i felt my knees go weak. our eyes contacted for so long. his eyes twinkling and his signature move: biting his bottom lip.

then i remembered what's happening right now. shit.

"do you think i would let you go that fast?" he stood up which made me realize that he is actually very tall. seems ideal for me.

jesus christ kat you should stop that act.

"stop talking like i'm the one who started the fight." i pulled myself away from his grasp.

"oh i'm sorry miss liar. looks like you caught everyone's attention already." now everyone's looking at us. me.

"you shouldn't have been a bitch to me a while ago." i stated.

"you shouldn't have added lots of water on my coffee."

"it's obviously your fault."

"what the hell."

"give me the money for the coffee and your ugly personality."

"why would i give money to someone like you?"

"because i deserve it?"

"you-"

"not m-"

"guys, stop!"

jack, who is also a worker here finally stopped the argument. i sighed in defeat as the guy who hasn't even said his name sat down.

"usual, bro?" jack asked. the guy nodded as i went back to the cashier.

"wow, i went through all those stuffs just to find out that you both know each other." i looked at jack as he is doing his stuffs.

"and you know what's his usual order." i ran my hands to my hair.

"and that stupid argument was just a waste of time." i took a deep breath.

"look, i can't believe you just had a fight with the hottest guy my eyes just laid on. why did you do that?" eliza complained. i just shrugged my shoulders before focusing my attention back to the costumer in front of me.

after a few hours, my shift is almost done. the store is about to close 15 minutes by now and the guy that i just had a fight is still here. for your information, he stayed here from the fight until late 9 pm in the evening.

"you should actually know that he's actually a nice person." jake laid his body at the counter.

"i knew it!" eliza shouted but soon lowered her voice.

"nice? i doubt that." i raised my eyebrows as i looked at the guy. his attention is mostly at the laptop in front of him while wearing headphones.

"he's probably in a bad mood for today. probably too much pressure from his work." jack shrugged.

"what's his job?" eliza asked immediately.

"lead singer in a band with his brothers." pretty much sums up why he is wearing headphones. i guess.

"really? i love singers! they..." she started gushing which leaves me focusing my attention to the guy. his eyebrows furrowed and his pulling his hair already since a while ago.

"...riley mcdonough."

riley. suits him.

in all honesty, i think i like him. there's something in him that made me click into him. it can either be his looks or his personality. the argument we had a while ago didn't even bother me because i feel like he has that good personality that's hiding somewhere.

"... don't you think he's cute?" eliza caught my attention.

"guys this is too awkward to talk about. let's just clear things up." jake said, starting to take off his apron as i did also.

"you're just jealous because you still haven't encountered a beautiful girl here." she started teasing him as she stood up.

"i can hear you guys." a voice echoed in the room. i stopped what i'm doing and turned around. our eyes met each other again.

"i'm sorry for letting you guys wait for me." riley said, clutching the strap of his laptop bag.

"oh, it's not a problem." eliza chimed in directly. he gave her a smile which made her giggle in glee.

i took my backpack with me, ready to go home when he suddenly called me. i turned around and saw him walking towards my direction.

"can i drive you home," he asked.

"what, to continue the argument?" i said opening the door.

"maybe apologize." i looked at him, shocked with what he said. maybe he wasn't that mean at all.

"okay."