An Unusual Story

Coffee and Cuties

"So how's algebra two?" Carlie asked as we entered Starbucks.

"Easier than geometry." I said, with a small chuckle. I failed geometry my Sophomore year, and made the mistake of not taking an online class over the summer. I had to retake it my junior year with a bunch of Freshmen. "Alright, what do you want? I'll pay."

"Emma, no!"she exclaimed, rummaging through her bag. "You seriously have to stop paying for me, I probably owe you enough to buy a yacht." after some digging, she pulled out four dollars.

"Think of it as a present from me to you for getting through the first day." I said to her as we approached the cash register.

"Ugh, that's what you say every time." she groaned.

I guess we came at a slow hour, because there was only one guy working, so he would be both making the drinks and taking the orders. After he handed someone their drink, he returned to the cash register.

"Hello, what can I get you guys?" he asked us, giving us an irresistible smile. He almost reminded me of Julian, but this guy was actually noticing me. I checked out his nametag, which said 'Duncan'.

"I'll have a grande passion fruit tea lemonade. Sweetened, please." Carlie ordered.

"Name, please?" he asked her. Carlie told him her name, and he quickly jotted it down on the side of the cup.

"And for you?" he looked over to me, smiling again. I have to admit, Duncan is definitely nice to look at. But he's definitely not Julian.

"A grande caramel macchiato, please." I placed my order.

"Iced or hot?" he asked me. "and your name." I honestly would have gotten it iced, but I felt the need to make an impression. I wanted him to remember me.

"Emma, and make it hot." I said. Duncan raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Well, that's different, Emma." he said, writing my name down. "That'll be $7.65." he said after ringing us up. I handed him eight dollars, and dumped my change in the tip jar. Duncan went over to make our drinks. Carlie and I took a seat at the table, but I couldn't get my mind off of the cute barista.

"Carlie, give me a dollar." I asked, as I took a sharpie or from my bag.

"Oh, so now you want me to pay." she said sarcastically, pulling a dollar from out of her pocket. I quickly wrote down my number and my first name, preparing myself to hand it to Duncan. "You're gonna give him your number?"

"He's kind of cute, so yeah." I could tell that Carlie was somewhat against this, since she's been shipping Julian and I since day one.

"A passion fruit tea lemonade for Carlie." Duncan called out. Carlie got up and took her drink, thanking Duncan.

"Caramel macchiato for Emma." he called out moments after. I got up from the table and grabbed my drink from his hand, my skin brushing against his. Before he could walk away, I held the dollar out. Duncan smiled, taking the dollar.

"I don't normally get any numbers from patrons. Especially not on dollar bills." he began, reading my number. He smiled, laughing a little. "And now I won't be able to spend this dollar, otherwise your number would be everywhere."

"Oh." that was literally all I could say. I've been shot down before, but I've never put myself out there like this. "I can take it back, if you want."

"Nah, I'll keep it." he said after examining the bill further. "But give me your cup for a moment." at his request, I handed him my macchiato. Duncan wrote something under my name and handed it back. When I saw what he wrote, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and happiness all at once.

"You're giving me your number?" I asked, looking at the number again to make sure it was real.

"Don't think I'd let a cute girl like you slip out of my fingers." he said. "I'll see you around, sunshine." I smiled, before Carlie and I began heading for the exit. However, Carlie bumped into someone who I wouldn't have expected to see after school.

"Oh hey, Julian!" she exclaimed, greeting the man who made it hard for me to breathe properly.

"Hey Carlie." he smiled sweetly. "Hey there, Emma."

"Hi Julian." I replied. I could feel my face getting hot. I mean, it was Julian Hayes standing right in front of me! I'm here getting all flustered while Carlie is constantly looking back at me, then back at Julian.

"Julian, I'm here!" I heard a voice from outside. That's when I realized who's voice it was.

"Oh, hi Nicki." my tone was dull, but I offered a small smile.

"Hey Emma.", she greeted me with her usual valley girl voice. "Julian's tutoring me."

"Oh, cool." I said. I didn't think it was cool, but Nicole Ramsey truly was stupid. She'd called 'stupid Nicki' for a reason. She'd need all the tutoring she could get. "Well, Carlie and I have to go. See you tomorrow." while Carlie said goodbye, I darted out of there and into the drivers side of my car. Carlie opened the door a few seconds later.

"So you'll give your number to a hot barista, but you still get jealous of Julian tutoring stupid Nicki?" Carlie laughed.

"Yeah, I will get jealous after giving my number to a hot barista." I said, driving away from the Starbucks. "I mean, he's tutoring stupid Nicki. I'm not afraid."

"At least she actually does need the tutoring." Carlie said. Just at that moment, Stay With Me by Sam Smith began playing on the radio. I sighed, as the first person on my mind was the one and only Julian Hayes.

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So there's Duncan! He's a male barista who's a bit flirty, hence him smirking every two seconds and calling her sunshine. Thanks for reading, I hoped you liked it!