Walmart ⇒ L.H.

02-Venus

*all Venus parts are written by katie, aka @fabhemmings*

Chapter Two

Monday

The little bell tinkles happily above my head as I enter Killingsworth Cafe. I inhale the sweet vanilla smell, letting it wash over me for a moment. I make my way through the semi-busy shop, towards the counter on the back wall.

There are about 4 people in line, but Chanel still manages to smile at me in way of greeting from behind the register. Somehow, she never gets flustered by customers, and can always keep her cool. I envy that. I smile back, but she's already turned back to the next person in line.

A couple customers are scattered at the few tables near the tall windows, with a laptop or book alongside their coffee or pastry.

Pushing through the employees door next to the counter, I hang my bag on the coat rack outside the break room. I lift the chocolate brown apron with my name printed on it over my head, and am reaching behind my back about to tie the strings when

"Venus, hey!" Jake says, walking out of the break room smiling, his apron already on. "Hold on, I'll get it."

He steps behind me, tying the strings in a bow for me.

"Thanks."

"No problem. Ready to go?" He holds out his left hand, and I nod and slap it in our usual high-five.

He smiles and leads the way to the counter, and the hectic afternoon shift of 3pm-8pm.

Don't ask me why anyone's choice of a drink on a 90 degree humid summer afternoon would be an iced caffienated beverage, but they pay for it which pays me. So I don't judge. At least they're not paying that Lava Java place for their crap coffee.

However, my mind during this shift was not on lattes and frappucinos, but on the boy from Walmart, Luke I think his name was, in the black clothes with the lip ring. And his number in my pocket.

I can't imagine bringing him home to my parents, and what they would say. He seemed so, punk. So different.

But then again, I shouldn't imagine bringing him home because it was probably just a joke, right? Him and his dumb friends, waiting to see if the ugly shy girl will call or not, will bite onto their little prank.

Something makes me want to believe that there was no prank in that. Maybe I'll call that number.

What bad can it do?

I decide to at least make his contact in my phone, so I don't have to worry about losing the slip of paper. I excuse myself from the Frappucinno machine on a bathroom break, and slip my phone from my purse on the way. In the small bathroom, I create his contact.

Walmart Luke - 1-413-537-8***

I click save and slide my phone in my pocket, deciding that's all I'm prepared to do with the number right now.

As I exit the bathroom and resume my position, I can't help a small smile escape my lips from the thought of the contact now in my phone.

About 20 iced frappes, 5 iced lattes, and someone who seriously wanted 1 hot coffee later, the shop was finally feeling a bit dead.

I feel eyes on me and attach them to the blond head of Jake. He's standing at one of the registers, looking over at me.

"Venus? Break in 5, wanna do the usual?" he asks.

I put down the latte cups I was becoming bored with stacking. "Yeah, of course. Is Chanel coming?"

Jake just shrugs and hops up on the counter. "Dunno."