nefelibata (n.) | ✔️

twenty-two.

Present. November 1st, 2018.

"Why don't you look ravishing!" Carson says as I walk into work. A snarky look is plastered on his face as I look down at myself in my new uniform. Which involved a hat. A. Hat.

"Shut it, Carl. I'm exhausted, and these new uniforms make me look like a failed comedian." I tried to beg my way out of wearing the hat but Lenny wasn't budging, and clearly, Carson had no success either.

As Carson slid the hat on and took his place in front of his beloved coffee machines, I took my own cracks at the way he looked even though he didn't look bad... at all.

"Why are you late?" He asks me, smirking as I roll my eyes.

"Why do you care?" I raised my eyebrow, grabbing a rag from the counter to wipe down the table.

"Stop acting like we aren't friends," Carson replies, frowning.

"Fine," I huffed, pulling a book out of my bag. "this book. It's addicting!" I handed it to him as a smile overtook his frown as he read the title.

He held my beloved copy of Wonder in his hands as I watched his reaction to it.

He smiled at me, "I read this about two years back. I know it's narrated by kids, but damn, I loved it so much."

"I know right! I love how it highlights multiple characters perspectives. Most books struggle with that, y'know?" He nods in agreement, handing my book back to me.

"You're a reader too? Damn, you're the perfect edgy nerd!" He exclaims, nudging my shoulder.

"Fu-Screw you, Carl." I laugh, holding in my cuss words for when I'm not in my Lenny's hearing range.

I shove my book back into my back and plop my back next to Carson's and heading to the front of the shop to scrub down dirty tables.

"Hey, scrubber!" Someone called from beside me, at one of the neighboring tables. I sighed before turning to face the music and shoving my rag into my waistband.

"Hey, how can I help you?" I said as I walked over to the booth, not bothering to look at them. Not to be rude, I just find eye contact a bit concerning for me. Once I finally did, I sighed as I watched Brooklyn whisper to her friend next to her. "Do you need something?" I ask, impatiently. Great! Brooklyn.

"Uh yeah, you're a coffee shop worker, get me some coffee." She rolled her eyes and continued her whisper.

I pulled out my notepad and made a loud choking sound, tapping my foot. "Well, hun, there are numerous coffee options on our menu so if you'd like some coffee you're going to have to tell me what kind. Not to mention there is this thing called food that we occasionally serve."

She looked up at me with a shocked expression. I just raised my brows, provoking an answer.

"Medium Latte, can you manage that?"

"If you can manage to keep your last brain cells alive, I can totally manage to get your coffee." I stormed off and gave Carson the order, cooling off as I fought looking at her.

Fuck, she makes me so mad.

"Are you okay, Lena?" Carson asks me, concern evident. He leans over the window connecting the dining area to the kitchen.