By Accident | X

Chapter 2 | Zoe

| Zoe |

"One expresso, with extra soya milk, for Jenifer." I called. The rightful drink owner walked up and collected her drink, giving me a grateful smile.

I worked at a small coffee shop when I had extra time after college. The only reason I was hired was because I worked at a quiet coffee shop back in my small hometown. Apparently that counted at extremely important experience.

I let out a deep breathe, grateful the usual rush hour had finally slowed. I turned to my co-worker, Maddie. She took off her cap to fix her ginger hair.

"That was crazy, like normal." She commented, and she wasn't wrong.

"You want to grab your break? I'll call if it gets too busy." I offered. She agreed and left towards the back area.

I fixed my own hair, dreaming of when my shift was finish. A warm shower and my bed sounded heavenly. I let out a yawn at the thought of blissful sleep.

I quickly checked my phone for any missed calls or texts. I  had a text, actually quiet a few, from my best friend and roommate Mia. I'd deal with them later. Before I could check for more, the door opened, and I casually slipped my phone back into my apron's front pocket.

A guy, similar age to me, walked up to the counter, head stuck in his phone. When he reached the counter, he tucked his phone away. He looked out of place with a black baseball cap and sunglasses on, almost like a celebrity. It wasn't even sunny out, clouds covered the sky

"I'll have a black coffee, to go please." He asked, in a thick Irish accent.

He avoided making eye contact with me. His red hair was damp, like he was just after a shower. He also had a stubble of hair on his chin. He had heavy bags under his eyes, I assumed form lack of sleep. He looked like he had a rough few days, and this coffee was the only thing giving him the ability to function.

I snapped out of my awkward stare and pressed the order into the till. I told him his total, and he gave me a five dollar note, telling me to keep the change. I turned my back and started to make his coffee when he cleared his throat.

"Do you know any places around here for something quick to eat?" He asked in a deep Irish accent.

Just like the over stereotypical movies.

"Shelby's diner down the street is nice, there's also a pizza place around the corner, though its not the greatest." I answered, turning back around to clip the lid onto his coffee. He let out a small laugh, it almost sounded forced. I handed him his coffee.

"Thanks for the coffee and honest review." He thanked before leaving, putting on his sunglasses before going outside.

Through I didn't know from where, he looked suspiciously fimilar. I shrugged off the weird feeling, as It wasn't my business. Maddie came out from the back room.

"Everything okay?" She asked.

"Yep."

And then the door opened and another customer came in.

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The rest of our shift went quickly and uneventful. A steady flow of customer came through the afternoon, but slowed near closing time. Close to closing time Mia came in. She walked to the counter I was lazily leaning on. Her blonde hair swaying side to side

"Ready to go?' She asked happily. Too happily, even for Mia.

"Eh, yeah."

I went back into the back room and grabbed my things. Maddie and I quickly closed up and I met Mia back in her car. When she started the engine, Citylight's new song blared through the car's speakers. Jenny quickly lowered the volume, slightly embarrassed. I raised my eyebrows at her. She smiled in response.

"Did you hear the rumours about Citylight being in a car accident?" Jenny asked when we pulled up at a red light.

"No... what happened?" I asked. I didn't really care, I wasn't that into celebrities or their mostly fake gossip stories.

"All the band members went dark on Twitter, some say they were drinking when it happened."

Citylight was a boyband that was worth millions.  I knew there was four members, only because of my little sister, her personal favourite of the group was James, the lead singer. Their worldwide tour, schedule to start soon, sold out in a matter of seconds.

"Who knows, right?"

The light turned green, and Mia turned her attention back to the road. She was silent. Mia was rarely silent. If she was, something was either wrong or she was hiding something.

"Mia, what's wrong?" I asked bluntly.

"I might have planned us a movie night." She exclaimed.

My early night dreams were shattered by that one simple sentence. 

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