Learning Curves ✔ (bxb)

Chapter 3

Ethan ^^

A few weeks have gone by, and hell had officially started about 2 weeks ago.

Although it's not as bad as first year with all of those mandatory courses, lectures are still annoying. Don't get me wrong, I love studying Psychology; I find it interesting, but sitting down for 3 hours straight isn't exactly pleasant.

My schedule is actually really good this year. I have enough time in between classes to hang with friends or shove in a little study session, and lunch and dinner are generally at normal times.

The bakery is the usual as well, customers coming in and out.

Today, I'm working as cashier, and it's around 5, so not many people are lining up (the few are usually here to work on things while they have a cup of cocoa or coffee). The bell jingles, signalling that someone has entered/exited, and I brace myself for having to welcome them.

Ah, fuck. This dude's hot.

Nervously, I hope that my tongue and brain co-exist and I don't mess anything up.

I should try and get his number, maybe. I think to myself.

To my horror, my brain is hung up on getting his number, while my mouth was spitting out the routine words to greet a customer.

"Hello. Can I get you a number?" I flush instantly, stammering to try and save myself, "Uh, sorry... I mean, Can I get you anything?"

The guy chuckles, looking down at me. (He's 5'11!!)

"I'll just have a coffee, 2 milk, 1 sugar please, and one of your danishes." He smiles, showing me his credit card for payment.

I quickly punch in the order and one of my co-workers who had nothing to do quickly starts on the coffee, leaving me to awkwardly stand with this super hot guy who probably thinks I'm an idiot.

"Have you been outside the past few hours? It's gotten really cold for some reason." He comments casually.

"Ah, really? I got here a few hours ago, and the weather seemed okay, nothing worse than the usual fall." I manage to reply without incident.

He gives me a smile as he receives his order, and proceeds to leave with a "Have a nice day!". That's supposed to be my line!

"You too!" I quickly shout back at him, earning some looks at my loud voice.

I put my head in my hands, leaning against the counter, and groan. I totally made an idiot of myself in front of a hot guy.

I hope he doesn't become a regular here. I'll constantly make a mess of myself in front of him.

-

-

The next time I work a shift, he comes back.

"Hello. I've come back." He smiles as if expecting me to remember him.

Of course I do. Who wouldn't recognize a gorgeous man?

"Hi. Can I get you anything?" I grin at him.

"Another one of those danishes please, and a coffee. Two milk, one sugar." He replies. I punch in his order and he pays, and we stand in silence for a moment as his order is being made.

"Send my compliments to the baker. Those danishes were really good, which is why I came back." The guy tells me. I have a mini heart attack. I'm the one who made those danishes.

"Uhh. Thank yoU! I made them... actually." I blush as my voice squeaks.

"Really? They're amazing! Do you only do the danishes or do you bake other things?" 

"I.. bake a lot of the pastries here. My baking shift is during the first half, and I work with another co-worker on the food." I smile sheepishly, silently pleased that he has a good impression of me.

"Were you not working yesterday? I didn't see you at the cashier." The tall man comments casually, leaning against the counter.

"N-no, I work here every other day from Monday and on weekends from 2-6." I stammer. Damn, he makes it really easy to give information.

"Great. Next time I come, tell me which pastries you've made and I'll try them." He chuckles.

"Right, okay. Great. Er... here's your order.. sir." I hastily hand him his order.

"It's Michael. Nice seeing you again... Theo." He replies as his eyes land on my name tag. I fight the urge to blush. I really like how my name rolls off his tongue.

-

- 

I enter the dorm to have a quick dinner before I head to class. Reflecting on my actions, I realize just how much like a love-struck girl I sounded at the bakery/cafe. I let out a groan. 

"Theo! How was work? Here, made some sandwiches in case you don't have time. I'm heading out in 5." Liam greets, handing me a brown paper bag. I take it gratefully. Did I say Liam's a blessing? He's the mom friend. Everyone would probably be dead without him. 

"Work was great. Met a hot guy. He remembered my name from two days ago, and complimented the food. Wanted to give his compliments to the baker." I grin.

"A-HA! That's why you look like a love-struck fool!" Ethan shouts, walking over from his room. I scowl at him.

"I don't!" I retaliate.

"Guys, not the time," Liam scolds, "and aren't you the baker?"

"Yes! He likes my food!" I said excitedly. I've never gotten this excited over anyone, what's wrong with me?

"Nice. Get some." Ethan winks. I blush furiously.

"I can't do that! I hardly know him." I huff in response, glaring at Ethan. Why am I friends with him again?

"You should get to know him, then. Sounds like a nice guy, but I'd like to assess him for myself before I tell you to go for it. What time does he come in usually?" Liam asks with a completely serious face.

"What? No, Li. You don't need to scope him out. I know how to handle myself, and don't you need to go?" I subtly... or not so subtly try to usher him out of the dorm.

"Ah crap. Yeah, gotta run. Enjoy dinner!" Liam scrambles to get ready before running out of the door. Ethan chuckles, standing in the entrance with a dark gray hoodie a little too big for him with grey sweatpants.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" I ask, taking a sandwich out of the bag and eating it.

"Nope! Only one class today. It's finished." Ethan grins smugly. I let out a sigh, sitting on the couch with my sandwiches. Liam even cut them into triangles. What a sweet boy.

The rest of the day went pretty uneventfully.