One Last Look

6

Excitement bubbled up inside her, as she did a little hop in the midst of her brisk walking.
The sun was shining, El was smiling, and the coffee shop was about to open.

When she reached it, it was already busy. So she flashed Ben a smile, and took her usual seat.
She had big news for him.
Earlier that week, she had finally finished her essay. She emailed it to her editor and they were impressed, they posted it on their site.
Thousands of people had read it already.
They had offered her a full time job.
As she was thinking about all of this she couldn't help but smile once again. Her dreams of being a writer were coming true!
Everything was coming together in the most perfect way.
She hoped that by the end of the week she'd have another piece to write.
She hated standing still.

Ben was dealing with customers left and right.
Mornings were always the busiest time. Chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, vanilla syrup, the list was never ending, and everyone wanted something different and complicated.
Sweat trickled down his forehead as he flew about pumping and stirring and yelling.
A few teenagers trickled in and ordered their drinks under "Jean Val Jean", "Batman", and "The Mighty Thor"
The names coaxed out a few chuckles from Ben. He tucked that idea away for future use with El.
He smiled at her name, and glanced over to where she was sitting.

The sun was gently lighting up her already golden hair.
A small smile settled on her lips as she read, glasses askew as usual.

His eyes shone.
A loud huff broke through his happy thought.
Turning to the dissatisfied customer, he plastered a smile on his face and dealt with the problem at hand.

Apparently, he had accidentally given her a mocha instead of a caramel.
He apologized and remade the drink.
Though he loved serving customers and making coffee, he often got tired of this job.
Sometimes on slow days he liked to think on the years to come.
The goals he'd accomplish, the fun things he'd do, the friendships he'd strengthen and make, and the days he'd spend with El.
He wondered if she knew how often he thought about her.
Another customer jerked him back to reality once more.
And the day continued.