Colorful (H.S) | ✔️

58

Unedited :)

I wait around my phone for the next couple of days. Harry hasn't mentioned our proposition since that day, I'm assuming he's thinking it over.

I hope I didn't sound desperate or clingy when I told him.

I am.

Maybe he forgot about it?

There's a slim chance of that. I knew what I was doing when I offered to come. I knew it was something he couldn't deny.

To clear my mind, I walk to that coffee shop. I'm no longer sick, and I'm so grateful for that. Luckily, today is bright and sunny, so the chances of me getting rained on are low.

I open the door and find my good friend working again today. At first, he seems disinterested in his new customer, but his face lights up when he notices me.

"Ellie! I was beginning to think you succumbed to pneumonia!" He cries, jumping over the counter and pulling me into a hug.

I'm taken aback by his affection, but I gladly welcome it. "Me? Please, it'll take more than pneumonia to get rid of me." He smiles and pulls away. Instead of jumping over the counter, he goes through the gate like a normal person.

"What will you have today?" He asks sweetly.

"Hmm..." I think it over. "You're not going to deny me service this time, right?"

"Well, it depends on what you're getting."

"Iced coffee?" I ask, more than state. "Vanilla and cream as well."

He nods and types my order into the register. I patiently wait, card in hand. "Okay, I'll make it right now. Don't worry about that," he gestures to my debit card.

"What? No, I can't. Won't you get fired for giving free drinks?" I hate the idea of not paying.

"Nah, they can't fire me."

"Oh? Why not?"

He sheepishly smiles. "My parents own the shop."

My mouth forms an o-shape. "Well, that gives me more reason to pay. I don't want your sweet parents to go into debt."

He grimaces at my words. "They're hardly sweet. Putting them in debt would be a favor for me."

"Don't say that!" I argue, overly sensitive. I know what it's like to constantly worry about money. My mom has gone through enough shit to last a lifetime.

I shove my card toward him and he reluctantly takes it. "Okay, jeez. Someone's passionate." He swipes it and hands it back to me. When he's turned around, I pull out a $5 bill and shove it in the tip jar.

"Wait!" I call. He turns around fakes annoyance. "Can someone that's not you make it?"

He seems offended that I've even suggested such a thing. "What? Was my coffee not good last time?"

"I've had better." This results in a glare thrown my way. "I just feel like you're going to poison me. I want another barista to make it."

He rolls his eyes but one of his coworkers grabs the cup out of his hand and winks at me. She goes and starts on my drink while I take a seat at the bar.

"You're annoying," Noah huffs, leaning across from me.

I grin at him and dramatically toss my hair over my shoulder. "What can I say? You bring out the worst in me."

"Here you go!" The other barista eagerly places my drink in front of me. I thank her and she goes to the back room. It's definitely more crowded today. No wonder they have more than one person on shift.