Cafe - phan

six

After a morning of classes, I head into the cafe for my afternoon shift. At this hour on a Thursday we normally just get people studying, so I can also use this time to work on my homework. We close the shop at five, which means I have the closing shift; my favourite. Closing is much more relaxed; I can play my music on the speakers and clean dishes by myself. Occasionally, Olivia has stayed to help close with me, but I've always cherished the times in the cafe by myself. 

I put on my apron and nametag and say goodbye to my coworker Alice who just finished her shift. Matt would be coming in soon to run the register while I got to have the easy job of cleaning up and making a drink or two. Matt is fine, he is fairly relaxed and quiet like I am, which makes for a boring but low-pressure kind of shift. 

I gather cups left behind from customers at their tables, clean, make a few cups of coffee, and attempt to hold a conversation with Matt. I wish this shop would hire more drama majors or hairdressers, or just anyone that could engage in a good conversation. I've only been here an hour and it feels like my shift should be over already. 

The bell on the door chimes as another customer enters. I mind my business and continue to clean one of our coffee machines, knowing that I can listen to the order from back here to avoid as much interaction as possible. 

"Decaf vanilla latte, to go, please." 

I overhear the customer say and immediately recognize the voice; Dan. I finish the cup I am washing, grab a to-go cup, and head over the espresso machine. Dan pays, leaves his change in the tip jar, and moves over to the side where I am preparing his drink. 

"Stalking me or something?" I say with a smirk. I keep my eyes on the milk I am steaming, not wanting to screw it up for Dan. 

"You wish," he says, "you just ignored my text from earlier and I figured I could find you here."

"And here I am," I say.

"Can we meet up after your shift?" Dan asks after a short lull in the conversation. 

"I don't know, I kind of have a lot to do..."

"What if I bring Chinese food?" he smiles knowingly

"... okay, fine." I say and set his drink on the pickup counter, "I should be done closing up around five-thirty." 

"I'll be here then with Chow Mein and dumplings," he takes his drink, "see you." 

I watch as he exits the shop, grateful that he came to see me. Thank god I didn't ruin things between us. 

"Hot date?" Matt asks

"Yeah, something like that."

---

Five finally rolls around and Matt heads home, flipping our sign over to 'closed' as he exits. I connect my phone to the Bluetooth speakers in the shop and begin playing One Direction's second album; Take Me Home. I sing along to 'I Would' as I turn off the machines and finish the last of the dishes. I lock away the cash and stack the chairs on the tables, leaving one table for Dan and I to sit at. The atmosphere here feels very romantic, especially since it'll be just us two.

As I finish cleaning the coffee grinder, there is a knock at the door. Dan waves at me through the glass and excitedly holds up the bag of food. I do the awkward speed walk/run hybrid, trying to not be too slow but not look stupid. 

"Hi!" Dan says as he enters,

"I'm so glad you're here, I am starving," I say, "I just gotta finish cleaning the coffee grinder quickly, you can set that down on the table there, though," I point over to the one open table. I head back behind the counter to finish my task.

"Well, hows your day been since you started ignoring me?" Dan says as he lays the food out on the table. 

"You know I actually go to class, right?" I say, "Uni is expensive!" 

I finish the closing chores and head over to sit down with Dan. Honestly, I did miss him today. It's a strange feeling to have after only knowing someone for a few days. It's a happy end to a quite mediocre day. 

"Okay, fair, let's eat," he smiles as I sit down across from him.

We open the styrofoam containers to delicious traditional Chinese noodles. They're perfect, everything about it is... until Dan pulls out a fork.

"You are seriously not using a fork to use Chinese food. How old are you?" I exclaim as I expertly pick up a bite with my chopsticks. 

"I'm sorry, I never learned how to use them! Eating should not be so hard!"

"Whatever, uncultured white boy." 

"It is the superior way to eat, see, I've eaten way more than you have already!"

"Well, at least I'm appreciating the full cultural experience." 

"Okay, fair enough." he stabs his fork back into his Chow Mein and twirls it around until he has a good bite. 

"How have your classes been?" I change the topic away from his fork.

"Well," he sighs, "I haven't exactly been going."

"Dan!" I say

"I'm sorry! I know I should go I just... don't want to."

"Yeah, I guess I can't blame you," I pause, "you know, my parents wanted me to be a med student. They said I couldn't go anywhere without a science degree. They aren't very thrilled that I'm an English major," I confess.

"How'd you get them to agree to let you do it?" he asks softly

"I mean, I pay my own tuition and student fees. I'm so far in debt after only a few years of school," I chuckle to ease the pain of being so, horribly broke, "but me being an English major has grown on them. At least they don't expect me to play sports."

"Sports are the worst..." he agrees and smiles at me, resting his cheek on his hand. The way his cheek squishes is adorable, especially when he's giving me that killer smile. 

"We should get out of here, I have a writing portfolio due tomorrow that I should finish," I say

"You told me you don't write," he crosses his arms over his chest, knowing he's caught me.

"I just said I'm not good at it, which isn't a lie," I say

"What if I come over and you can let me read some? As a law major, I am obviously certified to critique," 

"I mean, I guess," I respond shyly. I've always struggled saying 'no,' especially when I can tell that he just wants to help. I've never really shared my writing with anyone except during workshop periods or with teachers. I know I'm not a terrible writer, but I don't want him to get his hopes up and embarrass myself. 

"It'll be the first time we spend time somewhere other than here," he stands and begins to clear our table, placing the empty containers back into the empty plastic bag so we don't have to use the trash bins that I already emptied. It's a small gesture but I appreciate it regardless, this guy has obviously worked in food service before. 

I grab a cloth to wipe off the table and we stack our chairs on the top. I make sure we didn't leave a mess anywhere else, and we head out of the shop, making sure the door is locked and security alarm is set before we go. 

Dan leaves his hands in his pockets with the bag of trash hanging from his list, probably keeping them in there out of fear I'll make a move on him again. My cheeks flush as I think about it, hoping he will move on, and maybe one day he will hold my hand willingly.