broken // luke

t w o

// este

One month has passed since Ashton broke up with me.

I got fired from my job at the grocery store. Apparently not being there for two weeks is grounds for removal. But that's okay. It was a shitty place anyway.

I wish I could say the same about Ashton.

I found a new job at a coffee shop ten minutes away from my apartment. I was pretty lucky to be hired, considering I didn't have much experience with drinks. Today was my first day at Alfred's Coffee and I was extremely nervous to say the least.

I've only been out of my apartment once this whole month. And that was to be interviewed by Alfred's. For food, I ordered takeout and scavenged my fridge for leftovers. When I was bored, I'd just watch chick flicks and eat ice cream out of the tub. But after a long talk with Dani, my all-time best friend, I decided to get up and do something with my life again.

I could be single again. I just needed Dani by my side, and an awesome job like the one at Alfred's.

- -

I looked myself over in the mirror one more time. My dirty blonde hair was up in a messy bun, and I wore all black; Alfred's dress code. I would be provided with an apron there, and also with a short lesson on how to make the coffee, tea, and other drinks. I would be manning the cash register like I did at my old job, so I wouldn't have to worry much about the actual coffee making, but I needed to learn anyways, since it was a requirement for all employees.

I grabbed my bag and stuffed my necessities in it, then I trekked the long ten-minute walk down the street to the coffee shop.

I got there ten minutes early. There were employees setting up for the day, and some customers were even waiting for the doors to open. See, I was very lucky to get this job. A man walked out from the back, swinging open double doors. He caught my eye, and called me over.

"Estelle! So glad to see that you decided to come!"

Well obviously I came. I wasn't going to let an opportunity like this go to waste.

"Hi, Boss. You can call me Este. And I wouldn't miss it." I gave him a small smile, and he returned it with a giant smile, showing off his perfectly straight teeth.

"You don't have to call me 'Boss'. I prefer Calum." He winked and then threw an apron at me, walking back through the double doors.

Of course, being the clumsy person that I am, I didn't catch the apron. I picked it up from the floor with blushing cheeks. Luckily, Boss didn't see. Erm, I mean Calum. Calum didn't see.

I quickly caught up with Calum into the back room. There were extra coffee machines, and a bunch of cups, straws, and refrigerators. Everything you'd expect in the storage room of a coffee shop, I guess.

He called me over to an extra machine, and showed me how to work it. Then, he showed me briefly how to ring up orders on their cash registers. He gave me the basics of what each drink was, so that I could inform the customers. I knew most of them, like the lattes, cappuccinos, and espressos, but others I had to learn about.

When it was finally 8:00 am, Alfred's doors opened. There was a crowd that rushed in, and that's when I knew it would be a long day. I sighed as a group of rich-looking teenage girls walked up to the cash register.

One of my coworkers heard me sigh, and whispered in my ear. "It gets less busy when the first wave leaves." She gave me a small smile, and walked towards all the coffee makers. "I'm Winnie, by the way." She said from across the shop, giving me a slight wave.

I smiled back and said, "I'm Este. Thanks for the pointer." She laughed a little and turned away.

- -

Winnie was right. My hands were tied up between orders, but only for the first hour. After that, new customers only came in every five to ten minutes. Around noon, a huge wave came again. They ordered more food than drinks that time, which was a little easier for me. All I had to do was pull a pastry out of the shelves next to me, ring it up, and hand it to them.

At 1:00 pm, my shift was over. Some guy who's name I did not know took over for me. Winnie didn't leave until 3:00 pm, but she got a lunch break at noon, which I did not get.

I left my apron on a table in the back, and was about to walk out the door when Calum took me by the wrist. He pulled me out of the way of the door.

"Whoa, whoa, no need to leave so fast." He said, his eyes big and sparkling.

"Oh, sorry. I thought I could leave when my shift was over..." I said, a bit confused.

Calum leaned against the wall, holding himself up with his tanned arm. His muscles showed through his black shirt, and he let out a small breath.

"I just wanted to tell you that you did good today. Better than I though you would."

I smiled softly, not expecting him to give me a compliment. "Thank you. I guess I'm pretty used to the cash register. But I really should get going, I have to get to my apartment."

He nodded a bit, and let me go. "See you tomorrow, Bradshaw."

I waved a bit, then quickly left. I haven't been called by my last name since I was 6. My father used to call me Bradshaw. He always said that I needed to grow up to be the head of the family, so I should get used to my last name.

But look at me now. I am no where near my family

I stopped walking, and looked up to the sky.

I'm sorry, Dad. I'm sorry that our family broke. I'm sorry that you're...

I couldn't finish the last part. A small tear escaped my eye, and I just hoped that he understood why I left Mom. I hoped he understood that I loved him unconditionally, even though he was gone.