Today was just like any other boring day: work at the Center Stage café, a small café on the corner of main street and 5th avenue that doubled as a karaoke bar at night. Thankfully, I had the day shift. I don’t mind people having their fun, but the nightlife wasn’t for me. To me, the sober held a more interesting conversation, we’ll just say that.
To make today better, the cash register was broken and I was the one appointed to fix it. While I was tinkering with it, the door opened, with bells above it letting out a happy chime. I didn’t look up from the cash register. Finally, after tinkering with it a few minutes more, it worked again. I looked up, two men sitting in a corner booth by the window. I picked up my note pad and casually walked over to them.
“…but he, she, it, is not real, idiot.” I heard the blonde say as I got closer.
“Nessie is a she and she is real!” The redheaded man argued.
“Then how come nobody’s ever see-.” Their conversation ceased as I stopped to stand in front of the table. They eyed me curiously. The blonde seemed to be shorter than the redheaded man, and smelled like tea and mints. The redhead sitting across from him just smelled of cigarettes and alcohol. He looked sleazy, almost. The only things they shared in common were the deep green eyes and bushy eyebrows.
“Hello, my name’s Hanna and I’ll be your server for today,” I said cheerfully, going through the routine. “What’ll it be?”
“Ahh, just tea for me is fine.” The blonde requested.
The redhead nodded, “And for me too.”
I gave them a quick smile and walked back. I poured steaming hot water into two mugs, grabbed two tea packets, some sugar and creamer, and started to head back when the bells chimed again. I looked towards the door to see a familiar face. Even better, a familiar face holding two tall to-go cups of Dunkin Donuts coffee. The tall, brownish-red haired girl waved at me, her brown eyes smiling. I set the tray down on a nearby table.
“Oh wow, Christina you’re a life saver!” I exclaimed, a little too loudly.
“It’s good to see you too, Hanna,” She chuckled at my remark, handing me a cup. I sipped it gratefully. “You might want to tend to your customers first, though.”
My eyes widened, giving the cup back to her. “Right then, I’ll be back~,” I laughed, picking up the tray and walking back to the two men.
“I-I’m terribly sorry for the wait,” I said apologetically, setting the two mugs and tea packets in front of them. I left the creamer and sugar at the end of the table. “Here you are, if you need anything else, I’ll be over there,” I motioned towards the table Christina was now sitting at.
“Aye, lass?” I had started walking away when the redhead called after me. “That lassie over there, she’s yer friend? What’s her name?”
“It’s Christina, why do you ask?” I raised an eyebrow. My curiosity was getting the best of me.
“Christina,” he mused, then gave a sly smile. “Well, it seems that my brother here has taken a liking to her.”
“I do not fancy a girl I haven’t even met yet!” The blonde snapped at his companion, stealing a nervous glance at Christina.
“Look at how red he’s getting!” The redhead laughed. The blonde was blushing fiercely. “Ye look like one of Antonio’s tomatoes right about now!”
“DO NOT MENTION THAT STUPID SPAN-…” The blonde started, blushing even more, as if that was even possible.
“If you don’t mind me asking,” I interrupted, “What are your names?”
“O-oh, how could I forget? Terribly sorry, miss. My name is Arthur,” He bowed his head for a moment, and then looked up at me again. “That’s my brother, Allister.”
“Call me Scottie,” Allister informed with a smirk. Why Scottie? I wondered. I smiled at the two of them, and called Christina over.
“C’mon, Arthur, ye got to show yer face sooner or later,” cooed Scottie. Arthur was trying to hide the blush on his face by putting his head down on the table.
When Christina was finally standing by my side, I introduced her to them. By that time, Arthur had decided to show his face again. Both Scottie and Arthur scooted further into the booth to let us sit down, Christina next to Arthur, me next to Scottie. There was no one else in the café, so I allowed myself to relax and chat. Christina had handed me the coffee cup that was mine, and I sipped it gradually between comments. This is nice, I thought. Arthur even seemed to be opening up a bit more. The only time the conversation ever went sour was when Scottie made a joke about Arthur’s cooking. Everyone but Arthur laughed.
“I’d eat your cooking, Arthur,” Christina said honestly.
“Oh, good lord!” Scottie cried loudly. “She’s a keeper, Arthur!”
Arthur blushed furiously, mumbling something under his breath. Scottie got a strange look on his face. He opened his mouth to talk, but no sound would come out. Both Christina and I looked back at Arthur questioningly.
“I’ve got a knack for magic,” He winked. “This is only to shut him up.”
I chuckled nervously, “Some gentleman you are!”
His mouth dropped open, and then pulled back to a cute smirk. “Only for the ladies,” He said, looking at Christina. Her face grew a light shade of pink.
Soon enough, my shift was coming to an end. As we all got up to say goodbye, Christina looked at her cellphone.
“I’ve gotta go, guys. The performance is later tonight, and Hanna, you better be there!” She ordered jokingly, but she knew I would definitely be there either way. She smiled, “It was nice talking to you all.”
“You’re an actress?” Arthur asked, surprised. “How come I wasn’t told this?”
“I didn’t know how you’d react.” Christina admitted, shyly.
“Well if you’ll let me, I’d be glad to come watch your performance.” He stopped for a moment but continued. “And to walk you home?”
“S-sure…” She blushed.
Scottie and I giggled at their conversation. Now both of them were blushing. They’re so cute together, I thought.
At that moment, the door of the café slammed open, making the bells fly off the wall. Great, more things to fix, I thought, frustrated. A tall man walked through the door with a scowl on his face. Wait, he looks familiar…
“KIRKLAND. VHERE THE HELL IS FELICIANO?”
Oh my God. It’s him.
