When the Clock Strikes 12:00 // L.S.

Chapter One: Quiet Beginnings

Harry's POV

"That will be $2.99 please," I say to the women on the other side of the counter. She hands me the money and in return, I slide a warm croissant and a cup of steaming hot coffee across the counter. "Happy holi-" I start to say but trail off as she's now halfway to the exit. I quietly look around to see if anyone had noticed my failed farewell attempt, but no one had.

"Harry clean the coffee machine," Barbra says as she comes through with a tray full of apple and cinnamon muffins. "The evening crowd is about to come, and you've neglected the job all day"

Sighing, I turn and head into the back to find a towel and a bucket of warm water. Just another typical day in the boring life of Harry I think to myself as I start wiping up the coffee stains around the machine. I'm not saying I'm a boring person, but I'm not a fun one either. It's hard to be "fun" when you've spent your whole life either at school or in the library.

"Coming through," A voice says and instinctively I duck as Gigi carries a tray of hot sandwiches over my head to reach the counter.

"You almost burned my curls off," I say patting my head to make sure they were still there.

"That would be a world tragedy," Gigi said laughing and ruffling her hands through my messy locks.

"It would," I say indignity. "My curls are God's gift to mankind."

"Yes, they really are." She said rolling her eyes. "Are you done with that? We have people waiting."

I nod and hand her the bucket, "Yeah I'm on it."

The clock chimes 5:30, marking the beginning of the evening crowd and I have categorized these people into three groups.

First, you have the students. They typically all order an espresso and stay late debating lecture topics or gossiping about the hottest new club in the area. I know them and their orders by heart now and they know me, but it doesn't go any farther than a "Hi Harry," And a "Here's your expresso, two pumps of creamer and a candy cane on the side."

Then you have the couples. They'll all order a drink and a pastry of sorts, sit by the window, talk, maybe snog a bit and then leave. Sometimes together and sometimes not. It's a game with myself to try to guess the ones who will leave together and the ones who won't.

And then you have the loners. These guys from what I've seen are artists, writers, or just introverted people living out their best life in New York by getting a nice cup of coffee in the evening. Most of them will read, and as I said before, some of them are writers and they'll scribble in a notebook for hours. Others are just people watchers, like me if you haven't noticed.

I'm not a creep, I swear. I just find watching people an interesting pass time while I work my shift from 5:00 to 8:00. I am a college student at Columbia University and currently studying philosophy and history. I have classes in the morning which worked out perfectly when I got this job at Espresso Coffee House and Bakery. I know what you're thinking, an eighteen-year-old guy who studies dead guys all day then works at a bakery in the evening? Lame. But I like the consistency and security of my lifestyle and am happy with the way it is.

"Gigi, Harry? I wanted to talk with the two of you before you go tonight." Barbra says.

"It will have to be in a while," I say guiltily looking at the long line of people waiting to be served. The Espresso Coffee House and Bakery owned by Barbra was listed as the best cup of coffee in New York which is a pretty big deal if you think about it. People come through all day and during mealtimes, it's always packed.

Barbra looks at the line of people, "You're right. Would you two mind staying a few minutes late?"

Gigi nods and continues to wrap up the sandwich on the counter.