Michelle Jones works the same shift at Caff's Coffee every week. A repetitive routine that pays well enough for her to put college tuition at the back of her head. When a mousy brunette walks in, she can't help but observe him. When she finds out they have the same classes, it gets even harder.
Peter Parker is a mess. A poster child of the college experience. Red Bull and ramen, on death's doorstep (figuratively). When he walks into Caff's for a coffee, he can't help but notice the barista. When he notices her staring at him in a lecture, he calls it fate.
OR
An eventual romance that stems from coffee, academia, and the journey of falling in love.
It’s strange how the simplest people can catch one’s eye.
You spend so much time in life going through the motions that you don’t realize what you were doing before you met your best friend. Your rival. Even your partner.
A moment in time that shifts the course of your entire life.
*****
Michelle worked her part-time shift at Caff’s Coffee , a small cafe on Westly and Third. It was near Brown’s University, where she spent copious hours hunched over her notes and procrastinating. She was not sure what she wanted to do with her life yet but at the ripe age of 18, she was reading about political thinkers and writing essays. Lot’s.
“Michelle, can you take over cash?”
She saw his shadow before she saw him. Cade. Her 6’ tall and hip manager is in his 20’s. Not in college or university or further education like most of her work associates. Not sure how he ended up running this cafe but he was understanding and paid well.
No arguments from her.
She rolled her eyes at him.
“Dude. You know I hate people.”
Cade shrugged his shoulders, the AC causing his usual grey flannel to ruffle like a wave, the buttons shifting back and forth.
“Not my problem,” he responded, voice assertive yet kind. “You chose to work here with the knowledge that working cash was a requirement. Congrats, we’re understaffed.”
He waved his hand towards her in a shooing motion.
She grumbled under her breath but walked towards the counter nonetheless.
“How can I help you?” She mumbled, trying to keep the edge of her voice dull as she looked at the register, ready to type in the order.
“Can I get a drink with the most caffeine?”
Michelle bit back a grumble, begging the world to swallow her whole. Kids always came here asking for caffeine, yet get mad when the drink makes them feel on edge.
She crossed her arms and looked up.
The kid seemed friendly; he had mousy brown hair and almost too-pale skin. She made the executive decision to loosen up. She noted his bloodshot eyes and deep eye bags.
Let’s cut this kid some slack.
“We can do that for you. However, I think what you really need is sleep. A lot of it. In fact, you should be cast in a time-accurate version of sleeping beauty.”
She tacked on her customer-service smile–she could feel her cheeks.
The kid grinned at her, eyes crinkled and a soft smile.
He shook his head vigorously. He was a common brunette, but something about him stood out. Maybe it was his calm stature or his unkempt hair.
“Can’t. I have an exam today. Not ready.” He stumbled over his words. It was like each word was fighting to escape his throat before the other.
She sighed.
“All right man, I hope it goes well. Most people do not like our most caffeinated drink, Nitro cold brew with a double shot of espresso.”
“I’ll take it.”
She believed him.
“All right,” she muttered, typing his order in while going through the motions. “Credit or debit?”
“Actually-
Michelle looked up at him.
“Do you take cash?” He pulled at his necklace, a silver chain with what appeared to have a charm. The letter B. Probably the first letter of his name. Ben? Basil? Brett?
She shuddered. Brett did not suit him as a name at all.
“Hey?”
Shoot.
“Sorry, yea we take cash. Your total is $3.52.”
He fiddled with his pockets and dropped the coins into her palm.
She scanned them quickly and placed them into the registrar.
“Your order will be on the other side of the counter shortly.”
He smiled in response and headed to wait for his order.
Don’t say anything. Don’t-
“Hey, man!”
The kid turned to look at her.
“Good luck with your exam. I hope the coffee doesn’t kill you.”
“You better make sure that it doesn’t,” he grinned in response. “Thanks. I’m Peter by the way.”
She chewed at her lip and gave what she hoped was a smile in response.
“Michelle.”
“Nice to meet you, Michelle.”
She coughed into her sleeve.
“You too.”
He walked away.
She observed Peter as she made his drink. His skinny fingers picked at his maroon hoodie, eyes lost in thought.
She scooped and dumped the ice into the plastic (hopefully biodegradable?) cup. Pulled the coffee from the machine next, content to hear the steady spill of espresso. She was aware of her left foot tapping in beat with whatever playlist was playing on the cafe speakers.
Michelle finished making the drink, capping the lid on with a satisfying click.
She picked out an oatmeal raisin cookie and packaged it, then headed over to the counter where Peter stood, shifting his feet from side to side.
“Here’s your order.” She said as she slipped the drink towards him and the cookie, crinkling in its bag.
Peter grabbed the drink and furrowed his brows.
“I think there was a mistake, I didn’t order that.”
“It’s no mistake,” She replied confidently. “It’s yours. For after the exam. To celebrate .”
Peter froze.
She nudged it towards him.
“Come on, Peter. I have other customers to serve.”
As if shaken out of a trance, he grabbed it slowly.
“Thank you, Michelle.”
“What are you thanking me for, you paid for it.”
He looked inside the bag and squinted at the board.
“Yes, I did, didn’t I?” Peter responded with a grin.
Before she could respond, coins tumbled out of his hands and onto the counter in front of her. Exactly the price of the cookie.
All she could do was glare as he bolted out of the shop with a loud, “THANK YOU!”
She could see Cade's shadow before she could see him.
“Don’t start,” she warned, raising a finger.
Cade shrugged and walked away.
Michelle went back to work, taking customers' orders. Boring orders, she might add.
A small part of her hoped Peter would show up again if only to give her a chance to lecture him on not accepting gifts.
Another part of her cringed at her actions.
You were going to give a customer you just met… a free cookie?
Pull it together Michelle.
She hopes his exam went well.
Gosh darn-it.
If she didn’t pull it together soon, she might actually want to take people’s orders.
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