r u new here?

“Thankfully she has never destroyed my stuff but she does enjoy using it,” she laughed gently. “I had a brother who used my stuff, not my makeup, he was just a kid and annoyed me,” she replied, laughing once more. “You lived between parents?” she asked. “Me too, it’s a really cute cardigan and she wears it like a robe. But that would be lovely, yeah, I’ll bring her over some time.”

Ximena nodded a little, “Yeah, kind of between parents. Not really, I guess thinking back I would have preferred it that way, but only that I now have this insight that I’ve had. Back then,” she cocked her head to one side, “Not so much.” the woman shrugged, intrigued to find out more about Amy’s daughter. She always wanted kids of her own, but with everything going on in town and her own personal life, she wasn’t sure she would find the right time or place to raise them, “How old’s your little one?”

“you know, i try so hard to be nice.” the words were barely above a whisper. to say she was annoyed was an understatement. as far as selen was concerned, she had been cordial enough, but the other was just decidedly difficult. she couldn’t help the smirk that was breaking across her lips. “you have more than just some shit to take care of, if that’s the attitude you have with your customers. can’t say i’m surprised you’re this empty right now.” her nose upturned, she looked over the menu, not that she hadn’t seen it a thousand times before. “what a paltry selection, i’ll suppose an americano and old fashion donut will be fine for now, but only if you’re sure that you could manage that.”

Ximena stared at the girl emotionlessly, processing what she was saying before preparing her order, without saying a word. She thought through the words she said carefully, taking into account what Selen said. She knew Selen was right to a certain extent. She tried to treat her customers with care, but her emotions got the best of her and she knew she had to take the initiative to turn this woman’s opinion of the cafe around, “Your americano, and an extra donut, on the house,” she showed a small smile, placing her order on the counter, “I appreciate your constructive critism, my love. It’s much appreciated. Making a joke out of somebody else’s downfall, however, is not the way to greet a person. I opened,” she let a deep frown cover her face for a few seconds while she thought, “maybe ten minutes ago and already my laptop is fucked. I hope you can understand where my anger is rooted.” she explained, ready to take in what else Selen had to say.

“i’d say try putting it in rice, but it’s looking a little too sticky for that.” selen pursed her lips, trying not to laugh as she grabbed the napkins for the other woman. picking up whatever she could to clear the area around the laptop, selen took a few napkins to clean her own hands. “i think if you just use some lysol, or wet wipes to clean it, it won’t feel so gross over time.” it had been an early morning for selen, and part of her sympathized with the state of the others laptop, but she was just about ready to hop over the counter and fix herself a cup. “so…does this mean there’s a long wait for a coffee and some donuts, or should i come back?” 

Ximena gave Selen a look of disapproval at her first comment, taking the napkins from her and doing her best to clean her laptop up. She nodded a little, “Maybe you’re right, but then I would just have a different kind of bullshit liquid in my laptop, which would probably not help so much,” she mumbled, “It’s whatever, I’ll just take it to the shop.” Getting herself worked up was not something she needed early in the morning so she decided to pile tissues on top and push it to the side, wiping around on the table instead. Looking up at Selen, Ximena scoffed, “What is it you’re after?” she moved behind the bar, grabbing the handle and hitting the burnt coffee out into the bin, “Make it quick, as you can see, I have some shit to take care of.”

Kai rushed towards the girl, grabbing a pile of napkins as he did. “Shit, I am sorry. I think me wanting my morning coffee, just made you spill your morning coffee,” he apologised as he started to help her soak up the mess. “You have no idea, how often I do things like this. I literally space out sometimes. My iPad at the bar is covered in stuff.”

Ximena took the tissues, wiping at her laptop and holding it up in the air in different angles, trying to get as much of the excess liquid from the laptop out, “Yeah, I’m normally  pretty good with my co-ordination and I’m not too clumsy, but,” she shrugged, “I guess I’m just not with it yet, haven’t had my morning coffee,” she joked, “Thank you, but,” she waved a hand in the air, motioning him to stop helping, “It was all me, I appreciate it, but I’ve got it,” she shot him a small smile. “Can I get you anything? How was your morning?”

Asher liked to walk into work slowly and he’d often make himself late just for a coffee at Coral Brews. The man froze for a moment, realising what had happened. He reached out an arm, grabbing a handful of tissues and throwing them at the other customer. “I’m less worried about the laptop and more worried about third degree burns… you okay?” She sat down, wiping the table. He smiled, finally catching their gaze. 

Ximena snatched the tissues from him and attempted to clean her laptop, “Thanks, but I’m fine,” she huffed, her hands busy and eyes focused on her task. “You here for something?” she rudely asked, before glancing up at him and realising she wasn’t reading the energy of the room properly, “I apologise,” she took a break from cleaning her laptop, “Can I get you a coffee? Some tea, maybe, or something from our little bakery section? It’s not baked in-house, but it is fresh!” she grinned, motioning to the pastries.

Parker had already done his morning jog and had taken a few pictures on his route. The sun was now up and he’d been glad to see the coffee place open. Though he was quickly greeted by the girl’s cries for tissues. “Coming up,” he replied, moving to grab them for her. “Shit, I’m sorry. Honestly, the amount of times I’ve done stuff like that too. I’m surprised my laptop works, especially when I take it out with me. Is yours okay?” he asked.

Ximena rushed to clean up her laptop, dabbing at the keys with the tissues, "Thanks and yeah, I mean, I hope so," she focused on her laptop, "I got it not long ago and I'm just so worried about it not working, I run the whole fucking cafe off here!" she explained, probably more out of shock than for Parker to understand. She then replayed what she had said in her head and looked up at Parker, "Thank you for helping me. I'm sure it will be okay. What brings you here? Let me-," she left a pile of tissues on top of her laptop and stood to walk behind the bar. Grabbing an apron, she lifted it over her head and tied it behind her back, "What can I get you? Any allergies?" she smiled.

Elias hadn’t been able to sleep. Ever since the Ren Faire he’d had a lot to think about. He’d experienced a lot of different thoughts and feelings in a short period of time and it was taking an effect on him physically that he hadn’t really been aware of until all the ruckus died down and he was left with no option for distraction. He’d taken himself out early, hoping to find a quiet spot to have something to eat and clear his head. Barely focusing on his surroundings, the sudden jolt in volume as the other started to panic caused him to jump in surprise. “Your what?” he yelped, taking a step back and trying to focus on where the sound was coming from so he could focus his attention. “Laptop?” it finally registered what had happened. “Oh shit! Laptop!” The other’s insisting on the tissues causing him to panic as he couldn’t tell exactly where they were in relation to him. “Right where?!” he shouted, pushing his cane out in front of him until it came into contact with an immovable structure. “Got it!” he cried, patting his hands desperately along the table to find the napkins. Finally locating them, he grabbed a fistful, as many as he could carry in one hand and tried to return the way he’d came, still following the sound of the other’s movements. “Can you come and get them? I don’t want to make things worse..or whack you!”

Ximena’s face dropped, realising Elias couldn’t see, at least not as well as she could, “Oh shit, hey, thank you so much,” she grabbed the tissues and started to clean up her laptop, “I’m so sorry, sometimes I just get a little angry, it runs in my family,” she tried to explain, guilt pouring over her. “The keys are too sticky,” she complained, mentally making a note to take it in to be seen by a technician. “Can I get you anything? On the house? We have delicious cupcakes!” she grinned, the guilt never leaving her energy.