Trouble

10

"What'd y'all do?" Masking her jealousy as a casual curiosity. How does Bill not see this?

"Not much." I tried to be vague.

"Ohhh come on tell us the juicy deets." She wiggled an eyebrow, clutching onto a smiling Bill.

I shrugged, "We fucked."

I almost wanted to laugh at the expression on both of their faces. It was identical, their eyes wide, mouths lightly hung open.

"Damn, I didn't expect that so soon from you Bella, good job." Bill gave me a thumbs up. I chuckled lightly, gathering my clothes and things.

I didn't miss Natalie's glare. I wouldn't be surprised if steam started gushing off of her head.

"Thanks Bill." I chirped, "I'm gonna go shower." I spoke leaving the room before Natalie said anything.

—

When I returned back to our room Bill was gone, and Natalie was sitting on her bed just staring off into space. She looked up once I got back into the room.

"Did you seriously not listen to anything I said?" She asked, seemingly mad.

"And I'm supposed to just blindly listen to you because?" I was being snarky.

Natalie scoffed, "He hurt you didn't he? I saw your face when you first walked in. That wasn't the face of someone who gleefully lost their virginity."

I swallowed, trying not to show that she was partially right. I hate that she's right.

"Whatever else happened with Tom and I is none of your business. Actually, it's weird that you care so much." I sat on the edge of my bed, crossing my arms.

"Weird? You're my friend and I'm looking out for you. why the fuck would that be weird?"

I smiled out of anger; this bitch is crazy!

"It's weird because you're not looking out for me. You're looking out for yourself and whatever obsession you have with Tom."

"Tom! Ha! Are you crazy? I'm literally dating Bill."

"Then why did you interrupt Tom and I the other day?"

"Because Bill needed help!" She threw her arms out dramatically.

"Tom said Bill was passed out."

"Well.. he was but, he still needed help!" She was frantically trying to defend herself, walking right into my trap.

"Okay sure. So why did you tell Tom that I left?" I raised an eyebrow.

Natalie was fumbling her words, not able to come up with anything else to say. I felt pity for her.. almost.

"Whatever!! I'm not gonna sit here and let you accuse me of some crazy shit. I'm going to Bills." She stood promptly finding her keys, and slamming the door on the way out.

I huffed put a breath I didn't know I was holding, and placed a hand to my chest in an attempt to steady my raging heart. I'm not good with confrontation, and today has been a lot of that.
I laid down in bed counting my breaths, and trying to let go of all the stress from today.
I found myself thinking of Tom; My heart swelled at the good memories, and then shattered when I remembered the bad parts.

First he almost stood me up, making me wait over thirty minutes for him. Then after taking my virginity he totally threw me to the side. That was just today; he's been a total jackass since I met him and I'm over it! I'm over Tom.. I'm over Natalie.

——

"Hello?" The short blonde boy, I now know as Gustav waved a hand in front of my face.

"What? Oh.. shit sorry. What we're you saying?" I bit my lip, feeling guilty for totally zoning out on him.

"You're good." He smiled briefly, "so here's the button you press for espresso, which is the base to most drinks.." he continued to explain the workings of the machine to me, but I couldn't focus very well.

It's been a week since my argument with Natalie, and my encounter with Tom. I haven't seen either of them all week. Not in class, not at the dorm. It's been like a ghost town. I was almost worried that they all took off and disappeared!

I applied to the coffee shop a few days ago, and got a callback yesterday evening telling me to start this morning. It's exciting! I should be excited, but I can't stop thinking about Tom. Is it embarrassing for me to say I miss him, the feel of his lips, the way his voice sounds.

So depressing! Poor Bella has a sad little crush on Tom that infamous playboy.

"And then here are all the syrups." Gustav snapped me back into reality again pointing to the cleanly labeled pump bottles.

I nodded trying my best to pay more attention when the bells chimed signaling a customer.

"You think you can take this one?" He asked.

"Y-yea, sure!" I was nervous, but I guess I have to get this over with.

Smoothing a hand over my apron I turned to greet the guest. "What can I get for yo.."

Georg, with Tom standing behind him oblivious.

"Oh hey! I didn't know you worked here." He smiled warmly, alerting Tom who looked up an unreadable expression on his face.

"Yea!" I shuffled nervously, "Today's my first day actually."

"Ohh okay, I'll go easy on you then." He winked, causing me to flush a little.

"I appreciate it, what will you have?"

"Hmm.. just a small coffee. No creme, two sugar. Tom? What do you want?" He turned his head lightly to Tom, who stepped forward so they were standing evenly at the counter.

"Hey sexy, small coffee. Black." A heat shot straight to my stomach.

No! Stop thinking that way.

"Yes sir." I smiled nonchalantly typing their order into the machine.

Gustav was hovering behind me making sure I was doing everything correct. I left the register and walked over to the machine looking to him for help.

"You got it" he encouraged.

I quickly prepared their drinks, grabbing a sharpie I wrote their names on the cups.

Thomas :|

Georg :)

I gave them both an award winning smile handing them both their cups.

Georg inspected his cup with a smile, while Toms lips fell flat.

"That's not my name."

"I know." I shrugged, hiding a sly smile.

"What time do you get off today Bella?" Georg asked grinning wide.

"I'm just training so I should be done in.." I glanced over to Gustav.

"She'll be done in an hour." He answered for me. I mouthed thank you in his direction receiving a nod of recognition in return.

"We're having a bonfire tonight, you wanna come with me?"

I was surprised at Georgs sudden advance, and so was Tom who's eyes were wide although he didn't say anything; I could tell his jaw was clenched.

Hmmm.. maybe I should give him a taste of his own medicine.

"Yea I'd love that."

——

Love you guys <3