The Planned Escape

Untitled Part 1

For some reason, the coffeeshop seemed colder than usual. The smell of dark tea was still hanging in the air, and middle aged women and teenagers mingled amongst themselves.

We made it to the line near the cashier, who didn't seem the least bit nicer. The regular millennial contributing to ageism.

"What do you want?" I whispered.

He seemed anxious. "A dark cappucino frappucino caramel swirl vanilla blast."

"...Good..." Not ever in his life had Earl been so coordinated. Especially with ordering drinks.

"Is everything okay?" I asked questioningly, trying to attain his flustered attention.

"Yeah, yah, yah. It's just, it's enough sugar to last..." He peered out the glass door with a longing look in his eyes, not knowing I was watching in the same direction, wondering what the heck he was talking about.

"Earl." I said, louder and with stern. I was staring at him straight on now.

He looked at me and fake-smiled. "Oh no, it's nothing. Nothing nothing nothing!" His grin stretched his worried face, his feet tapped vigorously on the cold tile.

Earl exhaled a short breath. "Sowhatareyougetting?" he practically shouted.

I gave him a concerned look, but kept talking. "Um, a caffe latte-"

"No, no, no. That's won't do. An espresso. Get an espresso," he said urgently.

"What? No! I don't like espresso." I whined.

"Alice, that just won't do!" He peered out the door again, more worried this time.

"Earl!"

"Alice, have you ever actually tried an espresso? Huh?" He questioned.

I shrunk a bit. "...No."

"Well then, it's about time you try new things, because you never know when you won't be able to anymore, until you are forced to." He said, articulating every word out of his dry mouth.

"Okay, I'll get the espresso." I sighed.

"And this energy bar, and this sandwich, and this box of chocolates." He said constantly chucking stuff onto the counter.

Eh, what was there to complain about. He was paying. For some reason, he brought $100 to a coffeeshop. "Fine," I said

"Great!" He checked his watch. "Just on time."

I raised my eyebrows. What was this crap he was pestering about? And why had he made me bring a change of clothes? A water bottle? A blanket? A--

Oh god, no.

I thought Earl would be more educated by now, trying to remember if he had any romantic history with girls. He should know by now.

I had decided to erase my conscious forever, but it was time to face the exclusive cashier.

"Hello, what do you want?" The obnoxious 20 year old said in a bored voice.

Earl, with the speed from Thor repeated our order.

"Adarkcappucinofrappucinocaramelswirlvanillablastwithanespressoand achickencaesarsandwhichanddarkcaramelchocolatesandthisenergybar." He gasped, holding back his dog-like pant.

If there was any way to get negative attention from a vile person, such as her, this was freakin it.

She twisted her disgusting face. "Uh, okay fine. That will be 30 dollars."