Instants // Damien Haas

one

Layla rushed to pick up her bag and tie her shoes at the same time. She was late for work again.

"What's the time?" She yelled out.

"1:25!" Her room-mate rose answered.

"Shit!" She whispered, still struggling.

As she ducked out the front door, it slammed shut behind her. She flew down the stairs and out the front door of the apartment block. Layla began to speed walk down the sidewalk, weaving through people while she fixed her hair.

When she pulled the door open to the small cafe, Grace looked over at her and frowned. Layla walked straight past the counter and Grace's disapproving look. She threw her bag down on the table in the back room and grabbed her apron.

"I know, I know, I'm late again!" She began apologizing before Grace had time to speak.

"Look, I have to rush off but I'll speak to you about it later. You're still alright to lock up right?" Layla nodded silently as she watched the older woman take off her apron. 

She couldn't lie, Grace was more than just her boss. Since moving to California Grace had become one of Layla's closest friends. The older woman owned the small cafe Layla worked at and she trusted Layla to keep the place running.

"Okay bye Lay, thank you!" Layla smiled as Grace ran out the front door. She took that as an opportunity to look around the small cafe. There were a few people but Layla found it was never too busy at this time of day. She began wiping down the counters and busying herself with other things.

It was about 5:50 when the door opened. Layla was clearing up some dishes when she heard the noise. She frowned when she saw the man standing at the counter waiting to be served.

"Hi, how are you?" Layla rushed behind the counter, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

The moment Damien saw the small girl, his heart stopped.

"I-uh-I." Damien stuttered out. "Hi." He mentally slapped himself, what was happening to him?

"Hi?" Layla smiled at the boy noticing how attractive he was.

"Oh, are you guys still open?" He quickly recovered from his embarrassment.

"Yeah, yeah we're open until 6." Damien looked down at his watch and frowned.

"If I ordered a coffee now do you think I'll be finished by 6?" Damien looked back to Layla.

"Even if you aren't, you can just stay in here while I clean up." Damien smiled and nodded.

"In that case, can I get black coffee?" Layla nodded and headed towards the coffee machine.

"I'm Damien by the way." 

"Nice to meet you, I'm Layla." He nodded and decided not to mention that he had seen the nametag on her shirt.

"So, how was your day?" Damien asked as he leaned his elbows on the counter, Layla smiled at how casual the question was. 

"It's been okay, same old stuff you know?" Damien nodded.

"Yeah, I know what that feels like." He admitted.

"Normally when people come in at this time they don't get coffee, it's a bit late isn't it?" She asked.

"Yeah, maybe it is but I don't really sleep." Layla looked towards the boy with a soft frown.

"Like insomnia?" Damien nodded and Layla nodded back. "I know what that's like."

They went silent for a bit until Layla passed Damien his coffee. He thanked her but stayed standing at the counter as he took a sip.

"Do you mind if I just drink it here?" Layla shook her head and turned to clean the machine.

"So, what do you do in this big city? Other than making coffee of course." Layla smiled as Damien continued the conversation.

"Most days I work here but I'm in my last semester of college right now." Damien raised his eyebrows.

"Where are you studying?" He took another sip of his coffee, still watching her.

"UCLA. What about you, what do you do for a living?" 

"I'm an actor." He replied silently, Layla raised her eyebrows.

"Oh, no, not like in anything big. I was on Disney and stuff a couple of years back but now I do more voice acting than anything." Layla nodded.

"That's so cool, any shows I would know?" Layla moved around the small store, cleaning up as she did so.

"Not unless you watch kid's shows." Damien laughed.

Layla placed a hand over her heart, "Is it that obvious?"

They both laughed at this.

"I've walked past this place a few times but I don't know why I never came in, this coffee is really good." Damien smiled when Layla looked up.

"Do you live near here or something?" She asked as she headed towards the counter to collect Damien's empty cup.

"Yeah, just a few blocks over but I've been hanging out with my friend at his work recently and that's just past here," Damien explained.

Layla closed the dishwasher and turned it on before turning to Damien with a smile. "Where does your friend work?"

"A film production company called Smosh, not many people have heard of it." Layla paused to think.

"I don't think I know of it." She said softly as she untied her apron. Damien's eyes followed her as she walked to the back room. She came back out with her bag over her shoulder and her keys in hand. 

Damien followed her out of the store and stayed with her while she locked up. The wind blew her hair wildly as she turned to face him with a smile.

"When are you working next?" Damien asked.

"Tomorrow morning, I'm opening the shop." Layla pulled out her phone to check the time, 6:20.

"Then you'll see me tomorrow morning." Layla's smile grew wider when she heard this.

"Okay, bye Damien." She turned and started walking home. Damien watched as she turned her head to give him one last wave before she disappeared around a corner.

The brown-eyed boy breathed in the fresh air and closed his eyes before turning and walking in the opposite direction Layla had gone.