No Strings Attached

Chapter 5~

        It was a busy day at Latte Love, with the lines stretching down the café and having to bustle through the entire joint at the call of my name. I found my cheeks aching from smiling by noon, though I continued to grin at each customer that shuffled through the door. 

“You’re working hard today, Skylar,” My manager, Cherry, patted my back, laughing. “It’s your genuine smiles that make our customers come back for more!” Letting out a soft giggle of my own, I nodded, appreciating her praise as the door bell chimed. 

“Hi, welcome to Latte Love---” 

My words died away, my eyes widening as my heart plummeted into my stomach. Sauntering towards the registers, I lowered my gaze as he rested his arms on the counter. It had been a week since the whole incident at Friendly’s and he hadn’t spoken to me in all that time, simply walking past me in the hallways of my house like I was nothing more than a shadow. I bit my lip as he peered up at the flavor boards above my head, tapping his chin pensively. 

“What’s the best drink you’ve got here, kiddo?” 

My mouth dry, I shrugged, unable to look up at his face. “Um, well, the caramel frappe seems to be very p-popular among the teenagers recently.” I stuttered, my fingers fumbling with the keys of the register. 

Leaning across the counter, his fingers caught my chin as he tilted it up for me to gaze into those bright eyes of his. My heart skipped a beat as a ghost of a smile hovered over his lips. “Scratch that--- what’s your favorite drink?” He asked quietly, not caring that several of his friends were now gawking at us. 

I could already imagine how red my face must have been. I needed a dip in a tub of ice right after this order. “I-I really like the pumpkin cinnamon twist. Kind of goes w-with the whole fall vibe.” I said and his grey eyes flashed. 

“Alright, give me one of those.” As I rung him up, I adjusted my cap so I wouldn’t have to see his face. With a snicker, Ashton dropped the rest of his change in the tip jar, before he flicked the cap back up. “Hey, don’t try to ignore me now, kiddo.” 

Coming from you, I almost spat back. Almost. 

I let out a sigh of relief when Ashton strolled to the back of the café, making himself comfortable at a table as he looked around. As I took the other two guys’ orders, I pressed my lips together as I prepared their drinks. 

Since when did Ashton even like lattes? Last I remembered, he hated hot beverages. 

As I wrapped my apron around my waist, grabbing the drinks, an arm was shot out in my way. “Don’t worry about delivering those, Skylar,” I smiled up at Emilie’s wide grin as she stepped in front of me. “I’ll take them to ‘em.” She had always been such a nice co-worker. 

“Thank you, Emilie. That’s very kind of you. It’s time for Skylar’s break now, anyways.” Cherry appeared from behind me, yanking my apron right off and nudging me towards the back. 

One too many times Cherry had shoved me into the break room in fear that I’d overwork myself. I didn’t really see the reason why, though. I was being paid to work and I had to make the most of my time here. 

Plugging in my headphones, I curled up on the couch, dropping my hat beside me. 

I hadn’t noticed I’d dozed off until my eyes fluttered open and Cherry’s face was inches away from mine. Letting out a startled squeal, I sat up straight, shoving my hat back on my head. 

“I’m so sorry!” I was staggering when I jumped up, fixing my now-wrinkled work shirt. “I didn’t even notice I’d overslept! I’m sorry!”