5 AM.. Alarm blaring.
Ugh, another day at work. Not that I mind though, I'm just fucking tired as fuck.
I got up, stretching a bit, before getting up to change.
As usual, I grabbed my uniform button up shirt and a skirt.
I threw on my clothes and headed to the bathroom to wash my face, brush my teeth, and do my makeup. The usual.
I actually like work, I work at a cafe called "Pawffee" where there's cats and dogs wandering the cafe. The cafe's pretty big, and the pay is good, so I'm not complaining.
I grabbed my bag together and headed out to walk to work, I prefer to walk cause, well I don't know why.. whatever, by the time i try to think about it I'm already here.
I walked in, going to the back to leave my stuff in my locker. I put my apron on and tied my hair back before heading to the front.
I'm on register duty today.
"Hello ma'am, can I get your order?"
Today was a rush like usual. It's monday, so people go to the nearest coffee shop they could.
"Can I get..."
I put in her order, and the day continued on.
Morning rush hour died as it turned from 8 AM to 10 AM.
Then, a man came to the register.
"Hello Sir, can I get your-" i looked up at him.
He was tall and rugged, yet a soft and sweet looking man.
He had a lip ring and earrings. He looked nice, like someone you could talk to after a long day.
"A-apologies, can I get your order?"
"No need to apologize, and can I get..."
I put in his order, and got his name to call out his order.
Paul. Cool name, suits him.
I went to the back, and prepared his order.
He's pretty cute, so I wrote "enjoy your drink 🖤" on his cup.
As I walked back to call out his order, I noticed he looked pretty tense and nervous.
"Order for Paul?"
He seemed pretty zoned out until he heard his name, and he got up to get his drink.
"That'll be $5 sir,"
"Okay.." he set down a 5 dollar bill. "Oh uh, I like your hair, it suits you.."
"Oh uh, thanks.. I dyed it this weekend actually.." I blushed, touching my hair slightly.
"Wow, that's awesome, it looks nice.." he said.
"Thanks.. enjoy your drink.." I waved goodbye as he left.
"New crush?" Sid teased as he was walking by, carrying some boxes.
"Shut up, we've only just met..." I said, blushing as I watched him walk off through the windows
"Yeah, I bet you already wish you two were married with 3 kids,"
"Shut up Sid, oh look there's Craig,"
"Where?!" He stood up straight, hiding behind the box he was carrying while attempting to fix himself up.
"Oh nevermind, someone else,"
"Oh fuck you Joe.." he said walking away.
"Haha you fell for it,"
I put the 5 dollar bill into the register, and started closing my shift.
I played with the kittens before walking to the back.
I grabbed my stuff, put my apron away, and took out my hair before closing to walk home.
I walked home, unlocking my door with my key and walking in.
I locked my door, putting my keys onto the bookshelf near it. I walked to my room, taking my boots off and laying on my bed.
I laid there for a good 5 minutes, and thought about that man.
He was sweet, kind. His name was Paul, and he wore piercings. Why do I have a sudden feeling that this isn't the last time I'll see him...
The next day, work was slow this time.
Thank goodness, ugh, it's always Tuesdays where the Karens complain that their coffee is made wrong.
I noticed Paul enter the coffee shop, and I blushed, before focusing on the angry customer in front of me.
"Are you deaf? I told you, I wanted ⅒ of vanilla in my coffee! This is too much!"
"Im sorry ma'am, this is the 3rd week you've complained about there being too much vanilla.. we've gone extreme measure just to measure your coffee just the way you-"
"I don't care, fix it now!" Paul looked angry at the woman for interrupting me. She slammed her hand onto the table before pointing a boney finger at me. "I WILL get you fired, and I will personally be posting about this!"
"M-ma'am please calm down I-.." I felt tears beginning to well up in my eyes, I've been having to deal with this woman for 3 weeks, 3 weeks! And I can't cuss her out or I'll really get fired. I could feel the other cashiers looking at me, but only focusing on their customer.
"Don't you yell at me.." she looked at my name tag. "Joey! I do not need to calm down! I demand to speak to your manager!"
I tried to say something before the tears began. I couldn't stop it, they just welled up and rushed. I was sniffling, attempting to hide it.
"Pathetic, as always, so sensitive, this generation can't handle simple discipline, I mind as well get a free drink" she rolled her eyes.
I looked up, the tears continuing. I could see Paul, livid, and I felt so embarrassed. Second day I've met him and I'm an emotional mess. A wreck.
"Hey! You cannot insult him like that! You just fucking yelled at him and made him cry and you want a free drink for that!? What are you a child!? It's more pathetic of you to be picking on a poor cashier for simply trying to help make your experience better, and you want to be a bitch and make him cry! You should be ashamed of yourself!" He said, pushing past her, and checking on me. She was speechless.
Sid came by, tossing an apron on and taking over, "Here, I'll deal with Ms. Karen," I was very shakey, I felt like i needed something to lean against.
"Here, I'll help you.."
He helped me outside, and I got a fresh breath of air while leaning against him. I could hear Sid cussing out the Karen. It felt like music to my ears.
I felt pathetic. I began crying into his shirt, tears rushing down. This time I wasn't as silent.
"Hey.. it's okay, she's a bitch and you don't deserve to be treated like that.." he hugged me.
It felt nice. Like a bear hug. He's very soft and warm.
My crying softened, and I slowly fell asleep against his shoulder.
I woke up, unaware of where I was.
I felt a dog licking my face, oh, it was just Lili.
I looked to my side, and saw I was still being held by Paul. I began blushing as we made eye contact.
"Good morning.."
"Oh.. uh, good morning.."
I moved off of him, sitting by him.
It was awkward, before he spoke.
"Are you.. alright...?"
"Oh yeah I- what happened?"
"Oh, the other guy got in a fight with the lady, but he didn't start it, she did, he broke her nose though."
"That's Sid alright.."
"I guess I'd better head home.. would you like a ride home..? Or do you think you're good enough to go home by yourself..?"
"Oh.. I'm fine, just a little half asleep.."
"Then I'll take you home, can't have you driving half asleep,"
"I walk home.."
"You're still prone to being kidnapped, especially with how cute you look,"
I blushed. He blushed too. "Uh, sorry that slipped out.."
"No, it's fine I uh.. thanks for the compliment.. I guess one ride would be alright.. Can I grab my stuff first..?"
"Of course, I'll be waiting here,"
I went and grabbed my stuff, leaving my apron and taking my hair out.
I walked to the front, where I met Paul with a lit cigarette.
He burnt it out, and looked up at me.
"Holy shit you're beautiful.."
I blushed.
"Thanks.." I gently pushed a strand of hair behind my ear.
"May I?" He held a hand up for me to grab.
I gently held his hand as he led me to his car door.
It wasn't fancy but still felt sweet.
He opened the door, and gently helped me in.
He closed the door and rushed to the driver's seat.
Other than asking for directions to where my apartment complex was at, it was pretty awkwardly silent as the drive went on.
He parked in front of my apartment, and got out to open my door and help me out.
He walked me to my door,
"Would you like to come in..?"
"I would love to but my night shift starts soon.."
"It's that late-??"
"Yeah, you were out for a while.." he laughed a bit.
Damn, I must've been really comfortable in his arms.
"Well then, goodnight, Paul" I smiled, blowing him a small kiss.
"Goodnight Joey," he smiled, lifting his hand to grab the kiss, before I closed my door.