Milkshake girl

Chapter three - First time talking with my crush

Olivia's POV:

Someone will say that life is a great thing. I happily would say the same if I didn't have to go to school. Well, I have more than three weeks for that, but I am not very happy about it. I know that I have to be more positive, but it's very hard when people have been bad to you. Maybe the new school won't be that bad. What if I find friends? I shouldn't think that far. First, I need to make sure that the people there are not like in my last one. Otherwise, the change will be unnecessary. I don't want to complain, but the best thing in my life, for now, is the job, which I have. I don't do much, but I like to help my friend Barry. From the moment I walked into his shop, he was very nice to me. Same with his wife Carmen. They don't have kids, but I think that it's because they don't feel ready for this. One day they might have one or more. This is their decision. Of course, I will help them with what I can. During the last two to three years, my parents became very close with them. Probably because I was spending a lot of time with them. The thing is that Barry and Carmen are nice to me, treat me good and this is what type of people I like to be around. 

I woke up and looked at my phone. It was 8:30 am. Barry opens at 9 am, but I can go late because usually, no one comes in the morning. I walked to the bathroom to get ready. Later I changed and went for breakfast, hoping that there will be something left for me. I opened the fridge and saw a note on one of the boxes saying don't touch. No one put notes on the food. I got curious and opened it. I laughed when I read the other note in the box. 

Olivia this food is for you. I left a note outside the box so Emma and James won't eat it. With love, mom. 

Even if they have eaten it, I wouldn't be surprised. This is what they do. Except to care about each other, they don't do anything. I have to say that they are a great team, but sometimes they are a little bit selfish. I mean that they care only for themselves and not about for example the money, which my parents are giving them. Once they spent hundred dollars in less than two hours. I don't know what did they buy, but I would never do that. Mostly, because I don't know what to do when someone gives me a lot of money. I usually buy small and cheap things. 

I sat at the table and started eating. I looked at my phone and saw a message from Barry. He messages me very rarely and only when he needs help. 

Olivia can you come earlier. I have to fix the sink in the bathroom at home. Otherwise, we won't be able to use it. Carmen will appear at some time. Thank you. 

I don't know why, but this made me happy. I got up from my place and went to get ready. I texted Barry that I am going out from home and that soon I will be there. If I walk fast for around 25-30 minutes I will be there. Sometimes I arrive at 9 am, but mostly after that. I don't need to rush. It's not like there are thousands of people there. I hope that there will be customers today. Something that Barry doesn't know is that when there are not many people, I mean like 2-3 for the day, I left some money in the cash register to pretend that there were some customers today. It's not helping, but I feel bad for him. 

Soon I arrived and walked in. There was no sign of Barry. Probably he is in the back room. I walked there and saw him cleaning. There are the fridges where we keep all the ingredients for the milkshakes nice and fresh. He was so caught up with his work that he didn't even notice me. 

- Hello. I am here. - I said chuckling

- Oh, hi Olivia. Thanks for coming. 

- No problem. Now, what is the emergency at home? 

- Our sink is dripping at its wetting the floor. It's not much, but for one night it has full half a bucket. I want to fix it today and I was hoping that you could take my work today. 

- How I said, no problem. Not many people will come today so most of the time I will be chilling. Go now and leave this to me. I will clean it. 

- You are amazing. Carmen will come soon so you won't be alone. 

- I will be fine. Go now. You can't let the sink keep dripping. 

- Thank you. I'll go. Bye. 

- Bye Barry. - I said and he left

I put on an apron and started cleaning. There wasn't much work, but when it's clean it's always better. Today I am in my favorite shirt and I don't want it to get dirty. When I finished with the fridges, I took the blender and cleaned it again. Not like I didn't do it yesterday, but in fact, I do it whenever we have an order. People no need to order a chocolate milkshake, which smells like strawberries. I was cleaning when I heard a voice.  

- Hello. Is there anyone here?

- Give me a minute and I will come. Damn it! That was my favorite shirt. 

That's for keeping it clean. Mom will wash it again. I cleaned myself before I go out. I walked out of the small room and froze at the place when I saw who was in front of me. Tell me that I am dreaming. This can't be real. He is in front of me. Nate Rogers stays in front of me. This has to be a dream. I blinked a couple of times, but this didn't help. He was still there. 

- Hi, can I order something? 

- Um... yeah, sure. 

- Wait, are you the worker for who the man told me yesterday?

- If you mean Barry, yes. He has some problems at home and I am here today. Well, like every single day. What will you order?

I have to act like a normal girl. He can't understand that I like him. It was better when he didn't know that I exist. Not like we have met before. Well, except middle school. Anyways, I won’t think about this now. He is a customer who wants a milkshake and to chill with his friends. 

- What can you offer me? - he said chuckling

- Well, the menu is above your head so you can read it. - I said pointing to the wall behind me

- What is your best drink? - one of the two boys with him asked me

- My favorite is vanilla, but I like chocolate as well. If you ask me the best for me is when these two flavors are mixed. 

- Ok, then. I will take the mix between chocolate and vanilla. - Nate said

- I will try the strawberry. - the other boy said

- You have mint? That's interesting.

- Yes, but this is not very popular. I mean that not many people order it. 

- Then I will be from the few people who will do it. 

- Ok, then. Boys you can choose a table and sit. When I am done, I will bring them to you. 

- Thank you. - Nate said 

The boys took a table in the corner, near the window. It's sunny today and there are fewer chances of rain. I walked for a second in the backroom only to take a breath. I can't believe that he is here. How did he even find this place? That doesn't matter now. The main problem is what I have to do. I know that he is just a customer, but for me, he is much more than that. For more than four years I have been following him everywhere to see what he is doing. I don't mean stalking. Let's say that I was too shy to send him a message and that's why I was always checking his profiles on social media. He might not be a celebrity, but I have to say that he has a place in my life. Not big, but enough. I should stop thinking about this and make the milkshakes. 

I walked back and started with Nate's milkshake. I was surprised that he listened to me and ordered a mix between vanilla and chocolate. Just because I like this, it doesn't mean that he will like it too. I guess that it's like trying and seeing the result. I decide to put some effort and try to make a good first impression. I might not be able to tell him anything, but I will leave the milkshake to talk. I put the drink in the cup and started decorating it. I put some whipped cream, coming with sprinkles and a cherry on the top. Usually, I don't put cherries, because people take them home and in a plastic cup there is no need for that. Also, I use this as a chance to make more people stay here instead to drink it somewhere else. The same way I made the other two milkshakes and gave them to the boys. 

- Woah, this looks good. - one of the boys said

- I will say that it looks amazing. - the other boy said

- But the taste is more important. - I said

- I hope that it tasted as it looks. - Nate said and gave it a try

I hope that they will like them. The recipes are simple, but I always have liked them. Well, in that case, my opinion doesn't matter. 

- I have to say that I am impressed. Good job girl. - one of Nate's friends said

- Thank you. If you need anything just tell me. I will be in the back room. 

- I need something. - Nate's other friend said

- What is it?

- Um... when I think of it, I will tell you. - he said and the boys laughed

- Just call me. - I said and walked away

I cleaned the rest of the room for around ten minutes and walked out. I sat at the chair behind the cash register and pulled out my phone. This is how I spend my free time. Soon I felt eyes on me and looked up to see Nate. I managed to smile at him. The bell rang and I thought that we had a new customer. 

- Hey girl. How are you?

- Someone is in a good mood. Can I know why?

- I went shopping. 

- Didn't you go last week?

- That was in the grocery store. Today I went for clothes. Where is Barry?

- At home. He said that he would repair the sink in your bathroom. 

- Oh yeah, he mentioned it last night. So you are alone and bored. 

- Not so. We have customers so I am pretty good about it. 

- Hey, isn't this...

Before she could finish I put my hand on her mouth and dragged her to the back room. I removed my hand and she gave a confused look. 

- Isn't this Nate? Your Nate. 

- Yes, but I don't want him to know. 

- Why? Now is your chance to make a move. 

- No, I won't do anything. Nate will never understand about this and if you tell him, I will kill you. 

- I won't do anything only because this is between you and him. 

- Thank you. 

- In that case, I will leave you two to talk. Maybe the magic can happen by itself. 

- Carmen! Don't play with fire. 

- I know exactly what to do. - she said and left

I walked after her because she forgot something. 

- Don't you forget something?

- Like what?

- For example your shopping bags. 

- Oh yeah. Thank you. I am inviting you to dinner. 

- But I was at your house last week. 

- True, but we have new things to talk about. - she said and looked at Nate

- Don't you dare. 

- I will go. Bye. 

- When I finish here, I will come to give you the keys. 

- No need to. You can come and open tomorrow. 

- Really? - I asked and my eyes widen

- Yeah, why not? Have fun. Bye, bye. 

- Bye Carmen. - I said and she left

I sat at the chair again and looked at the boys. There is something wrong with them. I mean that all of them are popular on social media, especially Nate, but they are here. I like the place a lot, but the rating is low. Well, as long as they drink, I am ok. After all, I need their money. I started thinking again about how can I help Barry. I get lost in my thoughts when I saw an empty cup in front of me. 

- What?

- I saw that you were somewhere else. I want a refill. - Nate said

- The same drink or do you want something else?

- I want to try the strawberry. My friend said that it was good. 

- Ok, sit down and when I'm done I will bring it to you. 

I made the drink and gave it to him. Nate smiled at me and I walked away. I know that perfect people don't exist, but he screams perfection. I wonder what he hides behind all of this glow. Everybody has his or her scars. Some of them are visible, others not. One of the boys said that he would go for food and come back again. The other one asked me for the toilet. Like that, only Nate and I left in the room. I won't lie that it was awkward or at least for me. I opened i********: and checked some of the girls who usually comment on his posts. What do they have that I don't? Why I am always ugly in people's eyes?

- Hey, are you ok?

I looked up and saw Nate. One part of me wants to tell him the truth, but the other one no. 

- Yes, I am fine. Just thinking about some things. 

- I guess that you are a fan of these types of girls. - he said looking at my phone

- Actually, I'm not. I just wonder what boys see in them. I guess that my type of dressing is not attractive or that's what people in school were telling me. 

- Why? You don't look bad. Your clothes look very comfortable. 

- This is why I am wearing them. 

He was about to say something, but the boys came back and he sat in its place. His friends wanted a refill as well, so I made two more milkshakes. How I see they won't go soon. Not like I mind. The more they drink the more money I will get from them. After all, Barry needs to earn something from his shop. 

At 9 pm, I locked the shop and walked home. Except for Carmen and Barry, I haven't told anyone about Nate and that's how I prefer it. I don't like to hide things from my parents, but this is nothing they should worry about. Moreover, I don't think that he will come back. Just because he was here today, it doesn't mean that this will repeat. I bet that he will find a better place to chill with his friends. I took a shower and went under the covers. Today was officially my first talk with my crush. I hope that I didn't make myself an i***t. I won't lie that I liked the compliment about my clothes. I didn't mean to tell him anything about school or the way people have treated me there, but it wasn't that bad. Maybe, after all, he is a normal boy who just had the luck to have a nice glow up and gain popularity. One day I might understand everything.