Flowering Dreams

Love, Lust, or Hate?

Waking up for my morning shift I realized I had only been in bed for two hours. Great. Today was going to be difficult. Sighing, I threw my blanket off, getting up to get ready for the day.

I said hi to Jerry as I threw my bag in the office and went up front to start my prep work. Jordan walked in and a big grin spread across his face when he saw me. I prepared for the usual flirting and ignored him as he walked to the back.

"You look tired. What did you do, party all night or something? How very irresponsible of you." He asked in a mocking tone. I saw the grin on his face grow wider out of the corner of my eye as he tried to not laugh at his own joke.

"Ha ha, very funny. You look just as.." I turned to look at him expecting to see a tired expression. Instead he looked as if he had a full night's rest. Did he ever not look good!? "How do you not look tired at all? You left after me! Not fair."

He chuckled at me. "I guess some of us hide it well. I hope you at least work better than you look." His mocking insult caught me off guard as a devilish grin appeared on his face. My first assumption of him was right.

"Jerk." I say, turning back to my work. I couldn't help the small smile on my lips. This playful banter was much better than his flirting yesterday.

"I'm not a jerk, I'm just honest. You look awful. Downright terrible. Are you even awake or just sleep working?" He waved his hand infront of my face and I smacked it away letting out a small laugh.

"Some people actually need sleep you know. We aren't all play boy robots who run on attention." I retort back at him. "Now come on and get to work. It's about time to open."

He threw his hand up to his head in a salute. "Yes, ma'am." he said in a robot voice. Throwing his hand down, he spun on his heels and headed to his section to start prep. A few minutes later I flipped the sign to say "OPEN" and a bunch of girls flooded into the shop.

Two registers, and his line was backed up to the door. I only had a few customers, as most of the people here weren't just wanting coffee. Just like yesterday, he was showing off for his crowd of girls. I rolled my eyes at him and flopped my head down into my hands on the counter.

No more customers on my side, but his line seemed to grow. I started to clean so I didn't fall asleep from the lack of work. As I wiped the counter, a male figure walked towards me. I set the rag back under the counter and said "Hello, how can I.. help."

When I looked up I saw the most beautiful eyes. Deep blue oceans stared back at me. His hair was a dirty blonde mess cascading around his face. Plump soft looking lips slowly pull up on one side of his face, somehow making him more attractive. "Wow."

Did I say that out loud!? Oh no. Now I look like an i***t. I shook my head to clear my thoughts as he chuckled once. "I'd like to order a coffee, please. Black."

"Um, yeah of course." I told him his total and when he handed me the cash, my hand brushed his for a brief moment. Hot electricity shot through me from where our skin touched. I yanked my hand back a little too quickly and our eyes met once more.

I could feel my face getting hot as I realized we had been staring at each other for too long. I turn around and began getting his coffee. What was wrong with me!? I'd never felt like this before. Maybe it was the lack of sleep messing with me. I turned back around to set the coffee on the counter, trying to avoid anymore contact.

When I slid the cup over to him, it fell. Coffee spilled all over the counter, pouring on the floor infront of him. He took one step back, avoiding the hot liquid with grace. That confirmed it. Lack of sleep.

I grabbed the rag and a mop as I began apologizing. I walked around the counter to clean the floor and before I could start he grabbed the mop handle. "I'll get the floor. You can just clean the counter." He smiled at me. "No need to apologize, it happens."

I paused for a moment, thinking. Letting go of the mop, I turned to clean the counter. "Thank you." I said quietly. I wasn't sure he heard me, until I turned back to face him. He was standing right infront of me. He moved forward slightly, reaching past me and leaning the mop against the counter.

"You are very welcome. Now, could I possibly get a coffee to drink this time?" One corner of his mouth pulled up into a half smile as he chuckled. My face was practically burning at this point.

"Yes, again I'm so sorry. It's been a long day." I poured him another coffee, and carefully set it down this time. I also grabbed a blueberry muffin and set it on the counter next to his coffee. "This is my treat."

"Well, thank you. Again there is no need to apologize. It was lovely working with you, Millie." He flashed a perfect white smile as he said my name, making me catch my breath. He tucked a handful of cash into the tip jar while still locking eyes with me. Then he turned and walked to a table across the shop.

As I turned away, I saw Jordan staring at me. His eyes were squinted slightly and a look of jealous disbelief on his face. He quickly fixed it into a smile though and pretended like he hadn't noticed anything. Was the weird electricity I felt obvious to others as well? Did ocean eyes notice it? Or was it all just in my head?

I focused on my work for the rest of my shift, but I could feel Jordan's eyes on me as well as ocean eyes. I tried to avoid looking at either of them. When Jordan's line finally ended, he came over and quietly started cleaning with me. After a minute of silence, he bumped me with his hip.

I glared up at him for a moment then continued working. "So, what was all of that earlier? You seemed uncomfortable. Did he say something to upset you?" His gaze fixed onto ocean eyes. I wonder if his name is as handsome as he is..? I shook that thought from my head and looked back at Jordan.

"No he didn't say anything like that. I guess I just look better than I can work today." I said, mocking his words from this morning. He smiled down at me, happy I was joking around with him. His gaze kept darting back to ocean eyes, though. I could see the hatred boiling up beneath his hazel eyes every time he looked over there.

"Do you know him or something?" He questioned. I could tell he was trying to hide the jealousy in his voice but failing.

"No, I've never met him before. I don't even know his name." This brought a small smile to Jordan's face. "Why do you even care? We are just friends, remember? Nothing more." I say sternly so he knows my banter with him wasn't flirting.

"We are friends, and because we are friends I want to make sure you don't have some creep messing with you. I'm just looking out for you, friend." His voice changed to a playful tone every time he said the word 'friend.'

"I don't need protection, friend." I said the last word just as he had before. Then I threw the rag I had been using to clean at him. "Now hurry up slow poke and get to work. I'm already done." I laughed as he scrunched his nose, making a face at me. Time to clock out and relax before classes start.