The Deal...

The Deal...Him

Izabella

It's been over a week since I've been robbed. Luckily, I've had about $200 saved up, but I blew that through. I groaned as I kicked myself out of bed and into the shower. As I conditioned, I pondered deeply.

I needed a job. Especially during college. How else was I going to pay for common necessities? I couldn't just keep pooling into my bank account the way I was. I was going to run out of money eventually.

After what seemed like hours, I finally turned the water off and got out the shower, with a towel wrapped around my wet body. I quickly moisturized, brushed my teeth and applied deodorant and perfume. I threw on a grey sweatshirt, some jean shorts, and my converse. I didn't bother with makeup except making my lips smooth. I dried my hair with the same towel and kept it down not really caring. I grabbed some studs and stuck them into my first piercing, gripped my purse with my needed items, and ran downstairs.

Both my parents were working and I was going to head to college to check in, despite it only being the last week of June and I was a month early. I was just going to tour the campus and get a feeling driving there and back and forth for future references. Before beginning the journey, I ate a quick bowl of oatmeal, brushed my teeth again and locked the door.

When I finally arrived at Albany Law School, which took just over two hours to get there, I first opened a map of the school and the general area. I circled the campus at least twice, getting familiar and comfortable with the neighborhood. My feet grew sore after the second lap and I decided to stop for something to eat and drink before heading back down. I parked my car in the lot in front of a nearby Starbucks before going in.

I sat down at a table in the far corner of the little shop, resting my purse on top, closer to the window. I pulled out my phone and texted both my parents my location before calling Roxy.

"Hey what's up?" she wondered.

"Hey. I'm at ALS. Well, I'm at the Starbucks they have here on campus."

"Oh, sounds cool." She hardly sounded interested. I must have interrupted her time with her boyfriend.

"Yeah. So, what are you doing?"

"I'm actually at the dealership buying a car. I figured I'd need a car especially while I'm at school."

"Yeah no, of course. What kind of car?"

"Um, it's a Chevy."

"Cool, what color?"

"Red of course." I laughed. It slipped my mind that red was her favorite color. It was her favorite because she always wore it and it looked great on her. "Um, can I call you back? I'm getting ready to test it out and you know?"

"Yeah of course. I don't want you to get an accident. I'll see you later?"

"Sure. Talk to you later Iz."

"Bye."

I smiled and placed my phone on the table before ruffing out my hair and letting it flow down my back and shoulders. I looked up to see an employee. He had chestnut brown hair and eyes. His biceps easily shown through his white t-shirt and he was about half a foot taller than me.

"Hi welcome to Starbucks. How can I assist you today?"

"I'll just take a medium iced tea and a grilled cheese please." He wrote down my request on a small notepad before nodding and heading to the cook. I smiled as he walked away but sighed right after. I guess I could call Staci, but she's most likely with Sebastian. I decided to text Grayson. I haven't seen it spoken to him since graduation.

Hey.

Hey, what's up?

Just saying hi. Haven't seen you in a while.

A few minutes go by and he still hadn’t sent anything back.

You still there? Lol

Yeah.

Are you ok? Did I do something?

Why didn't you tell me you came to the party?

Seriously? That's what you're so worked upon? Lol. That party was literally two weeks ago. Have you really been ignoring me because I didn't tell you I was attending your party?

No. I'm mad because you didn't tell anyone you almost got r***d.

My eyes exploded at the words.

How do you know about that?

Scar told me. She said she saw you being pressed up by some drunk guy.

I rolled my eyes at his text. If she saw me, then why didn't she do anything? Then I recalled that she hated me.

She probably sent him too.

Don't try to flip the subject, Bells. Why didn't you tell me? Or anyone for that matter?

I don't know. I was drunk and I kind of forgot.

How could forget that you almost got r***d? Are you aware of how stupid you sound?

I decided to change the topic to hopefully distract him from getting caught in my lie.

You didn't tell anyone, right? Did Scarlett tell anybody?

Scar doesn't even remember telling me and no I haven't. You are ok, right? Where are you, Bells?

Relax. I'm at Starbucks in Albany.

Why are you all the way in Albany?

I'm visiting the campus.

As I noticed from the corner of my eye, I see my waiter bringing my food and drink.

I gtg. I'll call you when I'm safely home.

You better Bells, he threatened.

I rolled my eyes once more as my drink and food were placed in front of me.

"Thank you," I smiled at the cute boy.

"If you need anything else, just call me over."

"Thank you."

I ate half my sandwich and barely sipped my ice tea. For some reason, I was on edge. Maybe it was the hormones in my brain lusting after the cute barista.

After ten minutes, I was done and asked for my bill. It came out to be $10.21. I would have money to pay for gas on the way back and that would probably be the rest of my spending money. I placed a twenty dollar bill inside the leather slip and finished my meal within the next couple of minutes. I scrolled through i********: waiting patiently for my waiter to collect my money.

As if he heard my thoughts, the waiter appeared out of thin air, collecting my bill. He directed me to the counter in front of the store.

"Sorry for the wait. We're quite busy this day," he apologized as he hands me my change and I nodded in agreement as I looked around. There were only a few more floor baristas going around and surprisingly a lot of people in the small shop.

"It's no problem. Um, would you know the closest gas station, would you?"

"Yeah, you make a right off the campus and keep going down until you see it on your right."

"Thank you. And um, are you guys hiring?" He went in a quick thought before nodding.

"As you can see, we really don't have that many baristas. Are you looking for work?"

"I am. I had to quit my job since I'm attending school here."

"Great. I'll just get you a form and you can hand it into the manager as soon as you’re finished."

The barista left suddenly, heading towards the back, and comes back shortly.

"Here you go," he said, handing me the papers.

"Thanks. I'm Izabella by the way." I held out my other hand and he shook it.

"Benjamin. Nice to meet you Izabella. Any nicknames?"

"I have a few. Iz, Izzy, Bell, and Bella. My best friend is the only one who calls be Bells though. What about you?"

"My best friend is the only one who calls me Ben. But a few call me Benji."

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Benji." I smiled at him once more and this time he smiled back causing me to blush I presumed.

I dumped my trash out and made it to my car. The smile remaining on my face all the way home.