The Elite boy who changed my life

I’ll remember that

Imani’s POV

At the reception, I asked for directions to the international students’ orientation. My voice came out smooth. Thank God.

“Lecture hall 3,” the receptionist said.

“Thanks.”

“Follow the crowd of nervous faces, you’ll fit right in.” She said,

I nodded with a small smile as I headed to the lecture hall with nothing but social anxiety in my head.

By the time I reached the hall, it was already filled with voices. Students were greeting their old friends, choosing majors and taking pictures while I just stood near the door, holding onto my bag for dear life.

I finally summoned courage to go in, found a seat at the end of a row and quietly waited for the orientation to begin.

I studied everyone. The nerds, the hot girls, the emo kid, that one guy that was checking me out.

Weird.

I was never really into guys, not that I’m gay because I’m not. I just never saw the point or maybe mama had gotten into my head with all her “boys will always use you and leave you feeling worthless.” Speeches.

“Alright everyone.” The professor's voice interrupted my rambling.

“Welcome to Imperial College London. Congratulations on earning your place here.”

To me, that felt like a little crown on my head.

The professor talked about how competitive it was here, introduction to our courses, campus tours, student clubs and safety on campus.

All I could think about was where the bathroom was.

An hour later, the meeting had come to an end. Students scrambled out of the hall and went in different directions. To get lunch, to hang out with friends, and some right back to their dorms as I planned to do before I received an email from the university job board.

“Part time barista needed. Monty’s café, Kensington.”

I smiled, nostalgia hitting me immediately. I clicked apply without thinking twice.

The application was short. Name, course, previous work experience.

Imani Carter,

Psychology student,

Java spot café, Nairobi.

I attached my CV and clicked submit.

Almost immediately, my phone buzzed.

“Interview scheduled. Tomorrow, 10:00 am”

“That was fast.” I thought as I slid my phone into my pocket and walked back to my dorm.

I opened the door to my dorm with a passcode and gently pushed it. Inside, I flung my shoes to different corners, dramatically dropped my bag on the floor and dived into my bed head first.

“Hey superstar. How was your first day?” Amelia asked.

And then it hit me. Amelia hadn’t returned when she went to get dinner last night and she was nowhere to be seen this morning too.

“Uhh… only exhausting.” I said.

“University life. You’ll get used to it.”

I smiled at her.

“Where were you this morning? Hope you don’t mind me asking.” I said, finally letting my curiosity win.

“Oh, no.. it’s cool. I was out with friends.”

“That must be really nice, having friends who actually care about you.” I said.

“Yeah, it is nice. You should totally come.” Amelia’s face lit up.

“No, I was just worried about you. Really.”

“Sure.. whatever. Tell me you’re free tomorrow.”

“I don’t think I have anything planned out for tomorrow, but I do have an interview.” I said.

“An interview? Where?” She asked.

“Monty’s café. They have a part time barista spot and I kinda need extra cash.”

“Ohh look at you! Miss Carter, already landing interviews on her second day.” Amelia squealed.

“Let’s not get too excited Amelia.” I said, smiling.

“It’s a date!” Amelia said.

“A date? Where are we even going?” I asked, now laughing.

“Only all of London. Duhh.”

“All of London? Amelia”

“I mean not all of London, but we could go to markets, vintage shops and even Monty’s for your interview.” She said,

“Then it’s destiny.” I said.

The next morning, Amelia and I were out on the streets wrapping in coats and laughing about how Amelia was doing a horrible job at being my tour guide.

We stopped at a small market, Amelia bought me a tiny keychain shaped like Africa.

“For your keys.” She said,

“Thank you.” I said as I hugged her.

I was truly grateful for Amelia because I never had real friends. I love and cherish her already and I really hoped she saw that.

By exactly 10:00am we were in front of Monty’s and I was debating if this was really worth it.

“What if the application was a scam?” I asked.

“It’s not Imani. Even if it was, it wouldn’t hurt to try.” Amelia said softly.

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

I took a deep breath and walked in.

“I’ve got your back from right here.” Amelia quoted.

I caught the reference immediately and smiled as I pushed the door open, the bell above chiming softly.

The place was beautiful, the quiet chatter, the hum of the machines and accents I wasn’t quite used to yet.

I walked to the counter, and I was met with an older red head.

“Hi, I’m Imani. I saw your job post online?” I said.

“Afternoon, love. You’re here about the barista position?” She asked.

I nodded.

“Great. I’m Maggie. You’ve come at a good time, we’ve been short staffed.”

My heart did a tiny backflip and I sighed in relief.

“I’ve worked at a café before and I learn really fast.” I admitted, hoping it would give me a better chance.

“Honest and confident. I like you already. How about you come in tomorrow for a trial shift?”

“Really?” I asked.

“Really. 11am sharp. Don’t be late. Darling.”

I could barely contain my smile.

“Thank you so much Maggie!”

Outside, I ran into Amelia’s arms, erased the thought of crying because I never let my emotions show.

“How’d it go?” Amelia asked.

“I have a trial shift tomorrow.” I said, jumping.

“Ouu girl, I’m so proud of you.”

“Let’s not get too excited, what if I spill coffee?”

“Even if you do, you’ll spill it with grace.”

Laughter erupted as we walked off, the city busy around us.

That evening, when we returned to our dorm, our hands were flushed from the cold, our phones filled with pictures, and our shopping bags filled with victims of our impulse buying.

I took my bath with warm water, did my skin care routine and settled in bed.

I stared at the ceiling for a while before I took out my phone and texted mama.

“Got a trial shift tomorrow. Wish me luck.”

Before I knew it, I was in dreamland.

The morning came too quickly. One minute I was in front of the bathroom brushing my teeth while half asleep, the next minute I was in front of Monty’s questioning my whole existence.

The café was already alive when I got there, the bell chimed as I pushed the door open and the familiar scent welcomed me.

“Good morning love. You’re right on time. That’s what I like to see.” Maggie shouted from behind the counter.

‘’Morning.” I said

I had done this before. Why was I nervous?

“Come on in. Let me introduce you to the whole team.”

Maggie led me to the back, where two other workers were busy.

“That is Olivia.” She pointed to a brunette lady around my age. “She’s in charge of pastries.”

I nodded.

“This is Ben.” She nodded towards a guy with curly brown hair, who looked slightly younger than me.

“He’s in charge of drinks and every other thing apart from coffee and pastries.”

Maggie showed me how to steam milk, take orders and work the register.

“Flat white for Alex.”

“Latte no foam for Sarah!”

“Extra hot cappuccino for Tom!”

By noon, my wrist ached from orders and I was exhausted.

“Don’t worry. You’ll get the hang of it.” Maggie encouraged me.

“Back home, I used to just give out orders. Not make the coffee myself and serve it to them.” I said, laughing.

“Back home? Where’s that?” Olivia asked.

“Nairobi, Kenya.” I said softly.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Africa.” Olivia said.

“As I’ve said. It’s a huge continent. You’ll need more than one trip.”

The small talk eased my nerves, as I remembered mama. It felt like I was drawing away from her. I didn’t want to forget her, I knew I couldn’t but the thought of it still hurt.

As I reached my dorm, my phone buzzed. It was a message from mama.

“How was it?”

I smiled, typing back.

“It was perfect mama.”

I wrote as I put my phone back into my pocket and opened the door.

It had been three weeks since I started working at Monty’s. I had mastered all the regulars of customers.

My life was a never ending cycle of lectures, shifts, and random side quests with Amelia.

Even Maggie started trusting me with closing shifts. It felt like a reward for my hard work.

One evening, as I was wiping down the counter, a guy walked in. He was tall, with broad shoulders and brown hair.

He looked like someone who didn’t belong in that very café.

“Hi,” he said. “Can I get a caramel latte?”

His accent was crisp, and his tone unexpectedly soft.

“Sure thing. Name?” I asked.

He hesitated for a moment.

“Theo.”

“Got it. It’ll be ready in a few.” I said, writing his name down.

He stepped aside, phone in his hand and rain drops on his coat from the slight drizzle outside.

“Caramel latte for Theo.” I shouted.

He reached for it and our fingers brushed.

“Thanks.” He said.

I smiled politely. “Enjoy.”

He walked out, the bell chimed behind him.

That was supposed to be just another regular customer.

Except minutes later the door opened again.

“Uhm.. I think this isn’t mine.”

I blinked. “What?”

“It's a flat white.” He said.

“Wait.. that was for..” I sighed.

“That was Olivia’s order. I’m so sorry.”

Theo smiled. “So somewhere out there, Olivia is wondering why her drink tastes like caramel?”

“I’m so sorry.” I said. “I haven’t messed up in days.”

“Well, I’ll forgive you if you make the right one this time.” He said softly.

“You’re lucky I’m nice.”

“Oh I can tell.”

I handed him the new cup, and then he smiled.

“Thanks.. Imani right?” He said, reading my name tag.

“Yeah.” I said, trying not to sound surprised that he noticed.

“I’ll remember that.”

This time I watched him walk out into the rain again.

For some reason I couldn’t explain, the café felt just a little warmer after he was gone.