When I Met You

Chapter 9

“First day of work and you’re already shining” Cree commented, a broad grin plastered on his face. Natalie looked up at him briefly, before shoving a spoon of cereal into her mouth. She wondered how someone could be happy on a Saturday morning when they are supposed to be in bed the entire day. She was not excited to talk but less enthusiastic. She didn’t want a job, having a job meant socializing with people and that wasn’t her strongest fort. Cree knew that but he was what one would call an optimist, always looking at the good that can come out of a bad situation. “It would be good you know if you started the day with a smile”. natalie’s frown deepened to show Cree how annoyed she was. Her elder brother let out a low laugh and raised his hand in surrender. Natalie finished her breakfast hurriedly and changed into the uniform, Blake had so diligently delivered the day before. It was a pink top that she was expected to wear with blue jeans. She tied her hair up in a bun, the last thing she wanted was for someone to choke on her hair in their coffee. Cree being her very enthusiastic driver was already by the car, whistling a tune to himself as he waited for her to show up. Natalie considered maybe just hiding In her room, making Cree impatient with waiting and he’d drive off without her but she’d promised. So there she was dragging herself down the stairs to meet her brother. He grinned the moment he saw her in her uniform.

“Looking pretty, princess” he complimented, even doing the honors of opening the car door for her. Cree got in the moment Natalie was settled and they headed down the road. The siblings drove in silence each left to their thoughts, staring at the scenery that they passed by in silent deliberation. Soon the pink lily cafe came into view and Natalie felt her heart sink, it was filled. There were even people standing outside waiting for a table. Natalie never believed she was claustrophobic, but now she could feel her heartbeat increase at the thought of working in that place amid all those people. It wasn’t that filled when she’d come with Jarred. Where was Jarred by the way? He’d promised to be there to help her out.

“Come on Nat,” Cree said, looking over at Natalie who was rigid in her seat. “What? There’s nothing to be worried about, none of these people are going to eat you” " Maybe Cree thought it was a joke but she couldn’t breathe. She was wheezing. Cree frowned when he saw her like that “Hey, Nat look at me, it’s going to be fine, you’re fine, I’m fine we’re all fine okay, You’re very strong and I want you to go in there and prove it to me”. Natalie looked at her brother, Cree always had a pep talk ready for every situation. “you ready now?” he asked and she nodded. They both headed into the cafe, it was loud and filled with chatting people.

“Thought you wouldn’t show” Blake commentated the moment he saw the both of them.

Cree smiled and shook his hand “Well, better late than never”. Blake smiled at Natalie and turned to talk to one of his employees who was named Cole. “Hey, take Natalie to the backroom and show her around before giving her a head start on the coffee machine”. the guy nodded and gestured for Natalie to follow him. She hesitated before following after him slowly. He led her to the locker rooms at the back where a few other employees were.

“I’m Cole, Welcome to the club, these are Charlie and Donald” Natalie looked up at the two guys that were staring at her from where they sat, they both nodded in her direction before returning to whatever they were doing previously. Cole cleared his throat and pointed to a random locker in the corner. “That’s yours, You can keep your things there and then I’ll show you how to make the coffee”. Natalie walked over to the locker and stuffed her things inside silently before following Cole back to the front. Cree was gone and Blake was nowhere to be seen, neither was jarred. She’d hoped that he’d be there... talk about disappointment. “It’s pretty easy, just take the other and follow the recipes for what each coffee entails” Natalie watched him do one and then he let her do it. “That’s pretty good for a first time. We have a customer” " She turned to see Jarred walking in with an apologetic look on his face, he fell into the chair in front of her and pouted.

“My car broke down” he stated slowly to which Natalie rolled her eyes. “But I'm here, I’m sorry okay”.

“You guys know each other?” Cole asked. They’d forgotten he was there, The duo looked at him, he raised his hand in surrender and scurried off.

“Am I forgiven?” he asked, grinning.

“Fine,” she said finally, “what would you like?”

Jarred smiled “An espresso with just a little sugar and milk”. Natalie nodded and began to make the coffee for him. When she was done, she placed it in front of him and watched him drink in. Jarred slapped his tongue against the roof of his mouth for a few minutes before looking up at her with a nervous smile. “Good just a tad bit tasteless”. Natalie sighed. “It’s the first day of work, you don’t have to get it right” " The bell above the door rang indicating a new customer, who just happened to be Jacob. He looked around for a bit before his eyes landed on Natalie, who looked like she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole.

“Hey,” he said, taking a seat beside Jarred who didn’t seem to like his presence very much. He nodded and Jarred looked back at her. “So when are we going to work on our English project?” he asked.

“She’s at work Jacob” Jarred replied.

Jacob sent a glare in his direction “I don’t remember asking you the question”

“Did you come all the way here to ask that question?” Natalie asked. Jacob proud of himself for getting a reaction out of her, grinned.

“Maybe”.

“Are they bothering you?” They all turned to see the guy named Charlie, looking at them with narrowed eyes. Natalie shook her head, he narrowed his eyes at Jacob for a few seconds before walking away.

“Who’s that?” Jacob asked.

“You can leave, Jacob, I’ll see you tomorrow” Natalie whispered. If Jacob was hurt he didn’t show it, he just stood and walked out of the cafe. Natalie never felt so rude in her entire life.

“Well, I gotta go, Text me when you're done,” Jarred said, giving her a salute and walking out of the cafe. Natalie sighed, turned around, and started her second attempt at an espresso.