Nathan is standing in front of me, staring at me over the counter, 'High Five' by Sigrid plays in the background, and all I can think about at the moment is how hot he looks. Hands in his pockets, wearing a pastel pink t-shirt and grey sweatpants, I feel like staring at him a little bit longer.

Snap out of it.

"Hey, grasshopper. Do you plan on taking your break anytime soon, or am I just supposed to stand here looking at you checking me out?" he smirks. If he expects me to blush at that comment, he is going to be sadly mistaken.

"I tend to like guys in pink. Makes them look very pretty," I smirk back, taking off my apron and walking out from around the counter.

"Pretty, huh?" he replies. Surprise takes over his handsome features. Handsome features? What is wrong with me?

"Yup!" I chirp.

I plop down on one of the chairs in the corner table, my favourite one in the cafe. It overlooks the street outside and gives me plenty of opportunities to observe people whenever I need a time out. Right now, at this moment, a lady is strolling with her baby. Another man is conversing on the phone with someone. Observing small things like these me happy. I snap out of my daze and look at Nathan already looking at me with a small smile on his face. 

"Maybe I need to visit the mall. Gotta buy new pink clothes," he says casually.

I feel a laugh bubbling out of me at that. Of course, Nathan Wright is smooth.

"That was smooth. Looks like you've got practice."

"I try. So Aliana I-don't-know-your-middle-name Palmer, you think you'd tell me more things you tend to like if I ask?" he gets comfortable in his chair and asks.

"Depends on what you ask. If you ask how many murders I've committed, then that's something I can't tell you. I think I've lost count."

This triggers a booming laugh from him, his laughter echoing around the shop. This guy has the ability to give Shaye a run for her money for the best laughter in the world position. And trust me when I say this when Shaye laughs, everybody laughs.

"Let's play a game. Twenty questions. No murder related questions. I'll start. Do you have a-" cutting his question off was the devil reincarnate herself. She stood at our table, giving both of us, mainly me, a look that probably has the power to murder someone.

I internally wince. Her expression does not scream rainbows.

"Ali, you have to be behind the counter. Stop flirting with customers," she says, looking at Nathan disapprovingly.

"But it's my lunch break," I answer meekly.

"Not anymore," she replies.

"I'm sorry, but this is her lunch break. She hasn't even had her lunch yet," Nathan speaks up. I look at him just in time to see an expression of disappointment gracing his features.

Butterfly number 1 has taken off. I repeat, butterfly number 1 is fluttering in my tummy.

"It's nice of you to care for my employees, son, but they are my employees. I can handle them I think," she narrows her eyes at him and looks at me, "Ali, are you saying no to me?"

Mrs Warren knows. She knows my problem and exploits it at every chance she gets. Not only today, but she has done it so many times in the past that I've lost count. I sigh and look over at Nathan, giving him an apologetic look.

"I've got to go. I'm sorry for cutting this short. See you tomorrow?" I ask.

Nathan looks like he wants to oppose, but upon seeing my defeated expression, he finally sighs and says, "I'll wait back. Your shift will be over soon. I'll complete my classwork."

I nod at him, a little sceptical about the fact that he wants to wait back but I don't have time to ponder over it. I walk over to the counter and look at Shaye giving me an apologetic look.

I'm sorry about my mother, her eyes convey the message. I shake my head in It's okay and get back to work.

All throughout the remaining day, Nathan and I make eye contact almost a dozen time. Whenever I catch him staring, I wink at him and whenever he catches me staring, he does the same. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Shaye smirking at me. Rolling my eyes, I focus on my work, determined not to give Mrs Warren a chance to extend my shift. Shaye leaves the counter once the rush hour is over and goes back to the kitchen to help Mia.

After a while of manning the cash register, a shadow looms over me. A lady, not much older than my mother, is standing on the opposite side of the counter and is giving me the dirtiest look I've ever seen, "Excuse me, young lady. You gave me the wrong change. I need my money back."

I look at her in confusion. I never give anyone the wrong change.

If there's one thing I know, it's my numbers.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but I think you should check again," I offer her the kindest smile I can muster.

"Are you accusing me of lying to you? I'm not lying. This is no way to talk to customers. You have given me the wrong change. Now return my money and apologise," she sneers. At this point, most of the customers in the cafe are staring. I hate the attention we're catching.

I'm caught in the middle. I know I have given the correct change, but there is nothing I can do here. I think about calling either Shaye or Mrs Warren but decide against it. Mrs Warren is going to make me pay anyway, I conclude. I sigh and fish my wallet out of my pocket. If it's my mistake, I will pay from my own wallet. Not like I can just say no.

"I'm very sorry for the inconvenience I caused. How much do I owe you?"

The lady smirked and said, "5 dollars."

I bite back my snarky reply and hand her the money. She hadn't even bought anything worth 5 dollars. Taking the money from my hand, she walks away triumphantly without a single look back.

I keep my wallet back in my pocket and look down at the counter.

"Care to tell me why you just gave that rude lady your money?" I jump as I hear Nathan over the counter. He looks confused and a little angry.

"It's nothing. No biggie," I smile over at him and wave my palm.

Not like I can tell him my problem of people walking over me.

"Grasshopper, you better tell me. First, it was your manager and now it's the lady. What is going on?"

The way he looks at me makes my insides churn. So what, I can't say no. It's not a big problem. People have bigger issues. I decided to just tell him for the sake of it. He's my friend anyway, right? What can happen?

Little did I know, that decision happened to start a series of reactions which were gonna change my whole life forever.

⋈ ⋈ ⋈

Hello! Hi! I'm relatively early today to update. How is everyone doing? How was your week? Tell me everything. I wanna know it all. I finally decided to try to be active on my Instagram (anyamitri) and it's really kinda fun. Conversing with so many kind people has been the highlight of my week and I wanna do the same here. 

Anyways, the question of the week you ask? The question you get,

Q. Describe your ideal date (oh la la).

Thank you so much for all the support and reads! WE HIT 500!!! Isn't that crazy? I never thought I'd even get 10 and here we are. At 500. Insane. Why are you even reading this? So comment, vote if you like the story so far. It's picking up the pace now (I'm smirking right now). Alright, imma head out and be back next week.

Love,

Anushka <3