Thalia arrived at the famous coffee shop just in time---thirty minutes before the store opens which means she still has time for her usual morning inspections. She checked the kitchen, the stock room and of course the coffee bar to see if everything is in place. And that's when she noticed piles of collected used tissue that was thoughtfully hidden on the back of a simple syrup container. In an instant, she knew who the perpetrator is.
"Monica." Thalia called the name of best Barista in their Cafe'. She hops like a bunny and that warm smile on her face makes her look like a sweet and silly teenager though she's already near her thirties'.
"Yes, Thally?" Monica sneered. Obviously she's in a teasing mood.
"Why is there a used napkin on the back of the sugar pump?" Thalia asked while holding the stained tissue in front of Monica's face like a flag. "You know that this goes against our protocol, yes?"
After seeing the look on Monica's face, Thalia tried her best to hold on to her laugh. As the other one looked like a deer caught in a forest fire---scared and ready to run.
"That is not mi---"
"Don't lie to me." Thalia cut off her jibber-jabber firmly. "I know you, Monica." She smiled at the latter, feeling devilish and is in the mood for punishing others. "You don't usually keep soiled napkins unless this was handed over to you with a huge tip. Or... the guy was really really cute and he's your type."
Monica sighed and a blush tinted her already reddish cheeks. "Fine!" She exaggerated, her hands flailing up in the air. "He's my type, okay?! Are you happy now, huh, Thalia?"
"And I'm guessing this guy is either Asian, really tall or a cute guy."
Thalia almost laughed at Monica's surprised expression. Her lips were gaping and her eyes were sparkling, as if she was raised from the dead. "How did you know?"
"I've seen your boyfriends, Monica." Thalia teased the latter with a smirk, she left Monica and proceeded with her daily task. She was about to go to the cold kitchen when Monica followed her and randomly whispered into her ears. She leaned closer and said "You know, that cutie-pie always come here fifteen minutes after your sister comes for her free coffee and bagels. But yesterday I was surprised cause he came in eight minutes earlier. Eight." She emphasized, her brows raising up and down.
Thalia's brows furrowed as she stared at Monica's face. "And why are you telling me this?"
She raised her hand and made a peace sign with her middle and point finger. "Cause there's two of them."
There are times when Thalia wants to understand Monica, but she can be so intense that it drains the life out of her. "So?"
"You'll see. They're both so..." She paused midway and starting to giggle to herself. "...they're so scrumptious!"
Thalia scoffed and shook her head. "Well, that's something new. I've never heard you say scrumptious to a guy before. Get back to work."
She laughed and turn around. "You'll see why I'm this excited, boss! I'll give you a signal if they come today. And I'm telling you, they've been coming here frequently."
=================
When Thalia spotted her sister during her lunch break, she can't help but sigh in relief. There's nothing more comforting than seeing a person close to you. And what's closer than being best friend with your sister.
Hazel portrayed exactly the type of person she seemed. Some adjectives to describe her were cheerful, goofy, warm-hearted, outgoing, funny… and the list goes on. She had most of the good type of human personality traits available, but she could also be greedy, bratty, and selfish when she wanted to be---just like most human beings.
It was lunch break and the two decided to eat lunch together in a nearby fast food chain. Since time is of the essence and their lunch is only an hour each. At first, they were chatting as usual. Hazel was talking about her problems at work and so was Thalia. Without noticing that Thalia wasn't listening anymore, instead she started to wonder about the man that appeared in her dream. She doesn't recall ever knowing someone so tall or that athletically built… maybe she was just influenced by a random stranger that passed her life without noticing the man? Or maybe its a just a hot customer that she once served cheesecake to?
"Hey, Thalia? Yoo-hoo. I was just telling you about the patient that I extracted blood from---the one from last month." Hazel protested very loudly, gaining the attention of those surrounding the duo and earning a few 'shh' remarks.
"So-sorry... I'm listening Hazel. Something just slipped my mind." ThalIA whispers as she tries to blend into her seat and to keep the temperature of her burning cheeks down.
"Well it sure didn't seem like it. You had that blank look going on. You know the one you always get when you're thinking of something else. Glassy eyes and all," Hazel retorts, more lower than previously but still loud, according to Thalia.
"Okay, fine. I wasn't paying attention. I've told you before that I don't like it when you tell me scary stories about the hospital morgue! Or the fact that the elevator goes up and down and up and down even though nobody is actually inside the elevator!" Some people gasped at that last sentence as if it were a real fact.
Thalia had to actually say, "It's just an example people!" In order to get them to turn back to their food.
"Fine, fine I'll stop. So, what's bugging you so much to cause that idiot expression to appear?" This comment earns Hazel a slap on the head.
"Hey, who are you saying has an idiot expression! I'm older than you---I came out from our Mom first--- so you have to respect me." Thalia says with an indignant expression on her face.
All Hazel can do at this point is roll her eyes and reply, "Why must you ALWAYS pull the older card. We're only a year and a half apart and I've lost all that respect since I've known that you've watched all of the episodes of Glee and How I met your mother. Jeesh."
Thalia knows that she's right. Even she doesn't know why she can't let it go. It's just that she wishes Hazel would listen to her more.
She was about to retort when she realized that there's only fifteen minutes left of their lunch break.
"Finish your meal already, were gonna be late! Just chew and shallow and breathe later." Thalia hurriedly says as she tries to gobble up the fries and burger left on her tray. She remembered that she needed to be at least five minutes early since the manager needs all of the supervisor to be there for a quick update of the latest mark ups on the store.
"Thally, you still haven't told me what's bugging you!" Hazel shouts across the hall of McDonald's to her sister.
"I'll tell you later when we get home!" Thalia shouts back before disappearing behind the door, too worried about being late to feel embarrassed that she yelled in front of so many people who were just trying to enjoy their meal.
***
Hazel chuckles at her sister's panicky state and ponders what could possibly be in Thalia's mind. Since they were kids, her older sister has always been the jumpy and nervous wreck out of the two. And it gotten worse since Thalia works for a coffee shop. She was about to pick up her phone and check her next day off. Maybe she just needed some time to unwind, and she decided that she'll definitely bring Thalia along with her too. 'Camping would be nice', she thought. She's startled out of her thoughts when warm lips touched her cheek and a body proceeds to sit next to her.
"Hey, baby. Why so thoughtful?" Gabby says with a smirk on his face.
Hazel turns to him so that she can peck his lips and replies, "No reason. Just thinking of why Thally was spacing off today. I swear, she should be an astronaut with the amount of times she seems to leave this planet." Hazel chuckles at her own joke and smiles softly at Gabby.
"Really. Hope I can distract you then." Gabby says while sneaking his arms around Hazel's waist and increasing the pressure slowly.
"Let go of me, Gabby. You know I hate P.D.A." Hazel warned him but Gabby chose to ignore her and proceeded with the hug.
"Oh, babe... it's just a hug."
"I said, no!" with that Hazel got up from her seat and left the cafeteria.
She didn't understand why she felt annoyed with Gabby more and more as the days passed. Their relationship had started off great, but lately those supposed 'rose color glasses' hadn't been doing their job and she'd been noticing more and more of Gabby's bad qualities. One, he's being overly flirty and kind to other person---specially girls. Two, his clingy behavior. And three, his face.
She wonders if it has anything to do with the tall figure that has appeared more frequently in her dreams…