The first thing I feel when I wake up is the sunlight hitting my face. I squint my eyes and reach for the phone.
3 a.m.
I let out a groan, rub my eyes and yawn as the weight of the sleep still pressing me into bed, I should have been up hours ago.
Today I feel refreshed than the usual days.
I roll over and see Felix lounging on the bed near me curled up, his tail wrapped around him.
"Oh, look who's finally awake.." Felix says with a hint of sarcasm.
"I wondered if you were planning to sleep the entire day."
I sit up rub my eyes and run my fingers through my messy hair.
"I feel like I could sleep the whole day.."
Felix stretches and yawns, then hops down to the floor.
"But you wont. We've got things to do."
I raise an eyebrow looking at him.
"Things to do?... So we have plans...?"
Felix looks at me with a mocking gaze.
"Since the sleeping beauty has decided not to rot in bed all day, we gotta do something..."
I yawn again with a little smile on my face. Sometimes having Felix around feels comforting.
"I don't know, what to do next Felix... I've got a month off from college, but what's next?"
Felix hops onto the windowsill and looks down on the street and says.
'You Sven.... you're gonna get a job."
I blink staring at him. "A job..?"
Felix nods.
"Yes, a job. You need money, right? You just cant lie in the bed forever, besides you need exposure to the outside world."
I narrow eyes on him...
"And where exactly am I supposed to find a job..? Its not like they are selling it down the street.."
"Remember the coffee shop from yesterday?"
"Yeah.."
"Lets start there."
I stare at him and for a moment I am not sure if he's joking or being serious.
"You're telling me that I should walk back into the coffee shop and ask for a fucking job, Felix."
Felix shrugs.
"Why not?.... the barista told they are short staffed and you are familiar with the shop right?.... besides we gotta get you out of your shitty lifestyle... a job would be a good start."
"Ehh, fine, whatever.."
But deep inside I know he's right. I have to do something... get into some kind of routine and I do need some money.. my parents only pay the bare minimum.
"Alright Felix." I grab my cloths.
"Lets do this."
We head out and reach the café.
The café looks the same as it did last night. The warm glow of lights fill the café, there are only a few customers inside. Felix walks beside me invisible to others of course but I've not gotten used to it yet.
"You ready." Felix asks.
"Ready as ever!"
I pull the door open.
Luna is standing near the counter, humming to herself as she prepares the coffee. Her hair is tied and there's is a friendly vibe about her that makes the place welcoming.
She notices me and gives off a warm smile. Felix walks in beside me.
"Oh hey!" She says with a bright smile.
"Back for more coffee..?"
I clear my throat awkwardly as I am nervous about asking for a job.
"Actually I am here looking for a job."
She rises an eyebrow, her smile widening.
"A job huh.... You look like you just rolled outa bed."
Felix starts to laugh and moves to a windowsill and lounges there looking at me.
"Yeah well.... late start to the day I guess."
She laughs, putting down the coffee pot and wipes her hand on the apron.
"Don't worry I am just messing with you... You're in luck though, we were looking for some help around here."
I feel a bit hopeful.
"Really!?"
"Yeah, one of our baristas quit last week, we've been shorthanded since then."
"I'll call the boss and let you know.. The boss is in Berlin and we work in shifts here, the open slot is 4PM to 8PM, the slot I am working now in."
"Yeah sure."
She called her boss and they were talking for a bit and got some details on what to do..
"The owner told to check your skills and if you pass, you can join. The 3PM to 8PM shift is open.
"Do you have any experience." She asks me.
"Well.... Umm... "
Luna notices my hesitation and waves it off.
"No worries, its not rocket science. If you're willing to learn, I'll teach you."
I breathe a sigh of relief.
"I am definitely willing."
She smiles playfully
"Alright, how about you do a trail run? If you don't spill coffee on the customers, the job's yours."
I chuckle nervously.
She calls me to the back room and gives me an apron.
When I come out of the backroom, Felix laughs looking at me.
"Look Everyone, The Strongest Barista of Today has just joined the job!"
I give Felix a angry gaze.
The next couple of hours are a blur of coffee orders, learning how to use the expresso machine and trying not to embarrass myself in front of others.
Luna is super patient with me, teaching me every step and even when I completely screw up.
"You're doing alright, Sven." She appreciates me with a encouraging smile.
"I spilled three cups when I first tried out, you only spilled two.... So that's better I guess."
I laugh and wipe down the counter as she hands latte to a customer.
"You're a natural, Sven." The kitty on the windowsill teases.
"Shut up Felix." I mutter lowly staring daggers at him making sure Luna doesn't think I am talking to myself.
The evening rolls on, it becomes less noisy and more quite. We finally have a chance to relax. Luna leans on the counter sipping her own Coffee.
"So," She says looking at me curiously
"What made you decide to work here... You don't seem like the Barista type."
I shrug and expect Felix, the one dragged me here, to help me say something but he's busy pretending to sleep. Seems I am on my own.
"I needed a change... Something to keep me busy." I say looking down into my own cup of Coffee.
"Hmm... I feel you."
"You said you're from University of Cologne, but you look like you just woke up, di you skip today..?"
"Oh no... You see..." I am too ashamed to say it out loud.
"I am... uhh... I am suspended.... for a month."
"Oh what!! That's terrible."
"Why where you even suspended?!"
"For bullying a classmate to a point where he tries to kill himself, or so they say."
"What!! Don't lie to me Sven... You do not look like the type to do that, You're polite and kind."
"Yes, I dint bully him.... But I was blamed."
"I've heard about that incident, I was out of town that day so I don't know the entire details." She says with a sympathetic voice.
"I Believe you, Sven."
My eyes fill up with tears as I hear those words..... I wanted someone to tell that to me so bad. I cant stop the tears.
"You believe me..?"
"Of course yes."
"Sven, don't cry.... I am sure the bullies will get exposed one day."
"Sven.... Sven.... Look at me, Don't worry about it, I will ask around for notes from University.... Study that okay..??"
She wipes off the tears with her soft warm fingers with her Amber eyes looking at me with care.
"Sven, Its fine."
"I trust you."
"Just a day with you is enough for me to know you're a good person."
"Thanks Luna, I needed that."
"Its nothing, You can talk to me whenever you want."
She gives me her phone number.
"You can call me if you feel down, Okay..? Also don't miss tomorrows shift."
"Thanks Luna."
Felix gets up, looks at me, walks to the entrance and waits for me.
"See you Tomorrow, Sven."
"Bye, Luna."
She walks off like a angel ascending to the heavens.
"That went well." Felix says with a sense of relief.
"Sure did."
"Thanks Felix."
"For what ?"
"The job."
"You've earned it yourself Sven. Thank yourself."