The next day, Tina woke up earlier than usual. She grabbed her neatly printed résumé and a small folder of her documents. Standing in front of the mirror, she adjusted her ponytail and practiced her smile.
"You've got this," she whispered to herself, trying to mask the nervous energy bubbling up inside her.
By the time she arrived at the café, the streets were already buzzing with activity. The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air as she pushed the door open. A small bell chimed above her, announcing her arrival.
"Good morning! Welcome to Sweet Brews," a cheery voice greeted her. Behind the counter stood a young woman with short, curly hair and an apron that read Manager.
"Hi! Good morning," Tina replied, forcing her most confident smile. "I'm here to apply for the barista position." She handed over her résumé, trying to ignore the tremble in her hands.
The manager scanned the document, nodding occasionally. "Tina, right? Great! We've been looking for someone enthusiastic. Do you have any prior experience?"
Tina hesitated. "Well, not as a barista specifically, but I'm a fast learner! And I've helped my mom run her small food stall before, so I'm familiar with handling customers and multitasking."
The manager smiled. "That's a good start. How about we do a quick test? Can you handle the cashier while I prepare drinks for the customers?"
Tina's heart skipped a beat. "Oh, uh, sure!"
Within minutes, she was behind the counter, nervously smiling at the line forming in front of her. A tall man in a business suit stepped up first.
"Good morning! I'll have a caramel latte, extra hot," he said, barely glancing at her.
"Of course! That'll be… uh…" Tina fumbled with the register, finally figuring it out. "₱180. Would you like anything else?"
The man shook his head, handing over the exact amount before stepping aside.
As the line moved along, Tina began to feel a rhythm. By the fifth customer, she was smiling more naturally and chatting as she took orders.
When the last customer in line walked away, the manager clapped her hands. "Not bad for a first-timer, Tina! I think you'll do just fine. Welcome to the team."
Tina's face lit up. "Really? Thank you so much!"
"Come back tomorrow at 7 a.m. sharp," the manager said with a grin. "We'll officially start your training then."
As Tina left the café, her chest swelled with pride. She immediately grabbed her phone to text Lowan.
Tina: "Guess who just got a job? Your girl! 🎉"
Lowan: "What?! That's awesome! Drinks on you soon, okay?"
Tina laughed as she tucked her phone away.