It’s a coffee cart and it smellsdelicious.
“Howdy,” the barista greets.
“Hi,” I say, looking everything over. “Can I please try a peppermint mocha?”
The barista flashes me a grin, gives me my total, and then turns to start making my drink. I watch him go, fascinated by how everything works.
While I wait, I notice the sign sitting at the register. ‘Help Wanted’. This is perfect! I could work here, surrounded by somany people, getting to learn a new skill while also meeting a bunch of new people!
My heart gives a happy squeeze inside my chest at the prospect. As soon as the barista is back, I gently take the cup from him and point at the sign.
“You’re looking for help?”
“Yeah, I have some people going back to school after winter break and could use the help.”
“I’m interested and I can start as soon as you need,” I say with a grin.
The barista blinks a few times before really taking me in. “Do you have experience with being a barista?”
“Nope,” I say, “but I’m a really quick learner and this also means I have no bad habits you need to train out of me.”
“I can’t really guarantee full time hours or anything like that.”
“Anything is fine,” I tell him, sticking out my hand. “I’m Jin, by the way.”
He shakes my hand. “I’m Peter. I own this coffee cart but you’ll mostly be working with Becca. She’s the one I trust to train everyone and take care of things when I’m not here.”
Excitement thrums through my very veins. He’s talking like I’m already hired! This is amazing!
“When can I start?”
“How does Monday work for you? You can come in at nine? I would say sooner but there’s a ton of stuff happening over the weekend and the last thing I want to do is overwhelm you on your first day.”
“Monday is perfect,” I say, the grin plastered on my face. “Should I wear anything in particular?”
Peter shakes his head. “Just make sure to have comfortable shoes on because you’ll be on your feet all day.”
“You got it. Thank you for this opportunity,” I say, giving a slight bow of respect. Peter gives me a bright smile, taking the sign away from the register and setting it below.
I continue through the mall, sipping my peppermint mocha, over the moon with happiness at finding a job so quickly. Some things just slot into place. I like that about life. These mysterious things that fall into place without even needing to stress about it. Sometimes you have to work your ass off for things, and other times, it’s like a magnet getting too close to another magnet; they snap together.
My insides light up again when I see ‘The Devil’s Sweet Tooth’. A candy store? I should have come to the mall the day I arrived in town!! My mouth is already watering thinking about all the goodies they must have inside.
I walk in, my eyes widening as I take everything in. I understand the saying ‘a kid in a candy shop’ a whole lot better all of a sudden. There’s an entire wall of buckets filled with loose candy so you can customize your own bag of candy. There’s candies from different countries. There’s every flavor imaginable. I’m so overwhelmed but in the best possible way. Chocolates and sweets and sours and gummies and everything in between.
“Oh my gods,” I whisper to myself.
At the front of the store, there’s someone behind the counter. Leaning against the same counter is a security guard. I’m pretty sure they’re flirting because the guy who’s working has bright red cheeks while the security guard chuckles.
They’re kinda cute together.
I pick up a bulk bag of candy. It’s a variety pack from the wall of loose candy. This will be perfect! I can try everything out and see which are my favorites. Then I pick up a variety box of chocolates to try as well. When I step up to the counter, the security guard is leaning across the counter, kissing the guy’scheek. They both jump away from each other when I clear my throat.
“Umm,” the guy behind the counter says, wiping his cheek and looking flustered. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine,” I say with a shrug. “It was kinda cute, seeing you guys together.”
“It was unprofessional,” he says, glaring at his partner which only makes the security guard chuckle.
