I’m going to be okay.
___ ___ ___
Three hours later, I feel half-insane, but totally euphoric at the same time. I’ve made almost all the drink orders on my own, with Mina’s help only a few times. I made two orders wrong, but luckily the two women understood. They’re currently singing something twangy from a years ago and having the time of their lives, so all’s well that ends well.
I hand Guyliner his frappe and step back from the bar. Mina is on break and at the moment, we don’t have any customers. I’ve enjoyed the rush, because it’s kept me busy and hasn’t allowed me time to doubt myself. I’ve just chosen to dive in, and so far, it’s gone okay. Jake passed through twice and stopped to talk for a few seconds once, but for the most part, he’s been scarce.
Surveying the scene, I smile. The women are finished with their song, and they exit the stage in a flurry of laughter. Everyone is in high spirits; I guess the combination of caffeine and karaoke is a good one.
The DJ calls out the next song and three names. I giggle to myself as a few of the high school guys take the stage. They don’t know all the words, but they give it a good try. They all play air drums or guitar during the solo, and generally have a good time.
As I watch them, it hits me how recently I was their age. Now I’m fumbling my way through the “real world” and it’s nothing like I pictured. I’m not married like my parents hoped I’d be, and I don’t have an amazing career. I haven’t seen the world. I’m really not sure where I’m headed, but I’m catching my breath and then leaping forward. I’m alive, and I have at least tonight to figure out this whole adult thing. It’s a start.
“You’re way too deep in thought for a Friday night.” Mina’s voice startles me and I face her, blinking. “Crack a smile, chica.”
“Sorry.” I shake my head and my hair tumbles out of the baby ponytail I wrestled it into earlier. I sigh and fix it, then wash my hands. “Okay, let’s get back to it.”
Mina and I dive back in, cleaning counters, filling orders, and people watching. I make macchiatos, frappes, cappuccino, and other drinks I’ve never even heard of over the next few hours. We sell out of the divine chocolate cheesecake I was hoping to buy a piece of, and I hear the same song done by a girl, Guyliner, and two bikers. I burn my hand making an espresso, and Mina rips a hole in the butt of her pants.
By one a.m., we’re both exhausted. All I’ve had to eat or drink is the salad I scarfed down before I came to work, and a few sips of now-cold coffee. I moan under my breath when we’re done cleaning and we finally sit down. Mina and I both sigh at the same time, and then burst out laughing.
“We did it.” I stop fighting the yawn my body is producing.
“You sure did.” Jake saunters out of his office and over to us. We’re the only three left, and truth be told, I’m not sure how I’m even still awake. Jake, hair rumpled, gives me a wink. “I knew you were going to be great, Claire.”
“Thanks,” I say. “It was crazy, but also sorta…fun.”
Mina snorts. “Fun? Wait until you’ve done it for six months.” She lets down her hair, shaking it out. “I’m insane for doing this week after week.” Jingling her car keys, she stands. “I’m going home to get some rest. I’ll see you crazy people tomorrow.”
“Night, Mina!” She raises a hand in a wave, and then she’s gone.
Jake locks the door and walks over to me, sitting on the table adjacent to mine. “You were awesome tonight.” He runs a hand through his hair, somehow making it look sexily disheveled. Dammit.
“Thanks.” I clear my throat because I sound raspy. We haven’t really been alone together since our “touching” conversation, and I’m not sure how to act. I want to start some kind of conversation, but I have no idea where to start. Do I make a joke? Should I just throw myself at him?
Okay, so
___ ___ ___
Three hours later, I feel half-insane, but totally euphoric at the same time. I’ve made almost all the drink orders on my own, with Mina’s help only a few times. I made two orders wrong, but luckily the two women understood. They’re currently singing something twangy from a years ago and having the time of their lives, so all’s well that ends well.
I hand Guyliner his frappe and step back from the bar. Mina is on break and at the moment, we don’t have any customers. I’ve enjoyed the rush, because it’s kept me busy and hasn’t allowed me time to doubt myself. I’ve just chosen to dive in, and so far, it’s gone okay. Jake passed through twice and stopped to talk for a few seconds once, but for the most part, he’s been scarce.
Surveying the scene, I smile. The women are finished with their song, and they exit the stage in a flurry of laughter. Everyone is in high spirits; I guess the combination of caffeine and karaoke is a good one.
The DJ calls out the next song and three names. I giggle to myself as a few of the high school guys take the stage. They don’t know all the words, but they give it a good try. They all play air drums or guitar during the solo, and generally have a good time.
As I watch them, it hits me how recently I was their age. Now I’m fumbling my way through the “real world” and it’s nothing like I pictured. I’m not married like my parents hoped I’d be, and I don’t have an amazing career. I haven’t seen the world. I’m really not sure where I’m headed, but I’m catching my breath and then leaping forward. I’m alive, and I have at least tonight to figure out this whole adult thing. It’s a start.
“You’re way too deep in thought for a Friday night.” Mina’s voice startles me and I face her, blinking. “Crack a smile, chica.”
“Sorry.” I shake my head and my hair tumbles out of the baby ponytail I wrestled it into earlier. I sigh and fix it, then wash my hands. “Okay, let’s get back to it.”
Mina and I dive back in, cleaning counters, filling orders, and people watching. I make macchiatos, frappes, cappuccino, and other drinks I’ve never even heard of over the next few hours. We sell out of the divine chocolate cheesecake I was hoping to buy a piece of, and I hear the same song done by a girl, Guyliner, and two bikers. I burn my hand making an espresso, and Mina rips a hole in the butt of her pants.
By one a.m., we’re both exhausted. All I’ve had to eat or drink is the salad I scarfed down before I came to work, and a few sips of now-cold coffee. I moan under my breath when we’re done cleaning and we finally sit down. Mina and I both sigh at the same time, and then burst out laughing.
“We did it.” I stop fighting the yawn my body is producing.
“You sure did.” Jake saunters out of his office and over to us. We’re the only three left, and truth be told, I’m not sure how I’m even still awake. Jake, hair rumpled, gives me a wink. “I knew you were going to be great, Claire.”
“Thanks,” I say. “It was crazy, but also sorta…fun.”
Mina snorts. “Fun? Wait until you’ve done it for six months.” She lets down her hair, shaking it out. “I’m insane for doing this week after week.” Jingling her car keys, she stands. “I’m going home to get some rest. I’ll see you crazy people tomorrow.”
“Night, Mina!” She raises a hand in a wave, and then she’s gone.
Jake locks the door and walks over to me, sitting on the table adjacent to mine. “You were awesome tonight.” He runs a hand through his hair, somehow making it look sexily disheveled. Dammit.
“Thanks.” I clear my throat because I sound raspy. We haven’t really been alone together since our “touching” conversation, and I’m not sure how to act. I want to start some kind of conversation, but I have no idea where to start. Do I make a joke? Should I just throw myself at him?
Okay, so
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