Dont Cry Over Spilt Coffee
During her late night shift Laura was easily grabbing the plates prepared with food and bringing them out to her awaiting customers. It was a slow night, only a few here and there. The time on the clock told her she had an hour and a half before her shift was over, then she could take off her apron and fake smile. Wiping down the table she had just cleared away Laura heard the familiar jingle signaling that another hungry person had just came in, putting the rag back under the counter she turned to go and help the patron.
“Welcome to The Lustig, my name is Laura and I’ll be your waitress.” She stated in obviously fake joy to the dark haired girl who was pulling out a (sketch?) book from her black leather bag, her body facing away from Laura.
“Coffee, please. Black.” The brunette said, turning and looking up at the waitress. Laura couldn't help her eyes widening at the sight of the girl. Her hair was strewn in all different directions but covered up by her maroon beanie, her charcoal eyes had dark bags under them, and her outfit looked as though she had dressed herself in the dark. None the less, she was gorgeous. In a messy and mysterious way.
“A-anything else?” She couldn’t help the stutter in her words, despite the tired look in the customers’ eyes there was definitely some seduction there too.
“I’m good, cutie. Just the strongest you have.” Breaking their gaze, the artist then flipped open her book and absentmindedly pulled a pencil out from behind her ear, attention now focused on the half complete drawing before her. Blinking, Laura walked away and into the kitchen, grabbing a ceramic mug and coffee pot.
Returning, she sat down the glassware and filled it nearly to the brim with steam rising from the dark liquid. “If you need anything, I’ll be right behind there.” Pointing to the raised bar shyly, she blushed at the small smirk playing on the other girls lips.
…
Through the next hour Laura could feel eyes watching her every move. She knew it was the dark haired girl sitting in the far back corner of the diner, Laura had caught her looking when she had moved around the counter to change the specials board. But the weird thing was, she hadn't looked away, if anything the girl's dark eyes only seemed to examine Laura even closer.
Laura's mind immediately jumped to conclusions, causing her marker to freeze on the board. "What if she's a murderer? Oh god, is she going to kill me!? What do I do!? Of all days to forget my bear sp-" her mental meltdown is interrupted when a raspy voice calls her name. Finishing the last word on the board she clears her throat and faces her (possible killer) customer.
“Yes?”
“I’d like a refill, if you don’t mind.” The dark depths of her eyes motioning toward the empty cup. A perfectly sculpted eyebrow raises when the wide-eyed waitress makes no move. “Anytime soon would be much appreciated.” she drawls.
Nodding her head Laura makes her way over to the booth, grabbing the coffee pot on her way, her mind still racing out of control with the thoughts of blood and bodies. “Here you go.” She says, cautiously tipping the glass down until the steaming, energizing liquid starts pouring out.
“You're looking a little freaked out there, Cupcake. You alright?” The waitress’ attention snaps to the brunette. She sounded genuinely concerned.
“Um, yeah. Just- ah, just tired I guess.” Laura’s voice was distant in her own ears as she spoke, distracted by the infinite depth of the hazy dark amber before her.
“Maybe you should get some sleep then. Not that you need the beauty rest or anything…” Despite the comment that normally would have made Laura uncomfortable, she felt her cheeks turn crimson and her brain short-circuit.
“Uh…” and then the trance was gone when the artist quickly broke their gaze.
“Shit!” Due to the state she was in, Laura forgot to stop pouring the coffee causing the ceramic to overflow, onto both the table and the artist sitting at it.
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.” The honey blonde panicked when she saw the hot liquid spilling over the table edge onto the other girls…leather…pants and hoodie. Quickly setting down the coffee pot and snatching the rag hidden in her apron pocket and throwing it on the table to stop the spillage, and then frantically grabbing multiple napkins from their placeholder as she starts to wipe the coffee covered artist off. “I am so sorry! I wasn’t even thinking!"
"Uh Cupcake?"
"God, I’m so clumsy. I am sor-“
“Cupcake!”
“What?” Laura stopped her frantic actions to look at the girls face. And was momentarily confused at seeing the other girls eyebrows raised very nearly to her hairline, until she suddenly became very aware of where her hands were. One hand was placed on the brunettes shoulder to steady herself while the other hand was holding the coffee stained napkins against the other girls' chest. And wow, were their faces always this close?
Jerking her hands back with an embarrassed look on her face, she starts again. “Oh I didn't mean to- I mean im so very sor-“
“I swear, if you apologize one more time I’m going to have to strangle that pretty little neck of yours.” The broody girl said in an annoyed yet amused tone. Ducking her head down and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Laura caught sight of the artists’ now ruined drawing. She heard the girl sigh as she picked up her dripping paper. “Well, that was three hours of my life wasted.” Releasing the paper she lets it fall back to the table and looks up at a terrified looking Laura.
“I’m really so- I didn’t mean for that to happen, I swear! I mean, why would I want to ruin such a beautiful drawing? Why would anyone? Are you an art major? If not, you should be! Because like wow, that is, was, really good and can you please stop me from talking this is starting to get really embarrassing. Not that it wasn’t before! I just talk a lot when I’m nervous, my friend LaFontaine actually thinks that it’s because-“ the other girl noticed that the waitress hadn’t even taken a single breath since starting her rant. Honestly, she found it cute but she feared that if she doesn’t stop the girl soon that she’d pass out.
“Sweetheart, stop.” Holding up a hand to help further her request. “Its fine, I promise.”
“I don’t know, I still feel really bad about ruining your art...and your clothes.” Laura says, wringing her fingers and not meeting the others eyes.
“When I say it’s okay, it’s okay. Alright?” The artist reassures, trying to get her to understand that it was just a mindless sketch. “It’s okay. Now you might want to go to the other side of the cafe, you have a drunken man over there trying to flag you down.” she says with a smirk and gestures at the man, who looks as though he is going to fall out of his booth trying to get Laura's attention. Her blush darkening, Laura nods her head and leaves to help the poor man across the diner.
…
After it was all said and done, the perplexing artist along with her other customers had left, Laura found herself cleaning off booths when a flash of white caught her attention. Strategically placed under the mug, that had once been filled with the burning amber liquid, was a neatly folded piece of paper. Snatching it up and unfolding it the waitress soon became mesmerized by all too perfect portrait. In the corner of the page was a message written in a loopy scrawl, “Cupcake, if you’re still feeling bad about ‘ruining’ my drawing I might have an idea as to how you can make it up to me. Give me a call if you’re interested. –CK” and directly below was a phone number.
Oh god, Laura thought, what have I gotten myself into?