The new neighbour
Ellie was notorious for being late, no matter how much sleep she got, she would always struggle to get out of bed. She had some kind of superpower where she could sleep through anything, alarms, police sirens and at this point, probably a zombie apocalypse. She rubbed her eyes open and reluctantly reached for her phone -Oh shit- she groaned, realising she was already 15 minutes late to her 9 am shift. She heaved herself to the bathroom, deciding she had no time for a shower so she sprayed on deodorant, fixed her short hair up into a half up half down ponytail and pulled on her clothes. She was pretty sure she had worn that exact brown flannel, pair of baggy jeans and black Converse for the past 2 days straight but it’s not like she had anyone to impress.
“Where the fuck is it!” She yelled out whilst frantically scrambling through her pigsty of a room for her bus pass (which was actually in her jacket pocket). She quickly rushed out the door but suddenly tripped over large boxes that were piled up outside the appartement opposite hers. -What kind of idiot just leaves their stuff there- She complained as she picked her self up. She quickly checked the time and continued to run towards the bus stop.
It was a rather warm Wednesday morning, Ellie could tell by the way the sun was biting at her nose and the flowers were blossoming in the trees, that spring was quickly approaching. On her way to the bus stop, she figured she should text Jesse and warn him about being late.
Ellie: sorry running late
Jesse: istg ellie if you’re late one more time
Ellie:it’s part of my charm
Jesse: nothing about you is charming.
Ellie: don’t worry princess i’m omw
Luckily for Ellie the bus was exactly on time and she managed to get to the shop earlier than usual (and that’s saying something). She carefully nudged open the door and tried to sneak in through the back.
”Don’t think I didn’t see you Ellie.”
”Joellll, heyyyy,”
”Just get your ass behind the counter and get to work.”
She followed his directions and held up her hands apologetically. Whilst throwing her apron over her head, she noticed the sound of the creaking floorboards emerging from behind her. “Jesse I know you’re there.” She bragged, rolling her eyes at yet another one of his pathetic attempts at scaring her.
Jesse let out a frustrated groan “Mark my words Ellie I will get you someday.”
”Maybe in your dreams."
"The food’s not gonna serve itself you know!” Joel yelled from his office.
”Sir yes sir!” The two employees mocked simultaneously, saluting to each other. They quickly got to work.
”So anything new going on with you Ellie?” Jesse inquired whilst setting up the display of freshly baked bread.
”Nope just the usual, music, sleep, gym.”
”And yet again homework is no where to be seen that list.”
”Ugh don’t remind me-“ She complained. ”Enough about me, how are things going in Jesse land?”
”I don’t know- things are a little weird with Dina and me.”
Ellie fake gasped and but instantly deadpanned a second later. “That’s how I would’ve reacted if that was shocking information.”
”Yeah yeah whatever you know how girls can be.”
”No actually I only talk to you.”
”Oh yeah I forgot how socially irrelevant you are-”
”Shut up-“ She lightheartedly punched him in the stomach causing him to dramatically wince and scrunch up his face. “Quit the theatrics and tell me what kind of lovers quarrel you had this time-“
“We just keep getting into these stupid arguments, we’re trying to work things out but it feels like we’re just drifting apart for real this time, you know?”
”But you guys always work it out in the end right? Isn’t that how the fairytales go?”
”Yeah but she actually moved out of my place, I thought she was bluffing but she’s actually gone now…”
”Sounds rough…"
“It’s definitely weird without her but I’m kind of relieved to not have to walk on eggshells around my own place anymore-“
”Not sure if I'm qualified to say this considering I’ve never even been in a relationship before but if it’s not working out why don't you just break up.”
”You’re right- that was terrible advice.”
”Hey I just keep it real and you love me for it-“
”Thanks Ellie you always know just what to say-“ His tone oozed with sarcasm. The two continued to work for the next few hours, whilst simultaneously catching each other up on their latest gossip. They didn’t have much time to see each other at school what with Jesse being occupied with his studies and actually having a social life, so the time they spent together at the bakery was special.
Ellie and Jesse had been friends since kindergarten and were practically attached at the hip for the first 13 years of her life but as they got older (and life got shittier) they fell into different crowds, and went to different schools. Jesse was the star of their varsity soccer team, the quarterback of course, and from what Ellie knew he had been dating a cheerleader on and off since high school. She didn’t know much else but, it seemed like they were a typical movie cliché, a match made and heaven and probably one of those disgustingly perfect couples that made Ellie sick to her stomach. Contrastingly, Ellie was always the type to keep to herself, she didn’t really have her own group of friends to hang out with, not that she cared. Most people were actually afraid of her; the tattoos paired with her I-don’t-give-a-shit-attitude definitely didn’t help. All throughout high school she could be found loitering in the hallways and oftentimes rotting in the detention room or -throwing away her potential- as Joel would put it. Jesse and Ellie rekindled their friendship less than a year ago when she started her freshman year of college and it couldn’t have happened at a better time, they seemed like an unlikely pair but at the end of the day they would always be best friends. Jesse started working with Ellie 5 months ago so that they could make time to get to know each other again.
"Alright, I have a lecture in about half an hour so I’ll see you later!” Jesse was folding up his apron and checking out for the day.
"See you." Ellie responded, they did their legendary handshake from their middle school days before he left.
”Shouldn’t you be getting to school too?” Joel inquired suspiciously; Ellie was no stranger to skipping classes.
”Chill out warden I don’t have a class until later, I can handle myself.”
”Ok just checking, I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”
”There aren’t any customers any way I think I’ll be fine.” She gestured towards the empty room.
Joel shook his head, muttered something under his breath and retreated into his office.
It was a really slow day, as in no one had come in ever since Jesse left, Ellie was sure that nobody would ever walk into the shop again and was tired of waiting.
Ugh, could this get any more boringgg.
She concluded that since she would probably be standing around for a while she should at least get to listen to some music, she slid on her wireless headphones and let herself get lost in her playlist. She started tapping her foot and bopping her head more intensively as she reached the climax of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Before she knew it she was performing to her imaginary audience, whipping her hair around as she smashed some invisible drumsticks into her invisible drums. “And the crowd goes wild!! Williams! Williams! Williams!” she chanted to herself whilst stomping her feet in synchronisation with the beat.
"Excuse me?” a muffled voice broke through, snapping Ellie out of her rock star fantasy.
She froze, hoping that if she stayed still long enough the person would just leave.
”Uhhh hello?”
Ellie had always thought she was born with some kind of unlucky gene, at least that was her explanation for every embarrassing moment that she had branded into her memory. This was yet another to add to the collection of things that would keep her up at night because of course someone had to walk in on her.
Shit. She threw off her headphones and turned around-“Hi welcome to Miller’s-"
A freckle-faced girl was standing before her and she was one of the prettiest girls Ellie had ever seen. She had shiny, black hair that was tied up into an effortless bun and her skin glowed as the sun grazed her cheeks. She was wearing a cropped tube top that exposed her sharp collar bone and pierced belly button, paired with a baggy pair of black jeans. She played with her gold hoop earring as she popped her hip out to the side, staring at Ellie with an unreadable expression.
“Is Jesse here by any chance?”
“You just missed him he’s already gone-“
”Do you know when he’ll be back?”
“Sorry, he didn’t say…”
“So you’re fucking telling me I came all the way here for nothing?”
”Uh…”
“Ugh-“ She sighed, rubbing her temples. “I’m just so exhausted and I spent way too long trying to find this place-“ She paused and awkwardly laughed.”Not sure why I’m telling you this, sorry for the attitude, can we start this again?”
“Tough day?”
”You could say that."
”Happens to the best of us,“
”Well do you have a remedy for someone suffering from man-related pain?”
“Maybe something from here will liven you up?” Ellie gestured towards the menu.
”That’s probably not a bad idea-“ The girl scanned through the options and then met eyes with Ellie “What do you recommend?”
"Our mocha lattes are pretty popular?"
"Coffee? No thanks."
"Not a fan?"
"Definitely not- it tastes like… burnt shit, no offence."
"None taken, I’m glad I’m not the only one that thinks so."
"Wait…" She squinted, "You hate coffee but you work at a coffee shop?"
"It’s a long story-"
"I have time-"
"Weren't you just about to order something?"
"Ok understandable you don’t wanna spill all your dirty secrets yet, are there any other drink options?"
“I guess our whipped hot chocolate isn’t too shitty?” Isn’t too shitty? Why would you say that?
”Hmm, then I’ll take 2 non-shitty hot chocolates!”
”Ok coming right up, take a seat anywhere you want.” She turned back to face the coffee machine and prayed to whatever higher power was listening that the raven-haired girl didn’t witness her rock out session.
Meanwhile, the stranger seated herself at on stool right in front of the counter and watched as the barista prepared her drink. Ellie felt eyes piercing into the back of her head and briefly glanced back.“Most people don’t usually sit there-“
”I guess I’m not most people.”
”Alright if that’s what you want.” Ellie began scooping out some cocoa powder and turned on the machine.
”Can you do any of that cool latte art?” Her eyes lit up.
"What?"
“I’ve never been to a coffee shop before, I’m curious-“
”Do you expect me to believe that?
"Can you do it or not?"
“Yeah they had all of us trained at barista boot camp” Ellie mocked.
”No way! can you draw me a firefly?”
Oh, she’s serious.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think I have the skill set for that.”
”You got my hopes up for nothing-“ She pouted- “I think I should get a free coffee for that deception.”
”Nice try.”
”You sure there’s no I-was-tricked-by-the-hot-barista discount?”
Ellie bit back her lip- “Flattery gets you nowhere.”
The girl sank back into her chair, and let out a dramatic sigh. “It was worth a shot.” She paused for effect, "A shot of espresso…"
"That was the worst pun I’ve ever heard."
"I think it was pretty amazing."
"If you say so…”
The machine started to hiss as steam poured out from the cups.
“Are the drinks almost done?”
”Yeah and don’t worry they’ll be on the house-“
”Oh, is it cuz I saw your little performance earlier?” The girl’s lips curled up into a smug grin.
Ellie felt her cheeks flush into a scarlet red. Fuck I can’t believe she saw that. “Well, that’s not embarrassing at all…”
”Why would you be embarrassed it was cute.” She snickered.
”Cute?” Ellie scoffed.
”Totally, if you ever go on tour with that act never forget I was your first groupie.”
This girl is something different.
”Are you always this… friendly?”
”Are you always this serious?”
”Well it’s kind of hard to focus with you constantly talking.”
”Why? Am I making you nervous?”
”No-“ Ellie slammed a packet of sugar onto the counter.
“There you go being cute again-“
”You’re crazy.”
”Says the girl who I caught playing invisible instruments and cheering for herself,” She teased.
"Can we just pretend that never happened?"
“Why? You have great music taste.”
”Huh? Wouldn’t take you for a Nirvana fan.”
”Do I not seem cool enough for you?”
”No it’s because you’re-.” Ellie explained, stirring the cups. “I mean you don’t give off that kind of vibe-“
“Enlighten me stranger I just met, what kind of vibe do I give off?”
”I don’t know like the bubbly girl next door? Probably listens to Taylor Swift and orders pumpkin spice lattes-“
”So you think I’m pretty?”
Ellie immediately snapped her head back defensively- “What- that’s not what I-“
She chuckled, showing off a row of perfectly white teeth “Sorry I just wanted to see your reaction-“
They continued to discuss their favourite artists and had a serious debate about which era of music was the best. Ellie wasn’t sure how she was managing to have a normal conversation without being socially awkward but things seemed to be flowing naturally.
”Man I would’ve come here earlier if I knew Jesse had such a cool co-worker.” She complained whilst leaning forward on the counter.
Ellie felt an unfamiliar fluttering feeling in her stomach and cleared her throat to dispel it.
”How do you and Jesse know each other anyway?”
”That depends on the day-“
”How is it that nothing you say makes sense?”
”I don’t know but doesn’t that make me so much more alluring?” She smirked.
Ellie turned off the machine and set the coffees down in front of the customer- “Here you go." She cautiously handed over the two cups, remembering the time she dropped some on a customer and had to face Joel's wrath for the rest of the week, “Thank you for coming to Miller’s, have a nice day.”
”Hey wait did you think I was about to drink 2 hot chocolates by myself?”
”Uh maybe?”
”No dummy.” She slid over one of the cups and winked. “This one’s for you.”
“Oh that’s nice of you but-“
”It’s the least I could do for being so bitchy earlier and for the interesting conversation-“
”So you had me make a drink for myself? What if I didn’t want one?”
”Maybe I just wanted a reason to keep talking to you-"
"I don’t buy that at all-"
"Either way, it’s for you-"
”Thanks but-“ Ellie tried to slide the cup back over to the girl but instead managed to trip on absolutely nothing and ended up spilling the drink all over her. “Oh shit I'm so sorry-“
"Fuck that burns!"
"Shit shit shit-" Ellie panicked, grabbing every tissue in sight and patted down her now stained top across the counter. She tried to soak up as much as possible but hesitated as she hovered over the girls' dripping chest.
“Who knew someone like you could be such a klutz?” The girl joked. Their eyes locked into each other and Ellie fought back the heat rising in her cheeks.
“I ruined your shirt-“
”It’s fine, I was going to get changed anyway! I guess you’ll just have to owe me that drink another time.” She picked up one of the tissues and scribbled something on it whilst Ellie went to set up a wet floor sign. She folded it up before turning on her heel and opening the door.“See you around, Ellie.” The bell above the door chimed and the bakery was quiet once again.
She knows my name? Ellie then looked down at her shirt and realised, pfft don’t be ridiculous Ellie she just read your name tag.
“Hey wait you forgot your drink-“ Ellie yelled but of course, she was already gone. She quickly turned to clean up the rest of the mess on the floor and reached for some more tissue, she picked up the one laying next to the fallen cup and noticed that there was something written on it in bright red ink.
Here’s my phone number in case you wanna talk music -Dina<3
——
Ellie was exhausted. Even though the bakery had been pretty much empty the entire day, something about spending that much time outside made her feel 100 times more tired. She didn’t end up going to class and she knew Joel would never let her hear the end of it but she was also an expert at avoiding responsibility. She heaved herself up the stairs of her apartment complex and cursed under her breath as she always did when she realised how many flights she had to climb. Finally, she reached her floor and walked up to her door, fumbling for her keys. She noticed that the boxes from this morning had moved and wondered who had finally moved into the apartment across from hers. Whoever it is, I hope they’re not loud.
Just then, a door swung open and the sound of the creaking made Ellie drop her keys. Shit I’m too tired for this.
”Ellie?” A familiar voice called.
Ellie turned around and to her surprise the same girl she had met at the bakery was standing before her. You’ve gotta be kidding me.
”You live here?” Dina asked as she closed the door behind her. She was dressed differently than this morning, like she was going to a party. She wore a short black dress, matching long black boots and her eyelids were coated in gold eyeshadow. To put it simply, she looked really good.
”Uh yeah… Are you stalking me or something?"
”I just moved here like this morning, what a funny coincidence.”
More like a cruel joke.
”So you’re the one who’s been leaving boxes lying around?”
”Oh sorry, did they bother you? I’m kinda new to this whole moving thing.”
”No it’s fine-"
"Anyway, I was just heading out-"
"I can see that.” Ellie responded as she let her eyes wander up and down, "Right… well I’m gonna go inside now.” Ellie inserted her key into the door and opened it.
”Oh sorry of course, see you around?”
”Yeah, maybe…"