Writing

VANILLA CHAI: HUNTER AND KENNEDY

She entered the coffee shop like she always did. Sitting down in the same corner that  she always sat in, she opened up her book. She was getting deeper and deeper into the plot. Genevieve was about to confess her crime to Claus, she was going to tell him that the murder was an accident when,

“Hey, sweetheart.” 

She heard a voice directly in front of her and  looked up from her book with a glare.  He was practically flexing as he stood there.

Ugh. A meathead.

“Can I help you?” she asked. 

“I see you walk in here every day and all you do is sit and read that dumb book.” Her expression changed from one of confusion to one of annoyance. 

This guy needs a hobby besides bashing his head with weights.

“How about you find a girl who actually wants to waste her time with you. I’ll just be here reading my dumb book,” she replied with an eye roll as she went back to her reading.

“Hey!” she yelled as he snatched the book from her hands. She stood up. “What do you think you’re doing? Give me back my book!”

At the register, the barista was watching the scene unfold. He saw the girl walk in everyday and watched as she read the same book over and over again. The jackass with the buzz cut was right when he mentioned that. And every time that she read it, it was like she was reading it for the first time. He did tend to watch her. She sparked an interest in his head that not many people have done. This guy was clearly being an ass, harassing this girl like that. 

Do something, man.

No, I can’t. She doesn’t even know who I am. 

Well, here’s your chance, bro.

Fine!

“Hey, Riley. Watch the register for a second?” he asked as he turned to his coworker. She replied with a nod. He took off his apron and ran his fingers through his hair. Looking down, he made sure that his black tee-shirt didn’t have any stains on it before making his way over.

“Seriously, dude, I’m not interested, so go somewhere else. Just give me back my book!” People were starting to stare. She could feel her ears burning up from the combination of embarrassment and anger.

“Hey, babe. Is this guy bothering you?” she heard someone say next to her as he slid his arm around her waist. She looked down at the hand on her waist and then up to match the voice. It was the barista who always made her vanilla chai tea. 

What the hell is he doing? This meathead could eat him alive. 

 “Uhh. This guy is just being an ass. He was just leaving,” she replied, playing along as she snatched her book back with a glare.

“You could have told me that you had a boyfriend. But then again, that wouldn’t have stopped me,” the meathead  replied with a smirk as he checked her out.

“Dude, I think it’s time for you to go now,” the barista replied. The meathead reluctantly left and it was just the two of them. His arm was still on her waist.

“Um, excuse me,” she said. 

“Yes?” he replied.

“Your arm,” she said. 

“Oh!” he said while pulling his arm away. “I’m sorry!” 

“It’s okay,” she replied with a small smile. She sat down and returned to her book.

“I’m-” he extended his hand out to her. She looked up and closed her book.

“Vanilla Chai?” she shook his hand.

“What?” he let out a soft chuckle.

“That’s your name in my head. You always make my vanilla chai tea perfectly. Just the way I like it.”

“My name’s Hunter. But I guess you could call me Vanilla Chai if you want,” he said. She smiled.

“I’m Kennedy.”

“Oh, that’s an interesting name.”

“Yeah, my dad thinks JFK is the best president to ever live,” she chuckled to herself,  taking a sip from her tea. “What’s your story?”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“What about your name? Everyone’s name has a story.”

“Hunter!” Riley called from the register. They both turned to her voice. Riley pointed to the register and then the line that was quickly forming.

“Oh, I guess that I have to get back to work.,” he replied with a small smile, pointing towards the line. Kennedy nodded.

“Yeah. I’ve got to get going too. I have class,” she started packing up her things.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” he asked, trying not to sound too forward.

“Most definitely. Save me a tea, Vanilla Chai,” she replied.

“Absolutely,” he smiled. She pulled her bag over her shoulder and walked towards the door. Before opening the door, she turned back and looked at him.

In that moment, Hunter could feel his heart race just a little faster as he looked at her brown eyes.  She smiled and walked out the door. He walked back to the register feeling that his day just got a little bit sweeter.