You know those days when you wake up and you already know it’s going to be a bad day? Because, for one, for whatever reason, you’re waking up sad. Or angry. Or both. That’s how I felt on the morning of the 15th.

I’d overslept and forgot to do an assignment that needed to be turned in that day, and I couldn’t find my coffee beans. I sighed wistfully as I headed out that morning. It was going to be a crappy day.

I could have made it to school but I knew I wouldn’t be able to do without a cup of coffee so I took a detour to Za Crème Cafe. It had an exotic name, but it was just a local coffee shop. Nevertheless, it was easily the best café in the county.

I took one step into Za Crème that morning and was met with beaming smiles and cheers from everyone. I smiled tightly and moved to the counter.

“What’s going on, Doug?” I asked the barista at the counter, who was secretly my crush. “Why is everyone so cheery this morning?” Doug who had been backing me all the while turned and had the brightest smile I’d ever seen on him. Seriously, teeth so perfect should be illegal.

“Welcome to Za Crème Café, Miss Stone. We’re super pleased to have you grace us with your amazing presence. Please, how may I be of service to your awesomeness on this fine day?”

I was speechless. Doug never said more than two sentences to me, which were what I wanted to order and telling me afterwards, without a smile, to have a nice day.

Seriously, what was happening?

I gave his still-smiling face a weird look. “Yeah, I’ll just have a latte, thanks.”

“One latte coming right up. If you don’t mind, Miss Stone, do step back and enjoy a nice massage while I prepare your caffeine elixir.”

“What?”

He motioned behind me and I turned to see two smiling women. I made to wave them off but they were already beside me and drew me to a seat.

“Now now, dear. Just relax and let us take care of you,” one of the ladies spoke.

“No, I promise I’m fine.” At this point, I was sure it was all a dream. Damned period hallucinations.

“Shhhh.... Tell us how you feel about our dear Douglas.”

“Doug?”

“Yeah, we see the way you look at him. It’s clear our dear Gina has feelings for him.”

Well, fuck it. I may as well just make the most of this dream and get advice from these women. “Well, I guess I have a little crush. But I’m sure it will wither away soon. He never spares me more than two glances, anyway and.....wait, are you crying?”

At my question, the ladies broke down into louder sobs. What the?

“Young love...” the first lady said.

“So beautiful to see,” the next one said. “I remember when I was your age. Young, nubile, hungry for knowledge and the unknown-”

“Uhmmm... I’m sure you’re mistaken, ma’am-”

“Now you listen to me dear,” one said as she wiped her eyes. “I don’t want you to miss out on the good ones, like I did. If you like him, just walk up to him and say so. He’ll never say no to such a sweet thing as you.”

I was still weirded out by everything but I couldn’t help but be touched by the ladies’ kindness. “Okay, I’ll do that soon. The worst he can say is no, anyways.” At this, they burst into tears again and engulfed me in a warm hug. It was at this point that Doug came with my order.

I looked at him and tried not to blush. “Took you long enough.”

“Only the best for the most magnificent lady in the world.”

The ladies giggled and nudged me towards him and the gentlemen at the corner erupted in cheers. I mean, I could ask him but he was clearly not himself. Would that be nice?

“Uhmm...” I looked into Doug’s beaming eyes. “I have something to tell you.”

“Yes, my sweet lady. I’m all ears.”

“Okay, so I just wanted to say that I-”

“Oh my, I’m so sorry guys,” A guy burst in through the door with a flushed look on his face. It was Barry, another worker at the Café.

“What’s the matter?” I asked.

“The coffee was spiked with zempathico. That’s why they’re acting so weird. We’ve got the culprit. I just needed to see if there hasn’t been too much damage yet.

“Hey Bar,” Doug called out, scowling. “Gina here was just about to tell me something." He turned back to me with a smile. "Gina dear, you were saying?"

“Uhmm...” I looked frantically at the beaming faces and turned to Barry. “How long is this going to last?”

“It’s been three hours already so it should be clearing about now.”

“Oh,” I looked at Doug to see his smile begin to wane. “I just wanted to say that I like you and I’d love it if we could go out sometime,” I said in a flush.

“What?” He was not smiling now.

I knew the serum’s effect had already cleared but the cat was out of the bag now so....“I said I-"

“I heard you the first time, Gina. And frankly, I don’t think.” He looked around. “Let’s talk about this another time.” With that, he stalked off.

I turned to see the ladies looking at their nails and giving me an amused expression like they didn’t believe the words that came out of my mouth. The traitors. I looked around to see that everyone had pretty much returned to their normal, nonchalant selves.

I walked out the café with my coffee, trying so hard not to slam the door behind me. I knew it. A crappy day indeed.

Jhymi🖤

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_{Source I II III}