Phoenix
"What do you mean I can't get a discount?" The man yelled in her face. "I've been coming here before you were even born!"
Phoenix tried not to roll her eyes at the insufferable attitude she had to deal with from the customer. It amazes her the extent of how high-handed and selfish people could become.
Yeah, so? She scoffed inwardly. And, really, being a regular customer doesn't mean you'll always get what you want, anyway. It's the shop's new policy and it's not like I made the rules.
Phoenix wanted to give it as good as she gets but realized she could jeopardize the only job that she actually likes and pays well if she did get snarky with a customer.
So, she improvised, which was not so far from the truth anyway. Looking into the bald, grumpy old man's eyes, she drawled in an almost monotone voice, "I'm sorry, mister. But this whole month is unfortunately a non-negotiable, no-discount sales." So stop your whining, she desperately wanted to snap back.
He didn't budge but gave her a glare that sadly, wouldn't even have an effect on her two year old nephew.
Muttering under his breath, but definitely loud enough for her to hear, he grumbled, "Kids these days! No compassion for old people." He gave Phoenix a loud huff then stomped his cane towards the entrance.
Phoenix gave him a flat stare that basically said she wasn't fazed with that.
Beside her, one of her co-workers said, "What is up with elderly people in this town being grumpy as fuck to people like us? Like what did we ever do to them? Nothing!"
Another one spoke beside him, "Speaking of which, there were these two grandmas who talked shit about a girl yesterday, and she literally slayed them. I probably sound mean for saying this but it was one of the best thing I've seen all day."
The co-worker beside Phoenix rolled his eyes and said, "You can't say 'literally' in this, Ashley." He made quotation marks with his fingers. "That means they would have been dead if she did slayed them."
Ashley, who was the cashier slash waitress on shift at the counter yesterday glared at him. "You take everything too literal, Ricky."
"Wait, wait. What happened yesterday? There was a fight?" Phoenix interjected as she tried to wrap her head around what happened for the past two days she was away for her test in college.
Realization dawned on Ashley. "Oh right, you weren't here. Well, so this is what happened…"
Once Ashley had finished recapping yesterday's episode, Phoenix shook her head and sighed, "I hate this town so much. I can't wait 'till I'm outta here."
Ricky blanched and Ashley pouted as she said, "You're leaving us to fend for ourselves? That's mean."
Phoenix was nonplussed. "We're housemates. I'll still be seeing you." Then, she murmured to herself, though it was still loud enough for them to hear. "Unfortunately."
Ricky choked a laugh but Ashley just pursed her lips with an annoyed look on her face, "Oh, whatever." before walking away.
Phoenix chuckled after her friend's retreating back. "Ash, I'm only kidding!"
In response, Ashley flipped a finger at them.
"Now who is taking things too literal?" Ricky mused aloud. Then, he tapped her shoulder. "You keep saying that, you know. Are you really leaving?" There were no traces of amusement on his face.
Phoenix smiled to herself. She did hate the town that was full of mostly small-minded people and even though she was eager to leave the place, the smoothie store, where she had worked since she was in high school was the only place where she could be herself, surrounded by her closest friends and some co-workers whom she got along well with. Plus, the smoothie and cakes weren't too bad either, if she may say so herself.
She thought of her plans after college, which she hadn't exactly calculated properly yet. Being in her last year in college definitely puts a hefty amount of pressure on what choices she needed to make for her career.
Between working, paying the rent and saving money to work in the city, there was still the attachment to this store and the friends she'd made. Still, Phoenix already knew she wanted to chase her dreams no matter what.
She looked over at Ricky and nodded with a determined look. "Someday. I still haven't saved enough cash to leave for the city."
Ricky shrugged at her with a pointed look. "Well, if you do leave this place someday, don't forget about us."
Phoenix grinned. "Not a chance, man."
Phoenix MacMillan counted the hours she had left until her shift was over. Two more hours to go.
Today's progress at the café was quite slow, with little to no customers in the evening, which was odd because normally people flocked to the store after working hours, or even after a jog. People craved cold drinks in the sweltering hot weather.
It was her turn as a cashier today, and bored, she scanned the surroundings she was well-accustomed to and could easily memorised the layout of it. Ashley was being chatty at a table, probably trying to coax the customers into getting more food and desserts. Ricky was about to enter the staff room when a customer called his attention. The other co-workers were either busy wiping the tables, mopping the floor, or lounging in the air-conditioned staff room in the back. A pop song from the early 2000 played in the background.
Phoenix sighed quietly. It should have been a nice and peaceful evening though she felt anything but. She thought of the things that have yet to be done; do her laundry, not forgetting to set some money aside for her rent, taking a long hot bath and then catching up on her shows.
So many things to do but the time just won't go any faster. And as ridiculous as it sounds, it seemed like it was mocking her. She just wanted to go home early.
Her eyes felt droopy but she willed them to stay awake. Just when she thought she was going to fall asleep at her station, the bell of the entrance chimed to announce that they had another customer.
As if someone had doused cold water on her, Phoenix blinked her eyes open and straightened her posture, a welcoming smile poised on her lips.
"Hi, welcome to – "
"Just get me a dark chocolate smoothie." The new customer demanded impatiently in a clipped tone, looking around the place – and not at her when he made the order.
What the hell? Uh, rude much?
Phoenix didn't understand why she was even surprised at this point – after all, they had some customers who were rude before but this one, this one male-haired guy in front of her had the audacity to demand his order with a dismissive air about him, as though she was completely insignificant. A few of her co-worker near her glanced; some in surprise and distaste whereas others merely looked on curiously.
Phoenix breathed deeply through her nose and exhaled slowly, trying to calm her nerves. She took in his full appearance first; he had a mop of black curly hair and his slightly angular face had the whole 'don't talk to me' vibe – he seemed downright unapproachable and arrogant – the kind of guys Phoenix wholeheartedly stayed away from.
She told herself to cool it, that he wasn't worth her anger. Plastering another smile, she nodded and mustered a cheerful tone, though by Ashley's wince - who had already made her way towards the beverage machine - she was probably not doing a good job at it.
"Great. One dark choco smoothie coming right up!"
The guy still didn't look at her, in fact he seemed to be scanning the whole place and looking at everything but her. Impatient, she cleared her throat. Once. Twice – loudly.
"What?" He snapped.
Unbelievable.
This time, she didn't bother masking it. In a clipped tone of voice with more bite to it, she spat, "It's five dollars."
He said nothing but nodded and ignored Phoenix's outstretched palm. Instead, he carelessly put the exact amount of money on the counter – leaving Phoenix with her open palm like a fool.
She only stared at him in disbelief.
It was Ashley who brought the guy's drink over and gave it to him, bid him a not cheery but nonetheless polite 'Enjoy your drink!', cashed in the money in the register herself, and closed Phoenix's still outstretched and open palm.
Blinking, they both watched the guy take a seat at a two-seating table, sipping his drink angrily while he scanned his surroundings again.
Then, Phoenix turned to Ashley and whispered in disbelief. "What the fuck? What did I just...did I just got ignored by a dude… over a smoothie? He was so freaking rude! Did you see that?"
Ashley nodded but gave her friend a sorry expression and patted her shoulder. "Yeah I did, and you normally don't lose your cool like that. You've survived many rude customers before, Nix."
Phoenix grumbled. "Doesn't mean I'm used to every single rude people in this planet. God, I hate this part of the job!"
"Me too." Ashley sighed, sympathizing with Phoenix.
Phoenix was glaring at the guy who was obliviously drinking his smoothie, when Ricky materialized out of nowhere and poked her forehead.
"Why the frown?" he asked with a frown.
It was ironic, and Phoenix found herself smiling a little while Ashley laughed. They told him what happened when Ricky looked around for the guy and they noticed his expression changed then.
In stunned disbelief, he exclaimed loud enough for some people to turn their heads at him.
"Keiran?"
Phoenix and Ashley frowned. "Wait, you know him?" Phoenix demanded in astonishment.
Ricky nodded and grinned. "Yeah. He's my brother from another mother."
…
…
What the fuck.
ns 15.158.61.50da2
