Work Text:
It was a regural Monday morning in the not so busy streets of Jackson. Rush hour hadn't started yet so the streets were almost empty, except from the few people who were probably leaving for work, dropping the kids at school or were crazy enough to go for a run early in the morning. Ellie Williams didn't reallly care about that. She was a college student at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston and she was currently running to a nearby coffee shop. She and her adoptive father Joel Miller visited Jackson for the summer, to see Joel's brother Tommy and his wife Maria but ended up staying longer and our lovely lady had only a few hours to submit her assignments. Jackson was a small city and internet, especially in her adoptive uncle's house was not so easy to find.
After of what seemed like a decade running and several failed attempts at internet searching she stumbled across a small coffee shop. What draw her interest in this one was the name "Tastes about right" written with big red bold letters. Ellie visited Jackson ever since Joel adopted her at the age of 14 and knew almost the whole town but this was definitely new.
The shop wasn't anything special. The inside had a rock theme. The floor and walls were made out of dark wood. From the ceiling were hanging incandescent lamps in different sizes and shapes, painting the room with a yellow hue. There was a jukebox in the corner of the shop next to a wall decorated with album covers from all kinds of bands and solo artists. Okay, who was she kidding, this was definitely special!
Unfortunately the main area was way to distracting for her, so she had to go to the back or if you prefer the "hidden garden" as the signs said. It was a small garden in the back of the shop that was relatively big enough to fit at least 10, maybe 15. It was surrounded by stone walls, decorated with star jasmine, a flower that brought out a heavenly scent. The floor was filled with different kinds of flowers and of course real grass with a small stone path that lead to the tables. It was lightened by a few outdoor string lights that matched the ones on the inside. 'This place during the night must be magical' she thought. The calm garden was completely different from the loud inside. Apparently the owner himself made that little space for people who enjoy reading a book, want to escape reality and relax or study. That little garden was an introverts paradise and that's where she was heading.
She sat at one of the many wooden tables and pulled her laptop out of her backpack, set it on the table and proceeded to open it. Before she could press the power button a young woman appeared.
"Hello and welcome to 《Tastes about right》! May I take your order?" Said the woman with a sweet voice and a smile on her face.
Ellie looked at her eyes and immediately got lost on her brown pupils for what felt like hours. She had her black hair in a bun with a few stands poking out that framed her face perfectly alongside a few freckles, that Ellie hoped were real, because they really suited her beautiful featur-What the fuck?! It was the first time she ever saw this waitress and why was her stomach feeling weird?
"Um, hello? Do you, maybe need more time to decide?" Asked the waitress.
"Huh? Oh yes" Ellie cleared her throat feeling embarrassed "yes...um I'll have a coffee?"
"Is that a question or an answer?"
"An answer..." replied Ellie unsure of her decision.
The waitress took out her pen and notepad from the pockets of her apron and said "Perfect! What kind?"
"Wait there are many kinds?" Truth to be told Ellie was not a coffee drinker. She hated coffee with all her guts but she needed something to keep her awake.
"You are not a coffee drinker, right?" The waitress gave her a look that made her stomach flip. Who was this girl and why is she feeling the way she is? It's almost exactly the same feelings she had with Ril- Nope that's in the past.
"What gave it away?" She laughed awkwardly before continuing " Look I just need something that will help me stay awake. I've been studying all night trying to finish this stupid essay for a bitch of a teacher and I have to send it ASAP!"
"Hm... I understand. Do you trust me?"
"Huh?" Comfusion was written all over her face.
"I can make you something else than coffee but the real question is; do you trust me?"
"Heck if you don't trust a pretty waitress you never met before the who would you trust?"
The waitress started laughing and only then Ellie realized she said that out loud. She covers her face with her hands and said "Shit! I said that out loud, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did! No worries though you look pretty too!" she winked.
Did Ellie imagine it? There no way she could be. But did she? Wait, did she know? Is the waitress...
Right before she got lost in her endless train of thoughts she noticed the waitress started leaving.
"Hey, um one more thing. Could you give me the WiFi password? I'll pay extra."
"No worries, it's free. Okay, write I'm not giving it to you."
"Ha ha ha. Hilarious. Now what's the password?" An annoyed Ellie asked
"What do you mean? That is the password."
"Look I'm really stressed to be able to play games right now so could you please give me the password"
The waitress started laughing really loud to the point tears started forming in her eyes.
"It never gets old. Phew... the password is 《I'm not giving it to you》 no spaces, all caps."
"For real?"
"Yes! I'll be right back with your beverage." She took a few steps away before turning back winking at her before saying "I'm Dina by the way" and then she left.
She winked? Twice?! Okay this time she DEFINITELY didn't imagine it! She has good look- Oh who was she kidding? She was GORGEOUS! One more wink or smile and Ellie would be dead.
And as her thoughts were suddenly filled with this beautiful yet mysterious woman our heroine remembered they real reason she was in the coffee shop. The cruel reality hit her like a truck and with a deep breath she turned on her laptop and waited for her death to arrive. There was nothing wrong with her essay but her insecurities and fears hit her hard. After typing the clever password, wondering why she never thought about it since sarcasm and brilliant (freezing cold) jokes were her forte, she send the file to her teacher and the anxious waiting started. Was everything okay? Was she on time? What if she was too late? What if he didn't approve it? What if she failed her class? She did! She probably did!
Lost in her own thoughts she felt a hand on top of her right shoulder, gently shaking her and the other one placing a cup in front of her.
"Hey there traveller. Welcome back to earth!" It was the waitress. What was her name again? DINA! Yes, Dina.
"Huh? Oh! Um...Hi. How may I help you?"
"Isn't supposed to be something I should say? Since I'm the waitress/owner of this shop?"She said while pulling our our chair and sitting on the table.
"You are the owner?"
"Technically yes. I'm his daughter. Now tell me traveller in what magical universe were you traveling, while of course you enjoy your perfectly made drink." Dina said with pride.
"Aren't you supposed to tell me what you made me? And what's the deal with the name?"
"It's black tea with a teaspoon of honey and a little bit of lemon. Since you are not a coffee drinker it has the appropriate amount of caffeine to wake you up. And when it comes to the name of the shop you will see."
Ellie took the cup in her hands and slowly brought it to her lips. "Be careful. It's hot." She took a sip from it and even though she was not a huge fan of tea she loved it. She of course wouldn't admit it to Dina do she chose her words correctly.
"Tastes about right. Wait-"
"And now you know why it's the name of the shop." said Dina with smile.
"Shouldn't you be working?"
"Do you see anyone else here? Only you are crazy enough to come this early and actually stay. Besides if a costumer enters the stores a tiny halfling will come and inform me."
"Halfling? How more of a nerd can you be?"
"I'm talking to you, aren't I?
"Touché" Before Ellie could say anything else a ring was heard from inside of the store. A signal that a customer has entered and unfortunately interrupted them. "I'm guessing that's the halfling?"
"Yeah..." Dina said with a sigh "Gotta go back to work, but before I do, I don't think I caught your name." Her voice became deeper and she was looking at her straight in the eyes, her face closer than it was supposed to be.
"E-Ellie! M-My name is Ellie." A little blush appeared on her face as she spoke. 'God why do I have to be so awkward' she thought.
"Ellie. It suits you. Well, nice to meet you Ellie!" she stood up from the table, which Ellie didn't even realize she sat down untill that specificoment. Right before she disappeared into the store she turned around and said with the brightest smile "Hope I get to see you more!" and with that she left.
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*INTERNAL SCREAMING*
No she is not panicking about a beautiful girl WHO SHE JUST MET! A beautiful girl who works at an awesome store, knows geeeky/nerdy stuff. Did she mention she's beautiful? Because she is! And the way she said her name... Let's just say Ellie found a new favorite sound.
As the hour went by more and more customers came by and the possibilities of them sitting down and talking like before were closed to zero. Sadness overtook her as she slowly started to gather her stuff. She was disappointed I'm herself for not speaking with her more but what happened, happened. She could probably visit again but who knows. Maybe her stupidity wouldn't let her. With a sigh she pulled out her cassette player, stood up and went inside to pay for her drink. Upon entering she immediately locked eyes with Dina and went towards her.
"I-I have to go so if you could please tell how much the tea costs?"
"Oh! Well...it's on the house. You looked like you needed it"
"Thank you very much! I'll owe you" and with that she turned to leave.
Dina's expression was sad at first but then changed to what Ellie thought was happiness?
"Wait!" She exclaimed "Before you go can you give me a minute?"
"Yes, go ahead." Replied Ellie with a puzzled face.
Dina disappeared into a room in the back. A few minutes later she returned with a brown paperbag and wore the brightest of smiles.
"Here you go!" Dina hands the paper bag to Ellie and their fingers slightly touch. Who would've thought this little touch brought so much happiness. "It's just a muffin. I hope you like chocolate! It's fresh out of the oven."
"Thanks um... how much?"
"It's on the house."
"You will be broke if you keep up with this!" A smirk was plastered on her face.
"I don't do this for everyone! Only for hot headed redheads like yourself." And just like that kids the smirk was gone.
"Oh um, thanks... I-I guess." Dina kept looking at her "What is it? Do I have something on my face?"
"Look at the bag you idiot. That's my Instagram name but if it's too "modern" for you" she said while looking at the cassette player "you can find my phone number on the other side. Now, if you'll excuse me I have to return to work. I'm glad I got to meet you Ellie! I really am!" and with that she went back to her duty.
As Ellie turned to leave she saw a cup and written on it were the words 'For the smile of the employer :)'. She took a napkin wrote something on it, wrapped the tip inside and left with a smile. She was definitely going to come back again.
Dina saw her from one of the tables and went to check it after making sure every customer was served. She received a 10$ tip and on the napkin was written the words:
'From a hot-headed traveller from a magical universe! Ps: give some to your halfling friend'
She laughed a little before muttering the word idiot and headed back to her work.