A/N: This chapter is merely an introduction to Espresso. As the story unfolds, the chapter length will obviously increase. Chapters should be posted weekly, give or take, and I'm always happy to answer any questions in PMs or reviews! To those of you who stuck with me through Miserable At Best, no, the break in between chapters will not happen again. To everyone I already know, I can't wait to hear from you, and to everyone new, I can't wait to meet you guys. :)

Full Summary: Bella is beginning her sophomore year at the University of Portland with best friends Jacob and Alice. Using over-working herself as a coping mechanism to her farther's death three years ago, meeting Edward begins to change her perspective of life. While Edward appears to have it all together, she quickly learns how good of a show he is able to put on. Giving up getting his life together, Bella becomes another one of Edward's distractions. Loss brings them together and his fear of closeness keeps them apart. While he struggles to determine what he wants, she is forced to keep them both from falling apart in the process.

espresso: finely ground coffee beans with a high concentration of caffeine, often times used for energy; to help wake up

"Small vanilla latte for Mary," I called out.

Smiling politely as I handed Mary her drink order, I adjusted my apron before beginning the next order in line.

The weather outside had many crammed in the doors of the university's small coffee shop. On top of Portland's rainy weather, the first month back to school always had everyone more exhausted than usual, requiring extra caffeine to make it through the nightmare workload that was college.

I had worked at Café Mocha for a majority of second semester last year as a freshman and was welcomed back with open arms for the upcoming school year. Regardless of the long shifts, the caffeine-hungry customers, and the constant line out the door, I loved being a barista.

"Megan will take over for you. Why don't you give yourself a break, Bell. You've been here since six thirty this morning," Rosalie informed me.

Having been so busy this morning, I had failed to notice the time until glancing at the clock and saw that it was already almost eleven.

I smiled gratefully at her, moving out of the way to allow Megan to begin steaming the milk for the macchiato I had started.

Rosalie stopped me before I exited to the break room. "Bella, by break I mean close your eyes and relax for a few minutes. Not take out your psych notes and study," she rolled her eyes.

I grimaced before nodding. "Fine."

"Break," she repeated.

I shut the door behind me, taking off my sticky apron and sinking down into one of the chairs nearby. I let my eyes fall shut momentarily, listening to Rosalie's instructions and allowing myself a few moments to relax.

Not that my backpack wasn't tempting me from a few feet away.

I had known Rose since last year. We always seemed to have the same shifts, and from working with her so much, she ended up becoming one of my best friends. Even though she was constantly calling me out for my over-working tendencies, and our personalities were nearly polar opposite, we got along really well.

I checked the time on the clock, realizing I had a good ten minutes before I needed to head back to bar.

The next thing I knew I was being shaken and the first thing my eyes opened up to was Rose's irritated face. I instantly shot out of the chair I had been sleeping in and reached for my apron.

"Bella," she sighed. "That's the second time this week and it's only Wednesday."

I frowned, tying the strings of my apron together. "I know, Rose. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to just fall asleep like that."

She narrowed her eyes. "How many credits are you taking this year again?"

I bit my lip, looking down at the grown.

"Oh that's right, twenty two," she hissed before sighing. "Come on, Bella. What are you doing to yourself? All you do is work and study, and the four hours of the day when you aren't, sleep."

"22 credits isn't so bad," I defended.

"You already have enough credits to put you above most juniors, keep it up and next semester will be like senior year to you. When's the last time you've done something for yourself?" she demanded.

"I'm fine," I insisted while unable to stop a yawn. "And for the record I got five hours last night, not four."

Her eyes softened with concern. "You are wearing yourself into the ground, Bell. Save one of your five classes for next semester. Take a day off here and there. Let yourself have some actual fun."

"I don't have time for fun," I muttered, crinkling my nose. Despite my want to prove her solutions to be a bad idea, I couldn't because they weren't and I knew that ultimately, she was right.

She stopped me before I could reach for the door. "Susan came in early. Megan's got you on bar. Go back to your apartment and take an actual nap in an actual bed," she told me seriously, giving a disgusted roll to the plastic chair I had fallen asleep in.

I gave her a small grin. "You're the best."

"And don't you forget it," she pursed her lips in a smirk, flipping her shiny blond hair behind her shoulder.

Before leaving I thanked Susan and made a drink to bring back to Alice, and a doughnut from the bakery for Jacob.

I paused, glancing outside at the pouring cold rain, realizing I did not currently have or own an umbrella. I sighed before reaching for my hood and yanking it over my head. I placed a hand on the door, about to open it before I was stopped by a hand on my shoulder. I spun around to find a pair of bright green eyes looking down at me.

"You could use this more than me," he chuckled softly as I glanced down at the item he was holding out.

A smile spread across my lips as I looked from him to the umbrella. "No I couldn't," I insisted.

"I can't have my favorite barista getting sick on me," he countered with a smile of his own.

"Thank you," I replied gratefully, unable to stop the blush from reaching my face. "I'll see you around."

I would be lying if I said I wasn't thankful for the umbrella. During the entire over-a-mile walk back to my apartment I smiled to myself with the thought of the mystery, green-eyed umbrella donor. I guess chivalry wasn't dead after all.

Although his compliment about being his favorite was flattering, why had I not seen him in the shop before? I would have remembered him if I did. Unless Rosalie and everyone was right about my lack of sleep and I really was functioning through my days as a half-zombie.

Alice was in our apartment when I got back, curled up on the couch watching reruns of How I Met Your Mother. Her eyebrows rose in question. "You're home early."

"Rose sent me home. Apparently I'm overworked," I shrugged, handing her the coffee I brought her.

"Bella," she groaned. "You fell asleep again didn't you?"

I grimaced.

"Well yeah, generally it's a pretty bad sign when even though you work at a coffee shop you still manage to fall asleep. Rosalie is right. I know you need the money for school, and I know you have this weird death wish about the amount of credits you're taking, but why don't you take it easy this semester?"

I closed the umbrella I had been given, slipping off my shoes before plopping down on the couch next to her in exasperation.

"That would be too easy," I sighed with a teasing smile.

"Is Jacob coming over for dinner? It's Wednesday so I'm assuming yes," she asked before her eyes got really wide. "Can it be Italian tonight? Please? That would be just the best."

I laughed. "So I guess it's been a long week for the both of us so far. Yeah, he'll be here around six. You know," I began with a smirk. "Carbs won't solve our problems."

Taking advantage of the kitchen in our apartment this year I hadn't had the luxury of having last year in our dorm, I took it upon myself to use it frequently. Wednesday nights in particular were the nights I'd cook dinner to give all of us a break from TV dinners and Ramen. Besides, I loved to cook.

"They'll make studying for this exam a hell of a lot better though," she defended with a hopeless smile. "I don't get how you do it, Bella. Five classes? I can't even handle three."

It was my second year at Portland with Alice. Our freshmen year we had been paired as roommates and ever since then Alice was literally the sister I never had.

Leaving for college was a hard enough task in the first place, so once I got here, I figured I would take advantage of being here. With it being just Rene and I, I felt guilty leaving her in Phoenix by herself. After the first semester, however, it became easier to be away from her knowing it was what she wanted.

Besides, college was expensive, even with the scholarships and loans, the only way we could afford it was if I worked as much as I did. Anything after thirteen credits a semester was free, who wouldn't want to take advantage of that?

Even though I would never admit it to Rose or Alice, I knew what I was doing to myself was wrong. College was supposed to be hard, but how hard? Was I pushing myself too far?

As Alice requested, I went with spaghetti and homemade meatballs.

At six, Jacob showed up right on cue. "Trying to solve your problems via Italian food again, Alice?" he teased her as he walked in, smelling what I was currently cooking.

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Go to hell, Jake."

"Not that I'm complaining. It smells amazing, Bells," he exclaimed in a daze, making it a point to glance over my shoulder at the meatballs and follow with a theatrical inhale.

I rolled my eyes. "There's a doughnut in the fridge for you since you threw such a fit about not getting one yesterday."

"At least someone here is the breadwinner," he grinned happily.

Jacob and I had been friends since freshmen year of high school. He was my best friend and knew me better than Alice did. Hell, at times it felt like he knew me better than I knew me.

I had the pleasure of watching him go from a lanky, acne-covered pubescent boy to this bulked up, college guy with a bottomless stomach and a paparazzi fan base of girls who followed him around the campus.

Of course the grown up version of Jacob was attractive, who wouldn't agree with that? Of course we had been bothered by nearly everyone about the fact that we weren't dating. That was a reasonable assessment for someone who didn't know our relationship to assume.

But Jacob was my Jacob, not my boyfriend. I can't remember an instance where he didn't have my back, or one where he wasn't making snarky comments to me. We worked well as best friends and anything past that was unnecessary. It was like an unspoken agreement we had always had. I loved Jacob, but I could never see myself in love with Jacob.

Jake set the table and once the food was ready, Alice danced to her seat, wasting no time piling scoop after scoop of pasta on to her plate.

"You won't be a hundred pounds forever, Al," Jacob teased as she finally passed the bowl to him.

"Not all of us can be candidates for Abercrombie, you know," she replied acidly.

This time he stuck his tongue out at her.

"Bella fell asleep again at work," Alice tattled halfway through the meal. I shot her a glare before I turned to see the one he was shooting me.

"Jesus Christ, Bella. Do Alice and I have to take turns watching you and making sure you're actually sleeping instead of working or studying for one of your bajillion classes?"

"Ugh, guys, can lecture Bella day be done for the day," I grumbled as I shoved a large forkful of spaghetti into my mouth.

"For being the smartest girl I know you are also the stupidest," he informed me with a mouthful.

"Don't talk with your mouth full of food," I scolded.

"Don't take five classes and work 35 hours a week," he retorted.

I sank further into my chair, realizing any argument would be a lost cause with the two of them. Even though like with Rose, I knew what they were saying was probably right, I didn't have it in me to give in.

Instead, I made it my new mission to prove them wrong.

After my two morning classes the next day, I headed to work. It wasn't raining today, so I didn't need my borrowed umbrella. I brought it anyways though, incase I saw him again so I would be able to return it to him.

Unlike yesterday, I was able to remain awake and alert my entire shift. My green-eyed umbrella-savior never showed up. I don't know why I was expecting him to. I don't know why I was even thinking about it so much while I was making drinks the whole afternoon.

Alice and I had an extreme study session that night, and I also was able to have a long phone call with my mom. Apparently the blind date she went on that night went better than she was expecting and another one had already been set up for tomorrow night.

I had smiled to myself at the news of a possible new man in her life. It was hard to find someone to fit the fairy tail that had been my parents marriage. Ever since my dad died a few years ago she had not had too much luck in the men department.

I guess that made the two of us, really. It wasn't that I didn't want a boyfriend, or that things didn't get lonely sometimes, it was that I just never gave myself time. It wasn't because I didn't want to; it was because, like my mom had put it once, I hadn't met anyone worth giving up my time for. I wasn't sure whether I believed that, exactly, but I would stick with it until I proved otherwise.

If I didn't even have time for sleep, I sure as hell didn't have time for a man.

Besides, I had Jacob. He was kind of like having a boyfriend. Except not really.

The next couple days I made extra sure to be awake and focused, because I knew I was under major scrutiny from my concerned friends.

It wasn't that I didn't like sleep, or that I couldn't – even thought both of those reasons were valid and I chose to lie to myself continuously about it. Between work and my classes, I just never seemed to make time for enough of it anyways. While I called myself an overachiever, the term crazy had been tossed out a couple of times, by a couple of people.

Five classes wasn't that much – people did it all the time and were just fine.

I will admit the thirty five hour work weeks weren't typical for any college student, let alone one taking five classes, but I needed some way to pay for my tuition. The time I spent studying to be successful in all my classes was just more time I didn't seem to have.

Rene did what she could to help pay for Portland, but with her elementary school teacher salary there was only so much she could do. I considered going somewhere cheaper, but she insisted that between the two of us, we could manage. She didn't want me giving up a chance at a great education because something as little as money stood in my way.

She had seen how much I loved Oregon when I first toured. From the moment I was accepted she made it her mission to make sure I went.

The next week I carried the stranger's umbrella around in my backpack wherever I went, hoping I'd run into him somewhere so that I could return it. It looked like an expensive umbrella and I felt guilty about keeping it, even though I had already put it to good use multiple times since he hand lent it to me.

It was Oregon, after all. It seemed like all it did here was rain.

Maybe that's why I loved it so much here. It was such a pleasant change from the dry, Arizona air I had grown so used to. Here it was moist. There was green – everywhere. You didn't have to worry about not packing water and becoming dehydrated throughout the course of the day.

You could even where sweatshirts here.

When I first came last fall, I had to renovate my entire wardrobe. Turns out the climate Portland and Pheonix didn't allow for interchangeable outfits. Even though Oregon had it's warm days, their warm days were considered my cold days in Arizona.

"One medium caramel mocha for Edward," I called out.

Edward. Now that was a name I had never heard on anyone younger than a hundred years old.

Looking away for a moment to reach for a sleeve to place around the cup, I looked back and was met by the eyes I had been looking for. My breath caught, not remembering just how bright they had been.

Before I was able to smile, or even hand him his drink, I blurted the first words that came to my mind.

"I have your umbrella."

If I weren't holding his hot drink I would have slapped myself in the face.

Really, Bella?

He laughed, finally taking his mocha from me. "You don't have to give it back, you know."

"It's Portland," I widened my eyes. "I'll feel way too bad taking yours from you."

As I studied his face and my eyes moved to his disheveled hair, I decided how tragic it would be if the rain were to mess it up. It seemed to dance it the light, sticking up in a million directions in a copper color I had never seen before.

I wasn't one to be taken by surprise but he caught me off guard. The hair, the eyes, the honey-sweet voice. His impeccably good choice of drink. I found myself wrestling with the butterflies in my stomach to catch my breath.

"I promise I'll be okay," he chuckled, smiling crookedly before taking a sip from his beverage.

I opened my mouth to say something but was interrupted before I could by the sound of someone clearing their throat. I glanced to my right to see the small line of orders that had developed. Rosalie shot me a warning glance and I quickly turned back to my new favorite customer.

"Bella," I told him with a shy smile.

"It was nice meeting you, Bella," he told me genuinely before shooting me a wink and repeating the words I had said to him last time we met. "I'll see you around."

And just like that I was wide awake for the remainder of my shift.

Edward.

My green-eyed umbrella savior now had a name.

Along with a place in my head for the rest of the day.

It's down to this
I've got to make this life make sense
Can anyone tell what I've done
I miss the life
I miss the colours of the world
Can anyone tell where I am

'Cause now again I've found myself
So far down, away from the sun
That shines into the darkest place
I'm so far down, away from the sun again
-Away From the Sun, 3 Doors Down

I know it was short first chapter, but strap yourselves in because we've only just begun. Love to hear your thoughts!

You guys are the umbrella to my rainy day.