Do you know the Baker's girl?
(AN: So yeah, this is my first story I'm actually publishing anywhere. Just wanted to share this idea I had in my mind. I just wondered "What if Max worked in a bakery?" and, well, this is it. Think of this as an attempt to put a smile on your face before episode 4. Original draft finished 6/28/15)
Arcadia Bay is a small town. Small shops line the roads of the main town with amenities at generous prices. A private school lies just a few miles out of town and a lighthouse about the same distance away. The beach ain't like Cali, but it's still nothing to sneeze at. The people know and act orderly around each other. Familiarity is the name of the game in Arcadia Bay. It keeps the locals comfortable, but a little dull. Nothing out here but familiar faces, familiar stores, etcetera.
That's what made the girl standing at the counter of the local bakery a new twist to the town.
...
The bakery seemed more like a prison cell. The lone figure at the counter stood vigilant to satisfy the customer's cravings, or to act as a middle man between them and the food they want. However, the girl at the counter wasn't truly alone. She had the actual baker making the fresh products for the hungry masses. There was also the hi-fi that played the baker's CDs, though it didn't fit the atmosphere of the store. Bakeries were usually quiet, quaint places where people buy cute food for their sweethearts. The bling-bling, swag rap that blasted on the hi-fi wasn't adding to it, to say the least. As tempting as it was, being on the far side of the counter from the girl, she dare not touch the volume. She just got the job and didn't want to mess it up already. She wanted to make a good impression on the boss that she was dedicated to her work, not some slacker who needed easy money. But the loud cussing was thinning her resolve.
"Hey, you can lower or even change it, you know? I'm just too lazy to change it." The baker said from the kitchen. Relieved, the girl dashed to the hi-fi and stopped the music. As she opened the tray, she saw the CD the baker was playing.
"A$AP... Ferg?" She read out loud. The baker walked over to see the girl examine the CD. He smirked.
"What you got against the motherfucker? He's a fucking poet. Y'all just got to open your eyes." He told her, trying not to crack a smile. She couldn't help but smile at hearing her co-worker praise the "poet".
"I don't have anything against the music. I respect your choices as I expect other to respect mine." She looked up at the baker. He had a goofy smile on and gave her a nod.
"Damn, I was expecting you to shit on my music. However, I will shit on yours. I think I know what your kind listen to." He said with a chuckle. The girl raised her eyebrow. Leaning back into the counter, she asked him.
"What do mean, 'your kind'?" The baker's smile got even goofier. Narrowing his eyes, he could tell he was confident in his prediction.
"I saw you yesterday when you came for the job. It's very easy to spot hipsters, especially out here. It's practically a fucking sport." He said.
"Plug in your phone, and put it on shuffle. I dare you to prove me wrong." He challenged, a smirk lining his face. She accepted and walked over to the hi-fi. Plugging in her phone, she prayed that the more popular music she had would play first. Pressing the shuffle button, she thanked God in advance.
The ringing of an acoustic guitar jamming out chords followed by synths told both of them it was not mainstream. She heard the baker cheer himself for guessing right.
"Ha, I knew it!" He said, walking up to her. Her face was going red with the embarrassing defeat at something that could have been averted. The baker pat her back, chuckling a bit.
"Don't worry. I'm just fucking with you. Trying to break the ice so you won't feel intimidated coming to work. I hope you do good." He said, before ruffling her hair. She smiled, feeling welcome. They both went to their posts.
"Oh, and you might want to play some more obscure stuff. I don't think Guster will help attract more hipsters here." He teased the girl. Just before she could reply, she heard the door open and saw the first customer of the day. A blonde girl strutted over to the counter, looking surprised. She could be a model with her looks.
"Hi, how may I help you?" The girl asked the blonde. The customer snapped back to the girl at the counter.
"Where's Terry?" She asked with an awkward smile on her face.
"She had to quit. College and the sort." The baker called out from the kitchen. The blonde then looked sad.
"Aw. Damn. She was cute, too." The blonde said, pouting like a little kid. That ended quickly, however.
"Not that you're not cute. In fact, you might be cuter than Terry." She told the girl. The girl blushed. The blonde chuckled awkwardly before she returned to her original purpose.
"I'd like one plain croissant and a blueberry muffin, pretty please?" The blonde asked, hands clasped together and eyes batting. The new girl blushed harder. She didn't deserve this. She was just a regular girl trying to make it in this strange thing we call life. A whistle brought her out of her trance. Looking back, the baker had a stern look at the customer.
"Hey, quit seducing my coworker. That's my job." The baker said. As soon as he said it, he flexed his arm to show off some well-developed muscles. The girl was surprised to say the least. She liked the display of how toned the human body could be, but she looked back to the customer, who happened to be posing like a model getting photographed. She looked back and forth between her coworker and her customer, taking stereotypical poses expected by men and women to get her attention.
While they continued to measure their metaphorical dicks, the new girl went to clear her mind at the site by looking for what the blonde ordered. Successful, she brought them out of the display case and rung the bell on the counter. Bringing them back to reality, the blonde came back to the counter to pay while the baker went back in the kitchen.
"$6.50, ma'am." The girl said. The blonde took out a $10.
"Keep the change." The blonde said with a wink. As she grabbed the bag and turned around, the new girl could see the blonde sway her hips. As she focused on the blonde's hips, a whistle got her attention. Looking up, the blonde was looking back at her as she swayed. She brought her free hand up to her ear, extended her pinky and thumb, and mouthed "call me" as she left. The girl nodded. As she opened the register, she looked down at the ten. A folded note was on the counter. Picking it up, she saw a phone number scribbled on it. She stuffed it in her pocket. Just then, she felt a pat on the back.
"Hey, you got a girl's number. If only it were that easy. Nice job, kid." The baker said. As he walked back, the new girl felt elated. Her first sale went smoothly, and she got someone's number. Things couldn't get any better.
"Hey, freckles! Can you change the song? It's been on repeat for, like, forever." The baker said, bringing her back to reality.
"'Freckles? I have a name, you know." The girl said, moving to the hi-fi. The baker emerged from the kitchen to lean on the counter.
"Come on. If we're going to work together, at least let me give you a nickname." He said. The girl turned around and leaned back.
"I don't even know your name. We haven't introduced ourselves formally." She informed him. The baker cursed under his breath.
"You're right. Well, I'm Clyde. Nice to meet you." The baker said, extending a hand to shake. The girl returned the gesture.
"Max. Pleasure to meet you." She said. They both smiled.
"Welcome to Arcadia Bay, Max." Clyde said.
"Yo bro, what's up?" The blonde looked up to see her friend. She had just devoured her muffin as crumbs occupied around her mouth.
...
"Oh, it's nothing, Chloe." She said, looking off dreamily in the distance. She heard Chloe scoff.
"Come on, Rachel. Something's got you occupied, and I'm afraid it's not me." Chloe said, scooting over to meet Rachel with a hug. Rachel's smile widened.
"Well, I did meet a cute face at the bakery. She took over Terry's place and I'm not complaining." Rachel told her. She heard a gasp.
"Terry left? This girl better be a good replacement." Chloe said, pretending to be serious. Rachel chuckled.
"Don't worry, she'll be fine. Besides, she's even cuter than Terry. That should be enough for you." Rachel told her. Chloe shrugged.
"Well, if you say so. But, I know someone she can't be cuter than." Chloe said, moving to kiss Rachel's forehead.
"So, yeah. Uh, are you going to finish that croissant?" Chloe asked, trying to be cute. Rachel snorted.
"Yes, you fucking piggy." Rachel answered, finally taking a bite.