The thing is, Lacey didn't need to work. Her parents had more than enough to put her through college, enough that her father said, "Lacey, you really don't need to dorm right? We got you an apartment a few blocks from campus".

Now that Lacey thought about it, perhaps her father was trying to keep her away from sorority boys, and honestly, that wasn't so bad. So she had been comfortable, doing nothing much but studying and getting straight A's.

But while it had been lovely, it wasn't really how she wanted to spend her entire college experience. While it was always a pleasure to thrive under her parent's wealth, Lacey also craved independence and experience. To work for something other than stellar grades.

So she had applied to the popular coffee shop on campus after a semester of nothing but textbooks and watching typical college party moves, longing for a little more excitement in her life. It was there she'd met some of her closest friends.

She was happy.

Lacey pouted at the pouring rain from where she stared out the window, leaned against the counter. The walk back to her car would suck as long as the weather didn't change.

"Worried about your hair?"

She turned to see Sarita walk out with a fresh batch of croissants.

"No, I have a scarf and my umbrella. I forgot my rain boots though." Lacey replied, casting a small rueful glance at her flat black suede booties before reaching over and plucking a fresh pastry from the tray, winking at Sarita's frown as she took a bite.

"Lace, really?"

"Jo's out sick today. I skipped lunch."

Sarita snorted. "She's not sick. She's lovin' it up with her new hubby."

Lacey smiled. "Shhh. Let her have her day. It took ages for them to get together."

"Yea, 'cause she's blind."

"Rita." Lacey chastised mildly.

"Lace." Sarita deadpanned.

"Ladies, getting along out there?" asked their boss, peaking out from the back room.

"Always, Jenna." they replied in unison, giggling when she shut the door.

"I have a batch of cupcakes that should be done too. Grab them for me?" Sarita asked, as she opened the glass to line the croissants up."

Lacey nodded, walking over the back kitchen door, pushing it open. The heavy smell of fresh baked goods hit her, and she grabbed a pair of oven mitts before gabbing the red velvet cupcakes and placing them in the cooler. She took that time to check her phone.

Archie: Hey babe. Come to mine?

Lacey took a deep breath, counting down from one to ten.

Lacey: I'm not your babe, Archie.

She checked other texts.

Jo: Everything good at work?

Lacey rolled her eyes.

Lacey: Shut up and love ur bf. I know u didn't come because you're both embarrassed

Jo: Stoooppp. We just didn't want too much attention

"Tell her she's not that important and that literally no one cares."

Lacey jumped, not noticing that Sarita had snuck in and was peering over her phone.

"Stop Sarita." she laughed softly, typing a response.

Lacey: lol don't worry about it. Take your day. I'll text you later :)

Jo:

Lacey slipped her phone back in her pocket, grabbing the cooled cupcakes.

"Go back to the register. I'll frost these and be right out."

Sarita nodded from where she was texting, walking back out to the front. Lacey hummed softly as grabbed the frosting gun, quickly decorating the cupcakes and topping them with some red sugar.

She took the finished cupcakes out to the front, and stopped short at what she saw.

"Sir, I don't know how you expect me to know what a 'medium whatever' is, and-

"It's just a friggin medium thing with whipped cream on top-

"So you mean every other drink we carry? Be more specific-

"I can't remember what it's called. You should know what it is-

Sarita snorted, cocking her head the side in annoyance. "By what, my magical brain reading powers? Think harder and I'll come back to you. Next!"

Time to step in before Sarita reduced that man to tears.

Lacey hurriedly placed the cupcakes on the back counter before going over to the man.

"I'll help you over here sir. Just…explain the drink to me."

"The service here is unbelievable. Can I talk to your manager? That girl was rude."

Lacey narrowed her eyes. Was this man serious?

"And so were you sir. But here I am trying to help you find your drink." she replied, lips pursed.

"It shouldn't be this difficult to find a damned drink!"

"Lower your voice, sir. Now." Lacey demanded. "And how about this. Since we don't know what a 'medium whatever' is, how about you tell us. What is it?" she finished, before lacing her fingers together atop the counter in a false show of patience.

The rest of the café was now watching this, including the boss, who was leaned against her office door with her arms crossed and eyebrow raised.

"It's a…it's medium with…caramel and whipped cream."

Lacey smirked. "You don't even know what it is sir, so how do you expect us to?"

The man blushed, before angrily storming out.

"Have a nice day!" she and Sarita shouted after him.

A few of the customers who were seated and on line clapped, and Lacey and Sarita glanced backwards just in time to see Jenna give them a thumbs up and head back into her office. They smiled at each other before getting back to work.

"Lace, Rita, I have amazing news."

Both looked up to see Regina and all her red headed glory flouncing up to them from where she burst into the café. She threw here umbrella into the umbrella bin by the door, tossed her designer bag onto the counter, and hoisted herself up on top of said counter, crossing her legs daintily.

"Seriously Regina?" Lacey asked, handing a startled customer their coffee before giving her attention.

"Seriously. One, did you know Jo and Rico are finally together."

"You're late." Sarita interrupted, looking over her nails.

Regina looked to Dacey.

"Actually, you are, sorry. Jo texted me last night. They kissed and she sort of figured it out."

Regina pouted. "You couldn't give me a call?"

"Would you have answered your phone at a party."

Regina blinked. "Touché."

"You want anything?" Sarita asked.

"Small iced coffee please. Three pumps of hazelnut syrup."

Sarita rolled her eyes and Regina smiled at her.

"Any other news?" Lacey asked.

"Well, I made out with Tyler."

Lacey blanched. "Tyler, as in Phoebe's brother Tyler? Regina, honestly…"

"What? She was annoying me, and what better way to piss her off than suck her brother's face off in front of her. He was cool with it."

"Of course he was. Now that he's over his crush on Jo."

"Ugh, don't remind me." Regina frowned.

"Don't be bitter he chose bookworm over sorority party queen. And honestly, Jo's not that bad. Just because she doesn't like to party doesn't mean she's not fun. I'm not a big party person either and you like me."

"Oh, I'm sorry, is this the Jo defense squad meeting? I'll see myself out."

Lacey frowned. "I'm not going to force your friendship, but Jo is my friend, and I don't want you badmouthing her, at least while we're hanging out, alright?"

While Sarita and Regina were generally awesome to be around, almost all the time, the two were alike in the sense that they both came from 'popular' cliques in high school and still maintained that thought process even through their freshman and now sophomore years. They could be extremely judgmental, and Lacey didn't want to deal with any of that. She got along with Jo, having had a few lectures with her, and formally met her at the café. Lacey knew what it was like to be an outcast, and socially awkward. Her parents were loaded and sent her to all kinds of prep schools, and being the 'black girl rarity' was a recurring thing that ended with a lot of name calling, stereotypes, outright racism, and tear soaked pillows at nights because it was so hard to make friends and get through a simple school day. Bullying was an absolute no go for her, especially towards people she cared about.

Sarita returned with Regina's drink, handing it to her. She looked between the two of them, before smirking.

"Trouble in paradise?"

Lacey rolled her eyes. "Don't act like you didn't hear everything. You're not slick, Sarita."

Sarita held up her hands in surrender.

"Are we clear, Regina?" Lacey asked, looking her in the eyes.

Regina sighed. "Yea, I got it. Sorry Lacey."

Lacey smiled. No need to further the argument.

"Go grab a table, I'll join you in a sec. It's slowing down in here."

Regina nodded, grabbing her drink and making her way to an empty table. Lacey wiped down the counter, tossing the dirty towel in a bin, before joining her. She motioned to Sarita who nodded as she finished stacking some cups, grabbing her phone and taking a seat.

"Was Tyler a good kiss?" Sarita asked, stealing a sip of Regina's drink.

"Actually, yea. He honestly wasn't bad." Regina turned to Lacey.

"How are things with you and Archie?"

Lacey sighed in annoyance.

Why?

Why?

"Regina, oh my God, there is nothing between me and Archie."

"Well, if you count his palpable thirst, there is." Sarita joked, and Lacey snorted.

"Please, Reg, there is too much sorority testosterone and not enough girls saying no and boosting his ego for me to give him a chance."

Regina pouted. "But he's such a sweetheart."

Lacey tapped her nails against the table thoughtfully. "I know he is, really, he is, but I don't want to…be with him like that."

"Then just sleep with him then."

"Absolutely not."

"Ugh Lacey, he's hot though."

"So was that guy in high school, who I naively fell for as he said things like, 'You're cut for a black girl', and look how that turned out."

Regina frowned, looking uncomfortable. "Sorry."

"It's no problem." Lacey shrugged.

It kind of was, but whatever.

The three sat quietly for a moment as Regina looked for a change in subject.

"Who's that in the corner? Tall, dark, and gloomy?" she asked, pointing.

Lacey sat up, staring in the direction Regina was pointing. Somebody sat a table by themself, leaning on their arms across the table. Their hood was pulled up, so they couldn't see them, if they even knew who it was. A black bag was laying on the ground by their combat boot clad feet.

"He's been in here for about an hour. Just came in dripping wet, sat down, and stayed like that."

"He?" Regina asked.

Lacey sighed. "Regina."

"What? I like to keep tabs. Did you recognize him?" she asked, and Sarita shook her head.

"I'm gonna go say hi-

"Leave him alone, Regina. Let him rest. He picked a small table so he's not taking up any space."

It wasn't uncommon for students to take a bit of refuge in the café. It was warm and smelled good, so why not?

"Fine." Regina relented, before standing up. "I've got a party to get ready for."

"Regina, it's Tuesday." Lacey replied, looking up at her.

"Yea, I made it past Monday. All the better to celebrate. Ciao!"

She flounced out, and Sarita and Lacey giggled together for a moment before heading back to the register. Lacey discretely checked her phone, seeing another text from Archie. She ignored it and plugged it in her charger.

"Archie again?" Sarita asked, washing out their ice blender.

"Yup. He's annoying." Lacey replied.

"But he's a cutie. And it's just a little crush. Don't get so upset."

"He keeps calling me pet names, texts me constantly, grabs up on me like we're together, and gets made when I say no. That's not cute. He's…not a bad guy but I don't like feeling forced."

Archie was…oh Archie. Jock extraordinaire, bulging muscles, soccer champ, cheerleaders hanging off his arm, sorority puppy, party head, 'babe, bruh, chick, slamming, banged her last week bro' Archie. When he wasn't with his meathead friends could be kind of sweet, walking her to her car, buying her lunch, but then he got handsy and wanted her to go back to his dorm to "hang", and Lacey was just not about it.

"So is he." Sarita spoke up, interrupting Lacey's train of thought.

"What?" she asked.

"Cute, I mean."

Lacey looked at what caught her friend's attention, seeing the stranger from before sitting up. His hood was down, and he pulled his hair out of a bun, running his hands through the dark shoulder length tresses. As if feeling their stares, he turned towards them, glancing at Sarita before staring a bit longer at Lacey. Lacey met his stare for a moment before focusing on her tasks at hand.

She walked from behind the counter, collecting dirty plates, cups, and silverware, carrying them into kitchen. Rolling up her sleeves, she submerged them in the sudsy water, washing them off before placing them in the dishwasher.

She dried her hands quickly, going to her bag and reapplying her citrus lotion.

"Alright folks! It's nine oclock. Kindly and quickly make your way out."

The late night stragglers began to gather their things, and Sarita started cleaning tables as they went. Lacey looked over at the stranger again, watching him grab his stuff before she sighed and made her way over.

"Hey." she said, catching his attention.

He stood up from where he'd leaned to grab his back, brown eyes staring into hers.

"I noticed you didn't order anything. I can make you something to go if you'd like."

He blinked, before nodding. "That'd be nice, thanks." he said, voice coming out with a slight rasp.

She gave him a moment to think, and he shrugged. "I've never been here before, so…"

"Oh, yea, um, follow me. The drink menu is up there," she said, pointing to multiple chalkboards filled with colorful writing, "and pastries are here in the glass."

She walked around the counter as the young male looked around.

"Last minute customer?" Sarita asked, and Lacey nodded.

"He was here for a while, and you said he came in soaked. I felt bad." she whispered.

Sarita shrugged. "I wish I knew what that was like."

"What?" asked Lacey.

"To care."

Lacey laughed, giving her a small shove. "Shut up. You're the most caring person I know." she joked, and Sarita smiled as she pulled off her work apron.

"You good here? I'm heading to that party with Regina. Chaperone and all that jazz."

Lacey nodded.

"See you. Text me when you get to your dorm."

"You got it." Sarita replied, grabbing her coat and umbrella before heading out.

Lacey turned back to the customer who pulled his wallet from his back pocket. She stared at him expectantly.

"I'll just have a small coffee and an apple strudel." he said.

"Strudel heated or as is?"

"Heated."

"Room for cream in your coffee?"

"No thanks."

Lacey went to it, pouring the coffee in a to go cup, placing it on the counter before him, then grabbing the strudel and heating it up.

The customer yawned, politely shielding it with the crook of his elbow.

"Long day huh?" Lacey commented, grabbing the now warm pastry and placing it in a to go baggie.

"Yea. I had to turn a project in." he replied, as she rang him up.

"Oh, you go here?"

"Mmhm. Transferred this semester."

"$8.50."

He handed her a ten.

"What brings you here then?" she inquired.

"Change in scenery."

Lacey nodded, handing him his change. "It's nice here. I came for a change as well."

He took a sip of his coffee, closing his eyes at the taste. "You make a mean cup of coffee, Lacey." he complimented with a smile.

She visibly startled at him dropping her name out of the blue.

"Name tag." he clarified, smirking as he pointed it out, pinned to her apron.

"Oh." she said, smiling embarrassedly.

"I'll see you around Lacey." he said, before giving her a slight wave and another smile as he walked out of the café back into the pouring rain, no umbrella.

"Yea…" she answered to no one.

Pulling off her apron, she tossed it in the back room, and went to grab her bag and coat, tying her scarf securely around her hair.

"See you Jenna." she said, getting a muffled response.

She picked up her phone, placing the charger in her bag before taking up her green umbrella and heading out. She walked quickly to the commuter parking lot, hoping to spare her shoes as much as she could, and because wet tights were extremely uncomfortable.

Plus, if she was quick enough, she had a video chat date with her sister.

Showered and in bed, Lacey frowned as she shut off her laptop. This was the third day in a row Clara hadn't been signed on to chat. Since Lacey was away at school, she had promised her sister that she'd keep in touch as often as possible. They got along well and Lacey wanted to be as involved as possible, since sometimes, her parent's were more consumed with work than spending time with her.

Clara would be alone.

Lacey sighed, vowing to talk to her mom about getting Clara a phone for her thirteenth birthday, before tucking under her covers.

Her thoughts strayed, thinking of Regina and Sarita partying it up, of Rico fumbling around Jo and Jo finally taking the hint and following her feelings, and strangely, of her last costumer of the day.

He had a charming smile.

And Sarita was right.

He was cute.

Oh boy.

Prayer circle this fic turns out alright.