John Laurens loved his job. He loved the variety of customers that came through, all with a different story. He loved the fresh smell of coffee and muffins that scented the air of the shop; just the smell was enough to energize him. Or maybe, he was just an energetic man. But above all, he loved his co-workers.

"Laurens, you're up!" Lafayette called, tossing a stray cup at John's face.

Lafayette was one of his two co-workers. He was from France, and had that heavy French accident that was used when Americans mocked the French culture. Laf was that type of guy that you could either party till 6am with or study quietly in a library. He had graduated from college in France a couple years back, and came to America for, as he claims, 'better work opportunities'. He works in a low end coffee shop - John knows he came over for his other co-worker, Hercules Mulligan.

Now, Hercules was an all party type. His college years were just, that - parties. He wasn't an A+ student, but still passed his classes with Cs. Hercules had a good head attached to his shoulders, but just preferred to drink and dance then study or do homework. He met Lafayette on a trip to Paris. Herc wasn't that great at speaking French, but decided the trip to France was worth taking a semester of the course. The two met when Hercules stood up on a moving rental bike, lost control, and crashed into poor Laf who was just trying to enjoy a peaceful lunch.

Either way, the two hit it off, and kept in contact. Lafayette finished up school and moved to America, surprising Herc. He tried to live in an apartment but fell behind on rent, resulting in him being evicted. Hercules of course invited him to live in his apartment, so now they split the rent. John and Laf talked all the time, they were close. So being that close, John knew that Lafayette had a little school crush on Mulligan. John always tried to push the Frenchman to talk about it to Herc, but didn't get far. Lafayette had this fear he'd be rejected and have to move back to France. It was ridiculous, but John couldn't convince him otherwise.

"Wait, didn't I do the last one?" John somewhat complained, catching the cup effortlessly.

"Yeah, but Herc went to get some pizza for our lunch break." Lafayette explained, making his way towards the sink. "Also I feel like he's your type." Laf gestured with a sponge to the customer who'd just walked in. The first thing John noticed was the guy's hair, which was tired in a messy ponytail, hair strands loosely bouncing off his face. He had round glasses on, underneath chocolate brown eyes with dark rings surrounding them. His arms carried a bunch of books and papers, held in an unorganized fashion. The man was frantically reading the top book, eyes scanning the page intensely. He, somehow, used his freehand to highlight certain lines. John flushed red and threw a washcloth at his friend who giggled dodging it.

Approaching the counter, the man looked up to John with a quick, tired smile.

"Hi. What can I get you?"

"Hi, um, just a uh, large mocha, please." The man fumbled around his pockets, almost dropping everything, pulling out a five and placing it on the counter. John was about to get his change but the man had started walking away.

"Sir, your change?" John called out as the guy spilled all his books and papers onto a table.

"Oh um, keep it!"

"Name?"

"Alexander!"

"Okay!" John scribbled down the name on the cup, as Lafayette strut over.

"Hey, I'll make it. Take a break." He offered, and John gladly handed the cup over.

"Uh, cool, thanks." John started walking away until he noticed Lafayette writing something on the cup. "I already wrote his name."

"I know." Lafayette giggled as he turned away from John, who approached him trying to see what he was writing.

"What are you doing?!" John demanded, reaching for the cup, but being pushed back by Laf's elbow. The cup was snatched when the Frenchman finished what he was writing, laughing hysterically. John scanned the message. It read:

"Hi Alex! I think you're cute and would love to see you again! xoxo, John."

"Laf! No!" John's face flooded with blush, as he threw the cup in the garage.

"Awh Laurens, it was perfect. You would've gotten laid with that note." Lafayette explained still chuckling, nudging the other lightly.

"You could've been classy, and put a number." John huffed, folding his arms.

"Liiiike, 69 maybe?"

"A phone number! Christ!" John grabbed another cup, face as hot as the coffee. "Mulligans has really influenced you, hasn't he?" He somewhat muttered as he began mixing a drink together, and called Alex up. Looking even more disgruntled then when he came in, Alex clumsily retrieved his drink. He didn't even make much eye contact with John, but kept his nose in a psychology book, from what Laurens could tell.

A little while later, Hercules returned with two pizzas in his hands, dramatically kicking the backdoor open.

"Brrah! Brrah!" He shouted slamming the boxes down on the lunch table; the pizza was heard smacking the top of the container it was held in. "Lunch is served!"

"Thanks Herc!" Lafayette patted his friend on the back, grabbing a slice and sliding into a chair. Hercules sat in the chair next to him, a slice of pizza in his hands as well.

"John's cool with manning the shop for a couple minutes?" Hercules asked, taking a bite.

"More than cool." Herc raised an eyebrow. "He gets to gawk at a handsome stranger."

"Is that so?" Hercules scoffed, peaking out of the backroom to see John making a drink while spacing out, and sure enough, looking at a man who appeared to be writing something promptly. Herc laughed quietly when the coffee overflowed, spilling all over the machine as well as Laurens.

"Well, isn't that adorable." Hercules teased, grinning as he turned back to his pizza.

"We've gotta get his number-" Lafayette was interrupted by John calling to them.

"Hey, um, guys! I need to go change my pants! Can you cover me a sec?"

"Sure!" Lafayette agreed, an idea forming in his mind. John ran by, giving the two a quick thanks and thumbs up. He glanced at the pizza, and clicked his tongue, making a mental note to come back for it later.

"That stranger has got Laurens wrapped around his finger, and he doesn't even know it!" Hercules pointed out giggling.

"Herc, Herc. I have an idea. D'accord. I need you to take orders for a couple minutes." Laf explained, receiving a nod of agreement. Both men got into position, Hercules standing behind the counter, watching carefully, and Lafayette started preparing a breakfast sandwich. Once it was ready, he quickly scribbled down John's number, and grinned to Herc as he made his way to where Alex sat.

Alex didn't even notice that somebody had approached him, he was so focused on his work. It wasn't until Lafayette coughed that the immigrant jumped in surprise.

"Here you are, sir." The Frenchman placed the plate down in front of Alex, who looked puzzled.

"Oh I didn't um, order this." Alex explained awkwardly chuckling.

"No you didn't, but he did, for you - on the house." Lafayette gestured to John who had returned with fresh pants, and was now cleaning up the coffee that was spilt all over the counter. He didn't seem to notice the two looking at him. Alex smiled, and observed the man who was now washing his hands. He had a loose ponytail to contain the curls, however strains still bounced around his face. He had freckles all along his cheeks and shoulders, each one seeming crazy yet carefully placed. The immigrant could appreciate a good looking man; and this guy defiantly was.

"He did?" Alexander questioned, now shifting his glance to Lafayette, who had raised eyebrows.

"Oui. His name is John. He's kinda shy. He also thinks you're really good looking." Lafayette whispered with a grin, before striding away from the table. Alex, confused, glanced down at his baggy sweatshirt and torn up jeans. He knew his hair was messy and he had bags under his eyes. He wasn't at all decent at the moment, yet this stranger found him...good looking?

Laf high fived Hercules as he walked by, and it was then Laurens noticed.

"What were you doing? We don't hand deliver food?"

"Oh, we do when it's a special occasion." Lafayette giggled out before sprinting to the backroom.

"What?" John scanned the shop before spotting Alex, who was smiling at him. John was quick to hit the deck and hid behind the counter. He placed his hands over his burning face in embarrassment.

"What are you doing?" Hercules questioned in between teary laughs.

"Is he looking?!" John asked nervously, his voice muffled due to the hands over his mouth.

"Yeah, dude! Get up!" Hercules encouraged still laughing hysterically.

"No way!"

"Oh my god, he's coming over!"

"What really?!" John sprung up, and shoved Hercules lightly when he saw that Alex was looking at his books again. A wave of relief flooded John however. "Thank god..." He muttered, before his phone went off scaring the shit out of him. He fumbled around to dig it out of his pocket, and turned it on to see a new text message from an unknown number. Curiously, John opened it up, and read:

"Thanks for the sandwich. I think you're pretty cute too - even with coffee all over your shirt. ;) -Alexander."

John's head snapped up, and he looked to Alex with horror in his hazel eyes. Alex just gave a side smile, chuckling at the redness on John's face. Hercules squinted his eyebrows in confusion at the two, before curiously peeking over John's shoulder, letting out an elongated 'ohhhh' upon reading the text. Alex scoffed, going back to his reading while John punched Hercules shoulder.

"Who gave him my number?" He whispered sharply.

"Moi! That was me!" Lafayette called proudly from the other room with a chuckle, resulting in a loud sigh from John.

"Dude, you are gonna thank us later."