Arthur was at wit's end. He was twenty-three, just moved to America from England. He had no job and still had to unpack the rest of his boxes. He was lucky enough to live right by a library, which had a cafe with free wifi. With his laptop in one hand, he walked up to the cafe counter to order right after being greeted by an energetic sandy blonde American.
"Yes, well I would like a skinny vanilla latte and a vanilla scone please." Arthur told the cashier tiredly. "Ooh, cravin' the vanilla, huh?" the peppy blonde asked. "No." Arthur was unamused. The cashier had a fake hurt look and went over to start making his coffee. "So what brings a grumpy Brit like you to America anywho?" he asked while spraying the whipped cream on the latte.
Arthur grimaced. "I am tired therefore my mood isn't the best. And well, I recently graduated and I wanted a fresh start. I have no business in England anyways." Arthur replied. "Ah, I see," the boy set his latte and the bag containing his scone on the counter and Arthur handed him a card. "Well I hope you enjoy Seattle. Washington actually is a great place with an amazing culture." The boy said with a kind smile. Arthur smiled back. "Yes indeed. One day I'd love to go to the Space Needle or Pike's Place Market."
The man's smile turned into a grin. "Yeah both places are pretty cool. Maybe sometime I can take you?" the boy asked. Arthur looked down to try to hide the blush starting to burn in his cheeks. "I-I don't even know your name..." Arthur said with a studder. "Alfred F. Jones!" the boy said with a big smile. "What does the 'F' stand for?" Arthur asked. "Freedom! Or Fucking. I really don't know. No one ever told me." Arthur let out a giggle. Somehow this American, whom he had only met about five minutes ago, changed his gumpy mood into a happy one."I am Arthur Kirkland." he replied with a smile.
Arthur sat at the table in the cafe. He had his coffee, his scone, and he was having no luck with the job listings on his laptop. He always knew he had a bit of an over active imagination, but he could swear he heared the seat move. Tired green eyes met blue when he closed his laptop to reveal that familiar American face.
"Hey, I'm on my break. Mind if I sit here?" Alfred asked. "Um sure." Arthur said. "So whatcha' doin'?" Alfred asked. "Well I was just looking at the job listings." Alfred took a sip of Arthur's coffee and Arthur sighed. "Do you happen to have any job openings here?" Arthur asked. "Well we aren't particularly but my brother Matthew is the owner and I know he'll say yes if I ask him." Arthur smiled. "That would be great."
Alfred leaned back in his chair. "So how old are you anyways?" he asked. "I'm twenty-three." Arthur replied. "Oh. I'm nineteen." Arthur grimaced. He felt old. Too old. "What's wrong?" Arthur felt embarassed. "It's just... I feel too old." Arthur said shamefully. "That's okay. Older guys are sexy." When Arthur heard that he nearly spit out the coffee that was in his mouth. Instead his face turned bright red. "Just look at Johnny Depp. He's like fifty and he's still pretty hot."
Arthur's face was still red. There was a bit of a silence, which Alfred broke. "So are you going to the masquerade dance tomorrow?" Alfred asked. "No, I hadn't known about that." Arthur replied. "Oh really? You should come with me! If you're not busy, that is.." Arthur couldn't help his grin. "Yes, I'd love that."