Author's Notes:

Disclaimer: All Vampire Academy stuff belongs to the awesome Richelle Mead.

Sorry it took so long to post. I'm still looking for a beta, and I'm having a hard time finding someone who is really thorough, and challenges me. I hate to recieve a chapter back with next to no changes made? That's what I've been dealing with. So, please be patient with me in terms of the editing of my story, or if you're a beta and you think you could help me out: PM me.

Thanks,

Toni


After class I headed over to The Bean; I wanted to finish a paper I was working on for Modern English Literature before my shift started.

I grabbed a chai tea and headed to the window seat to get started. "Elle!" I heard my boss bark from behind the counter. Jerri, my boss, and owner of The Bean was a disgruntled forty-five-year-old small business owner who despised all things coffee shop. From the college student to the Seattle business type who carried around all of the Apple gadgets, he couldn't stand most coffee shop visitors. Not to mention he wasn't a coffee drinker at all.

The Bean was left in his divorce settlement with his ex-wife, and I guess he figured why not have a business to help pay for all those hefty alimony payments. Anyway, I sauntered over to the counter where I could see him making changes to next weeks payroll.

"Listen Elle, we've got a new hire that will be working on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. He's from the college, says he lives in Dunlaughtin Hall - maybe you know him." Why is it that people assume you know everyone that goes to your college? Like that's a course you take: memorize every student on campus for all intents and purposes1105. "His name is Will. I think he's some rich fudy dudy kid; there wasn't much on his resume except prep schools and some internship at his family's law firm. Although, he says he already knows how to work the espresso machines, but I want you to take him through all of the drinks anyway." Great, I had inventory to do tonight, and now training and baby sitting were on the list. Instead of voicing my displeasure I just responded with a, "No problem Jerri.".

Leaving my paper for another day, I figured I'd get started on the inventory before this Will guy shows up. I went into the back bathroom, threw on my uniform, pulled my hair into a pony tail, and walked to the front counter to start counting bags of coffee and baked goods. By the time I had finished sorting and counting all of the African and Domican Republic blend Ashton was done with his morning shift. "Hey Elle, it's about time for me to be heading out".

"No problem Ashton, thanks for your help. I'll see you later."

The doorbell jingled and I looked up to see none other than Mr. Douchebag himself. He strolled in like he owned the place. Ugh…maybe Ashton can take this one. Just looking at him made me wanna punch something. Look at him, with that cocky grin, and confident walk. I always hated people that knew they were hot. I suddenly realized that Ashton had been talking this whole time: "So would you like to Elle?"

"Would I like to what?" I asked confused, finally pulling my gaze away from Asshat kid.

"Go to the movies Friday night?" Oh god, not this again. Ashton is a nice guy, but not someone I was interested in dating, which I had made abundantly clear. Obviously nothing I ever said to him sunk into that block of a brain, because yet again he was asking me out. By this time Douchebag boy was standing in front of me at the counter…waiting for my attention, and oddly enough, my answer. He wore a mocking grin as I turned my eyes to Ashton. "Umm…I'll talk to you later about that Ashton"

"Alright, no problem. I'll just call you later to set up plans." he said as he walked away. I looked at his retreating form horrified. Oh god, he just doesn't get it.

It took one chuckle to turn my shock into anger. I turned to a smug William, and hoped my scary laser beam eyes could properly convey the amount of annoyance I felt. I wanted to smack the look off his face. Unfortunately, at this time I remembered I was at work, and he was a costumer. "What can I help you with?" I asked in an indifferent tone, no longer acknowledging him.

"I'm looking for an Elle. It seems that I am now employed here, and was told she would impart her wisdom and knowledge as a Barista unto me ." Jerri's debriefing clicked in my head: Douchebag's name is William…oh shit. This is the new Will.

"Wait a second, you're Will? Will the new hire?"

"If I say yes, are you going to throw a cup of coffee on my shirt?" I scowled at him. "And might I add that your skills of deduction are clearly matched by your gift for rhetoric." Forget laser beams, we're talking death con level seven now.

"Well pardon my assumption but, I figured some pretty rich boy like you wouldn't be working at a coffee shop."

"Pretty boy huh?" He smiled lazily, and I turned my face from him, feeling a blush make it's way up my neck. He was leaning casually against the counter at this point playing with the Bean mugs we sold. "Well I guess I am stunning to look at, but yes even we astonishingly handsome wealthy men some times need to work."

I'm sure the look I was giving him right now could melt the flesh off that astonishingly handsome face. I slid my hand under the counter and grabbed an apron and ball cap that said "The Bean" across the top. I threw them across the counter to him.

"Here, go put this on. There's a bathroom in the back. Once you're done changing, and washing your hands, come out front and I'll show you how to punch in."

As he walked off I ambled over and sat down in the chair, hidden behind the bakery display; all the while cursing him to the seventh circle of Hades. I should probably curse my luck while I'm at it.

When he came back in he had a small pout on his face. He walked over to where I was sitting. "Although, this color of brown looks horrid on me, I think I'm ready to go." I scoffed. He probably thought I considered his comment vain, but the truth is I don't think any color could made him look bad.

"You're not here for a fashion show, you're here to work hard" I snapped at him. The corner of his mouth tugged at a smile he tried to hide. I took a deep breath. Man I needed to calm down. I don't know why I let this guy get to me so much. Focus, all I have to do is train him, and then let him work the counter. Then I can do inventory, and I probably won't even have to talk to him much if I keep him and myself busy.

"So, Jerri said you already knew how to work the espresso machine?" I asked in the most civil voice I could muster up.

He shrugged his shoulders "Pretty much" Okay, time to test him.

"Can you make a café latte with a double shot of espresso?" He stood up from the counter he was lazily leaning against, rolled his eyes and went to work.

A few minutes later he put the drink down in front of me, and I took a sip. "Not bad" I said. He rolled his eyes again. The truth was it was delicious, but café latte is not the hardest drink to make. So I started going down the list.

William or Will or whatever he went by was pretty good at making most of the drinks on our menu, and by the time we were done I had only helped him with a couple. I also noticed the longer we worked on the drinks the more his smugness, and honestly my hostility, faded. He actually wasn't bad to work with.

Once he was done with training I let him work the counter by himself; It was a Tuesday, and a slow day. He was quiet and efficient unlike Ashton who would ask me a million questions, and ramble on the whole time about the football team at school. I appreciated his silence.

At a quarter till ten I had finished my inventory. Things had went smoothly all day for "Will", and even the costumers had seemed to like him. He was a charmer if he wanted to be.

Will was mopping the floors as I was cleaning up the back counter and espresso machines, when I asked him how he knew how to make all of those drinks.

"Well, my family lived in Italy for three years, so our nanny taught us. Espresso is a norm for homes there. Americans drink coffee for breakfast, Italians drink Espresso and Cappuccino."

"Oh" was my only response. He smiled, probably sensing my dislike of the word nanny.

"So how did Pretty Rich Boy do today?" I grimaced as he threw my true, but unfair, account of him back at me.

"Ya did good" I managed to smile after swallowing that lump of pride that caught in my throat.

"She approves!" he mocked. I guess that smugness can't stay away forever.

"Is this your first job you've ever had?" I asked him, trying to appear as aloof as possible.

"No, I've worked at my families firm before. I worked mainly on depositions, and did some paralegal work in the summer time. But most of my time was spent at school."

Oh, your parents didn't want you working while you were in school? Figures." I mumbled that last part under my breath. The twinkle in his eyes told me he heard my little two cents.

"Not exactly, I went to a…boarding school if you will. The rules are very strict. No students were to leave campus without supervision."

"Wow, seems utterly boring to me."

"Nah, it wasn't so bad. They brought the entertainment to us." Looking at nothing in particular, a wide smile stretched across his face as he gazed across the coffee shop. "Anyway, I went there from Kindergarten through my last year of High school. I loved that place." I'm sure I would love a five star High School experience as well; Caviar and Champagne for dinner. All we had was lumpy mashed potatoes and dry pizza at my high school.

At ten o'clock I flipped the sign to close. "So why are you working at the coffee shop anyway…if you don't mind me asking?" I blushed, embarrassed a little for asking him a personal question. He stared at my cheeks watching the blush make its way up my face . After a minute he shook his head and answered "Mom and Dad thought it would be "character building", he formed the air quotes " for me to have some fiscal responsibility." In other words: he was cut off. I nodded my head yes, showing I understood his response. "I don't see the point, seeing as how I'll be working out of our office once I've finished school. I'd never work at a place like this if I didn't have too."

I just gawked at him. Who says things like that….really? This asshole apparently. "What's your problem?"

"Whatever do you mean?

"Whatever do you mean?" I repeated his words in the most insulting tone possible. "I'm talking about the fact that you obviously believe that some people slash jobs slash lifestyles slash classes are below you. You're such a snob!" Now it was his turn to glare at me.

"Well, would you work here if you didn't have to?" He countered. I paused, mouth open with I'm sure was my witty retort. Before I could respond he gave me his classic smug smile. "Exactly. I mean, aren't you in school so you don't have to work at a coffee shop for the rest of your life? There's nothing wrong with being honest.! " He marched over to the cashier computer screen and punched out. "My shifts over." Then he walked out of the coffee shop.


Alright Alright Alright!

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Thanks again,

Toni