for meet cutes day 27 - character a wants to speak to a manager, character b is that manager
for 366 words - broken
420 words by gdocs
Albus doesn't want to be like a Karen. That's his only thought as he lingers by the counter. He can tell that the cashier is looking at him, wondering why he came back within five minutes of his last trip. He looks up at the overhead menu, pretending to be considering what to purchase.
The thing is, Albus doesn't want to be a Karen, but he really wants to talk to the manager. He got coffee, and he got a broken cup, and he's pretty pissed at the amount of coffee on his car floor. Still, he knows that it's not one of the employee's faults, and he doesn't want to come off as rude or anything. He spent several years working in a restaurant. He knows how shitty customers can be, and he knows how bitchy it can sound to ask for the manager. He really doesn't want to do it.
When he thinks he's lingered for long enough for it to be awkward and also long enough for the coffee to sink further into his car, he finally gets the courage to walk up to the counter.
"Um," Albus says, hesitating.
"Yes?" the cashier asks, not looking annoyed at Albus at all.
"Can I speak to your manager?" he asks. He's pretty sure that he doesn't sound bitchy — which is a plus — because his voice cracks at the end — which is a minus.
"Sure," the cashier says, completely chill. "Hey, Scorp," they call, and a tall blond guy comes over to the counter.
Albus forgets how to speak for a second, and it's nothing to do with how he might come off. The manager is really attractive. Albus, after years and years of trying, still does not know how to talk to pretty boys.
"I'm Albus," he says, his voice cracking again. He's a mess.
"I'm Scorpius," the manager replies, giving Albus a lopsided smile. "How can I help you?"
"Um," Albus says again, eloquent as ever. "I ordered an iced latte and the cup was broken and it spilled in my car and —"
"I can help you clean it up?" Scorpius offers, before Albus can start rambling more.
Albus nods, grateful for the offer. Scorpius follows Albus outside to his car, and they spend ten minutes cleaning Albus' car, making it good as new. Scorpius also gives him a new drink.
As he climbs back into his car, Albus realizes that Scorpius left him a little note on the cup — his number.
