Tealeaves and Coffee beans
Chapter 1: A new barista
Ring. Lovina entered the warm, welcoming smell of freshly ground coffee and handmade cake. Her look wandered around the small café until it landed on her flatmate, who also happened to be one of her closest friends. She had known Katherine since Kindergarten, where the girl had taken shy little Lovina by the hand and took off with her. They had become best friends that same day. Now they were studying together at the Université d'Europe and had recently found a flat together. Closing the door behind her, Lovina walked up to the table, where Katherine had already reserved a seat for her. "Hey girl. Have you been waiting for long?", Lovina asked, placing her coat on the chair opposite Katherine. "Nah, I just got here. No need to stress yourself, sweetie. I still have a couple of pages left on this book, so you go get yourself some coffee while I finish this book", Katherine said while barely looking up from the book she was currently reading. Lovina shook her head, smiled and went over to the counter to order her usual. It was very like Katherine to get absorbed into one of those romance novels she loved to read. Once she reached the counter, she had to wait a little since the café was very busy today. When it was her turn, she froze, unable to do anything but stare. Hazelnut brown eyes met green ones. This guy must have been new, since it was the first time, she'd seen him behind the counter. His hair was messy and a little curly, as if he had forgotten to brush it this morning. He was smiling at her as if he was waiting for something. Then she remembered why she was standing there in the first place. 'Shit', she thought. 'I better order something quick and stop staring.' "Uhm, I'll have the usual", she said and tried very hard not to blush. The guy looked a little confused. "Sorry, I'm new here. What do you usually take?" he said and smiled apologetically. "A cappuccino. No sugar on the side", Lovina said. "One cappuccino coming right up! I'm Antonio by the way", the guy replied and winked at her. Lovina chose to ignore the wink. That guy was way too flirty for her taste. Although she had to admit that he was fairly cute with those messy curls and the smile he had given her earlier. While Antonio was preparing her cappuccino, Lovina noticed that Katherine had finished her book and was now watching the interaction between her friend and the new barista with a look on her face that promised nothing good. Once her cappuccino was ready, Antonio placed it in front of Lovina with another big smile and said:" There you go, your cappuccino ...". The little pause he made, was a clear indicator to her that he wanted to know her name. But Lovina wasn't going to give him that information so easily. She thanked him and went back to her place, where Katherine was already waiting for her with a smug grin on her face. "Katherine, I know that look too well and whatever you wanna do, don't." "He's pretty cute don't you think?", Katherine replied with a suggestive look. Lovina blushed. "Maybe a little, but that doesn't mean you can do whatever you're already planning in that crazy little head of yours." "Me? Planning anything?", Katherine replied innocently. "Yes, you're just as bad as Feli, always trying to set me up with random guys." "We just want you to be happy, you know Lovina? We both know it's been ages since you last went out with anyone you were seriously interested in." "That's because most guys are either way too full of themselves or just super boring" Lovina replied. She knew it had been ages since she considered going on a second date or let alone a relationship. In her opinion, she just didn't meet the right guys. "I know you're just looking out for me, but can you please drop it? I don't need you to be at my case as well." "Fine. Just know I always got you, ok?" "Yeah, I know. Love ya bestie. And now tell me about the guy you met the other day.