AN: This is a long one (well compared to the others)
Delphine sucks in a deep breath before entering the coffee shop. This time for real, she has to apply for this job. Having no source of money was not something she could overlook for much longer. Since the coffee shop is her most convenient option, she couldn't let herself run away again. Eyes widen as she takes a mental headcount of the people in the shop. There was a full line and people sitting around at tables and booths. A light chatter filled the shop. Music becoming secondary noise. Delphine crosses her arms in front of her chest as she stands in line. Her eyes stay focused on the front where Scott, and not Cosima (which definitely wasn't a detail she is focusing on), is the only one taking orders. As well as rushing to make the drinks. Maybe I will get a chance to speak this time, Delphine thinks after looking around the shop for a head full of dreads. Poor Scott. Looking flustered and stressed. If only she had asked sooner maybe she'd be able to help him.
Standing third in line, fingers tapping against her arm, Delphine is broken from her staring spell with the wall. She cannot stop herself from turning around when the shop door goes slamming open. Wind chimes sounding as if they were going to fall from the door. "There you are Cosima!" Scott exclaims. He more or less tosses the drink in his hands to the waiting customer, then turns to fully face Cosima. Who throws the skateboard and backpack in her arms into the back room. "Sorry. Sorry. I got caught up in the lab. I didn't expect to be so late," she grabs an apron, throws it over her neck, before adding, "But you know me. I'm—"
"Kind of always late and kind of always sorry. Yup, I've heard this many times," Scott says grabbing two donuts. Cosima gives him a full-toothed grin before saying, "Take a break…or something. I'll take over." Scott nods in agreement before mumbling about bathrooms. Turning to the next customer Cosima grins and almost purrs, "Mmm, what can I help you with?" She gives the boy a leisurely once over. As he tells her his order, with a grin, Cosima matches it with a smirk and some banter. Shifting her body weight, Delphine hopes she didn't just glare. Because it really felt like she did. Why would she need to glare? Cosima was just doing her job. No. No. It doesn't even matter what Cosima was doing. Delphine doesn't care. She has Stéphane. She. Doesn't. Care. Especially when the boy's fingers graze Cosima's delicate ones the same way hers did the other day. The crinkle in her forehead means nothing.
Cosima's eyes watch the boy leave. (Not that Delphine noticed). But when Cosima's eyes return to the line they brighten. The full-toothed grin is back as Cosima leans forward on the counter, ignores the next customer, and proclaims, "Wow, now I really gotta know if it's me or the coffee that keeps bringing your cute face around. Three days in a row. This has to be a record." Delphine feels her cheeks redden and ducks her head down. Stay. Calm. You need this job. Baristas are not going to chase you away again. "If I figure it out myself, maybe I'll tell you," are the words that escape Delphine's mouth before she can stop them. A shocked expression crosses Cosima's face. Followed by a pink tongue peeking through white teeth. Pushing up her glasses Cosima turns to the next customer and finally takes their order. Merde. Fuck. Shit. I can't believe I said that. Fingers thread through golden curls. She watches anxiously as Cosima makes the woman's smoothie. Eyes darting around for Scott. Who was unhelpfully sweeping the floor at the other end of the shop. "Alright. Which drink do I get the pleasure of making for you?"
"Oh just a regular coffee please. Black," Delphine manages not to stutter.
"What inspired this change?" Cosima asks, sounding genuinely interested, as she taps on the cash registers' screen, "Oh, and what size?"
"Medium, please. Uh, nothing really. Just a busy day ahead," Delphine answers. Hands hide in her back pockets. "I know how that feels," Cosima grins. Uncapping the marker she writes Delphine's name on the cup. "Is that it?"
"Yes."
"Alright, it's 1.50," Cosima says turning around to set the cup under the coffee machine. She presses the button then turns back around to Delphine. "Out of two?"
"Keep it," Delphine waves off. She won't miss fifty cents.
"Oooh, my lucky day." The grin is back on Cosima's face (does it ever leave?) as she holds the lidded coffee in her hands. Delphine smiles gently as she takes the cup from Cosima and moves to the side. She takes a couple steps towards the door before she remembers that the coffee wasn't her true purpose for being here. Seeing that Cosima was raptly paying attention to the final customer she decides to take a seat.
Moving over to the closest wooden chair Delphine sets her coffee on the table and her bag on the ground. I have nothing to worry about. I've had a conversation with Cosima where I spoke words. I can ask for a job. It is simple. Nothing like this microbiology paper I need to start. She takes a sip of her coffee. Eyes watching Cosima's every move. How one manages to move their arms about and not spill the drink in her hands is a question Delphine really wants an answer too. How a smile can grow on Cosima's face no matter who the next customer is, is another question Delphine wants answered. Cosima is just happy. All the time. She's barely even known her for three days, but, Cosima radiates joy and excitement. How does a university student find that much pleasure in life, let alone emanate it to anyone nearby. How does she make me feel this way? A laugh that could cure diseases attacks Delphine's ear. Setting her drink down she focuses on Cosima's giggled, "Yeah, I bet. See you later." Delphine stares for a couple more seconds in a daze. Quickly she reaches down for her bag and gabs her cup, before nudging the chair in with her foot.
Cosima's back is turned when Delphine reaches the counter again. Jewelry covered hands fiddling with something by the espresso machine. "Eh, excusez-moi."
"Whoa, back so soon? It really is my lucky day," Cosima mutters but not soft enough to mask her words. Pointing to the cup in Delphine's hands she asks, "Coffee not what you wanted?"
"No, no. The coffee is fine. I um, wanted something else," she hesitates.
"Want something like, food like?" Cosima leans on the counter, practically climbs over it, as she reaches down to point, "These little cake things are my favorite, you should totes get one if you like strawberries. These truffles though, delicious. Or, you know, you could go with something more predicable and get like, a donut," she leans up teeth gleaming, "You seem more like a truffles kinda girl though." Delphine tries to wrap her mind around the fact this girl has her whole body on the counter. She's pretty sure Cosima's feet are in the air as well. All this, just to tell her the different sweets in the display that she can clearly see for herself, without a helpful ringed finger pointing them out. "No. Thank you. It is not food that I want either." Delphine pauses. Cosima gives a curious look, head tilting to the side. Fingers clasped together Delphine attempts to keep eye contact as she says, "I was actually, um, I, eh, was wondering if you were still oh what is the word…um, hiring! Yes. I was wondering if you were still looking for more employees?" Delphine's cheeks are burning. She knows that in her confusion her accent got heavier. She should have practiced her words earlier. Cosima is trying, but failing, to conceal her smile. "That was adorable. You wanna work here?" Cosima asks mildly surprised. She's back to her familiar lean on the counter. She looks up at Delphine with a puzzled expression. After a moment she leans to the side and yells, "Hey Scott! Are we still hiring?" Rising from the table he was wiping down Scott replies, "I would hope so. It's pretty tough with just the two of us around here. Especially when one doesn't show up."
"Hey. I said I was sorry. What more do you want?" Scott rolls his eyes, small grin on his face. With a shake of his head he returns his focus to the table. Grinning Cosima focuses on Delphine saying, "So. Delphine insert-last-name-here wants to work at Freaky Leekie's?"
"Freaky? Leekie?" Delphine replied face scrunched in confusion.
"Yeah. You never read the sign out front. Sounds nothing like a coffee shop, really. 'Freaky Leekie's Coffee'. Crazy name. One of my professors Dr. Leekie. He owns this place. A little side project or something. Who knows? But yeah," Cosima leans in close and whispers, "His so called 'fan club' is the Freaky Leekie's and he decided to dedicate this place to them. If you ask me, I think he thinks too highly of himself. I've never heard of these 'Freaky Leekie's' on campus. But don't tell him I said that. I like this job. I get to meet cuties. But sorry, tangent. Back to you. Did you fill out the application?"
"Application?"
"Yeah. It's online if you go to our website, I made it myself btw, there's a little side bar that'll say something along the lines of hiring or job application. It's simple. Only take like five minutes probs. Just fill that out. Print it. Bring it back here. And we'll see what we can do to initiate you into our club."
"Oh, well. Thank you Cosima. That is very helpful. I will fill it out and bring it back, tomorrow?"
"Whenever you want, man, we'll prob be open for hiring forever. Not many people seem interested." Cosima shrugs her shoulders. Her hands then begin to fiddle with the merchandise on the counter. With a quick couple of nods Delphine says, "Yes. Tomorrow I will bring in the application. Merci beaucoup, Cosima."
"You are very welcome," Cosima smiles watching as Delphine leaves the shop. Delphine was very proud of herself. She accomplished her task and managed to speak actual words to the friendly barista. The question is now, how will she handle working with that smiling face.