Hello everyone! Long time, no update XD I apologize. Things have (obviously) been crazy this past year and I have had many other things on my mind. But I decided I want to finish this story someday! Please leave a review and give me some ideas on how to finish the story up! And I also decided I don't want the story to only take place over 2 days so this chapter kinda moves it along a few days. Don't worry too much about it XD
~Aryll Jaynn
Peatrice
I yawned loudly as I trudged into the Lumpy Pumpkin Café after school, feeling the sleepiness take over my body with every step.
It had been a long day at school, and I wanted nothing more than to go home, submerge myself in blankets, and sleep.
Nevertheless, I had to "get that bread" as my best and only friend, Orielle, liked to say. My dad couldn't pay for my college tuition, so I had to take charge and save up so that I could go to my dream school, Skyloft University.
I smiled as I remembered touring the school for the first time; the high elevation, amazing landscape, and beautiful architecture stole my heart. The campus was built on top of a mountain, and it seemed like you could see the entirety of Hyrule from the peak. Not to mention, there was a Loftwing-riding elective that I was simply dying to take. . .
I sighed, remembering also that the price of said university wasn't exactly reasonable…
I tied up my dirty blonde hair into two pigtails and got dressed in my uniform: jeans and a simple maroon t-shirt with a bright, orange nametag that read "Peatrice." Trying to hype myself up, I promised myself a nice, warm hot chocolate once I got home as long as I could make it through my shift.
Finally, I stepped out of the back room and into the battlefield: the large room of the café, filled with tables, chairs, soda machines, a salad bar, and best of all, the lovely middle schoolers who always tried to sneak in extra soda refills. I made a mental note to pay closer attention to them today. I did not want another long lecture from my manager…
Or at least, I was expecting the middle schoolers. The time was around 3:30, which was usually the time people would start coming in for a late afternoon coffee, but for some reason, today the café was almost empty, with only an elderly woman, a couple of college-age girls, and one boy who looked around my age.
I yawned again. At least the shift wouldn't be super busy. If these few customers had already ordered, then I could probably get away with doing some of my math homework behind the register…
Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching the counter and I braced myself. Alright Peatrice, time to put on your customer service smile!
Without really looking at the person who approached, I put on my biggest fake smile and said with a presenter's voice: "Hello, welcome to the Lumpy Pumpkin! My name is Peatrice. What can I get for ya?"
It was the boy who looked about my age. He had blond hair that was tucked behind a beanie and sky blue eyes. He would have been the type of guy Orielle would have swooned over. I might have possibly thought he was cute too, but I didn't have time to fill my brain with such useless thoughts. I had a college to get into!
The boy smiled and said, "Hello! Could I get a medium hot chocolate and a large iced coffee?"
That seems like a weird combination for one person…I thought, but I didn't say anything. I learned the hard way that questioning your customers' orders can be detrimental to our ratings.
"That'll be 8 rupees."
He pulled out the money and handed it to me. I handed the order to my coworker, Kina, who was in charge of making all the drinks. Kina giggled as she looked at the boy, wiggling her fingers at him flirtatiously.
He smiled politely, though he seemed a bit uncomfortable at the attention.
As Kina got to work on his order, he stood in front of the register, shifting back and forth on his feet. I tried to bury myself in my math textbook, not really understanding why he was still standing there.
"Calculus, huh?" the boy asked. I looked up, a bit ashamed that he caught me trying to do homework during my shift.
"Yeah," I replied, "My teacher assigns a lot of work, so I have to squeeze in a lot of time to finish it."
He nodded. "Are you a senior at Nayru High?"
Why is he asking me so many questions? Can't he see I'm not in the mood for small talk?
"No, I'm a sophomore." I tried to sound as bored as possible, so he'd get the message.
His eyes lit up. "No way! I am too! You're taking calculus as a sophomore?"
I sighed. I had explained this so many times to people…couldn't he have just heard it from someone else already?
There's Peatrice, the stick-in-the-mud who doesn't have any friends, Peatrice the girl who thinks she's better than everyone because she ignores anyone who tries to talk to her, there's Prudy Peatrice-
"Yes, I am. I'm trying to finish as many required classes as I can so that I can spend junior and senior year doing extracurriculars and studying for entrance exams." I waited for him to taunt me, call me a loser, or something. Guys like him always made fun of me for wanting to put my future first.
"That's pretty impressive. You must be so determined!" he said.
I stared at him blankly. "You're not going to make fun of me?"
"Why would I?"
I blushed and looked down. Thankfully, Kina came to my rescue and announced the boy's order.
He took the drinks and thanked her, and she just about burst into giggles as his hands brushed hers. I rolled my eyes.
The boy came back to stand in front of me. I looked up at him again, annoyed.
"So, Peatrice…" he started, looking a bit bashful, "My sister, Rinkuru, wants to start a calculus club at school, but she can't get enough people to join. She only needs 3 more people to start a club…"
"Sorry, um, sir…but what does this have to do with me?" I didn't know how to address him, but I had to be polite to all customers or my manager would fire me…
He shook his head, smiling sheepishly. "You can call me Link! I was just wondering, since you're taking calculus and all…if you'd like to join my sister's club? I figure it would look good on college applications…but of course I'm not forcing you to! Just if you wanted, I figured I'd ask, and ah, nevermind…"
I almost laughed. Who knew a boy that looked like that could be so…socially awkward?
He was right, being in a club would definitely boost my college applications…especially if I could become part of the leadership.
"I'll think about it," I told him.
He grinned. "Really? Oh, thank you so much, Peatrice! I really appreciate it. Do you want me to give you my sister's email? Or phone number? That way she can contact you and-"
"Hold up! I just said I'd think about it," I sighed, trying really hard not to roll my eyes.
He turned red. "Right! Sorry about that. I just got excited, is all."
I found myself smiling a bit. He seemed too dorky to be one of the popular bullies, I decided.
"No worries. Have a good rest of your day!" I slipped back into my fake presenter's voice at the end to give him the hint that the interaction was over.
"Thanks, Peatrice! You too!"
With that, he left the store.
Kina bounced over to the register, pouting. "Aw, he left already? I wanted to give him my number."
I rolled my eyes.
…
Link ended up coming in almost every day after that. I had to wonder why. It's not like the Lumpy Pumpkin was even the best café in town. Did he have a crush on Kina or something? It wasn't impossible. She was pretty and outgoing and seemed to have a thing for him. Isn't that all guys need anyway?
My hunch seemed to be wrong, since every advance Kina would make, Link would politely decline or skillfully change the subject.
It's not like I cared. I just needed my paycheck.
…
"He likes you!" screamed Orielle on the phone one night.
I blushed. "What? No, he doesn't."
"Pea, come on! He comes in everyday and always swerves Kina. That means the one he likes is Y-O-U!"
I scoffed. "Or he just really likes the drinks."
"No offense, but I don't think that's why."
"Orielle!"
"Sorry, but it's true! I had one of those hot chocolates once. I haven't recovered."
"You're being dramatic. Besides, he's probably into pretty, popular girls. That just seems like more his type."
Orielle sighed. "Pea, when will you realize that you're also pretty? And that he does, in fact, like you!"
I groaned. Just because he came in everyday, always talked to me, smiled at me, laughed at my sarcastic comments, looked really cute when he smiled, and always tipped way more than he needed to didn't mean he liked me. And I didn't have time for that anyway.
…
A few more days went by. Link came in, as usual, with a big smile on his face. This time, I didn't feel annoyed by his presence. In fact, as much as I hated to admit it, I kinda felt…excited?
"Hey, Peatrice! How are you doing?"
"Hi, Link. I'm doing well. You?"
"I'm great! It'll be the usual for me, please."
"Coming right up! It might take a while, though. Kina's out today."
He smiled. I blushed. "No worries! I don't mind waiting."
I got up to make his order. Why was my heart pounding so fast? Stop it, heart! You've got to focus on studying! There is absolutely no time for distractions!
I brought his order back to him. He paid, with the tip as usual, and slid his wallet back into his pocket.
"So, I know it's been a while since we talked about this," he started, "but have you thought about joining my sister's club yet?"
"Oh! Yeah, I've thought about it. Maybe I'll join it and see what it's like."
His eyes lit up. "Yes! Thank you, Peatrice! Do you want my sister's contact info?"
"Sure."
He started rummaging in his pockets for his phone and checked it. "Oh, shoot! I actually have to run right now. Is it okay if I just write down my number? I don't know my sister's by heart, unfortunately. You can text me and I'll give you the info that way."
"O-oh…" I stammered. Was a boy about to give me his phone number? "That's okay."
He grabbed a pen and napkin, scribbled his number onto it, and then slid it to me. "Here you go! Just text me!"
I barely had time to register him saying "bye." My heart was pounding. Could it be…that Orielle was right?
I felt a smile forming on my face. And this time I didn't even think to stop.
I looked out to watch him leave, but as soon as I did, my heart faltered.
A girl was waiting for him outside. Her golden-blonde hair fell gracefully around her shoulders and her bright blue eyes glistened in the sunlight. She kissed him on the cheek as she accepted one of the drinks, and then slipped her hand into his as they walked away down the street.
My eyes watered. Wait, why am I feeling this way? Is it because, I actually believed he liked me? What happened to wanting to focus on school? I am such an idiot.
Another customer walked in. I had to regain my composure. I sighed and put on my fake smile.
At least I could focus on school again.
Sorry about the kinda sad ending to this chapter lolol. I think it's more realistic in a sense though. Please leave a review and suggestions for the next few chapters!
3 :)