The Fic Lab Prompt #15: I just need to clear my head
So, this short little ditty was inspired by fics where Edward becomes human again (Eight Days by windchymes, The Antidote by jandco, Eight Years Later by jmeyer). What would be the first thing he'd want to taste?
Edward wants to see what all the fuss is about. It seems to be the one consistent thing that most humans think about…well, besides sex, but that's not reserved for humans only.
Not like this. Not like coffee. Flavored coffee. Starbucks flavored coffee.
Sure, there are those humans who say they don't like it, but he knows the truth. The ones who say they don't like Starbucks are just trying to separate themselves from the masses. No one really hates Starbucks flavored coffees…he had seen the truth in their thoughts.
But Edward is human now, and after a torturously painful transformation…more painful than he experienced during his original transformation into a vampire…Edward awoke with a different type of thirst. For the first time since 1918, he thirsted for something other than blood.
Is it strange that flavored coffee is the first thing Edward wants to try? Probably, but as soon as he realized that he wasn't thirsty for blood, he knew he wanted Starbucks. He'd heard so much about it in over the years. He'd had coffee when he was human before, of course, but the coffees available now seemed to be on another level.
Yes, there are other coffee companies out there, but Starbucks is the one everyone knows by name. This is the first one he used to see in people's thoughts whenever coffee drinks were mentioned. This is the company that had the audacity to name themselves after a character from one of the great American novels. This must be the great American coffee, he was sure of it.
As Edward is standing in line at the Starbucks, he has a big decision to make. Which flavor should be his first? This decision can make or break the rest of his coffee drinking days. That's a lot of pressure. Vanilla? Carmel Macchiato? Cinnamon Dolce? He is so confused.
"Seriously, Edward, one thing you definitely didn't lose by becoming human again is your ability to over think everything," Alice says from beside him. "It's not that big a deal. If you don't like one, just try another."
"Alice, do you see how long this line takes? We'll be all day if I do that," Edward sighs. He is exasperated that Alice doesn't realize the importance of this decision.
"I can tell you which one you'll enjoy the most, if you let me," Alice offers.
"No, I just need to clear my head for a minute. Now that I can't read your mind, I have to get used to doing things without knowing the outcome ahead of time," Edward answers.
Alice still thinks Edward is making too much of this, but decides to let him make this decision on his own.
"Hi, can I take your order?" the barista asks.
Edward looks up at the menu one last time and then it dawns on him. It's Autumn…or Fall, as most people say now. Of course, there's really only one choice.
With a huge smile, Edward says, "I'll have the Pumpkin Spice Latte, please!"
"Eww," Alice groans…too quietly for Edward's newly human ears to hear.
AN: Even though the story says they do, I know not everyone likes Starbucks (I don't like their regular coffee, but I do like their lattes). And I love me some pumpkin spice! So groan all you want, Alice, I think it's yummy!
