Pressing down my skirt, I take a moment to catch my breath. I got the job. I focus my breathing and drink heavily from a mug which seems too small to satisfy my caffeine addiction. People mill about the cafe, wandering from table to table in small town familiarity. I wonder what it's like to live in this town. To know everything about everyone, high school sweethearts becoming lifetime partners. It feels so removed from real life, a pocket of warmth and families extensive enough to suspect incest in a dating pool so small. I drain the rest of the cup and go to the front, determined to get just one more shot. The girl behind the counter scrambles around, pulling out a bag of sugar and a pile of plastic containers. She turns to me, sweeping silky straight hair over her shoulder. She smiles as I catch her eye.
"Hi, could I get a cappuccino to go? The largest one you have."
"Of course!" She's sweet, I can tell. The kind of sweet which would bore me to death. But I can't hold it against her. I can't hate her when she's so sincerely nice. So I just lean against the counter and ponder other things, eyeing her as she flips levers with unsure hands. She looks over her shoulder, obviously uncomfortable with my studying of her features. "Is there anything else you need?"
"No, thanks." She nods slowly and turns back to my cup, scooping foam briskly, intent on getting me out as soon as possible. I have an ability to unnerve people. Not that I'm trying to unnerve them. I'm just not great at feigning disinterest. "You work here long?"
She laughs, a shrill little giggle. "Work here? I run the place." I feel my eyebrows tickle my hairline.
"Funny. I wouldn't have pegged you for anyone older than 17."
"It's because I'm not." I wait for her to continue. Instead, she fixes a lid on my cappuccino and slides it across the counter. "Are you new around here?" I fumble for my wallet and hand her some cash.
"Um, yeah, I guess."
"Cryptic."
"I was just offered PA position with Lex Luthor." The girl bristles and lets her eyes settle cautiously on my face. "What?"
"Nothing. I just… I know Lex."
"Should I be worried?" She drags her hands through her hair, I can see her choosing her words.
"He's not a bad guy." Perfect, a real boost of confidence there. She studies me as I gulp down some of the cappuccino, my nerves splintering apart and fraying at the edges. "I mean, he's great, just… well, he's a billionaire, you know?" Yes, I knew. All the pictures of Metropolis night clubs and fake-tanned blondes hanging off of him had warned me of his playboy character.
"Well, I don't know a lot of billionaires, but I think I know what you're saying."
"I guess I should be congratulating you on getting the job." She smiles at me and for the first time I notice a little dimple poking at her cheek.
"Probably means I'll be coming around here at least daily."
"Well, I look forward to it, Ms…?"
I stick out my hand. "Call me Sarah."