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It was a normal day at the coffee shop, Cassie working the counter. A nice day for a change. Not that the weather changed much. It was usually cloudy and fairly gloomy, typical for Portland. It was a nice, warm day, but the rainbooms were still crashing in the thunderstorm lighting up the middle of the sky like a twisted birthday cake.
The door to the coffee shop swung open, followed by the chime of the sign on the door. A young guy stepped in, who nodded at Cassie. Cassie nodded back and went back to her sweeping.
The guy looked like he was in his early twenties. He had sandy hair, his hair combed back. His eyes were bold, but not cold. His features were open, and friendly. He was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, but had a long trench coat on. His arms, under the sleeves of the coat were brawny and strong, but didn't look like they could break a pair of handcuffs, which worried Cassie.
He walked over to the counter, checking out the menu. "What up, dude," he said to Cassie.
"What's happened?" she asked, a tad nervously.
"They've got this special today. You want a coffee cake or like a chocolate candy baby?"
"Baby," Cassie responded.
"That's never good. Anyways..." the guy checked his pocket and found a wallet. He produced a few bucks to pay for the candy. "I'll see you around."
As he was walking out, he turned to Cassie and remembered something. "Oh yeah, what's your name?" he asked.
"Cassie," she replied.
"Oh yeah, that's right. I just found out today."
"Found out what?"
"Your name. I'm sorry... I'm pretty flaky when it comes to names and stuff. I may have forgotten it, but then again I may not have. Anyways, I'll see you around," he said with a smile, before going out the door.
Cassie quickly pocketed the money the guy had given her and went back to the counter. After a few moments of straightening things up, she saw that the order she had filled out for a guy before had been picked up, which was nice to see. She was about to leave and get some fresh air, when a young lady walked in. She had brown hair in a ponytail and brown eyes. She was wearing a small, black T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Her body was so slight that it appeared she had eaten nothing but spinach for the last few weeks.
"Hello," Cassie said, a little suspicious and wary.
"You must be Cassie," the young woman said, smiling nervously.
Cassie moved to reveal her name tag and name to her. "Yeah, I'm Cassie,"
"Oh my gosh, your name is so weird! I'm Laura. Where've you been?" she said, cradling her arms around her stomach in a gesture of shock.
Cassie saw a glint of truth in those brown eyes. "Welcome to my world," she said.
Laura looked at Cassie in wonder. "Have you been to New York?"
"Yeah, I've been there before. It's nice there."
"Oh. Having coffee with me is like a reunion every day!" she said, as a way of saying hello.
Before Cassie could respond, Laura had begun to talk. "So you're behind the counter? That's just so awesome because I need a best friend that lives in Portland. I know these guys from college and I'm pretty sure that they're going to try to hook up with you. Which means you'll have to stab them."
"Uh...why would that mean I'd have to stab them?"
"Because that's what happens. I'm Laura, by the way. How was your day?"
"It was good. A bit busy."
"Oh Cassie, you're so awesome. I can't believe you're so cool."
"Meh. I don't mind the rush of people in the mornings."
Cassie noticed the name on the menu. "Oh, is that you?" she asked hopefully.
"No!" Laura said with a laugh, "It's just...hope. My name is simply 'hope'. For example, when I see this cherry muffin, I want it." Then she picked up the menu, looked at the name and stated, "I love that cherry muffin. I love the cherry muffin. Cassie, please give me a cherry muffin."
"Oh...ok but you have to pay for it."
"Whatever you say."
The two girls began cracking up.
Laura reached into her pocket and produced a small wad of cash.
"I'll take some decaffeinated coffee with whipped cream," she said.
"Yeah...got it."
"Well, I'll see you around."
As Laura opened the door and entered the grayish light, she turned and said, "Oh by the way, I really like you and I think Daniel is really hot and..."
The door closed again as Laura left.