Comfy Closets - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

The next morning, I felt lighter. The talk I had with Gia really helped me release this tension I hadn't noticed had built up in my mind. She really sorted out some weird crap in my brain and gave me actual good advice along the way. I guess that's what your bestie is for. And free food. I felt like that was more important to mention.
As I was on my way driving to my part-time job, I have to admit I'm not a morning person. I don't think I should even be allowed to drive on the road this early. They should really make it illegal just because of me.
I stumbled into my workplace to set up for my morning shift. I'm so glad I work at a coffee shop. The first thing I did was treat myself to a double shot of espresso so that I would be able to function for the rest of the day.
My colleague Sara and I were the only ones that were here this early, and so we took advantage of that fact by playing our own music through the restaurant speakers before our boss arrived later. She sang along to the lyrics whilst I hummed along, not confident enough to sing in front of others.
I was buzzed by the time the first customer entered through the doors; glad I was awake enough before Jemma arrived.
The morning passed quickly, with the usual morning rush passing and going, keeping me and Sara busy enough. It was noon soon enough and I only had two more hours left of my shift before I got to go home and relax for the rest of the day. And I know you might be thinking, doesn't this girl have any homework to do, like damn she's free all the time. Well, I do have homework, I just like to leave it till the last day. I don't like to call it 'procrastination' though, more like 'motivation to finish it quickly when time is running out'. It sounds better.
Jemma had arrived to help about an hour ago, and we had to quickly change the music back to the relaxing and soothing instrumental tunes before she walked through the door. I had a feeling she knew about it anyways but was nice enough to let us have our way. We kind of looked at her in a more motherly way anyways, as some people just exuded that motherly vibe, even if she was only in her thirties.
The afternoon rush hadn't hit yet, but I could tell it would soon, as the tinkle of the bell over the door had rung more often in the past ten minutes. I was working the cashier and delivering orders, not really noticing the faces that walked up. My hands and mouth just moved automatically when I was in work mode, the repetition of it all lulling my mind into a daydream.
I was in the middle of imagining myself playing soccer with the soccer legends Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath, who were weirdly wearing unicorn onesies while passing a ball around when I was suddenly interrupted from my thoughts.
"Excuse me, can you take my order?"
Snapping out of it, I blinked for a couple of seconds and looked down at my hands that were holding a ceramic cup full of steaming coffee. I realised I have been working on this order for a while, that I must have left the cashier spot empty for too long. I turned around slowly and headed towards the serving counter with the cup in hand, my eyes fixed on the coffee to avoid any spilling. "Order number forty-two, please!"
Placing the cup on the saucer, I smiled a friendly smile at the guy and turned back to the customer waiting at the counter. "Hi there, sorry for the wait. What can I get you?" I said in a pleasant tone, trying not to let the tiredness I felt slip into my voice. I needed another fix, stat.
The girl waiting had her head down, concentrated on her phone's screen with her wavy hair covering the view of her face. Her head snapped up when she heard my voice, and I definitely wasn't expecting who I saw.
Is she following me? Was the first thing that popped into my head when I realised who was standing in front of me. I have seen her way too often in the past week to count it as a coincidence anymore. The second thought that came afterwards countered that point, thinking a girl like her wouldn't go to that much effort to see little ole' me.
She had an annoyed expression on her face as her eyebrows furrowed together and her lips were kept pursed. A few strands of her dirty blonde hair were laying across her eyes and nose, too stubborn to move without proper brushing. A grey knitted beanie sat on her head, covering just a bit of her forehead and her ears, giving her a very cute appearance.
Her hazel eyes looked greener today, maybe because of the way her green parka complimented its colour. Although she wasn't short, the oversized coat made her look smaller than she was, making her less intimidating from the previous times I've seen her.
But as I gazed back into her eyes, the annoyance in them made me feel like I wanted to sit in a corner and reflect on whatever I did to her to make her that annoyed. I probably was the one to do that, since I kept her waiting for so long.
As I felt my shyness start to fill my body, I saw the expression on her face change slightly. She tilted her head a little to the side as if she also just realised who I was. Her eyes darted up and down from my face to my work outfit before settling on looking directly into my eyes.
"Alyssa. I didn't know you worked here. Did you just start here?" she asked, her curt tone trying to go for pleasant, but I could still sense she was irritated. I really hope the reason wasn't because of me.
I paused for a couple of seconds, gathering myself so I wouldn't stutter in front of her like the last two times I was talking to her. Feeling like I've settled my nerves enough, I replied. "Um, no, I've been working here for a year now. Why?"
Leah was looking at me like she was analysing my expression and contemplating something. Meanwhile, I noticed she didn't look as annoyed as before. Good, she was so intimidating when she was.
She bit her bottom lip unconsciously before she replied. "No, nothing. I just thought- because last time- never mind. Forget what I said."
"Oh, um, okay. What did you want to order?" I questioned nervously, not sure if I wanted to prolong this conversation further or end it as soon as I can.
"Right, yeah. Can I have a tall cup of caramel latte and another tall cup of just black coffee? Thanks."
She handed me the cash and I opened the cashier for change. As I was doing this, I gave her a quick glance to see her eyes watching me still, but her expression was unreadable. I wonder what was going through her mind to look at me like that.
Going back to work and getting the change, a flash of the talk I had with Gia last night skidded across my mind. I was reminded of her words of advice. You could always take a chance on it, see where it goes.
The words 'she likes you, she likes you' kept repeating in my mind, and I couldn't help but think that maybe she actually might.
Handing her the change, I took a deep breath and built up the courage in me to ask her my question. As I released my breath, out came a question with it. "Are you gay?"
Well, that was not the question I was meant to ask. I instantly felt my face burn so bad it felt like the sun was literally sitting on my face. I couldn't believe I had the guts to ask her that, even if it just kind of slipped out. I wanted to hide in the lockers at the back just then and never come out.
Her face showed disbelief. I mean, of course, she wasn't expecting someone to question her sexuality in the middle of her buying coffee. I waited there, scared of what her reaction would be. But what came next totally surprised me.
She burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as if to stop it from hurting. She had one of those contagious laughs, the ones where you would laugh along for no reason, only to join the joy she was displaying to everyone. I, of course, was not laughing, too shocked by her reaction to do anything. When she was calming down, her laughter turned into chuckles as her eyes glistened with joy. Any traces of her annoyance before was gone.
"Well, that was a bit sudden and out of the blue. But I'll humour you. The answer is maybe," she said with a wink.
Before I could say anything, she continued. "But I know you are definitely gay."
Now, I was speechless. What do I say to that? She was so confident when she stated that, it's as if I told her myself in the past.
"H-how do you know that?!" I couldn't help but stutter out. Damn it, I stuttered again, but I couldn't help it. I was completely flabbergasted.
She smirked at me, but she even made that smirk look attractive. "Well, it's pretty obvious. Especially the last time we talked. And you just confirmed it for me just now. I found your reaction adorable by the way."
If it was possible, I turned even redder. Her flirting the other day definitely was something, but I couldn't help but think that I wasn't as obvious as she said. I've had practice with this and knew to cover my reactions, so I can't help but think she took a leap there just now and assumed. Maybe even hoped I would confirm the fact that I was gay.
Gia's words came back and repeated in my head, 'she likes you, she likes you'. I really wanted to believe those words, but I'll never know if they were true unless I found out myself, and now was as good a time as any.
I made myself stand in a more confident manner and rested my hands on the counter, trying to have a more nonchalant attitude even with the blush still on my face. "So, you find me adorable?"
Hoping I didn't look awkward, I couldn't believe I had the confidence to do that, but it must've been Gia's encouraging words in my head that helped.
Leah's cheeks grew a little pink and her eyes looked down as she focused on her fidgeting hands, biting her lips in a shy manner. I couldn't believe the sight! She was the nervous one now. Maybe Gia was right.
"Who wouldn't find you adorable? You're gorgeous," she muttered, almost as if it was said to herself and wasn't meant to be heard by me.
Before I could come up with a reply, a heard another voice speak up from close by. "Leah, have you gotten our drinks yet?"
Both of our attentions that were focused on each other turned to the guy that was walking up to us from the seating area. Turns out it was Blake from school. Leah's boyfriend.
I had completely forgotten about him being in the picture when I was overthinking all those times and talking to Gia about Leah. How can I forget, I thought to myself, she had a boyfriend all this time and was here flirting with me? What the heck?!
He came and put his arm around her shoulder, and suddenly I felt so annoyed by his presence. Apparently, I wasn't the only one because when I looked back at Leah, I saw her face show slight irritation, but she was trying to hide it. Maybe that was what she was annoyed about earlier.
From behind me, Sara slipped past me to put the finished drinks in front of them, her facial expression showing confusion as to why I wasn't doing anything to help right now. When she went back to her station, I handed them their drinks, trying to bring the friendly tone back on. "Here you go. One tall caramel latte and one tall black coffee. Enjoy," I said, keeping the fake smile on my face, but it took so much effort with Blake standing in front of me. I never liked him.
Without a thanks, he took his cup and left with that obnoxious smirk on his face. Leah was much slower as she took hers, her fingertips brushing my hand for a second before taking her own cup from my hands. "Thanks, Alyssa. For the drink."
I gave her a small genuine smile, although a little sad our interaction was cut short. "No problem, I'll see you around."
Behind her, near the door, Blake called out to her. "Come on, babe, let's go back to mines."
I didn't even want to think about what they would be doing once they got there, but I was soon distracted by Leah's hazel orbs as she held my gaze a little longer, not acknowledging that she heard him. "I'll talk to you at school, Lyssa," she said as a farewell, making it sound more like a promise.
She turned around and headed out the door, with Blake wrapping his arm around her shoulders again, almost in a possessive manner.
"I really hope you will, Leah. I really hope so."