Monster Mash

This was a good first step, I told myself as I entered the cafe. I kept repeating that phrase, but it didn’t make it easier to blend in. I glanced around at all the humans sipping their coffees and getting caught up in their own little worlds. I envied them that simplicity. Humanity was always easier. I frowned and turned my attention back up front.

The man in front of me had just finished ordering, and the cool redhead turned her gaze on me. Could she tell? Were my monstrous features obvious? I could feel beads of sweat building up on my forehead.

“Hey, what can I get you?” she asked, practically jumping with perkiness. I could hear her heart beating abnormally fast but I didn’t focus on it. I forced a smile: it was the polite social requirement.

“A large iced coffee, please,” I answered, trying to keep the gruffness from my tone. If she noticed, she didn’t show it. I scanned my card and moved along. I felt a little smug. I counted that as a successful human interaction. She didn’t seem to have any idea that I was actually a monster. I sighed, letting my mind linger on the times before when I was human. My grimace returned.

“Iced coffee for Will!” called the barista by the expresso machine. He didn’t even look up as I moved forward to grab my drink. I supposed I should be relieved that no one was paying enough attention, but I wanted to be convinced that I could do this.

As I started to leave, I glanced back at the redhead taking orders. She smiled at me a little seductively. I raised a curious eyebrow and found a table instead of the door.

…

He was back. I couldn’t help but smile, and I hoped he wasn’t turned off by my goofiness. As he reached the counter, I could feel my heart beating faster and my cheeks flush. Of course, he couldn’t hear my heart beating - there was no reason to be nervous, I told myself. He ordered the same as usual - large iced coffee. Nothing special. I studied his face as he scanned his card. Will always looked so sad and I both wanted to know why and fix it.

He was furrier than most men and had an interesting golden glow around his otherwise dark eyes. In the stories I made up about him, I wondered if he might be a werewolf. Of course, I knew that was silly, and monsters weren’t real, but I couldn’t help fantasizing about it. In addition to wanting him, the idea of being a monster like that was alluring.

I kept my eyes on him as he grabbed his coffee and prepared to leave. When he glanced up at me, I instinctively smiled and tried to hold his gaze. I wondered if my feelings were obvious. I wasn’t sure, but I took it as a good sign that he sat at a table instead of leaving. Maybe I’d finally get to know more about him. I kept glancing at him, and each time, he was always looking at me with those piercing eyes. My face remained pink with a permanent smile for the rest of my shift.