payphone (channing tatum)

Chika Pedersen raced back and forward between coffee tables; her chicken scratch filled the pages of her black book as she took down orders from brown-nosed business people and coffee addicts alike. Every hour, more and more people packed the tiny yellow coffeehouse, Giallo's. Chika's hair started to stand up on her back, her hands became sweaty and her feet became to ache; her body started to shut down from the stress.

It was around one in the afternoon when the tiny house reached full capacity. Chika held onto a round tray with two large iced caramel mocha, a medium expresso with whip cream, and a piece of key lime pie. As she pushed her way through the herd of caffeine heads, someone bumped into her shoulder and the tray smashed onto the ground.

Chika huffed, "Gosh darn it," as she motioned for people to walk around the mess. She winced as her knees connected to the floor, her hand reached for her towel in her apron. A tall shadowy figure approached the mess.

"Need any help," A smoky voice questioned.

Chika's shoulders relaxed as she nodded, "Yes, thank you," She reassured the stranger. The guy kneeled and carefully picked up pieces of glass, placing them onto her tray. Chika finished up the spills on the ground, her breathing finally even. She stuffed the towel back in the front of her apron with a smile. Her head sat back and her brown eyes met the stranger's; Chika lit up brighter than the Rockefeller tree.

She stuttered out, "You-You-You're,"

The guy plucked the tray off the ground in slo-mo, his smile ran from dimple to dimple, "Channing Tatum," Channing completed her sentence in a small smoky tone, as to not draw any more unnecessary attention. Chika squealed and jumped in her place, before covering her mouth and taking in a deep breath.

"Sorry," Chika took the tray from him carefully, "I'll bring this back over the counter, thank you for helping me again," She praised in a soft voice as she turned away back toward the counter. Chika placed the items down and huffed, turning back around and jumping back as Channing stood by her side.

Chika giggled, "We have to stop doing that," She stood a couple of steps back from him, her hands fiddled on the front of her apron. Channing laughed lowly and cleared his throat with a fist as his mouth. Chika nodded and grabbed her pen and pad from the front of her apron, "I'm sorry, it's just that-"

"You're shellshocked to see me," Channing questioned, and Chika nodded with a soft blush on her cheeks, "Don't worry about it; I get that a lot now that I'm single,"

Single? Chika shook her head, the curls in her loose ponytail fell onto her shoulders, "Wait? You're single? But I thought you and your wife worked things out," Chika questioned as she tapped the pen against the pad. Channing looked down at her hands and then back up at her with a knowing smile.

"I'll have a small hot chocolate with whip cream," He scratched the back of his neck and looked away toward the mini crowd still at the register. Chika wrote down his order and with a nod, she went behind the counter toward the machines.

I can't believe that I'm actually serving thee Channing Tatum hot chocolate! You can't write this stuff, this is incredible! Okay Chika, breathe. Don't freak him out. Just take it one conversation piece at a time. Deep breaths.

Chika finished the hot chocolate and walked back over to where Channing stood. Chika's hand shook against the paper holder, but a small breath spaced her nose and the cup stopped shaking. Channing took the cup from her hands, his fingers brushed against hers. Chika blushed and took a step back, looking up at Channing with a smile.

"Thank you," He stopped, "I never caught your name, I'm sorry," He chuckled.

Chika giggled, covering her mouth and brushing some loose curls behind her left ear, "It's Chika,"

Channing nodded with a small smirk and asked, "Thank you Chika, how much do I owe?"

"It's on the house, I'll take it from my pay," Chika reassured him, standing up on her tiptoes with joy and waving the curls back over her shoulders quickly.

"No, that's not fair. Here," Channing sat the hot chocolate back down on the counter. He patted around his jeans, feeling in the back pockets for his wallet. He took it out and opened it, "How much is it Chika," He asked with a reassuring smile. Chika shook her head, keeping her lips clasped together tight. Channing chuckled, "Well, could I at least borrow your pen?"

"Of course," Chika yanked the pen out from the front of her apron and handed it over to Channing. Channing grabbed a fifty dollar bill, closed up his wallet, and slid it back into his jeans. Chika gasped, covering her mouth to halt the rest of the noise. Channing glanced up at her, and she mouthed, "Sorry,"

Holy crap! He's giving me a fifty dollar tip! I can get so many quarters from his! I can finally call my brother, and eat Ramen all in one night! This is so awesome!

"And here's your pen," Channing clicked the pen, handing it back to her with a grin. He picked up his hot chocolate, "Thanks for the hot chocolate and I'll see you later, Chika," His sulky voice affirmed as he tipped the hot chocolate to Chika, walking out of the coffeehouse. Chika blushed deep and surveyed the fifty dollar bill.

"Holy foley," She gasped to herself as she read the phone number on the bill. Her eyes quickly bumped to all the faces in the coffeehouse as she tucked the bill away in her apron. She took out her pad and pen, walking back out to the floor to take orders.

The shop closed at around five; Chika and another young woman stepped out with a deep breath of fresh air. The woman turned to the door, keys clicking against the lock as Chika finally heard the clang. The woman pushed into the door and then turned to face Chika with a small smirk.

"So how was the shift today? Didn't work you too work hard right," The woman questioned as she tucked her hands deep into her pockets. Chika and she walked down the street through the amassed crowd toward the subways.

"All good Dawn, although maybe we could consider expansion again," Chika joked as she elbowed Dawn's side. Dawn rolled her eyes and elbowed her back, "But in all seriousness, it was stressful but I managed. I even got a guy's number,"

Dawn stopped in her tracks, making Chika stop and face her. Dawn's dimples popped on her cheeks as her Cheshire Cat smile slid on her face, "Um excuse me? My roommate got a guy's number and I wasn't alerted earlier today!"

Chika laughed, "We were busy! Plus I think it's a joke anyway,"

Dawn ran up to Chika's side and wrapped her arm around Chika's shoulder, "I need a name like right now," Dawn's fruity voice now a shrill as they continued toward the subway.

"I'll tell you more in a bit, could we stop at a payphone," Chika looked around the crowd to find a payphone on the corner before their stairwell. Dawn unwrapped herself and nodded, digging in her pocket for quarters.

"Don't think the city is raising rates until the end of next month, but make it fast 'cause we have a train to catch," Dawn handed the quarters in her pocket over to Chika, who smiled and held the coins tightly in her hand.

"You can head on in without me if you want," Chika suggested.

"Nope! We're roomies, we stick together. Also, I'm your boss; you no-showing would be a hella red flag," Dawn cautioned as they approached the payphone, "Take as long as the quarters will take you,"

"Thanks, Dawn," Chika stepped into the booth, sliding the coins into the slot. She picked up the phone and rested it on her shoulder as she took out the bill to type out the number. The phone rang twice before a slivery voice picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hi Channing, this is Chika from Giallo's! The tiny yellow coffeehouse," Chika started to panic as she took a deep breath before continuing.

But Channing hummed into the phone, "I don't know anyone by that name, sorry,"

Chika sniffled but took a small breath, "Oh well, I know you're super busy so I can understand why you wouldn't remember me. It was probably a super bad idea to call you, you're probably busy right now-"

Channing chuckled, making Chika stop, "I was only kidding Chika, 'course I remember you! A beautiful girl with a beautiful name,"

Chika blushed hard, "It's Japanese so it has many different definitions depending on how you write it but yes beautiful is one of them... I'm sorry, I'm being weird again," Chika laughed it off awkwardly.

Channing laughed, "You're not weird, I think that's pretty cool. Like you," Chika giggled, "So could I ask why you're calling from a payphone? It mentioned that it was a collect call, so I wasn't sure if it was you or not,"

Because I can't afford food, let alone a new phone. "My place was destroyed in a fire, phone included,"

"I'm sorry to hear about that; I'm not gonna dig too deep for now since you only have a certain amount of time to talk, but how we meet again?"

The phone started to click and Chika's breathing hitched up, "Name the place and time, I'll be there."

"Citi Pond, down on 40th. 7 PM. Look for the red rose-" The phone clicked off and Chika groaned as she hung the phone back on the hook. She banged her head against the phone booth door before she pushed through. Dawn stood up from off the booth as she stood by Chika's side.

"Everything okay?" Dawn asked as a quaver entered her voice. Chika nodded as she walked toward the stairs of the subway. Dawn chased after her, her hands deep in her pockets, "Chika! Wait, what happened,"

Chika stopped on the final step and turned to Dawn, the brightest smile from ear to ear on her face, "I just scored a date with Channing Tatum," Chika whispered. Dawn jumped down the last two steps; she grabbed her friend up in a bear hug and jumped around. Chika held onto her as they shared a laugh. Dawn dropped Chika and took a deep breath,

"What are you even gonna wear?" Dawn threw her arms in the air, grabbing Chika's hand as they walked to the pay booths.

Chika smiled up to the ceiling on a Sunday morning. She swung out of her bed, stretching her arms up in the air with a neck crack. Her feet popped onto the ground as she wrapped her robe around herself. Her feet glided across the floor as she threw the door open.

Dawn was gone to open the Giallo's and she had the whole apartment to herself. She spun around and fell back on the couch, jumping back up on her feet when she felt a vibration under her butt. Chika's eyebrows furrowed as she picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Dawn! Listen, I know you said you'd get me the money soon but I need it today, or either your roommate is going to have to go," Our landlord said over the phone. I sniffled and hung up the phone, dialing the number of the coffeehouse. The phone picked up after three rings.

"Hi, Giallo's! This is Dawn speaking, how may I help you?" Dawn's cheerful voice rang through the phone as Chika let out a deep sigh, her body melting back into the couch.

"Hey, Dawn... Jason just called and said that you owe him to rent and if you don't pay today... I have to leave," Dawn sighed through the phone as Chika sniffled back tears.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that. Ugh, I told him I'd have the money after work, just wait there and I'll-"

"It's fine Dawn," Chika cleared her throat and sighed, shaking the curls behind her ears, "I have some money I was going to send to my brother but I'll use it for the rent instead,"

"No! You can't do that Chika, Jon won't be able to call you," Dawn huffed as Chika heard a soft tap against the wall, "Look, give me some time and I'll figure something out. For the both of us,"

Chika nodded, Dawn sighed, "Okay. Now you go and get ready for your date, and I'll talk to you later," Dawn hung up and Chika rested Dawn's phone against her lap. Chika stood up from the couch and walked back into her room to get dressed. Can't believe this is happening right now.

Chika stood in the phone booth near Citi Pond. It was a beautiful night with an empty sky, but she could feel the stars smiling back down at her. Her eyes bounced between all the place who stood on the railing.

"Chika, are you listening," A deep voice questioned from the other end of the phone, Chika shook her head and sighed. The guy continued, "Should I go? Mean I don't have much time to talk-"

"No, I'm listening I just got preoccupied," Chika hurried as she rested the phone against her shoulder, "Anyway, I'm sorry about what happened to your cellmate today. But that shows you can't trust anyone, stay safe-you only have a couple of months left Jon," Chika reassured.

Jon chuckled through the phone, "Don't worry! I'll be fine lil' sis! Just keep your head above water until then," Chika giggled and sighed, Jon, hummed, "Somethin's on your mind,"

"Dawn is behind on rent and if she doesn't pay it on time, I'll be evicted," Chika sniffled back tears again. Jon groaned and mumbled a curse under his breath. Chika looked around again until her eyes landed on a red rose.

"Let Dawn handle it, but for now-use that money you planned to send me. Having a warm roof over your head means more to me than anythin'. 'ight?" Jon's voice lightened to give Chika some form of comfort. Chika hummed but agreed, "Good. Now I got's to go, but please-stay safe and well. And I'll see you in a couple of months,"

Chika and Jon spoke their goodbyes and Chika took a deep breath. She took a step out of the booth, searching around for the red rose. A shadowy figure appeared and Chika spun around, punching Channing in the chest. Channing took a few steps back, holding his chest as Chika gasped.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry Channing! I didn't mean to hit you so hard," Chika walked over and leaned over next to Channing. Channing sat back up straight, rubbed his chest, and laughed.

"It's okay Chika, note to self; you're not a fan of surprises," Channing joked as he rubbed her back. Chika took a step back and smiled, holding her hand out to him. Channing smirked and handed Chika the rose while he curtsied.

"My lady," He said in a British accent. Chika giggled and curtsied, holding the rose close to her heart. Channing stood back up and smiled, "Ready to skate?"

Chika smiled and nodded, "But full disclosure: I've never skated before,"

Channing's eyes widen, "Why didn't you mentioned that beforehand?"

"Because I've never been to Citi Pond, or to see the Rockefeller Tree, or any of that honestly," Chika sighed lowly, the rose slowly dropped from against her chest. Channing's eyes soften as he smiled in understanding. He walked over to her side, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"It's fine, that's what you have me for," He joked as he held her closer to her side. Chika laughed into his arm as they turned around on their heels and headed to the rental booth.

Chika and Channing are skating around in a circle for what feels like the hundredth time. Chika stopped and leaned against a free wall. Channing skated next to her, resting his arm over the railing. Chika stared up into the night sky with a bright smile.

"Beautiful night," Channing mumbled, Chika looked over at him with a smile and nodded in agreement. Channing smiled back at her warmly, his stare becoming glassy.

"Are you okay," Chika asked in concern as she sat up from against the wall. Channing shook his head and chuckled.

"Sorry I got lost in your eyes for a second," He joked, elbowing her side. Chika laughed hard, covering her mouth before leaning closer, giggling.

"Does that happen often," Chika questioned.

"Honesty? No," Channing reminisced for a moment, before looking down at Chika with a small smirk on his lips. Chika blushed hard in the face and looked down at her skates before peeking back up at him, "You're adorable,"

"And you're, adorable-er," Chika giggled and laid back against the railing. Channing chuckled but blushed hard in the face. Chika let out a deep sigh, which made Channing furrow his eyebrows at her, "I'm sorry, I just got focused on... Everything,"

Channing slid closer, wrapping an arm around her waist, "What's on your mind Chika," He asked with his voice laced in confusion. Chika looked down at her feet again, the tears finally falling from her eyes. Channing pulled her closer and held her against his chest. Chika's face rested against his chest as she let out all the frustrations she'd been holding in. Great. Crying in front of the guy of my dreams, how embarrassing.

"Sorry," Chika sniffled and skated back a bit from Channing, her eyes red like a tomato, "I'm not sure if I'll be evicted or not, my brother is stuck in a holding cell and I don't have enough money for a cell phone so I might, never, talk to you again... And that," Chika sniffled, wiping her tears away with the sleeve of her jacket, "Hurts,"

Channing nodded, closing the gap between them again, "I understand where you're coming from. Not in the same way, but I'm here for you. I'm here with you, and I'm willing to sit and listen," Channing held out his hand to Chika. She sniffled, taking her hand in his, "We don't have to talk about everything now, but we can take one step at a time,"

Chika nodded, "Okay, one step at a time," Chika let go of Channing, slowly gliding on the ice as she tried to keep balance. Her footing suddenly disappeared as Chika's back smacked into the flooring, the night sky and Channing's worried looks right in her view.

One step at a time. We're going to take this, one step at a time.

Three Years Later...

Channing laughed at Chika as Dawn and she stood in front of a giant cherry blossom tree with her new selfie stick and iPhone. As a wedding gift to herself, Chika finally decided to get her own phone plan. Channing was ecstatic, but disappointed when she mentioned that she wanted to do it on her own.

"I'm used to helping you out on everything," He sighed, "This shouldn't be any different,"

"Aw Channing! Don't be sad," Chika wrapped her arms around his neck as she sat down in his lap, "I still need you for other things," Chika's eyebrows wiggled.

"Channing! This is so awesome! Check out this picture quality, I freaking love it!" Chika hopped over to her husband to show him the picture the two of them just took. Dawn laughed in the background as she walked over to them, snatching Chika's phone from her hand.

"I'm gonna take some pictures of your baby doll," Dawn yelped and ran off back toward the church where all the guests had gathered for the reception. Chika laughed at her friend, but then looked back over at her husband and blushed deep in the cheeks.

"She's excited," Chika giggled off, her hand fiddled in the front of her wedding dress as her hands became sweaty from nerves. Channing chuckled and closed the gap between them, kissing the top of her forehead. Chika looked up at Channing, smiling.

"You two are one and the same, so I'm not surprised," Channing joked, tapping her side with his elbow. He walked away toward the tree, and Chika followed behind him with a skip in her step. Channing sat down at the base of the tree, staring off into the sunset. Chika plopped down next to him, Channing looking at her with concern.

"Babe," Channing started, but then Chika glared over at him and he backed off, "Nevermind,"

Channing rested his head back against the tree, Chika rested her head on his shoulder as they stared out into the sunset. A phone started to vibrate against Channing's side.

He slid it out of his tux and handed it over to Chika. She picked up, "Thank you for calling Giallo's International. My name is Chika, how may I help you?" Chika listened to the fruity voice on the other line as she nodded along to the rundown, "Got it, thanks, Jill!"

Chika hung up the phone and handed it back to Channing, "Business call," He questioned.

"Yeah, Jill was just updating me on everything Dawn and I have to do this week," Chika answered matter of fact. Channing nodded, running his fingers through her hair and kissing the top of her forehead.

"You remember when you use to have to call me from a payphone," Channing reminisced, making Chika laugh.

"Geez, that was, what, a million years ago?" Chika joked and poked Channing in the side. Channing winced back and held his arm against his side to protect him. Chika poked him in the stomach and he leaned over and poked her stomach, making Chika giggle. Dawn raced back to the tree, a new phone, and Ashleigh in tow.

"Hi baby," Channing stood up and held his arms out to Ashleigh, a bright smile adorned his face. Ashleigh jumped in his arms and giggled, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Chika stood up with a joking frown, "No kiss for mommy?" Ashleigh frowned back but leaned over and gave Chika a kiss on the cheek, "Yay!" Chika cheered as she took Ashleigh from Channing's arms. Dawn laughed at the three of them and handed the phone back over to Channing.

"So! Jill called! We just got another offer to open a place out in Cali! Meaning we just hit our fortieth Giallo's nationwide," Dawn cheered, jumping up and down while she clapped. Chika bounced Ashleigh in excitement. Channing leaned over and took Ashleigh back, letting her play with his fingers.

"This is great Dawn! And we'll be starting our first overseas project in a couple of months on top of that," Chika and Dawn fist-bumped, "Can you believe it? Your coffeehouse on a global scale," Chika yelped.

"Our coffeehouse! Can't forget that," Dawn added.

"Actually it's all our coffeehouse," A deep voice came from behind everyone. Chika raced over and wrapped her arms tightly around the stranger, sniffling into his shoulder as the stranger rubbed her back.

"So happy you're finally back bro," Chika pulled away and cleared the tears from her eyes. Jon laughed, rubbing her shoulder, "I'm sorry I promised I wouldn't cry anymore,"

"Think you get a pass on your wedding day," Jon joked, turning themselves around and walking back toward Dawn, Channing, and Ashleigh. Jon gave Dawn a quick kiss on the cheek, making Dawn in joy.

Chika laughed, "And I'm happy you're back on your feet, this time next year-you get the crying pass at the wedding," Jon smacked Chika's arm, making her laugh. Dawn pinched Jon on the arm, making him wince. Channing and Ashleigh laughed among themselves.

"We need to save this," Chika squealed and motioned for everyone to stand around. Dawn, Jon, and Channing with Ashleigh stood behind Chika. Chika attached her phone to the selfie stick, stretching the arm to its max.

"Everyone say cheese!" And they all said cheese, watching the flash of the camera. And they all lived happily, ever, after.

THE. END.