The Lonely Barista

This story has been written in response to L.C. Schäfer's proposal to spend 2024 losing my mind...sorry, I mean, choosing to write a microfiction story every day, making 366 stories for every day of this lovely leap year. You can check her original story out here:

Prompt number 2:

2nd (World Introvert Day) Your main character is an introvert. Any genre, any theme, any perspective.

***

Working at the cafe was designed to bring him out of his shell but he still hadn't managed to say more than five words to anyone and then, only if they had ordered something like "grande soy cinnamon no froth macciato" plus their name.

He busied himself at the machine, mopping up spills. He was on his own which in some ways, was just how he liked it. He cast his eye at the clock. Half past. Only half an hour and then he could sit quietly at home, at peace, book in hand and a cold beer. Maybe some TV?

He inwardly groaned. He'd promised to Skype his gran which was always a sketch. Firstly, the messaging beforehand; then an eternity waiting for her to answer; then the exchange of "Can you hear me?" and once auditory contact was established, the subsequent query of "Can you see me? " until he ended up talking to either her chin if she had the camera around the right way or her TV if she didn't, or sometimes the ceiling in between. He loved his gran but it had been busy today and he just didn't want the hassle. But he knew that he wouldn't let her down.

He hadn't heard the door open. Smiling to himself with his back to the customer, he continued his cleaning until he heard someone clearing their throat.

He turned and there was the most captivating woman he had ever seen. Not one to easily disguise his emotions, his shock and wonder must have been written all over his face as the woman before him whose face had been radiant and happy, suddenly crumpled into worry and anxiety.

"What?"

Faced with one of the most important moments of his life, he found his voice, and more importantly, his confidence as he said:

"Nothing. Just you."

Gran would have to wait.

***

Cheesy. Who doesn't love a bit of romance? Richard Curtis has done well out of it and I do love a good love story. Let's hope it works out for him, the barista, whoever he is.

So, that's two done. I think if I can get the first week out of the way, I'll be feeling the momentum and the routine of it. Let's hope life outside writing cooperates.

For the list of prompts that L.C. has provided for January to get you moving, if you want to partake, go here. It also provides links to everybody else who has joined in the challenge:

Thanks for stopping by. If you've read this story, please do leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.

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