Caffe Latte

“One cup Caffe Latte, please,” that was my friend and dorm mate, Yvonne.

We are working part-time at the nearby café of our University. I got a scholarship at New York University because when I tried for the entrance exam, I got a passing score for their scholarship program. I was so happy when I received the news because I really want to go to college.

I am an Orphan back in the rural community of West Virginia. I didn't know who my biological father is, but my mother died because of an aneurysm when I was seven.

Marie, one of the social workers in the local authority children’s home where I was sent after my mother passed away, is a relative to my foster parents.

Amy and John Willis took care of me until I reached my legal age. They are good people who thought they wouldn’t be able to have a child after being married for 10 years.

When I was 12 years old, we transferred to New York because of John’s work assignment and here I finished high school.

A year ago, a big blessing came because Amy got pregnant at forty-two. Both of them were so happy to finally have their own child. They decided to go back to West Virginia because Amy's help is needed for their family's business. John quit his job in New York to help Amy every step of the way.

Since I am no longer a minor, I am allowed to live on my own, and that I know I’m able to survive alone. I am so thankful to them for helping me when I was growing up, by giving me food and shelter for my welfare. They said to keep in touch with them and I am welcome anytime if I opted to stay or visit them in West Virginia.

I am currently staying at a dormitory provided by the university. I got so lucky to have such inclusions in my scholarship. It means that my earnings from working part-time are enough for my food and personal allowances.

Yvonne doesn’t need to work her ass off like me because she’s from a well-off family. But she chose to do so because she has a lot of free time. She doesn’t even need to stay in a dorm but she persuaded her parents that she wanted to experience such things.

I’m taking an architecture course because I love to sketch, draw, and design infrastructures -especially a building. I want to suggest creative ideas and see to myself that I’m capable of them. We couldn’t tell if someday, I could have my own design firm and see my buildings get built- and that’s my dream. But I know, it will only be a dream until I reached and work hard for it.

As I prepped the cup for table number four as per Yvonne's instruction, I took a glance that way. I saw that he's the same guy who's always here for the same coffee and I guess it’s his favorite. Not sure if he’s a model or something because he’s really tall and good-looking. I noticed that he’s quite upset or sad or not in the mood so I decided to make a smiley latte art on his coffee.

As I was approaching his table, he looked my way and we made eye contact. I smiled at him but he didn’t and just kept on looking at me. It’s alright, it’s my job to smile at everyone who’s coming into our café even if they will not reciprocate me.

“Here’s your coffee, Sir. Please enjoy and have a nice day,” I said when I put his cup on the table. He just nodded at me and diverted his attention on his phone and took a photo of his coffee. Did he find my latte art Instagramable or it’s just his hobby to take pictures of everything? I really don’t know. "Anyways, to guess other people's business isn’t included in your job," at the back of my mind.

“Hey Faith, come here,” Yvonne called like a whisper. “Yes, what is it?” I asked her with my furrowed brows.

“Do you know who that is in table four?” she questioned me with a smiling face. “No, who is he? my forehead creased as I responded to her.

“He’s the varsity basketball team captain. His name is Marco and his family is rich," she twisted her lips. "A year older than us and a lot of girls on the campus are really crushing on him,” she giggled like she was also crushing on him.

“Oh I see, that justifies his height,” I told her nonchalantly. “I noticed he glances at you from time to time. Same as the previous days he was here," she informed excitedly. "I think he likes you,” she grinned like an idiot as she said those words.

“Friend, you should stop. You’re interpreting things base on your presumptions” I hit back with my normal tone as I shook my head at what she said.

I told her we should rush to clean the coffee shop counter and all the equipment so that we could go home immediately after the clock sticks to 12 midnight. Our shifts vary depending on our class schedule but most of the days we are here from six in the afternoon until closing time at twelve midnight.

I’m glad she stopped talking but those mischievous glares she had on me didn’t go unnoticed. "Damn Yvonne! You’re such a tease!" I thought.

At eleven-thirty in the evening, no customer could be seen in the café so we decided to clean up chairs and tables. Suddenly, Yvonne called a little bit louder in excitement and I am surprised for a moment.

“Come here! I think it’s for you,” I furrowed when she handed me a folded paper with a note on it. I opened the paper and we read it together “I appreciate a good cup of coffee here," was written.

Yvonne snickered like a high schooler and her eyes widened on the two tickets for a basketball game.  She jumped in happiness like she won a million bucks in the lottery. “What’s wrong with you? It’s just a ticket and a compliment,” I furrowed because she wasn't recovering from euphoria.

“Jesus woman! Didn’t you know that the tickets for Friday’s basketball game between our university and its rival in the south are already sold out?" she pouted. "We got so lucky we got two tickets and it means we can watch for it,” she countered with her ecstatic tone in disbelief.

I rolled my eyes at her reaction and I continued with my cleaning. Surprisingly after a  few minutes, she shouted in happiness because of the game ticket again.

“Faith!!! This ticket is a VIP ticket. It means we will be sitting on the side bleachers near the court,” she hugged those tickets on her chest.

“Stop that ticket thing already!" I hissed. "We have work to finish and we need to get to the dorm right away,” I scolded her for being crazy because we still need to review our notes for a short quiz tomorrow morning.

“Why it’s like you didn’t appreciate all of these?" she frowned. "You’re such a killjoy!,” she retorted like I interrupted her happy moment.

I told her that I can’t go with her to watch the game as I need to focus on my studies.  I didn't want to get disturbed because I don’t want to lose my scholarship. It’s my priority and still, we have a job to attend to. I suggested for her to let Eva our other dorm mate to accompany her to that basketball game on Friday. ***

“Run faster,” I told Yvonne because we have five minutes left to our first class and we are still in the hallway leading to that room.

We arrived just on time before the professor got in to start the short quiz. I’m glad that I was able to answer all those questions because I did review my notes properly.

When the time was up and the professor was out of the room, someone tapped my shoulder and I turned my head to see who it was.

“Faith, would you like to go with us to the canteen for a snack?” It was Clyde and his troops again.

He kept on pestering me to join him every time he sees me. I’m quite irritated by his arrogance towards the women around him because he thought he can sleep with anyone he wanted. Yes, he could lure women with his looks and riches but not me. I will not let myself fall into his trap, jerk!

“Thank you Clyde but Yvonne and I have some errands to do in the library,” I smiled as I responded to him and was able to mask my annoyance.

He nodded and I turned my back to him and walked towards Yvonne who patiently waits for me to get out of the room.

Although disappointment was visible on his face, I didn’t care and I have no time for anyone who would be a possible distraction with my studies. I thought it's better to be sure of who to be friends with than being sorry for spending time on the wrong people.