Salis sat in his living room staring at the clock shoddily hung up on his wall. It was early morning, but he hadn't been able to sleep. He shivered as the cold winds from outside crept into the apartment through the cracks under his door and windows.
Pulling the blanket tighter around himself, he blinked—once, twice—trying to dispel the darkening edges around his vision. It was something that had started to happen quite often lately, yet he couldn't quite find himself getting used to it.
Getting up from the couch and dropping the blanket, he started his was to the bathroom. Flicking on the fluorescent lights, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. He didn't recognize himself anymore. Not that it mattered.
The only person's opinion of him who mattered was her.
He looked down next to the shower at the metal scale that seemed to weigh more and more every time that he picked it up.
'It is Saturday…," He thought to himself, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He knew that he should do a weigh-in but it had been forever since he had, skipping them now becoming labor unlike in his childhood.
Giving it one last look, he scurried from the bathroom, heading back into his bedroom so he could get dressed for work.
+++
Grabbing his keys from his pocket, Salis let out a long, slow sigh as he opened the doors. Stepping in, he shivered again. He knew that it was starting to get colder out but it seemed like no matter what he did or how much he layered up, it was never enough.
He made his way to the back of the store, putting his things away and slipping his apron over his neck, tying it loosely around his waist. Just as he had finished counting out the cash drawers, there was a light tapping on the glass doors.
Salis looked up, startled. It was only nine o'clock and they didn't open until ten-thirty. Usually people didn't start coming in until at least ten.
Walking to the door, Salis cracked it open to see a guy standing there.
'He couldn't be older than maybe twenty or twenty-one?'
He was wearing a simple grey hoodie and his hair was messy in that casual way that looked effortless, like he didn't care too much about what other people thought about his appearance. He smiled at Salis, looking at him expectantly.
"Uh… I'm sorry but we're not open until ten-thirty, sir," Salis said as he leaned back a little.
"Oh! I'm Leal. I start today," the guy said, his voice a little hesitant but warm. "I think I'm supposed to be shadowing you for a bit?"
Salis blinked, caught off guard by his unexpected introduction.
'Starting today?'
Scratching his head he wracked his brain. Then it dawned on him that the boss had told him last week that that the cafe would be hiring someone new and they'd be starting soon although he had just assumed that it would be another person who was only here to help with the rush and would be gone in a few weeks.
'It would have been nice if he had told me the exact day.'
"Right. Right, yes. Sorry. Please come in!" Salis stepped out of the way to let the guy inside as they made their way over to the counter so he could finish up.
"So you'll be shadowing me, then?" Salis asked as he reached under the counter and handed Lael an apron. As soon as the question left lips he wished he could take it back. Of course Lael was shadowing him. No one else was working the morning shift today besides the kitchen staff.
Lael nodded, unaware of Salis's inner turmoil. "Yup! I'm here to learn the ropes." He rubbed his hands together, eagerly looking around. "So what do you need me to do?"
Salis didn't answer immediately. Instead, he gestured for Lael to follow him behind the counter. The cafe wasn't that big, so it wasn't like they'd be having to do much navigating.
"Alright, so here's the deal," Salis started as they moved to the espresso machine. He didn't exactly love giving orders or talking to people, especially not people that he'd literally just met, but it wasn't too bad. At least he didn't have to entertain him.
"You'll need to make sure you're good with the espresso shots and you'll have to keep up with the rush when it comes in the afternoon. Mile's a little tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy."
Lael nodded attentively, thought Salis couldn't miss the way his eyes darted around nervously, taking in everything at once.
'The kid's definitely new to this,' Salis thought. But there was something about him that felt different from the typical awkward new hires.
"Okay. I can probably do that," Lael said, his steady voice a bit unsure. "I've never worked in a cafe before, so I might mess things up a bit, though."
Salis glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, we all mess up. I was actually awful my first two weeks. You'll get used to it." He gave a half-shrug, not really wanting to give a full-on speech. It just wasn't his style.
The morning passed in a haze of coffee orders and light chatter. Salis didn't mind the quiet pace that Lael brought to the counter. Unlike most new people who jumped in trying to impress or asked a million and one questions, Lael seemed content just watching him work. Every now and then, he'd ask a question, but it was always practical—like how much steam to put in the milk or how to make a certain drink. He didn't need small talk and neither did Salis.
It wasn't until the lunch rush hit that things got a little chaotic. The line stretched to the door, customers ordering like it was the last coffee they'd ever get to have and Salis found himself working quickly, trying to get everything done at once. He was moving fast, occasionally glancing over at at Lael, hoping the poor guy was able to catch on.
Later, Lael wanted to try making a few of the drinks on his own. The first two he was able to remember to a T but the third he was getting stuck on.
"Salis," Lael's voice cut through the noise, a little shaky, "I—uh, I think I need help with this one." His hands hovered uncertainly over the cappuccino machine, unsure of the settings.
Salis moved over immediately, his body instinctively taking charge, used to the chaotic moments. He could feel Lael's presence beside him, a little tense, but Salis tried not to think about it.
"Here," he said, stepping closer and pointing a finger at the lever. "Pull the shot here and then you steam the milk like this. You want it velvety, not too foamy." He moved in, showing him how to hold the wand, his hand brushing against Lael's.
For a second, Salis could feel the faint warmth of the touch and he pulled away quickly, knowing people disliked how cold his hands were.
They worked together in silence for a few beats, Salis watching Lael retry making the drink. He let out a small laugh.
"Thanks," he told Salis, his voice a little quieter now, but with the smallest glimmer of confidence. "I think I've got it now."
Salis nodded, not saying anything, just busying himself with the customer who had just come in.
They worked in silence, Salis moving through the motions as he tried to explain things. The customers came and went, and Lael watched carefully, attentive but not overbearing. He was a quick learner, picking up the steps faster than Salis had expected, but it wasn't just his ability to follow instructions that stood out. It was the way Lael moved—his anxiety melting away after a few hours as he became steady, unhurried, but always aware of his surroundings.
"Here," Salis said, handing him a coffee cup. "Go ahead and steam the milk. Hold the wand just like I showed you earlier—don't let it sit too deep, or it'll burn."
Lael took the cup, the milk frothing in his hands with surprising precision. He didn't overdo it, just enough to create the smooth texture. He worked like someone who was familiar with the task, not someone who had just started. And when he looked up at Salis to gauge his approval, it wasn't for reassurance. More so just a confirmation.
"How's this?" Lael asked, tipping his head slightly.
Salis couldn't help but nod. "Wow. That's really good. Perfect, actually. You'll be just fine."
And the more that they worked side by side, the more Salis found himself relaxing. No pressure. No need to awkward small talk.
When the lunch rush hit, it was all hands on deck.
Or, well, all four of their hands.
The line wrapped around the door, orders piling up, and Salis found himself in the thick of it, moving fast between the drink machines and the register. Lael, though, was right beside him, seamlessly jumping into the rhythm without a word. He didn't hesitate when Salis handed him the next order or when he needed help making drinks.
"Here," Salis said, handing him a large cappuccino that needed to be finished. "Steam it up. I'll pull the shots."
Lael didn't even bat an eye, just took the cup with a confident "Got it," and set to work.
Salis watched him for a beat, not because he needed to, but because there was something about how natural Lael seemed in the chaos. He was quick, but not frantic. Calm, but not too laid back. It was… impressive.
After the rush started to die down, Salis leaned against the counter, a little out of breath, but feeling the satisfaction of a busy morning behind him. He loved the distraction of everything. Welcomed it, reveling.
Lael, standing beside him, took a sip of the coffee he'd made earlier, offering Salis a quiet smile.
"Well, that wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be," Lael said with a chuckle, glancing over at him. "You were right. It's busy, but kinda fun, too."
Salis nodded, feeling a faint sense of pride in his work that quickly disappeared. He didn't usually connect with the new hire this quickly, but there was something about Lael that made it easy. Like he didn't even have to try.
"You'll get used to it," Salis said, not really looking at him but still feeling the subtle weight of the moment. "It's just a matter of keeping up. If you can keep your head in the game when it's crazy, you'll do great."
Lael laughed, his voice low
and genuine. "Well, I'll try my best. Guess, I've got my work cut out for me, huh?"
Something about the way that he'd said that made Salis's stomach do a flip-flop.
"Yeah. I guess you do."