Chapter Text
Beanies.
As Paul walked inside of the Beanies coffee shop, the small bell rang, signalling his arrival. He had always gone here, despite the extra block he had to walk in order to get there. It was all for her - Emma.
Emma, or as Ted referred to her the 'crabby one', was Paul's favourite barista. She was just trying to make ends meet, while her boss had a new rule implemented - each and every tip received would be for the baristas to sing a little jingle. Safe to say Emma didn't like it - and neither did Paul, due to his well-known dislike towards musicals.
Inside the cafe sat some of the 'nerdy prudes' from Hatchetfield Highschool - Ruth, Richie, Peter and Stephanie, the newest addition to their group. Ruth watched everyone inside the building like her life depended on it, each and every interaction would make her yearn for the touch she had been deprived of for far too long.
Richie sat beside Peter, hid hands constantly fidgeting and tapping against each other for no apparent reason. He was in his own world, or so it seemed.
Stephanie noticed how Paul walked into the coffee shop and just quietly scoffed, preparing herself to watch him try to get his words out to the barista once again. It became a routine for everyone within the building to do, to watch and observe the two of them.
Peter keeps on talking and Ruth ends up mentioning 'Star Wars', which only causes Richie to begin ranting about how 'Attack On Titian' will always be superior to it, or so he claims. Ruth rolls her eyes at this and Peter just looks over at Stephanie.
"Hm? What'cha looking at. Steph?" Peter's voice was hushed as he diverted all his attention to Steph and whatever, or rather whoever, she was looking at.
"Just this dork, always trying to flirt with this barista, but he's just so awkward." Her response wasn't all that quiet, especially compared to the hushed tone that Peter held towards her.
With the turn of a head, Paul is looking over at the group of them, instantly knowing they were talking about him towards Emma. He sighs softly and looks back at Emma behind the counter, internally hyping himself up, while still being stood in queue, to actually talk to her and get his drink - the same thing he always gets.
"I'm not going to sing, there's a queue." Hm? Paul's attention snapped away from his rushed thoughts as he looked at what was going on before him, Emma is trying to have a calm debate while the anger truly seethed through her veins, flowing with her blood almost like it was always supposed to. The man she was talking to just scoffed and rolled his eyes before retorting back to her and snatching the dollar tip out of the jar, all because she wasn't going to sing for him due toe the queue, full of people patiently waiting just to order some coffee.
Eventually, the man walks off and it's Paul's time to order. "Hi...uhm-..just a black coffee, please."
Emma nodded and turned away to start his order, before Paul puts a five dollar note into the tip jar, just to receive an exasperated sigh from Emma.
"Seiously?!" She sounded beyond pissed off, she had clearly had enough for today. She was about to begin singing, only for Paul to cut her off and explain to her that he just...didn't like musicals, or rather jut watching people sing and dance in general - it would make him feel trapped.
A soft sigh escaped Emma's lips upon the realisation that maybe, just maybe, this man wasn't trying to be a dickhead.