Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

!!SO MUCH DIALOGUE IF YOU DONT LIKE THAT THIS WILL PROBABLY SUCK LOL!!

Zoey's parents are for one word. Absent. They have been her whole life, shes gotten use to it. Birthdays spent alone, in a house big enough to feel the cold loneliness that seeps out of it each and every day.

Presents stacked on the table, to many to even count. But none of them carry the love she desires so heavily. One gift after the other full of clothes and everything a girl could dream of. But fabric doesn't mean as much when the gifter couldnt even be bothered to ask what size Zoey wears now.

Sometimes she gets lucky if the top fits her. That's not to say Zoey isnt grateful! She loves each and every thing her parents get her, because at least they thought about her, right?

It's not like they were never there. They cared heavily about her grades, making sure she was always the top of her class because,

"How do you think we got this wealthy?" Zoey's mother scolded over the phone. clearly displeased about the A- on her report card.

"I'm sorry mother, I'll do better, I promise." And she meant it, the last thing she wants is to be a burden to her parents, especially after everything they do for her.

"You say that again and again, and you always fail. I'm sick of you dissapointing us all the time. How many broken promises until you finally mean it?"

The words fell deaf to Zoey's ears, she has heard this same conversation over and over again. Everytime leaves a new tear in her heart.

She sits on the stool to the island in her parents home. Phone on speaker in one hand, report card in the other. Tears threaten to fall, one managing to escape leaving a perfect wet spot on the paper in her hands.

If only she could be as perfect as tears that fall on paper.

Zoey's mother is still ranting, she hears the words but isn't able to process them, her own thoughts taking the lead.

I will die being nothing more than a daughter. My highest honor being what was given to me from birth.

That thought alone brings on more tears. Nothing she does is enough, she will never be enough for her parents.

She hadn't realized her mother hung up until her tears turned into silence, not even the voice of a mother could fill.

She could never resent her parents though, she knows they are doing what's best for her, plus she knows she was just being dramatic.

"All parents are like this!" she reasoned with herself, but sitting on the floor in her room like a scared child waiting for mom or dad to take her fears away. She could never truly believe it.

But that didnt stop her from trying to convince herself she wasnt lonely, I mean the maid talks to her a bit!

She doesn't have very many friends, they mostly just use her for her wealth is whats shes come down to.

It got to a point where after school and on weekends she wouldn't talk, ever. She waited for someone to care about her enough to want to listen to her stories about the day, and listen to her vent.

She knew it would never come. Her whole life she has been a disgrace, nothing she can do will change that, if nobody can love her for being her, she will become what they want.

A perfectly mannered daughter? They got it.

A good student who never steps out of line? They got it.

A friend who can spoil her friends whenever they like? They got it.

If loving Zoey was to hard, Zoey would give them someone they could love.

Years of training herself to be in the background, a shadow you forget about if the clouds move in for a second.

Her fear of being precieved growing more by the day that simply asking for the bathroom pass seems more like a death sentence with each passing hour.

There were times though, that she would be so incredibly bored, nobody texting her for days at a time, parents going on longer business trips oddly always going to seperate places, but thats not something to worry about right now.

———

Now that school was out and summer was here, she finally decided to make a decision for herself. A summer alone sounded awful, but with school no longer being an escape she went for something most 17 year olds would have by now. A job.

She wasnt exactly sure how to get one but, after looking it up. It seems like you just go in and ask for one then you're all set!

Zoey strides down the street, upon reaching her destination she walks inside and hears the ever familiar jingle of the bells.

Her favorite coffee shop. The perfect environment to get a job, its calm, a local business, and very cute!

She heads up to the cash register, waiting for the cashier currently making a drink to turn around and notice her.

Eventually the cashier turns around and goes to take her order.

"Hello! Welcome to Huntr/x cafe, my name is Mira, what can I get started for you?" The girl Mira spoke with fake enthusiasm, this clearly being her 20th time repeating the same sentence.

"Hey! Uh- I was actually wondering if I could actually get a job application?" Mira eyes narrowed, eyebrows furrowing which made Zoey a tad nervous.

"Let me ask the manager." Mira turns and heads for the employees only door, coming back with a short black haired guy in tow.

"Hello! My name is Bobby, I heard you're looking for a job opportunity?"

"Yes! That would be great!" Zoey eyes lit up with childlike hope, as if she had already been hired.

"Well you're in luck, the person I'm supposed to be interviewing right now just cancelled, so you're up! Do you have a resume with you?" Bobby seemed pleased to know that his schedule wasnt completely ruined now.

Well unluckily for Zoey, she had no clue what a resume even was, her research clearly not being thorough enough.

"A- what?" Zoey's confusion seemed to have sparked a reaction out of Mira who was just a bystander watching the interaction go down.

"Are you deaf? A resume. You know, the document that tells employers what jobs and volunteer work you've done?" Mira spat.

"Oh, sorry I dont have one. I've never worked anywhere in my life." She cringed at her own words.

Way to sound spoilt!

"Okay. Thats okay! We can still interview you and work with that!" Bobby chimed in clearly sensing the tension.

"Follow me to my office!" He smiled at Zoey following behind but not before giving a stern look towards Mira, who rolled her eyes.

———

The interview went good Zoey thought, she answered the questions honestly and he seemed to have reacted okay to that, which was a nice change.

She walked home expectantly. She should be recieving a call any day. She waited and waited.

Day by day went by and the wait became excruciating.

she almost gave up hope when-

Zoey's phone was buzzing, it had to be Bobby, who else would be calling her right now? And she was right, she immedietly picked up the phone.

"Hey Zoey! Just wanted to call and let you know, that you have been hired! And you can start as soon as tomorrow!" Bobby's cheerful tone was evident even through the phone, Zoey hasn't heard that in a while.

"Thank you so much!! I won't let you down, I promise!" Another promise waiting to be broken, she was on a streak for how many she breaks. She doesn't mean to, she just hopes by promising, people will have a reason to stay or even cherish her.

But is she a creation to be cherished? or a burden to all those who see any deeper than the 6 ft that she buried herself in to control the raging emotions hidden inside.

She would never know, she wouldn't let anyone get to close to find out either, some things are better to stay hidden.

"oey-?" Bobby questions clearly realizing she hadn't been listening.

Her attention is finally captured, her mind racing to catch up on what she missed only to come up blank, She hasnt even started the job and she broke another promise, she is setting records at this point!

"I'm so sorry Bobby sir! I zoned out on accident! But i'm here now, what did you say?" Zoey franctically stumbled over her words, her apology being more genuine than anything else.

"That's okay! I just was saying for you to download the app we use for scheduling and pay. You're checks will come in bi-weekly, and your uniform will be here for your first day of training. If I remember the schedule correctly, Rumi should be your trainer!"

"That sounds perfect, thank you SO much. This means the world to me!" Zoey couldn't contain her excitement, bouncing up and down in her room, with Bobby still on the phone.

"Well see you tomorrow then, Zoey!" then he ended the call.

Zoey couldn't wait for her first day! Maybe now she will finally be worth something!

Chapter Text

The next day couldn't come by any slower, the second Zoey's alarm went off, she practically sprung out of bed to get ready.

Her excitement would've been contagious if anyone was home to see it, but unsurprisingly her parents had yet to come back.

She hadn't even mentioned her job to her parents yet, figuring they would probably oppose to it.

"We give you everything you need. No need to get a job." She practically hears her mother in her ear, despite her absence.

And while that was true, she never got this job for the money, thats the last thing she needed, money is the thing that separated her from everything.

"Must be nice only having first world problems." Her classmates would mock, Zoey never being able to defend herself, because honesly? They were right.

She never had to worry about money. That didn't stop her guilt from tearing her inside out anytime she felt like it was the one thing keeping her from living a normal life.

What good is money if you can't spend it with/on the people you love the most?

But that's something she'll worry about later, right now she has to make it to her first day of work!

She scurries to the kitchen grabbing a banana, and rushing out the door. The chauffeur waited by the car door to take her on the 5 minute drive to the cafe.

"I think I'm going to walk today! But I appreciate you, take a break okay?" Then right before she turned away she handed him two twenty dollar bills and left.

The walk was pleasant, It was cloudy and it looked like a few storms were rolling in, Zoey loved storms.

The sound of thunder filled the empty silence of her home in a way she loved, often she would sit by her window and watch the rain,

admire how the lightning was never afraid to show itself. She wanted to be like the lightning, never afraid to be in a crowded room and take up space that she feels like has to be earned.

But also she wanted to be like the thunder a voice after her presence. To express her opinions without the fear of being shutdown or worse- abandoned.

But eventually the clouds would leave and she would be forced to return to the ever growing pit of despair that never truly left.

She tried not to let her thoughts of returning to an empty house get her down, she would be able to interact with new people now!

After a brisk 10 minute walk she reached her destination, Huntr/x cafe.

She felt her nerves take over but she pushed through, upon hearing the comforting jingle of the bell, she headed up to the cash register.

This time she saw a girl with very purple hair that was dragon braided, it was so perfect Zoey was shocked, not a single fly away in sight.

"Hi! What can I get you?" Unlike the last barista she had, her enthusiasm seemed genuinely bright, but then again it was early in the morning.

"Hi! Its my first day working here.. I suppose to be getting trained by a girl- Rumi? I think it was?"

"Ah yes! That is me! You must be Zoey!" Her soft smile felt so genuine it melted Zoeys heart.

When had anyone smiled at her like that?

She shook the disturbing thought away, focusing on the matter at hand.

"Yes! I'm so excited to get started!!"

"Well come on back, grab an apron and lets get started!"

Zoey went to the employee's room and grabbed an apron immediately heading back to the bar afterwards.

She struggled a bit to tie the apron, never having worn one before, and it seemed like every which way she went it either wasnt tight enough, or would the bow would fall completely.

"Do you need some help?" Rumi asked eyebrow quirked, obviously noticing the struggle Zoey was having

"No i'm okay! I'll get it eventually!" Zoey refused to be a burden on her first day, but man was this difficult to tie.

After a good minute of struggling, Rumi took matters into her own hands, Going behind Zoey and gently tying a perfect bow that fit perfectly around Zoey's waist.

"Thank you.. And I'm sorry, I'll learn to tie it next time, I promise!" Another promise? Zoey needs to stop promising things, it never ends well. Guilt started to chip at her.

"Don't even worry about it! Shall we begin?" she comforted, which made Zoey feel a bit better.

I'll do better, I have to.

———

A few hours had passed, which mostly consisted of teaching Zoey how to make basic drinks like a cappuccino all the way down to an iced vanilla latte.

Zoey thought she was getting the hang of it, she hadn't messed anyones orders up so thats always a good sign!

Despite the anxiety of messing something up, the gentle flow of customers along with jazz music consistently playing made her feel relaxed in a way she hasn't felt before.

The calm chatter of people made the little cafe feel lively, while also not being overwhelming.

And the yellow mood lights had a perfect contrast with the dark clouds outside, rain already starting to fall.

She has only worked here a few hours, but somehow, this felt more like a home than hers ever did.

"How are you feeling about everything so far?" Rumi's question pulled Zoey out of her lulling thoughts.

"I feel okay! Well- I hope that isn't an over assumption on how I'm actually doing!" She rambled a bit, quick to back peddle, not wanting to come across as cocky.

Rumi giggles a bit at that, which confuses Zoey. Was she laughing at her?

But Rumi's soft smile had no hint of mock in it, just genuine care.

"You're doing great! You pick up on what I say very fast, so give yourself some credit! I'm moreso asking if you personally feel like you're underestanding the order of how things go." Her smile never dropped.

But there was gentle encouragement for Zoey to express her thoughts. Zoey wasn't used to that at all.

Someone is giving her room to speak? Odd. She could feel a bit of a panic rise inside her.

"I feel like I understand it, yes! You're a very good trainer!" Zoey hoped that was the right answer.

Rumi smiled at her before turning around to go take a customers order, indicating it was the right answer, which slowed Zoey's racing heart.

"Hey is that the Lee's daughter?" Zoey turned around at the mention of her last name. Blush rising to her cheeks, it wasn't often that people recognized her. But having pretty famous parents, it kind of came with it.

She always hated the attention she would occasionally get, instead of being a human like everyone else, it often made her feel like an animal on display.

Nothing more than a circus attraction, nobody truly knew her name, only knowing what makes her different.

Zoey made the mans americano drink while not commenting on the previous question.

Once he sat down, she saw Rumi studying her with a questioning look.

"You know, I knew you looked familiar. Figured I knew you from school or something. But you're the daughter of THE mrs, and mr Lee!" Her excitement pouring out of her features.

Zoey nervously laughed, nodding her head. She secretly hoped Rumi's kindness wouldn't stop being genuine.

Only nice beause she wants something, which she would eventually get, because for some reason Zoey didnt have it in her to say no to anyone.

Rumi fawned for a bit, but eventually let it be as a rush started to form, never catching on to Zoey's uncomfortable look.

Before Zoey knew it, it was 2:30pm. Meaning the next baristas would be coming in to change shifts.

Her heart picked up when she saw the scary barista from the last time she was here, Mira.

Mira walked in already looking like she wanted to leave, but Zoey started considering if it was maybe an rbf since the second Mira looked over at Rumi, her lips quirked the tiniest bit,

Zoey noticed this. And smiled subconsciously.

After years of needing to read people to make sure everyone was happy, it became easier to know how people were feeling based small features like that.

"Hey Mira!" Rumi exclaimed, rushing over to give Mira a big bear hug, which Mira happily accepted and reciprocated.

Zoey stood awkwardly behind them, wondering if she should look away or introduce herself, despite Mira knowing exactly who she is.

They pulled away from each other and Zoey watched with fondness and maybe a bit of jealousy as Rumi took Mira's hand and started to pull her towards Zoey.

"Mira this is Zoey our new co-worker, I trained her this morning, Zoey this is Mira my best friend and co-worker!" Her joy from introducing them was contagious, and Zoey would've said something if she wasn't scared of Mira.

Instead Mira took the lead speaking first.

"Looks like you got the job then." Zoey couldn't tell if she was upset about that fact or not.

But before Zoey could reply, Rumi was two steps ahead.

"Did you know shes the daughter of Mr and mrs Lee?" Rumi said like it was a random fun fact.

"How pretentious." Mira spat, that caught both of them off guard, Zoey especially.

Before Rumi could defend her though, Mira was already gone to the back to get ready for her shift.

Pretentious. That's a new one, but how would she know? She's barely even talked to her!

I didn't mean to come across as better than anyone. I know I'm not! Do I really have a big ego?

That was scary to even think about, the last thing she wanted was for someone to feel less than because of her.

she wanted to dive deeper into it, but suddenly Rumi was talking,

"She didn't mean it I swear, she's kind of closed off so the idea of someone being in her space throws her off,

She places her hand on Zoeys shoulder grabbing her attention.

But I'll talk to her I promise." There was that genuine smile again. And for a second, Zoey believed maybe she would be okay.

The last 30 minutes of her shift consisted of her avoiding Mira, and blending in to the background but also helping whenever she could.

They changed out registers, Rumi teaching Zoey how to properly make a deposit, then they both clocked out.

But before Zoey walked off, someone called her name.

"Zoey!" She turned to the familiar voice, locking eyes With Rumi as she ran to her.

"Can I get your number? I would love to hangout sometime! And maybe with Mira too, once she stops being a jerk that is."

"Of course! I'd love to hangout!" Her words came out very hasty almost desperate.

Rumi handed Zoey her phone, exchanging numbers. And that was that, they waved goodbye, Zoey continuing her path home.

The rain from early has stopped leaving a humid residue on everything that stepped outside.

She unlocked the door to her house and walked in, part of her had a childish hope that maybe her parents would be there. To ask how her day was, or make her lunch.

But that never happened, and she would never ask for it either. That would be to much to give to someone like her, a pretentious, selfish nobody.

She went to sleep that night, Content blanketing the hole of shame temporarily, but she made sure to not fall through the content that hid the hole, she knew this wouldn't last, but a part of her could dream that it would.

In the end though, it was a matter of time before she messed something up.