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I was greeted by the barista. He was a tall guy, I'd say maybe 6'3, maybe a little taller. He had long dark hair tied back into a low ponytail. His eyes were dark brown as well and his skin had an olive glow. He motioned me forward pointing to the seat in front of him at the counter.

I paused before walking up to him. The place wasn't packed, but it seemed popular. I passed tables of happy individuals. Chatting passing around stories. The people here looked like people I wouldn't see at the places my parents took me to. Some were flamboyant, some were very eccentric, and some I was unsure of their gender. This seemed like where I should feel comfortable, but it only made me more nervous. That maybe I wouldn't fit in. I got to the chair and sat down.

"Welcome. What can I start you off with," He smiles, a latin accent greeted my ears. "Uh well I'm not sure," I said nervously and he happily pulled out a small menu from under the counter. "Here. This is our menu, but if you have a custom drink in mind then I'll do my best to prepare it," he smiled sweetly and felt my heart accelerate. I just stared and stared at the menu, knowing that I only had a little money to my name. I looked at him to see him waiting patiently for me. I panicked till the last drink on the menu caught my eye.

"Can I order... Acceptance?" I said confused. Did I read that right? Why is there a drink called that here. Everything else on the menu was normal. Espresso, macchiato, cappuccino, lattes. Plus it's free?

"Hm? Sure what do you wanna talk about," the barista smiled at me and I quickly looked down. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to say it out loud," I said nervously. He looked me up and down and scratched his chin. "Now I know for a fact you're new to this place. Trust me, I remember every single person that walks through that door. That drink I added when I opened this place. People only order that when they want to get something off their chest. Now lay it on me," he said happily. He had such a care free energy about him. He almost made me feel relaxed.

"Well a lot happened...I'm not sure if I can really talk about it," i said quickly fidgeting with the edge of the menu. "Ah Maybe it would help if we got to know each other. "What do you mean," I asked unsure. "Well for starters. My name's Marco. My pronouns are He/Him. How about yourself," he smiled. "My name is Leo and it's...sh- I mean he/him," I said quietly.

"Well Leo you seem bothered. If so you came to the right place. But hey if you don't feel comfortable then you don't have to talk about it. We can chat about whatever else you like," he explained happily putting some glasses away.

"You're willing to listen to me," I said a lil cautious. "That's right, now start from the beginning," he said gently as he leaned over the counter. "Well I am having a problem. I don't think I belong to my family anymore," I said quietly. "Ah. Well that's tough. Family is important, whether it's a family you're born into or one you made. That unconditional love is a good thing to have," He smiled. "You have one like that," I asked. "Hey we're talking about you here. But to answer your question, no. I was abandoned. I don't have a clue about my family, or if they even care to find me," He said talking calmly and as if he made peace with it.

"That sounds terrible," I said sadly. "I wouldn't say terrible. Sad yes, but in spite of that I opened up this shop, and I made a family of my own with close friends. I let go of all the bitterness, all the anger. All that would hold me down and not let me grow. Now I couldn't be happier," he smiled wide. "Could I be like that too," I said without thinking and I covered my mouth. "So that's what's wrong. Leo what you're going through is tough. It may seem impossible to get through, but you'll do it. I believe in you," he said gently as he placed a hand on my shoulder. He was so warm, and the way he was smiling triggered something in me. "This is only the beginning of your story. Don't let it be a sad or short one," he chuckled. My heart somehow felt full. I could finally breathe. I finally felt safe

"My family won't ever accept me, my brother thinks I'm a freak, my friends turned their backs on me. I'm bullied so bad I dropped out. I have no one. All because I got the surgery," I said so only he could hear. "Surgery?" Marco asked quietly. "Yeah you see... I was... I was born a girl," I whispered.

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