RISSA'S POV:

The next few days were rather smooth. Zayn had finally decided that it wasn't a good idea to let me sleep on the couch. Thank God, he figured that out. I don't think I could've went another night on that stylish, yet uncomfortable couch.

I walked into the warm coffee shop. The scent of coffee beans and the sound of buzzing chatter filled my senses. I took a moment and smiled. Finally, I'm back at work.

Because of the ceremony, the government had given everyone a week off. I enjoyed it, but I was getting tired of doing nothing all day. Everything is balanced out nicely and too much of one activity is not good.

The neutral colours of the coffee shop were calming. A candle flickered lightly at each of the small coffee tables. A few bright, yet not too bright, lights hung from the ceiling. The people who sipped on coffee, this gloomy morning were accompanied by low jazz music, which buzzed quietly.

I felt excited as I briskly walked over to the counter. Walking around it, I was let my eyes wander over all of the coffee machines and different utensils. The marble countertops sparkled in the limited lighting. I placed my hand on the marble top.

"Hey Rissa," a voice broke my staring session.

I looked over at the source of the sound and a smile spread itself on my lips. "Max!" I exclaimed.

He laughed and walked over to me. We shook hands, obviously not hugging. "How are you?" He questioned.

"I'm great!" I gushed, very happily. "I'm so happy to be back at work."

He laughed and I noticed how his hair was done up perfectly. His blonde hair was styled up in spikes and his blue eyes smiled at me in adoration.

"I'm happy too. You know, it was getting a bit lonely around here." He whispered the next part, "And Emma isn't much of a help either." Max laughed immediately, along with me.

As if on cue, Emma walked in. Her black hair was tied up in a distorted bun and a pair of black glasses rested on the bridge of her nose. Her black apron was tied tightly around her rather slim waist. She was inspecting the countertop.

I smiled brightly as she started scolding Max. "Max! Look at the coffee machines! Did you for-" her blue eyes looked over at me.

Immediately a smile broke out onto her face. "Rissa! Oh my God! It's Rissa!" She exclaimed rather loudly, gaining a few rude stares from customers. She apologized quickly and ran over to me.

"Emma!" I replied, as we hugged. "I missed you!"

"Oh my God! Finally, you're back!" She gushed as we pulled back. "Max was being a dick."

I looked over at the blue-eyed guy. His mouth dropped open as he tied his apron around his waist. "What?! You were the one being a pain in the-"

I cut them off by speaking. "Okay, okay! Looks like you two are clearly done with each other." I chuckled under my breath.

Emma rolled her eyes playfully and crossed her arms. Max sighed, with the traces of a smile, and turned around just as a customer walked up to the front counter.

"I'll be right back." I stated, still smiling.

She nodded as I walked towards the back-room. The space was squishy but I didn't mind. Opening up the oak-coloured closet, I placed my bag inside along with my brown coat.

I grabbed my black apron and tied it around myself. Right on top of my chest was the coffee shop name. 'Lotsa Coffee', it read.

I tied my hair up in a bun and smiled to myself.

•••••

"One Caramel Mocha, Iris!" Emma called.

"Okay," I replied, while grabbing the iced coffee pitcher.

I added some milk and the caramel topping. I felt myself slip away into my thoughts.

I haven't talked to my mum in forever. I will call her soon. I been yearning to hear her voice and hug her. She's my best friend, without a doubt.

It's only been us two for eighteen years. She has supported us for as long as I can remember. Since my father had left us, I've tried to help mum but I can only do so much. I mean, I literally just went to the Job Ceremony about two months ago.

I stirred the brewed mixture and poured it into the signature cup, which had a logo sprawled against it.

"Is that done?" Max asked, leaning on the counter.

I nodded and hummed. He smiled at me and grabbed the readied cup, handing it to the patient customer. He spoke 'have a nice day' and walked back over to me.

I rinsed my sticky caramel hands as he started speaking. "So, I'm guessing that you found a soul-mate?" He questioned, clearly interested.

I dried my hands on a towel and smiled. "Yeah, I did."

Max smiled back at me. "Who's the lucky guy?"

I laughed, "Zayn Malik." I replied nonchalantly.

Max's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "Malik? Like, Zayn Malik?" He questioned once again.

I nodded. "Yeah, genius." The sarcasm dropped through my words.

He smirked a bit and I stuck out my tongue playfully. "But really, Zayn Malik?! He's like a legend!" Max exclaimed.

I just shrugged. "He's alright." I mumbled quietly.

Emma walked over to us, her hips swaying. "We're closing in ten minutes." She informed.

"Okay, cool." I replied, my back leaning against the counter.

"Emma! Guess who her soul-mate is?!" Max seethed, excited.

He's strange, I thought about the overly-excited boy.

Emma raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh, who's the lucky guy?" She asked, her voice was taunting me playfully.

I laughed a bit. "Za-"

"It's Zayn Malik!" Max cut me off. "Like, the Zayn Malik. Yaser Malik's son!"

I laughed at Emma's shocked expression. Her arms dropped down to her sides. "No way!"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, way!" I mimicked. "Max, are you sure you're not gay?"

He looked at me with disbelief. "I'm straight. I'm with Anna!" He cried, exasperatedly. A light blush covered his cheeks as soon as he said 'Anna'.

"Wait, hold up. You're with Zayn Malik?!" Emma screeched.

Thank God that the coffee shop was empty or else she would've gotten stared at again.

"Yes, oh my God. How many more times do I-" I got abruptly cut off.

"Do you know what this means?" She yelled, gripping me by the shoulders.

I stared at her like she had two heads. Max laughed and soon after I laughed too. "Um, no?"

"You are the next Malik generation!" She smiled, "That's amazing!"

"He's okay, I mea-" I was cut off once again.

"He's so hot!" She whispered, not wanting to be caught by the government cameras.

Max scoffed and I rolled my eyes, laughing a bit.

"But his competitor is even better," she whispered, with a faraway look on her face.

"Who is that?" I questioned, genuinely curious.

"Harry Styles," she was in a haze. "He's extremely hot."

My eyes widened. Harry! She's talking about Harry! Or as he likes to be called, 'Darcy'.

"Anyways," Max broke the silence, whilst shooting Emma an annoyed look. "I cleaned up the tables earlier so I'm out?" He spoke.

I nodded as Emma snapped out of her mini-trance. "See you tomorrow," I spoke as he pulled off his apron.

"Bye, girls." He replied as he disappeared into the back-room.

"I'll lock up today," I suggested and Emma nodded.

"Alright then. See ya later." Emma added.

A few minutes later, Emma and Max had left the coffee shop. I was listening to the smooth jazz music and just cleaning up the coffee machines.

The small bell dinged from the door. My eyes widened and I realized that I had forgotten to lock the door.

Turning around, I glanced at the time. It's five minutes past the closing time. My eyes flashed over to the customer.

He was wearing a black coat and he was definitely tall. His cheeks and ears were red because of the coolness of the air outside, in contrast to the cozy beverage shop. Those eyes were widened as he looked at me, and mine mirrored his actions.

A/N:

hellooooo. I know, boring chapter. The next one is going to be enjoyable *winks* if ya know what I mean.

no, it's not smut. get ur mind out of the gutter lmao

Please vote and comment. And oh God school is so boring. Help.

This chapter is dedicated to @niall_horan_smiles bc your comments really do help make my book better!

Deuces

~Maya. Xox