"Barry, hey, man. Get your head in the game," Gregory snapped, clapping his hands in front of Barry's face. Barry shook his head viciously, his brown hair flipping like a mop. She wanted to meet here? Did she know him? Had he given her a coffee or hot chocolate sometime without remembering her face? His thoughts were a mess.

All through his shift, he had been distracted, which only made Gregory's temper rise. Half of the time, he almost gave the wrong orders to the wrong people, or came dangerously close to spilling hot liquid on someone's clothes.

"Greg, what time is it? Isn't my shift almost over?" he asked.

"Check the clock. And don't be so eager to leave, man. It's a busy night," he replied, balancing a drink tray in his hand as he handed a takeout bag to a customer. 7:30... so much time left. Five minutes later, he looked at the clock again, desperate for more time to pass.

"You got somewhere to be? Pretty girl to take on a date?" Gregory asked as he came back around the counter from taking an order.

"No!" Barry blushed, "nothing like that. My dad is just... Super controlling and he hates it when I'm late. I don't really know anyone at school."

"Huh, alright, kid. You just need to get your head in the game before I kick you out like the last guy," Gregory teased.

"Please don't," Barry said, panic making his heart race.

"Relax, I'm just kidding," he laughed, pushing a takeout cup across the counter.

"Greg, can I ask you a question?"

"You just did. Here, give that lady her cappuccino, the looks she's givin' me are creepy,"

"Okay, that's done. You're right, she is weird. But anyway, about that question," Barry faded off, twisting his apron in his hands.

"Shoot, kid, we only have fifteen more minutes before you're outta here,"

"Have you ever talked to someone you've never seen in real life but all the same you feel drawn to them?"

"Like online dating? I've tried it a couple of times. Didn't know you were like that, Bear," Gregory grinned.

"Damn, that didn't come out the right way. I guess I just have to tell you,"

"If you offered to marry the girl, you might want to jump off the wagon before you get too far into the journey,"

"Greg, please just, shut up and listen. I found a girl's journal on the train on Monday, which, yes, I know today is Friday, and I've been reading the stuff she wrote," Barry's words rushed out and he thought he heard Gregory mutter "creepy" but he ignored it.

"It's just that I've never actually met her but I've read her stuff and she's been texting me since she wants it back. Now, she wants to meet here of all places to get it back and she wants to meet tomorrow at five. How will I not loose my mind all through the day?"

"Jeez, man. You've got some serious issues here. I don't think I can help you,"

"Aren't you working tomorrow? You can help me out?"

"Nah, kid, I've gotta help the wifey with cleaning the house," Gregory made a face, "I think Harrison is on the evening shift."

"Oh, yeah. How's she doing?"

"Well, I'm not too sure. Pregnant ladies are kind of hard to read, especially when they're mad at the world and that includes their dearest husband,"

"Okay so this Harrison guy doesn't know me so I can blend in-"

"Unless that Madison chick comes in,"

"Somewhere in the back is best, so I can really just watch the crowd for when she comes through the door-"

"Until Madison decides to jump you,"

"And then I'll get her name when she orders a coffee or something-"

"And-"

"WILL YOU STOP INTERRUPTING ME, GREG!" Barry shouted, keeping it quiet enough that they didn't get any looks from the slowly emptying shop.

Gregory laughed, leaning against the counter as he clutched his sides.

"Ah, man,  you were so into your plan you didn't even notice until that third time. You must really like this girl you've never met,"

"I just need to give her her journal back," Barry muttered, red spreading across his cheeks.

"Not what you implied earlier," Gregory sang, "now, take off that apron and get home. You're driving me crazy with your ideas."

"Bye, Greg!" Barry said as he left. All he got was a good-bye wave as he left the shop.

***

Wow, so I forgot how much I loved this story and how soon it would be until I finished it. So here's to me being a neglecting parent to my precious short story child *Raises glass for a toast* Anyway, I hope you like it, most of it is banter between Gregory and Barry so it's a bit of a filler chapter. Tell me  your thoughts in the comments and don't forget to vote! Have a lovely day or night, wherever you are!

~Selene Rose