It has been approximately four hours and thirty minutes since my shift started and I continue to have a good time until a blonde man, who I don't want to talk to for the rest of my life, comes to the counter with a small smile on his face. I sigh as I see him wearing his red-checkered hoodie and his red scarf with black patches, that looks like it was handmade and it is supposed to be my gift for him a year ago. I try to bear painful sensation in my chest. I attempt to not cry right in front of him but I retain the grin on my face.

          "H-Hello, sir. How can I help you?"

          "Can I get a Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino?"

          "What size?"

          "Grande, please."

         "That would be $4.45."

          Mitch reaches to his pocket and lends me $5. I reach to the cash register to get the $0.45 change. I rip off the receipt from the printer and give him the change. But then, he holds my hand as I give him the change.

          "Alice, I'm sorry."

          "Mitch... what are you doing?"

          "I regretted what I said before. Just please, forgive me."

          "Mitch, don't waste my time."

          By the time I say that, his grip on my hand gets tighter. I stare at his eyes and they are moist, as if he is about to cry. His eyes glint from the tears in his eyes, refusing to shed tears in front of me, the staff and, most especially, the manager. As I am about to break down in tears, a stern voice from my best friend speaks.

          "Sir, you are holding up the line. Please proceed to the claiming area. Your order is now there."

          With an irritated sigh, Mitch leaves the counter. He scratches his hair as he walks to the claiming area, claiming his order. I attempt to bear the painful sensation in my chest as something is trying to escape from my eyes. I gaze at everyone in the coffee shop and they have faces of pity or disgust. I feel a hand on my shoulder, making me jolt. I turn my head to the person, who places her hand on my shoulder; it is Riley with a concerned look on her face.

          "Alice, are you okay?"

          "Y-yeah. I'm fine. I just need to go somewhere"

          "Alice!"

          I ignore the call of my best friend as I briskly walk to the rest room, avoiding the gazes of the staff and the costumers. I arrive to the restroom then proceed to the white narrow stall then I slam the door shut, isolating myself from anyone and anything. I lean on the door, slide down and quietly cry my eyes out. I can't believe I did such a horrible mistake. Why did I force him to leave like that? I know I am still not ready to love anyone again. But... do I still love him until now? Why haven't I move on?

          I finally run out of tears and decide to leave the stall. I walk slowly to the mirror then stare at the image right in front of me. My eyes are swollen red, my hair is quite messy and frizzy and my make-up, especially the mascara, gets smudged from all that sobbing. I quietly sigh and wash my face with cold water. I examine myself again and I look better than before. At least, I look better than a zombie. As I am about to leave the rest room, I hear a door swinging open with a loud squeak then the clicking and clacking of her heels. I quickly turn my head to the doorway and I notice my manager with a concerned look on her face.

          "Alice."

          "A-ah. Yes, ma'am."

          "Are you okay?"

         "Y-yeah, I am. Why wouldn't I be okay?"

         "You are seriously a terrible liar."

         "Okay, I am not okay. I just can't believe he did that in front of everybody."

         "I think you should go home now."

         "But-"

         "No buts. You are in no condition to do your job right now. Besides, your shift ended 20 minutes ago."

          I glance at my watch and it is past 10pm then I groan. 10pm is supposed to be the end of my shift but I have been crying in the stall for God knows how long. As I am about to think about something else, the manager speaks up.

          "Don't worry about Riley. She left early because she told me that she is going to do something."

         "Oh... I guess I have to go now."

         "Just get some rest, okay."

         "Alright, I will. See you tomorrow."

          I grab my things from the locker room then travel back to the restroom to change. I change to my red plain shirt, white jeans and my furry coat then I wrap my brown scarf around my neck. I grab my bag and leave the restroom. As I am about to leave, my grin finally returns.

          "Bye, guys. See you tomorrow."

          I hearfew mumbles and farewells from some of the co-workers. I also see some wavingof hands from other co-workers. There are also some who don't care at all but Idon't mind about that at all. After saying goodbye to everyone, I finally leaveStarbucks and start walking on the way home.