Chapter 3- Ellie
The days slipped by, and I barely noticed Friday had arrived. Holy crap. It’s Friday.
My first day as a crew leader at B&B Café — one of the most sophisticated cafés in town. Their drinks, their menu, their antique décor… everything about that place feels perfect. I still can’t believe I’m actually going to work there.
“Good morning, Ellie. How excited are you?” my dad asks in a soft voice, leaning against the doorway with his coffee mug.
“Super excited. Even though I don’t know what to wear. Good morning, by the way, Daddy,” I add with a thin, nervous laugh.
He chuckles. “You’re gonna do great, c’mon, you’re the best! Wear something casual but not too casual. You have good style — don’t think about it too much.”
I open my closet and stare at the clothes like they’re written in a language I don’t speak. Jeans? Too casual.
Black pants? Too formal.
Cute top? Too cute.
Ugh.
My dad peeks in. “Ellie… you look good in anything. Stop overthinking.”
“Aww, thanks, Dad.” I smile, even though my stomach is twisting. “Go to work, Dad, you’re gonna be late!”
“But I gotta take you to work, silly,” he says.
“Don’t worry, Daddy. Work is only like fifteen minutes away if I walk. You go — I’ll be fine, I promise.”
He hesitates, then sighs. “Please text me if you need anything. Let me know when you’re leaving and when you get there. I’ll make sure to pick you up. Sounds like a plan?”
“Okidokie. Love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, my sweet, brave daughter.”
His words settle into my chest like a warm blanket.
My sneakers tap against the sidewalk in a steady rhythm. I try to focus on the sound, on the breeze, on anything except the knot forming in my stomach. New job. New responsibilities. New people. New everything.
But I’m ready.
At least… I think I am.
The morning air is crisp, the sky a soft blue brushed with thin clouds. The kind of weather that makes you feel like the world is giving you a gentle push forward.
“What can go wrong? Just breathe. Just learn. You’ll do good, Ellie,” I whisper to myself.
Exactly fifteen minutes. Exactly how Google Maps showed.
“I’m here. I’m here? Holy crap. I am here,” I whisper, staring at the elegant wooden sign above the door.
My palms become sweaty. So sweaty. Now I can’t even pretend to be confident because… I’m here.
As I step into B&B Café, I can’t help but take in every beautiful detail.
Warm lighting.
Soft jazz music.
The smell of roasted coffee beans and fresh pastries.
Dark wood tables paired with antique chairs.
Framed vintage photos lining the walls.
It’s cozy and elegant — like stepping into a different era.
“Hey there! Welcome to B&B Café, how can I assist you?” a worker asks with a bright smile.
“Good afternoon, I’m Ellie Vazzola, and I—”
“Perfect! Let me show you around. By the way, I’m Gage — nice to meet you,” he says in an enthusiastic voice.
I follow Gage as he shows me around. Everything is perfect. The staff laughs easily, the customers look relaxed, and the whole place feels warm in a way I didn’t expect.
“Everyone! This is Ellie, our new team leader,” Gage announces.
“Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you all,” I say softly with a smile.
Everyone seems to welcome me nicely, until…
Is that him?
Really?
The jerk from college?
Everything was going perfectly smoothly — of course it was — but I guess there’s no such thing as perfect.
“Hello, good afternoon,” I say with a gentle smile.
“Hey, I’m Oliver,” he says, completely dry.
Ugh. What a jerk.
Gage notices the tension and says softly, like it’s nothing, “Oh, Oliver is shy. He’s one of my best friends, trust me. Don’t worry too much about it.”
I just smile like it isn’t a big deal either, even though my cheeks feel warm.
Gage hands me my uniform: black, soft wide-leg dress pants and a navy blue polo shirt with my name embroidered on it. Even the uniform is elegant. What a wonderful thing.
In the bathroom, I change and stare at myself in the mirror.
The pants fit perfectly.
The shirt hugs my shoulders just right.
I almost look like I know what I’m doing.
For a moment, I feel… proud.
As I walk out of the bathroom, I see Oliver and Gage whispering. But… why are they staring at me?
Men really can’t hide anything. I wonder what they’re saying about me.
“Just stay calm. Just stay calm,” I whisper to myself as I approach Gage.
Gage smirks at Oliver, then turns back to me. “So, Ellie. How are you liking it here?” he asks joyfully.
As we talk, he doesn’t stop smiling — but the sudden nervousness in his voice makes it obvious he’d been saying something about me.
“Anywho, you can sit in the office while you work on your certification to handle food and drinks. I’ll be checking up on your progress, sounds good?” Gage says kindly.
“Sounds good. Thank you for your help,” I say.
The certification takes hours.
My eyes burn.
My brain feels fried.
But I push through every question, determined to prove myself.
Every now and then, someone walks past the office door.
Sometimes it’s Gage.
Sometimes it’s Oliver.
And every time it’s Oliver, he glances in — quick, subtle, like he doesn’t want to be caught.
Why does that make my heart skip?
My phone buzzes — a notification from my dad.
Here, sweet pea.
Is it already time? Crap. I have to go.
“Good night, everyone. It was very nice meeting you,” I say softly.
As I’m walking out of the café, I glance at Oliver — and catch him smiling at me.
The jerk… smiling?
Whatever.
Why am I blushing?
Ugh. Whatever.