Chapter Text
Two slid into their car naturally. Their key turned the ignition, engine clicking on. The hit of the A/C hitting their face was a nice addition to combat the heat of late August.
They closed the door and flipped the mirror imbedded in the visor down. They messed with their hair subconsciously, before flipping it back up and finally beginning to drive.
Technically, they could walk. But it’s literally August! What sane person will walk for half an hour in summer…unless it’s a breazy day. But it’s not! Humid if anything.
The drive itself is calm. It’s about 7am. Some traffic, but nothing that they aren’t used to. Honestly, they experienced more chaos whenever they worked out of the city. Everything was so much chaotic then. It became an honest drag…
Working a job you don’t want, with a degree that you hold no sentiment to…
But for now at least they can work more locally. Enjoy a good song before exiting and working…well now minimum wage. They have a new job like every few months at this rate. Damnit, when did they get so picky?
They weren’t going to think about that too much as they drove idly. They were listening to Penne Scott. Lotta True Crime specifically.
It kept their mind clear as they gently drummed their fingers against the steering wheel.
To be fair, the drive wasn’t very far. Before long they were slipping back out and locking their car. Two wiped their forehead briefly before working into a small cafe shop to officially clock-in.
See, this place has two main…side, Two would describe it. There’s a side where it’s pure coffee, and the other side has treats and baked goods. You can probably guess which side Two’s gonna work for.
The side that doesn’t have someone already working. Their eyes immediately caught a woman wiping down a counter. She had periwinkle hair, seems freshly dyed.
She didn’t even seem to notice them at first. Not until she glanced up as a delayed reaction to the small bell ringing above the doorway. She stood up straight, face deadpanned. “Oh, hey. I almost forgot they hired someone new.”
Two glanced around, noting nobody else is here. Before looking back at her. “Oh, well…yeah. Turns out that “they” did. I’m Two.”
“Oh! Right, I’m Gaty.” She pointed to the name tag plastered against her visor. “Do you know how to bake, like, at all? I’m guessing since Four hired you and everything.”
Oh yeah, Two remember’s Four. “Yeah. Worked a few of those jobs here and there.” They guessed Gaty holding the small gate behind the counter open was their opening to slide behind with her.
Gaty kept a very indifferent expression, though Two could she her basically sizing them up. That definitely made their cheeks burn up. Hopefully it’s not too noticeable. They found her gaze hitting their hair skeptically.
Gaty snapped her eyes back to their face. “Okay. Well, then if you have questions…ask I guess. Our manager should be coming in to open soon enough.” She shrugged before turning around and going back to what she was doing originally.
They got to take in her appearance more…
She had shorter bangs that clumped together in three main sections. Honestly they look like spikes. Her eyes seemed brimmed with unshed tears. They just noticed that about her…wonder whats going on with her life, huh?
Her hair was mostly tied back into a ponytail. Which is normal since it’s a summer morning. Though she had a two twists leading into her ponytail.
Pretty…
Two then realized they’ve been staring at her. And maybe they don’t wanna seem like a creep first day on their job? So they turn away and look busy.
Suddenly they heard the overhead bell toll. X had arrived.
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So X gave Gaty the keys to the shop and said “lock up whenever you finish cleaning” and whatever…he flipped the sign outside to say “closed” and he left, taking a left.
That left Two and Gaty. Alone together.
This is her routine, Gaty seems dead-set on getting out anyways. She’s sweeping in the background. Two got stuck with cleaning machines. Two on the other hand, wanted some conversation.
“So…Gaty, right?” Two begun, not turning their head around even as Gaty’s head perked up. “How’re you?” Two asked.
They heard Gaty hum in response before the soft sound of bristles swiping against the floor filled the place, creating soft beats with the music playing quietly overhead. “Surviving. Not much else to say…”
Her voice sounded like she definitely had something to say about her day. But she kept the conversation moving past her. “You?”
“Splendid!” They faked a cough when they heard their british lilt fluctuate. “Well, as good as any other day. I lead a pretty boring life.”
Gaty shrugged. “Same to a certain degree, I guess.” she replied, her tone leading boredom.
A calm silence took the lead after. Save for Gaty putting the broom back since she’s finished with sweeping. And Two cleaning off surfaces with a small, green rag. It’s still more muted with ware compared to their skin tone.
Gaty grabbed the shop’s key. It rang around her finger effortlessly on the key ring. Two doesn’t want to make assumptions, but Gaty holds herself like an absolute gal.
Her hands on her hip and they sway with confidence. Two would call it a saunter if it wasn’t just the walk she flippin’ walked.
She seems like she’s made for platform boots, crazy hair, big irises…is this getting too creepy? Are they staring again? God, are they down bad and they’ve known this woman for 8 hours?
“Hey, i’m gonna lock up. I suggest you don’t get locked in?” The sentence itself may sound a bit daunting, but she said in with a tone that friegned playfulness.
Two looked up, realizing that they weren’t staring at her and instead staring at the countertops. They chuckled awkwardly, before throwing the rag into it’s normal position and joining Gaty. They grabbed the door and held it for her.
Their hands brushed briefly as Gaty walked out.
“See you tomorrow!” They waved, before turning and heading to their car. Gaty’s gaze lingered on them, even if she didn’t say anything.
Before the turned the key and closed the building, turning the opposite direction.
—
Honestly, riding the train back home was so much quieter than the cafe. Not just because there’s no annoying customers, but for some reason Two’s personality made the room feel cozier.
Actually, they just seem like a nervous guy who tries to at least be somewhat fun outwardly. And weirdly looks fancy. Not like suit and tie, I’m super royal fancy. But like the stylish kind of fancy where someone looks like they actually try in the morning…
Or just look effortlessly good.
Is she biased?
No.
Well anyways, Gaty is looking on her phone. She had to wipe her eyes to remind her that she’s in public. And that looking at the texts from her…well now ex-girlfriend Saw. This time it feels weirdly permanent.
They’ve been pretty on and off for the past…give or take 3 years? Eventually you have to give it a rest! They have dated 4 times, each time technically longer than the last but still…
Plus she still isn’t over what happened April ‘23. Or July ‘24. Or May ‘25. Or literally this morning, honestly.
She should really just give up on dating. Like…7 exes since she was 20. She’s only 24 right now. But she’s stupid and rushes into things. And now that Saw is texting Gaty like they didn’t split like 8 hours ago.
Just best friends.
She turned her phone off, probably gonna chalk it up to “Oh my phone died” or “I took a nap lmfao.” She does that a lot and actually somehow makes it believable. She really has no reason to lie. But to be fair, Saw’s taking her out to a party soon enough.
September, Pencil’s hosting it. She only knows Pencil vaguely from the one time from college they had a presentation together. Gaty thinks she dropped out soon after that. But hey, invitation to rich parties is an invitation to rich parties.
But she has to go with Saw. And see all of her friends. That she specifically doesn’t want to see.
Thinking about this filled the time it took for it to be her stop. She walked out and up the street. Finding her own apartment. She’s really behind on rent…surprisingly, she somehow still has the apartment.
That probably won’t be an issue in the future. Right?
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