Silver Linings

Silver Linings: Chapter 2

After that day, I realized I had grown to enjoy seeing the little brunette every day or so. He was always so cheery in conversation or when greeting me, and appeared lost in daydreams any other time. When Feliciano was lost like that, wandering in his imagination, I thought he was the most beautiful. He seemed to drift away to a place without worry, a luxury I couldn't afford. The next day, I trudged back to the store early in the morning for my coffee. I had planned to search again for jobs across town, I had a bleak outlook yet with rent due in three days...I took my coffee with a fake smile, and ventured over to my table. Feliciano looked concerned as he handed me my coffee, but produced a plastic smile for the next customer.

I sat for an hour or so, wary of my need to find a job but reluctant to leave. I kept stealing glances over at Feliciano, growing impatient with the morning rush. Yet, I still waited for him. At about ten, he finally caught a break and trotted over to me, sitting across the table. "You've been here all morning." I stared into my, now cold, coffee. "Yep."...."Why?" he asked as he leaned on one elbow, like always, a single curl sticking out of his almost red hair. Beautiful. Wait, no! What am I thinking! Feli's hand was waving in front of my face, "Hey you! I asked a question!" I blinked in confusion, "Oh, sorry. Sorry. I just decided to wait today, if I'm being honest, I wanted to talk to you." Now it was his turn to be confused. "What? Why? I can't imagine that you'd want to compliment the espressos." one eyebrow raised and a crooked smile appeared on his face. "It's because you seem so positive, and with everything going on, it's a nice change." Feli's eyes clouded, and he blinked them into clarity. He smiled softly, "Everybody needs a little of that, nice change." I felt the corner of my mouth turn up, and had the impulse to kiss him, shutting the thought down of course. There was no way he would do anything but despise me afterward.

I watched him stand and wave gently, before walking back to the counter to help another customer. I followed his lead and stood as well, taking my cold espresso and downing it. I walked out the door with a grim spirit, and began to stroll along the streets. I strode along the sidewalks, stopping in occasionally to ask about job offerings. I was turned down at every shop, store owners shaking their heads, telling me they couldn't afford it. The skies grew darker as I walked, an soon enough there were no stores left open. I trudged back towards my apartment building, spirit sinking farther with each step. I was wondering how in the world I was going to find a way to pay rent...

It was about 6 pm as I approached the little coffee shop. Feliciano was out front, locking the shop doors with a small pack in his hand. He turned, and upon seeing me, grinned. I flashed him a small smile, trotting up to the little brunette. "Oh hey! Just get off work?" he asked. "More like trying to find some, I've been walking the streets since I left the shop." His brown eyes widened, and eyebrows rose. "Oh wow, that's quite a while then, and still...no luck?"....."None at all." I replied, glancing down at the ground.

"You know how I was talking about nice change? Well, I was thinking...how would you feel about working here at the shop?" he gestured to the coffee house.

"Wait, seriously?! We've only spoke twice, and with money so tight....are you sure?" I was astonished, this could save me from the streets...But at the same time... "Whats the catch?" there was no way he wouldn't want something in return.

Feli just smiled, "No catch, I just have a good feeling about you."

I couldn't believe it, "You're something else you know that? Something else entirely."

There it was again, that lopsided grin, "Hopefully a good something else then?"..."I'd say so" My shoulders slumped in relief, if I could convince my landlord to advance me just until my paycheck, I wouldn't be on the street. "Finally, thank you so much. When do you want me to start?" I was eager to get to work, and looking forward to trying to find a way to repay Feliciano. "The shop opens at about seven a.m., I'm here at six if you need to be here earlier. "... He gave me that cheerful grin and turned, walking down the street a ways before making a left turn and disappearing into the line of houses.

As I made my way back home, I grew more and more excited for tomorrow, it was almost unsettling. I've never been this excited to work before... No, but you were about to be dirt poor. Sure, but I would have figured something out. Meh, forget about it, just be happy that you're not on the streets. I thought, as I walked into the apartment complex. I stopped at the landlords office, explaining to her the situation. She was glad to comply, and I walked up the stairs to room 405, in the best mood I had yet been in while visiting Verona.