Chapter 1
A random song is playing in the background, as the lights and fake vines on the wall swing back and forth from the light wind. It’s almost 5.00 in the afternoon, but it’s still sunny outside, like every September. I am cleaning the coffee machines, trying to kill time until Spirit comes. 5.04 and she is officially 4 minutes late, when I notice a figure walking quickly past me. A girl with long black hair and a fake designer bag sat at the most isolated table. Since our little waitress is late, I’ll go take her order by myself.
She lowers her sunglasses and yells :
-Dimi! I wasn’t expecting to see you here.
-Yeah… Neither was I, Alex.
-It’s been like, 2 years since highschool, woah.
-Yeah… I hope you’re doing fine too. Would you like to order something?
-You are just so hospitable! I’d like a double macha with white foam.
-We only sell latte and espresso so I’ll have to improvise. Before she could speak another word I walked back to the counter, still in shock with this encounter, and finally saw Spirit put on her apron.
-Well well well, I’m so glad you found the door.
-Chill, it’s only 5.07.
-Those 7 minutes were more than enough for me to sadly reconnect with Alex.
She barely kept her laughter in, before yelling ‘With who?!’ and recalling drama from more than 5 years ago. She then had to swallow her pride and serve her coffee. They exchanged bold looks, and finally spoke for the first time in 7 years. Alex continued the small talk as she was paying, and made sure to not tip us a penny.
The time was 6.02, when all the players had gathered outside the gym, waiting for their bus. Tonight was the game between our team and Paulsite City, the only game we’ll miss since we started working here last summer. The truth is, Priam was the main reason why I didn’t want to work here, but after the first few shifts I overcame my fear. Many say that having the same crush since high school is stupid, but since I came here he’s been getting coffee everyday, and is always updating us on his team’s progress. While I was thinking of all these, I saw him sprint inside the shop, with his nice blue uniform, shiny black hair and playful smile. I felt something red on my cheeks besides my blush. Spirit smiles as she cleans the tables, and our boy starts yapping.
His trusted manager, Angel, or Devil as we call her, rarely comes to greet us, and when she does, not only doesn’t she pay, but she feels at home enough to walk behind the counter and make her hot chocolate herself.
She says caffeine makes her angry, like she remembers what it feels like to be chill. So, Devil advised him to never go for a goal on his own, especially if Andrien is blocking him. Personally, I believe that neither Andrein nor any other player could beat him, and that she only manages to make him lose confidence in himself. Thankfully Spirit joined the conversation, and like she had read my mind told him : ‘You are the player, not Angel, you know your abilities and weaknesses better than she does.’ She then looked at me dead in the eye, and I knew it was my time to shine. ‘If you want my opinion, you shouldn’t be afraid of your opponents, just forget about everyone, and shoot your goal. You can do great things if you believe in yourself’. He looked down and smiled for a second. ‘Thanks, I’ll keep your advice in mind.’, ‘No problem…’ I whispered under my breath. He said goodbye and ran out the door to find the bus almost leaving. After we made sure they didn’t forget him here, Spirit hugged me.
-You did it!!!
-Shut up, what did I do?
-Ugh, don’t play it stupid! How do you feel now?
-Um, nice, I guess?
Before we could continue our conversation Alex walked back inside. - Girlies, I am just so sorry to interrupt, I think I left my designer bag in the WC. Dimi! Could you help me find it?
-There is no WC here, only in the main building of the gym, you know that right?
-Um, okay Spirit, you’re right.
Spirit questioned her sudden reappearance, but I am more worried for her memory.
About an hour later Priam texted me. Very, very unexpected. It was a photo of a tiny white dog they found. I told him how cute it was and he explained how it was the gym owner’s poodle. His voice messages sounded like voices from heaven. Spirit was so excited that she almost spilled boiling water all over herself. She then proceeded to put ‘wishes’ by Carter Ryan on the radio and start awfully singing. I don’t understand her excitement- if anything I am rather worried about his game.
There’s also that dream I saw the other day- and although I don’t believe in these- it had me shocked for a few hours. I was fifteen again, visiting a museum with Spirit; and as we were looking at a statue of Aphrodite, she came to life and made a replica of Priam out of clouds and rose petals. I tried to touch him but the clouds flew away and the petals fell down. It can’t be a coincidence that at that age me and her had made an offering to Aphrodite, paired with a love spell for me and him. It feels stupid to this day- but what if it finally works?
The time was 10.06, and our shift would be over in about 2 hours. ‘Why are you looking at the clock?’ Spirit asked with a naughty look on her face. I told her that the game should be over by now. Before I could even finish my sentence, I had an incoming video call from, who else, Priam. My heart started beating fast but I answered, acting calm. He was all sweaty, his hair messed up, his cross necklace bouncing up and down, and his out-of-breath smile. ‘We won!’ he shouted and I congratulated him. One of his teammates hugged him and he then drank the last sip of his coffee.
-You were so right with what you said, Dimi; you gave me confidence!
-What thing?
-You told me to ‘just shoot my goal’ and that’s what I focused on.
- Thank you!
Right after that he closed the call as they would talk with their coach. I just knew I would get so many side eyes from Spirit.
The next morning rolled around and both me and Vivi had the morning shift. The time was 7.58 and we were both there. She begged me to tell her every detail from yesterday and so I did. Mrs Prinher walked in for her usual morning latte.
-I heard there was a game yesterday, do you know if we won?
-Oh yes, we did, Priam scored the final goal.
-That nice young man… I think I saw his manager on my way here.
Vivi joined the conversation, obviously worried.
-Really? And what was she like?
-Well, she did seem a little angry, but I’m not sure.
Not even a minute later she stormed in with a very cold expression, colder than most days and stared at me for a second. When I started working here she seemed sweet, but her true self was eventually revealed; we had many fights, to the point where she threatened to ‘Have me fired’ if I didn’t listen to her. She thinks that just because she manages the best player, she can act like a dictator. And today she seemed extra upset.
-I’d like a double espresso, medium brown sugar, a dash of cinnamon, and three medium sized ice cubes.
-I’ll get it started.
-No, no, no, Spirit will get it started. You will come outside to have a private chat with me.
-Is this necessary? I don’t mean to offend you, it’s just that I am in the middle of my shift.
-It is, in fact, necessary.
Spirit patted my shoulder and gave me a supportive smile before she got behind the counter- all safe from the devil’s horns. I felt my stomach tie into a knot and my heart beating faster. She looked around, adjusted her glasses and began.
-October 12th.
-What is October 12th?
-October 12th is our team’s next game. So, for the first fortnight of October, you are totally prohibited from talking to Priam. Understood? - You can’t just say that and expect me to obey! At least explain what I did wrong!
-Why do you always play dumb? I saw you two talking right before the game. Then all of a sudden, he forgets everything he was taught and follows a stranger’s advice. When his coach asked him where he found the courage to shoot, do you want to know what he answered?
-I suppose.
-’A trusty friend of mine told me I shouldn’t be so afraid of my opponents, and that I should forget about everyone and just shoot my goal.
That’s what led me to that goal.’ Hadn’t you heard?
-Well, no I hadn’t, but why was that thing wrong? He scored, and not only that, but he scored the goal that made us win the game! Also, he is already skillful enough by himself, he doesn’t need my advice. - Oh, Dimi, that’s what I’m saying. Remember my words. If you place your nose inside my field again, I’ll chop it down.
She walked away angrily and I stayed there frozen. Everything around me was quiet, the crickets, the breeze, the music playing from inside the shop. Yet my mind was louder than ever. How did she even learn it was me? She wasn’t even here to see me. And what’s the problem if he won? Did he make her say these? At that point Spirit walked behind me and whispered ‘What a bitch’. I looked at her and she hugged me. After a few minutes we walked back inside and saw Alex entering. Literally the last thing we needed.
After she drank her coffee she came outside where I was sitting. I still hadn’t realised what had happened, and having her next to me didn’t make it any better.
-You look a bit sad.
-I am just a little tired.
-You shiver and can’t even look me in the eyes.
-Fine, it was quite a hard day.
-Only that?
-Yes.
-Well, you can tell me anything you want.
-Okay?
At that point she realised that I didn’t want to talk to her and stood up.
-You look cold.
-I am a little.
She took off her jacket and left it over my shoulders before walking away. I didn’t get why she acted so protectively but I didn’t question it.
