A Skinny Latte and a Chocolate Chip Muffin (Jade)

[Charlie Pearson]

One thing that Charlie loved about being a single child and living on his own is that he saved a fortune on Christmas presents. He decided that he would go to the mall and get himself something nice. He did it every year. All year he would set aside $20 a month every a month until Christmas and then he would buy himself something nice, wrap it up and send it to himself for Christmas. It was kind of a tradition. So there he was, at the Mall, with $240 in his pocket and a whole bunch of shops to browse through.

Soon Charlie had a new hat (a black Trilby, matching his casual-smart shirt jacket with sleeves rolled up and everything) and the entire box set of Supernatural (a show some of his College friends had recommended), series 1-9. He was ready for a good few weeks after Christmas with these. Feeling pretty pleased with himself and wearing his new hat, Charlie decided to treat himself to a Coffee at Starbucks.

He went to the counter, his hat respectfully taken off, and looked over the choices. Why he did this, he had no idea. He was never going to have anything other than this.
"I'll have a skinny latte and a chocolate chip muffin, please." He smiled and looked down at the server. "Jade?" It was Jade Parrish, from Hammel. "Hi! I didn't realise you worked here."

[Jade Parrish]

It had been a long day. Gretchen was completely grumpy, mostly because it was the holiday season and Starbucks was unbelievably busy. That left Jade to deal with her, especially since the store manager was out picking up supplies they'd ran out of so quickly. The mall was a zoo right now. The long line had finally filtered down and so she was busy cleaning up and running around before more customers poured in, although the person at the counter wasn't who she expected, but she did recognize his order. He'd always get it when they came here together to do homework back when they were both at Hammel and hating it. Some things never changed.

"Charlie!" She grinned at him. "I see you still haven't ventured out beyond your usual." It had been a long while since she'd seen him. "Yep, almost two years I've been here. Started working here after I graduated from Hammel."

[Charlie Pearson]

Charlie couldn't believe it. Jade had arrived at Hammel a year after Charlie, although they didn't actually meet until another two years, when he was 18. It was only in the last academic year that the two actually became friends, what with being in almost the same dorm (same floor, different rooms). They used to meet in this very same Starbucks to do homework, but usually it was just to chat over a skinny latte and a chocolate chip muffin.

"I'm not a fan of change, I must admit, although I haven't been coming to Starbucks for a while now. That's really cool that you got a job here." Charlie smiled pleasantly again. he realised that he had actually really missed Jade since Hammel. He had grown distant with a lot of his friends now he lived on his own, which he didn't really mind. It was good to have some human interaction, however. 
"So what have you been doing between Hammel and now? Apart from getting this job, of course."

[Jade Parrish]

"No, you're a damn creature of habit," Jade declared with a grin. What was it with running into old friends lately? Sure, Charlie had always been introverted, but he was adorable and Jade loved to surround herself with people of all sorts as long as they were interesting. "And yeah, I love it. Although I'm pretty sure I'm always on caffeine overload."

She told him the price and collected his money before handing him back his change and grabbing his muffin from the bakery case, handing it over on a plate with a smile. "College. Lots and lots of college," she told him with a slight laugh. "I go to UVM for journalism and I run the newspaper there." She scrutinized him for a moment. "What are you up to these days? And what brought you into Starbucks if you never come here? Memories of me?" She smirked.

[Charlie Pearson]

Charlie grinned.
"You've caught me red-handed there, can't deny it." Placing his money on the counter, he took his latte and muffin, putting his change back in his pocket. The reason he always had this combination was the fact that Starbucks muffins were the best and chocolate chip was delicious. The skinny latte was because latte was delicious and creamy and all that, but full fat with a chocolate chip muffin would be a bit much, so he made it skinny. It was a perfect combination.

"Hang on, do you get free samples of coffee? I might start working here, then." Charlie laughed slightly. "If I got free samples from my job, I would be in hospital with liver failure. I got a part time job at La Maison Magnifique, in town. I just work as a bartender and sometimes do the odd job around the place. You should come by some time. And, remember, I've been at college longer, I know what it's like. How long have you been there? One year, or is it two now?" Charlie smiled when she asked why he came.
"The aura you gave just draw me here. I knew it was my destiny to come and meet you again." He shrugged. "I just fancied a Starbucks really. It's been a while, and I was passing by, I thought I might as well."

Charlie was starting to hear some annoyed calls from the queue behind him, so he quickly picked up his food and started to leave. Just before he went, though, he turned back.
"When do you get off? We need to hang out again! You could come round my place, I'll cook us something nice." Then be realised how that sounded. "As friends, of course." He hastily added.

[Jade Parrish]

"I get one free drink per shift, if that's what you mean. And it's pretty great, although that hardly satisfies me in my caffeine intake for the day," Jade told Charlie. "And I've heard of that place. I've never been, but now I might have to go. The name is enticing and you're working there, soo...I think I'm tempted." She winked at him. With Jade, flirting was something that came naturally, and it was subtle and didn't mean that she wanted anything more with the person usually, just that it was fun to do in a joking manner, but he seemed a little too flustered after he'd invited her over for dinner.

"It's your lucky day, because I'm off in ten minutes," she told him as he walked away with his order. "And I'm definitely taking you up on that offer. I'm a sucker for good food. And I know we're friends, Charlie. If we dated, hell would probably break loose."