Phrase V: No Shopping List

  Kai opened his eyes.

  The ceiling stared back at him.

  He blinked once.

  Thoughts of his attempt in the bathroom last week flashed in his mind.

  Kai raising his hand.

  Kai closing his—

  It had almost been a full week since.

  He had thought about it enough.

  He rolled over, ignoring the impending headache.

  Then—his stomach growled, loudly.

  Kai winced. "Okay, yeah, message received."

  He sat up, rubbing his face.

  Then shuffled to the mini-fridge barefoot, slowly opening it.

  The emptiness inside called out to him.

  One bottle of mustard.

  Half a stick of butter.

  A single tortilla.

  He couldn't resist the urge to close his eyes and roll them.

  Kai took one deep breath through his nose—

  slamming the fridge door shut.

  "Right. Cool. Guess I’ll shop before I starve."

  Kai was nearly running.

  Trying to ignore the hunger pangs echoing in his head.

  The store wasn't far.

  He grabbed a basket and started collecting.

  Eggs.

  Cheese.

  Coffee—he couldn’t even pronounce.

  Bread.

  Milk.

  Cookies—he absolutely didn’t need.

  And soda.

  He was ready for the warm embrace of the carbonation.

  When he passed the bananas, he tossed in a bundle—

  Trying to show some consideration for his diet.

  He felt a sharp pain.

  His hunger was growing relentless.

  The only empty register caught his eyes.

  His feet quickly pulled him along.

  The cashier scanned everything.

  Kai pulled his wallet out.

  The edges felt rough and worn.

  He saw the tears from years of use.

  He pulled out his card—

  He remembered it was nearly time for a new one.

  With the total on full display—

  He swiped his card in the machine.

  He blinked.

  And he tried again.

  The machine repeated the words like a taunt.

  Kai could feel his face burning.

  He fumbled for his second card.

  It laughed in his face.

  The line behind him shifted.

  Someone cleared their throat.

  Kai could feel his thoughts racing.

  Each one buzzing before he could catch it.

  He panicked—

  "Uh—okay. Um, I’ll just—"

  He grabbed the cheese.

  He left the cookies.

  And he held onto the bread as if it were legal evidence.

  "Just these."

  He paid in crumpled bills.

  Nodded at the cashier.

  And left with his bag full of disappointment.

  His stomach growled again.

  "Yeah, I heard you the first time."

  Kai sat hunched over his laptop.

  The screen was starting to bleed into his eyes, but his hunger and finances needed attention.

  He continued scanning the screen.

  He clicked through tabs like something might magically change.

  Maybe if he hit refresh hard enough, a decent job would appear.

  After a few more dead ends, and one that looked like a pyramid scheme, Kai gave up.

  But his stomach was still screaming in protest.

  It was time to try another method.

  He grabbed his hoodie, stuffed his cheese sandwich in his mouth, and left.

  He didn’t expect to find anything.

  But walking felt better than refreshing job links.

  He almost passed the café by accident.

  It wasn’t fancy—just brick walls, warm light, and a crooked chalkboard sign outside.

  Kai blinked.

  He could feel himself holding his breath.

  The door chimed as he stepped inside.

  It smelled like espresso, and cinnamon.

  The air was warm and soothing.

  A small stack of paper applications sat on a clipboard near the sugar station.

  He grabbed one, then quickly found a corner table and sat down. The application was only one side, but he wasn't excited to fill it out.

  Kai took a deep breath.

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  He started scribbling his name.

  Then suddenly felt the sunlight cast itself through the window.

  It was warm.

  Kai took a look at his application.

  His handwriting looked awful.

  And then his stomach growled again.

  He was halfway through the form when he felt someone walk up.

  "Filling that out here, huh? That’s a bold move."

  Kai jumped slightly, looking up.

  A woman stood next to his table.

  A red bandana tied back a mess of dark cherry curls. Her sleeves were rolled up like she hadn’t stopped moving since dawn.

  She smiled with her whole face.

  "Sorry," she said quickly, hands half-up. "Didn’t mean to scare you. I just don’t usually catch people mid-application unless they’re trying to get free Wi-Fi and bounce."

  Kai blinked. "I—uh, no. I saw the sign. I was gonna turn it in after... I just figured…"

  He trailed off, but her smile didn’t fade.

  "Are you local?"

  "Wh—Sorry?"

  "Are you local?"

  "Yes... Campus. Dorms."

  "Ah, student life." She nodded like she understood everything. "Ever worked coffee?"

  "No. But I’ve consumed an irresponsible amount of it." Kai blushed, realizing his accidental joke.

  That made her laugh. "Good enough!"

  She didn’t sit.

  She just hooked a thumb on the empty chair across from him and tilted her head.

  "I’m Sienna. I run the place. What’s your name?"

  "Kai!" He felt his voice crack.

  "Well, Kai," she said, "I try to have caffeine in me before doing surprise interviews, but you seem like a nice fit!"

  Kai opened his mouth. "Wait... Are we, uh, actually—?"

  She waved a hand, already answering.

  "Yeah. Real quick. I’m a bit swamped, so if you’re awful I’ll make it painless."

  Kai gave the smallest laugh.

  She leaned on the back of the chair. "Why café?"

  He hesitated. "I need a job. And it smells really good in here?"

  Sienna smirked. "Truthful polite too."

  She gave him a quick once-over—not judging, just cataloging.

  "You on time to things?"

  "Yes. Mostly."

  "You good with customers?"

  "I try to be."

  "You dating anyone?"

  Kai blinked. "Wha—?"

  "I’m ," she said, laughing again. "Sorry. You just got the easily flustered look. I love that."

  She gave him a wink, like she couldn’t help herself.

  "Well," she said, standing straighter. "I like you. If you’re free Monday, you’re hired."

  "Really?"

  "Yeah. You’re not a try-hard, you’re not a disaster, and I like your vibe. That’s about eighty-percent of the job."

  Someone behind the counter called her name. She looked over her shoulder.

  "Gotta run," she said, already stepping away. "Finish the form if you want, but I’ve got your name. Monday morning, and the apron’s yours."

  Then she was gone—half-dancing toward the back room like she’d never stopped moving in the first place.

  Kai looked down at the half-filled form.

  Then smiled.

  He could feel a million doubts rising—

  But the smile stayed.

  The café had settled into a lull.

  Afternoon light slanted through the front windows.

  The espresso machine hissed in short, sleepy bursts.

  Near the back, the staff entrance creaked open.

  A tall figure stepped in, his hoodie half-up, and his earbuds dangling.

  He moved with muscle memory—over to the lockers, a quick swipe on the punch-in screen, and looped his apron over one shoulder.

  Sienna spotted him from the register, perking up immediately. "There he is!" she called, leaning halfway over the counter. "Your timing is suspicious. You just someone!"

  He didn’t answer—just glancing her way as he tied his apron, his brows were already furrowed like he expected a problem.

  Sienna grinned.

  "I hired balance out your walking raincloud energy."

  That earned a faint huff from him.

  Maybe a scoff as well.

  "Oh come on," she said, laughing. "You don’t even know him yet. You might get along!"

  He shot her a look—part skeptical, part warning.

  Sienna raised her hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I’m just saying. You’ve scared off worse."

  Another hiss of steam cut through the moment.

  Someone called for help restocking syrups. Sienna was already stepping away.

  "He starts Monday!" she said over her shoulder. "Try not to scare this one off too fast."

  The barista didn’t reply.

  He adjusted his sleeves, pulled his hood up tighter, and moved toward the counter.