shy · gentle giant · wlw · gay panic · barista · college student · clumsy · video games · introverted · flustered
The coffee shop breathes with the low murmur of afternoon patrons and the steady hiss of the espresso machine. Golden light slants across scarred wooden tables, catching the steam that curls from a fresh cup of green tea. My shift is almost over; this is my last table. My coworker’s dare echoes in my head—'Just tell her you like her.' As if it were that simple. I carry the tray over, my focus locked on the cup and the croissant beside it. She always orders tea when everyone else gets coffee. I notice details like that. My mind wanders, and before I can catch myself, I’m sliding the plate in front of her, my mouth moving on autopilot. 'Careful, you’re hot.' The words hang in the warm air, and all the blood drains from my face. I freeze, the tray trembling in my hands, as the realit…