[ Senior year comes to a close in a semester and a half, and Ransom Drysdale suffers from a terrible case of Senioritis. He cannot find the strength in himself to give a shit about the second-last midterms in his college career. He knows the business lifestyle isn't for him, that what he supposedly learned won't be useful at all, but if he doesn't finish his degree, he will never get out of the confinement of this college campus. He approaches it the way he approaches most things he doesn't want to do: he puts it off.
Two weeks is plenty of time to review the course. Yes, he's missed out on a lecture here or there, but the notes are online and he will review them when the time comes. He understands why most people are stressed, but he doesn't think the barista standing in the corner of the coffee shop should be so stressed as to be studying during work hours.
Shouldn't she be asking him what his order is, instead?
Ransom steps down the corner to where the Barista is standing, almost hidden behind the espresso machines, dips his head to peer at her face, and smiles. ]
[ The last year is crucial for Marta. She's lucky that she's gotten a full ride scholarship for her BSN. It'll take her down the same path as an RN as an Associate's would, but it opens up more career options and pay grades. It's been a grueling four years of studying and working on the side because even though her scholarship covers books and tuition and her lodging and food, it doesn't cover extras. She works part time at the campus coffee shop to make some cash. She saves some of incidentals, but mostly she sends money home to her mother and sister.
She's in a semester of advanced nursing classes. At the end of the year, she'll take the NCLEX-RN exam. If she passes, she'll have finally done it. She'll be an actual nurse. Maybe one day, she'll pursue it further and become a nurse practitioner, but for now a registered nurse is her goal.
It'll be life changing for her family. She'll be the first of her family to graduate with a college degree. She has so much on her shoulders. It's why she has her face deep in her book.
It's the quiet part of the day. They don't usually get many customers at this hour, so she startles when she hears a voice. She straightens up and immediately goes to the register, eyes wide. ]
Yes, sorry about that. [ She smooths out her apron. A tag is affixed on it with a name: Carly on it. She'd learned early on not to use her real name. There'd been some weirdos around campus, so it's easier like this. ] What can I get you?
[ Carly. Blue eyes dart down to her name tag before lifting back to her eyes, taking in the way she straightens like she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t have. He snorts an entertained laugh as she apologizes, leaning up against the counter between them. ]
It’s alright, Carly. It’s midterms season. [ he tips his head to look at her book. ] Oat americano and what what’s good from your pastries today?
[ he wonders if they’ve run into each other before. she looks vaguely familiar, but this is his first time at this coffee shop in a while. the one he frequents on the south side of campus is shut for some emergency repairs. ]
The scones and croissants are popular. [ A rote answer. She knows what people tend to like. She goes to pour some oat milk into the steel pitcher to steam the milk. While it steams to the appropriate temperature, she grinds fresh espresso and tamps it down before she puts it into the machine. The smell of rich coffee fills the air as it pours into the to go cup. ] We make the muffins and cookies in house. The rest are outsourced from a local bakery.
[ She knows exactly who he is. It's why she really avoids looking at him. Everyone knows Ransom Drysdale, but she'd had the unfortunate honor of sharing a lab with him freshmen year. She'd also been foolish enough to nurse a crush. ]
[ intent eyes watch her as she preps his americano, even going as far as to steam the milk. she seems introverted, keeps her eyes cast down on her task even as she answers his question.
he tips his head in interest. how wonderful. a puzzle to crack. ]
Hmm... [ it's a thoughtful tone as he steps back and peers into the glass displays, gaze darting to the scones, croissants, muffins, cookies. ]
I'm not feeling picky today so why don't you pick for me. [ a sweet smile tugs on his mouth. it's not entirely true. he's always picky, but today, he's picking her. ] What's your favourite? Have you tried them all?
I like the scones. They go good with coffee and tea.
[ Coffee in the morning. Tea in the afternoons. She'd always had had a vanilla latte or a matcha latte in the late mornings when they'd had their lab. She can feel his eyes on her. They're sharp and assessing despite his jovial air. She feels like a butterfly under glass. She adds water to the espresso and then finally the milk. She caps it, bringing towards the counter. ]
Are there any particular flavors you like? [ She avoids answering all his questions. She's trying not to get annoyed that he has so many. He'd spoken to her some in their lab, but looking back now, he'd only been half paying attention to her. Usually, he'd been hungover or tired or texting to plan the next big party. ]
[ why is she being so curt? there's a confused tension that gathers around his eyes, his intrigue deepening as she skirts around his questions. perhaps she just wants to get back to studying, but isn't this part of her job? ]
Let's do... blueberry. [ he doesn't care all that much about the flavour of the scone. as she preps the scone, he takes a sip of the americano and hums, pleased. ]
So do you go here? [ easy, breezy, like her rudeness doesn't land on him at all. ] I feel like we should've met. [ because he knows a lot of people, and because the more he looks at her, the prettier she gets. a sort of look he doesn't usually go for. would he have missed her? a hand goes to his own chest. ] I'm Ransom, by the way.
[ He has to be messing with her. She takes the blueberry out of the case and places it in a bag then warms it a little in a microwave. She doesn't expect him to stay, so she doesn't bother putting it on a plate. Her brows shoot up even more when he asks if she attends school there.
She gives him a funny look for a second. She's not sure if he's making fun of her. Maybe he is. Rubbing salt in the wound over her dumb crush and the way he'd stood her up. She'd bought a new dress that night.
The microwave dings. She opens it and sets the bag on the counter then rings him up. ]
Yeah, I go to school here. It'll be six dollars and seventy cents. Will you be paying with cash or card, Ransom?
[ She's blasé. She's just trying to move this along to save herself the embarrassment. ]
[ he likes the way his name sounds in her accent, though he can't quite place where it's from. he pulls out his phone, hits a button that pulls out the card on his mobile wallet. ]
What year are you in? [ before she has the chance to answer, though, he tips his head with a quiet laugh. ]Carly, listen, I'm just trying to cheer you up. Take a break every once in a while, alright?
[ She turns the screen to face him, so he can tap his card and sign, tip optional. She doesn't expect one. She really can't believe he doesn't remember her, let alone her name. He actually thinks it's Carly. It's taking everything in her to stay professional. ]
I'm in my last year. [ His tone feels condescending, but she feels a slight twist of her lips. ] What makes you think I need cheering up?
You're in my year. [ there's a bit of surprise in his voice at that realization. he's not trying to be condescending, but perhaps his teasing tone comes off as such to someone more sensitive than his usual crowd. besides, it's been a while since he was truly interested in talking to an introverted personality, that it takes some effort on his part to watch his words.
however, she seems to challenge him, and his smile widens with a shake of his head. ]
Hey, now. I didn't mean it so personally. [ he backtracks, even though the way she's treating him feels personal. ] Midterms are in two weeks, right? You're not the only one who's stressing out, and you're stuck here, serving people like me when you'd rather be studying. I'd need some cheering up if I were you.
[ The transaction is over. He's paid, got his items, and yet, he's here with a strange, keen interest in her. She wonders what it is. What's so different now? Today? They hadn't really crossed paths much in the last few years. They have different circles. Marta isn't exactly a party girl. She likes more low key gatherings. She hates thumping music where they have to yell to hear each other.
He's softening. He's trying to curry favor. She doesn't understand what he really wants from her. She gives a little shrug and concedes. She is stressed about midterms. ]
[ She has no choice. She has to make it work. Marta can't afford to give less than her all and then some. She's not the least bit surprised that Ransom hasn't started studying. He'd often asked to borrow her notes last minute. ]
Do you have a plan to get started on it soon? [ She raises a brow at him. She can guess the answer. ]
[ soon is as far as the plan really goes. his smile widens when she quirks a brow, and he quirks one back, over the lid of his coffee cup that he sips. ]
Are you...looking to make some extra cash with a tutoring session or two? Don't take this the wrong way. I actually mean tutoring.
[ he wouldn't result to such lowly ways of flirting if that was really what he was after. ]
[ She starts to clean the counter to give herself something to do. It doesn't seem like he's leaving anytime soon, so she entertains his conversation. She's surprised at his request though wariness follows after. She'd done most of their work together in their lab. She honestly wonders how he's made it this far in his academic career. ]
[ he picks up on the wary surprise on her face, decides to answer it with a shrug to her question. she’d be surprised how smart he actually can be if he just applied himself ( accordingly to his various teachers and tutors though the years ), and how far a pretty face and charming personality goes. ]
Stats, data management, financial reporting. Whichever you actually know. [ a pause as he sips his coffee and straightens. ] Whichever you feel like you wanna tutor me in. You can think about it—just don’t take too long.
We're on different tracks, it sounds, but I had to take stats. It wasn't that bad.
[ Wait. Does this mean she's actually considering it? She bites her bottom lip and weighs her options. What can it hurt? It's actually nice that he's trying to apply himself at least. Besides, she knows better than to let her heart get away from her this time. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
trustfundee) wrote2021-03-12 04:00 pm
no subject
Two weeks is plenty of time to review the course. Yes, he's missed out on a lecture here or there, but the notes are online and he will review them when the time comes. He understands why most people are stressed, but he doesn't think the barista standing in the corner of the coffee shop should be so stressed as to be studying during work hours.
Shouldn't she be asking him what his order is, instead?
Ransom steps down the corner to where the Barista is standing, almost hidden behind the espresso machines, dips his head to peer at her face, and smiles. ]
Hi. [ not a bad face. ] Do you work here?
no subject
She's in a semester of advanced nursing classes. At the end of the year, she'll take the NCLEX-RN exam. If she passes, she'll have finally done it. She'll be an actual nurse. Maybe one day, she'll pursue it further and become a nurse practitioner, but for now a registered nurse is her goal.
It'll be life changing for her family. She'll be the first of her family to graduate with a college degree. She has so much on her shoulders. It's why she has her face deep in her book.
It's the quiet part of the day. They don't usually get many customers at this hour, so she startles when she hears a voice. She straightens up and immediately goes to the register, eyes wide. ]
Yes, sorry about that. [ She smooths out her apron. A tag is affixed on it with a name: Carly on it. She'd learned early on not to use her real name. There'd been some weirdos around campus, so it's easier like this. ] What can I get you?
no subject
It’s alright, Carly. It’s midterms season. [ he tips his head to look at her book. ] Oat americano and what what’s good from your pastries today?
[ he wonders if they’ve run into each other before. she looks vaguely familiar, but this is his first time at this coffee shop in a while. the one he frequents on the south side of campus is shut for some emergency repairs. ]
Make any of them yourself?
no subject
[ She knows exactly who he is. It's why she really avoids looking at him. Everyone knows Ransom Drysdale, but she'd had the unfortunate honor of sharing a lab with him freshmen year. She'd also been foolish enough to nurse a crush. ]
Can I interest you in any of those?
no subject
he tips his head in interest. how wonderful. a puzzle to crack. ]
Hmm... [ it's a thoughtful tone as he steps back and peers into the glass displays, gaze darting to the scones, croissants, muffins, cookies. ]
I'm not feeling picky today so why don't you pick for me. [ a sweet smile tugs on his mouth. it's not entirely true. he's always picky, but today, he's picking her. ] What's your favourite? Have you tried them all?
no subject
[ Coffee in the morning. Tea in the afternoons. She'd always had had a vanilla latte or a matcha latte in the late mornings when they'd had their lab. She can feel his eyes on her. They're sharp and assessing despite his jovial air. She feels like a butterfly under glass. She adds water to the espresso and then finally the milk. She caps it, bringing towards the counter. ]
Are there any particular flavors you like? [ She avoids answering all his questions. She's trying not to get annoyed that he has so many. He'd spoken to her some in their lab, but looking back now, he'd only been half paying attention to her. Usually, he'd been hungover or tired or texting to plan the next big party. ]
no subject
Let's do... blueberry. [ he doesn't care all that much about the flavour of the scone. as she preps the scone, he takes a sip of the americano and hums, pleased. ]
So do you go here? [ easy, breezy, like her rudeness doesn't land on him at all. ] I feel like we should've met. [ because he knows a lot of people, and because the more he looks at her, the prettier she gets. a sort of look he doesn't usually go for. would he have missed her? a hand goes to his own chest. ] I'm Ransom, by the way.
no subject
She gives him a funny look for a second. She's not sure if he's making fun of her. Maybe he is. Rubbing salt in the wound over her dumb crush and the way he'd stood her up. She'd bought a new dress that night.
The microwave dings. She opens it and sets the bag on the counter then rings him up. ]
Yeah, I go to school here. It'll be six dollars and seventy cents. Will you be paying with cash or card, Ransom?
[ She's blasé. She's just trying to move this along to save herself the embarrassment. ]
no subject
[ he likes the way his name sounds in her accent, though he can't quite place where it's from. he pulls out his phone, hits a button that pulls out the card on his mobile wallet. ]
What year are you in? [ before she has the chance to answer, though, he tips his head with a quiet laugh. ]Carly, listen, I'm just trying to cheer you up. Take a break every once in a while, alright?
no subject
I'm in my last year. [ His tone feels condescending, but she feels a slight twist of her lips. ] What makes you think I need cheering up?
no subject
however, she seems to challenge him, and his smile widens with a shake of his head. ]
Hey, now. I didn't mean it so personally. [ he backtracks, even though the way she's treating him feels personal. ] Midterms are in two weeks, right? You're not the only one who's stressing out, and you're stuck here, serving people like me when you'd rather be studying. I'd need some cheering up if I were you.
no subject
He's softening. He's trying to curry favor. She doesn't understand what he really wants from her. She gives a little shrug and concedes. She is stressed about midterms. ]
I study when it isn't busy. It's not so bad.
no subject
[ certainly better at managing her studying than he is. ]
I haven’t started. [ he gives a playful wince. ] Is that bad?
no subject
Do you have a plan to get started on it soon? [ She raises a brow at him. She can guess the answer. ]
no subject
[ soon is as far as the plan really goes. his smile widens when she quirks a brow, and he quirks one back, over the lid of his coffee cup that he sips. ]
Are you...looking to make some extra cash with a tutoring session or two? Don't take this the wrong way. I actually mean tutoring.
[ he wouldn't result to such lowly ways of flirting if that was really what he was after. ]
no subject
Tutor you in what?
no subject
Stats, data management, financial reporting. Whichever you actually know. [ a pause as he sips his coffee and straightens. ] Whichever you feel like you wanna tutor me in. You can think about it—just don’t take too long.
no subject
[ Wait. Does this mean she's actually considering it? She bites her bottom lip and weighs her options. What can it hurt? It's actually nice that he's trying to apply himself at least. Besides, she knows better than to let her heart get away from her this time. ]
Alright. When are you free?