aweparker

title: the barista?
word count: 1k
summary: “she’s really something, isn’t she?”
“the barista?”
“no, that lovely bar stool over there.”

with finals coming up at midtown high in the next few weeks, peter and ned took to studying. the two boys had made plans on the dreary saturday morning to meet at their favorite coffee shop down the road; coffeeology.

it had become the popular study spot for midtown high students, the small store always swarming with science geeks.

although the boys were never quite fond of crowded places, especially ones surrounded by their ‘peers’, both enjoyed the teenage friendly spot to wind down and relax.

peter checked his watch, noticing he had somehow managed to arrive late at a place that was a three minute walk from his apartment. the brunette boy jogged quickly down the street, turning the corner and reaching the door to the small cafe.

“look who finally decided to show.” ned remarked as peter plopped down on the chair opposite of his friend.

“be glad i even showed.” peter answered with a small smile, gathering his books from his bag and setting them on the short wooden table before them.

he could tell ned had rolled his eyes, sensing from the sigh the boy gave off before he went to reply to peter’s comment. “what else would you have to do? believe me when i say i’m the only light in your life.”

peter only let out a laugh, leaning back in his chair, flipping through his geometry text book.

the two boys worked, for as long as their minds could focus. they scribbled down equations and plugged in variables as if it were their second nature, which of course, it was. peter spent a total of six minutes fully working before his mind drifted off and the only way it could return to it’s original task was if he jump started himself with a steaming cup of coffee.

the boy approached the counter, looking down at the granite where a specials list lay flat against. “what’s in the 'fuck off frappe’?” peter asked, observing a photo of a beautifully crafted frappuccino.

his eyes drifted upwards, a pretty girls face coming into view. her hair was tied back into a high pony tail, a few flyaways framing her face. peter had to admit she looked awfully familiar and he was kicking himself for not remembering her. “it’s caramel.” she answered without meeting his eye. instead she kept herself busy with a paper cup in hand that she seemed to be doodling on.

“i’ll take that and a 'morbid monday macchiato’.” he responded gleefully, rolling on the balls of his feet as she rung up the two drinks.

she nodded, her own eyes drifting towards his as she awaited him to complete his order. “name?” she urged, peter realizing why she was looking at him oddly.

“peter.”

“you’re in my biology class, peter parker, right?” the girl asked, scribbling his name down on the two cups as she rambled on with her question.

peter nodded. “that’s where i know you from!” he smiled at the answer to the question that had been poking at him for the past few minutes.

“yeah, i sit behind you, i’m y/n.” she pushed her hand outwards for him to shake.

although it was a bit weird to peter’s standards, he shook her hand anyways. a small blush burning at his cheeks, he noticed the same pink color coating her own.

the fellow barista behind y/n placed two full cups of coffee in front of the two, peter’s face falling at how quickly he finished making the drinks. he almost felt the urge to order a third drink just for the opportunity to talk to y/n some more.

“that’ll be $7.98.”

peter handed her a $10 dollar bill, telling the pretty girl to keep the change and walking away cursing himself at how awkward he acted in the situation.

ned took the drink pleasantly, disregarding the fact peter was red faced and begging for his friend to draw attention to how the boy hastily tapped his foot.

“okay you’re being annoying, what do you want?” ned asked, after moments of peter staring off into space and bouncing his leg up and down.

“she’s really something isn’t she?” he asked dreamily staring off at y/n as she took orders from behind the counter. during her free periods she continued drawing small arches across the blank white coffee cup.

ned looked in the direction peter was gazing off into, furrowing his brow. “the barista?”

peter shot his friend a look as if to say 'are you dumb?’ “no, that lovely bar stool over there.” peter mocked, sending a look at ned that spoke louder than words. “yes the barista dumbass!” he shook his head in disappointment.

ned shrugged moving back to his work and preoccupying himself while peter continued to be distracted. “you know, staring is sometimes perceived as rude.” ned didn’t even have to look up, he just knew that peter hadn’t stopped.

“that’s the thing, i’m not staring, i am admiring.” he defended, his gaze not dropping from where they were fixed.

“well i think it’s creepy so stop.”

peter sighed and let out a small 'fine.’ the two boys discussed their answers, peter missing not a single one, yet he for some reason still felt butterflies.

after awhile ned finally announced he had to leave, peter nodding and packing up his things as well. they parted at the door, her heading through it while peter faltered.

he turned in his tracks, retrieving a new straw from the small table next to the register. he watched y/n closely from his peripheral vision, dropping his gaze when she met his eye.

peter cursed himself under his breath, catching y/n’s attention. “what?” she asked, cocking her head.

“n-nothing.” he stumbled, his face went flush. before he could respond and say something stupider, he rushed towards the door, embarrassed as ever.

“hey, peter,” y/n called, not only drawing his attention but that of two other midtown kids, one being flash. “here.” she tossed the cup she had been doodling on all period towards him. the boy stumbling to catch it.

he looked the empty cup over, noticing her phone number was etched in pretty cursive handwriting between the small drawings of aliens and stars. along the side where you cross of the orders was a small note. 'maybe sometime i can treat you to something other than coffee.’

he sent her a smile, her face lighting up at his positive reaction. “thanks, i’ll take you up on that sometime.” peter called, turning and walking out the door with a grin on his face that could last for days.