"Sorry, did you say one large macchiato?" Joanne raised her eyebrows at the woman in front of her, who seemed very annoyed. 

"Yes, for the last time; one large, lactose-free macchiato. For Angela."

"Alright," Joanne said, scrawling her name on the cup. "That will be $5.50, on card?"

The woman just waved her card in front of Joanne's face, looking annoyed.

"Here you go," Joanne passed over the eftpos machine, turning around briefly to roll her eyes at Alexander. "Thank you, your drink will be ready soon."

The woman didn't say anything, merely walking past with such a look on her face that made Joanne wonder if she had something on her face other than splashes of whipped cream from when the can had exploded before.

"What do you think her deal is?" Alexander said into Joanne's ear.

"Hmmmm," Joanne frowned over the bench at the woman, who was now glaring fiercely at a young child. "I reckon she tries her very best to be professional; but she's secretly really kinky. Bondage, slave stuff; all the shit."

"How come whenever I play this game with you, you make it sexual?"

"Don't try and tell me you don't agree."

"I think she's had a childhood trauma, and is trying to get over it by murdering every child she sees," He gestured at where she was currently burning holes in the back of a young boy's shirt. "And that's her next victim."

Joanne stared at him in horror.

"Ok, mine was kinda weird but yours is just plain disturbing."

Alexander shrugged.

. . .

"Alexander can you – what the fuck is that."

"You don't like it?" Alexander spun, showing off his purple suit which contrasted horribly with his white hair. "I think it's unique."

"I think you look like a grape, but with angst," Alexander stuck his tongue out at her, before disappearing back into the washroom. "Are you going to help me clean up?" Joanne waved her arm around the coffee store. "This place is filthy; and you still haven't cleaned up the puke in the bathroom like you said you would."

"I'm getting ready for my date," Alexander called from the back. "His dating profile said he hated unorganised people, so I gotta actually get there on time."

"Then why are you going out with him?"

"Because once he knows me, he will like me despite my flaws."

Joanne rolled her eyes, as Alexander came out again.

"Absolutely not," Joanne said, spotting the bright green shirt. "Change. Right now."

"I suck at this," Alexander ran his hands through his hair, looking at Joanna with pleading eyes. "Help me?"

"I'm busy," She said, but upon spotting Alexander's puppy eyes she dropped the mop and walked over. "You owe me. In fact, you're mopping next time we have a shift together."

Alexander nodded, grinning at her as she pulled out a patterned white shirt and dark jeans and threw them at him.

"You're a life-saver, Joanne."

"Happy to help. You know I live vicariously through you," She frowned at the bag of clothes currently strewn across the cafe. "Also, how come you brought this bag of clothes to work instead of choosing what you're wearing the night before like a sane person?"

"You know I'm useless with fashion, I was relying on you."

"You could have just texted me."

"It's too late now, I'm off to my date," He picked the bag of clothes off the floor.

"I won't wait up."

Alexander blew her a kiss as he ran out the door, jacket draped over one arm.

Joanne went back to her cleaning, scrubbing persistently at a brown stain on the floor, when the door opened again.

"Look, were actually cl-" she turned, and her voice died in her throat as she looked at the woman in front of her. "Open. We are open."

"Good to know," The woman smiled, all white teeth and sparkling eyes. "Would I be able to order a coffee?"

"Ah, um, of course," Joanne said, fumbling with her words. "What would you like?"

"A cappuccino, one sugar," she glanced around, at the stacked chairs and the mop in the middle of the floor. "Are you sure you arent closed?"

Joanne didn't answer, merely staring at the woman over the top of the coffee machine. She was rather gorgeous, despite the splashes of mud on the edges of her coat and bags under her eyes.

"I like your hair," Joanne blurted out, before mentally slapping herself.

The woman laughed, tucking a piece of auburn hair behind her ear.

"Thanks," she said.

Joanne nodded, trying her very best not to go red as she finished up the woman's coffee.

"Here you go," she said, handing over the coffee, and the woman handed over her card. Joanne's eyes were drawn to her rainbow bracelet, and before she could think she said:

"That a pride bracelet?"

The woman glanced down, pulling up the sleeve of her coat to reveal the bracelet more.

"Oh, um, I stole-got it from my ex, just before we broke up," She sent Joanne an awkward smile. "Apparently asexuals weren't really her type."

Though she looked relaxed, Joanne could recognise the signs of tension; tight jaw, stiff shoulders, clenched fists, unflinching eye contact. She was nervous.

"That's a bit ignorant."

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The woman just shrugged, shoulders relaxing a bit.

"What can you do?" she said, smiling again. "Come sit with me. If you can, that is."

"Sure," said Joanne, before tripping over the chair and accidentally slamming a hand on the table, making the woman jump. "Oh, fuck me."

Inwardly slapping herself didn't seem to be enough at this point; jumping off a cliff appeared to be a better option.

"My name's Scarlett," the woman said, mouth twitching. "Before you say anything, I know, the name and the hair match. My parents clearly decided they hated me from Day 1."

She laughed along with Joanne, before looking expectantly at her for a few minutes.

"Oh! Right, erm, Joanne. Me. I'm Joanne."

"Lovely name," Scarlett said, leaning forwards slightly so her knee was touching Joanne's. "It really suits you."

"Thanks," Joanne said; Scarlett was smiling at her again and it really was quite distracting.

"This coffee's really good.", Scarlett leaned back, sipping her mug with a look of amusement on her face, almost as if she was laughing at a joke no one else knew. "You certainly have quite a talent."

"I'm glad you like it."

"It's got a kind of burnt taste to it."

"It's called having a unique flavour."

"Oh, of course," Scarlett set down her cup. "I must just not be cultured enough to enjoy it."

"That's definitely why," Joanne said, nodding.

"So is coffee-making your ultimate life's work, or are you planning on a different career?" Scarlett asked, un-subtly pushing her cup to the side.

"No, I am actually a photography major."

"Really?" Scarlett leaned forwards slightly."Can I see some photos?"

"I don't have any here with me," Joanne said, and as she prepared for what she was about to say next she could practically feel her heartbeat in her throat. "Maybe if I could have your number, I could send you some?"

Scarlett paused for a bit, before a slow smile spread across her face.

"I would love that," She pulled a napkin towards her, before glancing up at Joanne. "Do you happen to have a pen?"

"Oh, erm, sure," Joanne pulled one out of her pocket, along with her wallet which she placed on the bench. "Here."

"Thank you," Scarlett scrawled a number onto the napkin, before glancing down at her watch. "Ah, shit. I have to go, I have a meeting in a couple of hours."

"Well, hopefully I'll text you later," Joanne said, as Scarlett picked up her purse off the table.

"Sounds good," Scarlett looked over at Joanne, lips twitching. "Oh and I meant to say before; I like your hair."

Joanne grinned, subconsciously touching her frizzy brown locks. Before she could say anything however, Scarlett was gone.

"Well," Joanne muttered to herself, fighting an embarrassing smile. "That went amazing," She spun in excitement, when she stopped in her tracks. "...And she stole my wallet."

. . .

"She what?" Alexander asked, as Joanne lay face-down on the table.

"She stole my wallet."

"Wow," Alexander let out a whistle. "Even I havent had a date that bad. Have you called her?"

"What? No," Joanne said, narrowing her eyes at Alexander. "Why in hell would I do that?"

"I thought you liked her. Besides, you might be able to get your wallet back."

"She's a thief!"

"Then why haven't you reported her?"

"I don't know," Joanne buried her head in her hands. "I just- She was so nice."

"You're ridiculous."

. . .

A month or so later, and Alexander and Joanne had been switched to the coffee shop on the other side of town. Alexander and his online date were getting along marvellously, which Joanne thought was solely because Alexander made one hell of a coffee. Scarlett's number was still on Joanne's desk, and every now and then Joanne liked to pretend to call it when she was drunk and bored (it was most likely a fake number anyway, she reasoned to herself).

"Alexander if I ever find you-" Joanne said into her phone, ducking under the counter.

"I know, I know, I'm almost there," He said. "Give me five minutes."

"If you're not here in ten minutes, I will end you."

"Sounds good. Bye!"

Joanne shoved her phone back into her pocket, and stood up to see a very familiar face.

"Oh fuck."

Joanne raised an eyebrow at the woman who had just spoken.

"Hi Scarlett.

"What's up, Joanne."

"Odd to see you here."

"I thought you worked at the place on the other side of the city," Scarlett rubbed her nose, looking over to the side. "I honestly thought I would never have to see you again."

"Flattering," Joanne said.

"Are you surprise I don't want to see the woman who's wallet I stole on a frequent basis?", Scarlett then looked up, and a look of amusement crossed her face. "Hey, are you ever going to stop leaving me drunk voicemails at 1am?"

"That's your real number?" Joanne said, mortified. "I only called it cause I thought it was fake!"

Scarlett grinned.

"I mean, I'm glad to know you're having a great time at the Banana-Beef Boat."

"I should not be the one being embarrassed right now, you're the one who stole my wallet."

Scarlett rubbed her nose again, at least having the decency to look a little guilty.

"What time do you finish?" she asked, and Joanne narrowed her eyes.

"I'm not letting you steal my wallet again."

Scarlett rolled her eyes.

"I want to explain to you why I did it," she said, biting her lip. "Just... I think you should know. And if I dont I feel like you'll call the police or something."

"I finish at 1pm."

Scarlett's mouth split into a grin.

"Cool, I'll be back then."

"Oh no you don't," Joanne pointed at the empty bench. "You will sit right there, and I'll come see you after. You are not running away."

"I've got things to do!"

"Like what, steal someone else's stuff?"

Scarlett huffed, spinning on her heel and taking a seat at one of the spare tables.

. . .

An hour later (and after a huge explanation to Alexander), Joanne was sitting opposite Scarlett who was determinedly staring down at her mug.

"Are you going to say anything?" Joanne finally asked.

"I am sorry about stealing your wallet," Scarlett blurted out. "Well, not too sorry but kind of sorry," Joanne just raised an eyebrow. "I really need the money." Scarlett said, twisting her fingers.

"So you stole my wallet."

"Just the money, and your card. Except you cancelled it pretty quickly. I could barely buy my Psych textbook before the money was gone."

"That's what that $129 payment was?"

"Of course," Scarlett frowned. "What did you think it was?"

"I don't know, cocaine or something."

"$129 wouldnt even get me a gram of cocaine," Scarlett tilted her head. "How come you didnt report me to the police?"

"Laziness, honestly," Joanne leaned forwards. "If you give me back my wallet now, I won't turn you in."

"Ah," Scarlett winced. "That's going to be difficult."

"What do you mean?"

"It's been a month, Joanne. I don't have anything from your wallet except for-" She pulled a five dollar note out of her pocket, and placed it on the table. "This. I was gonna use it on my dinner tonight, but you can have it back."

"You don't even have my ID or anything?"

"I sold it to a guy for a hundred bucks," Joanne sighed at Scarlett's words, burying her head in her hands. "Please don't report me, I really want to finish my degree and this would make a pretty big blemish on my already kinda-crappy resume."

"How many other people's wallets have you stolen?"

"None. Just yours."

"So, you stole my wallet because you cant afford uni?"

"I can afford uni, just not the other stuff that comes with uni."

"I'm gonna regret this," Joanne said to herself, and then raised her voice slightly. "I have a proposition for you," Scarlett nodded. "If I can lend you some money to pay for uni and get back on track, so to speak, can you promise to pay me back for the contents of my wallet and not steal anymore valuables?"

"It won't take long to pay your back for the stuff in your wallet; asides from your card you had like twenty bucks in cash," Scarlett smiled. "But I would love to accept your offer. Also, as I told you, I'm not a thief."

"Shake on it."

Joanne spit on her hand, and looked up to see Scarlett staring at her in horror.

"Why did you spit on your hand?"

"That's what you do when you shake on a deal."

"But germs."

Joanne rolled her eyes, wiping her hand on her jeans.

"I already regret helping you."

. . .

Scarlett Miller.

Joanne cheered as Scarlett walked across the stage, still trying to balance the graduation cap on her head. She shook the Deans hand, before catching Joanne's eye in the audience and winking. 

"Alyssa-"

After the ceremony, Scarlett ran over to Joanne, robes flying about in the wind.

"Are you proud?" She said, grabbing Joanne's shoulders. "No wallets stolen in the making of this degree!"

"Except for mine."

Scarlett just shrugged, a huge smile spreading across her face.

"I can't believe I did this."

"I can," Joanne offered her arm, her grin matching Scarlett's. "May I buy this lovely scholar a drink?"

"You may," Scarlett placed her hand on Joanne's, who grinned down at her. "What?"

"Isn't it funny that this all came from you flirting with me to steal my wallet?"

"The funniest part is how well the flirting worked."

"Look I was really desperate, okay?"

"Maybe I'm just really talented at a skill I don't want."

"Your arrogance astounds me."

Hi, hope you enjoyed this short story. If you're interested in reading any more of my writing, I'm about to start publishing a romance story in the next couple of weeks. I also have an Instagram page, which is @vee.montgomery and my email is [email protected] and if you have any questions you can message either of those. Otherwise, thanks for reading!