1 | cinnamon and vanilla

Always remember you are completely unique. Just like everyone else.

- Margaret Mead

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- L I L A -

Tying the straps of my apron, I smelt the freshly baked pastry, the aromatic ingredients used causing my stomach to grumble obnoxiously. I decided to skip breakfast since I had no appetite for a meal at the time I woke up.

Leela had probably chosen cinnamon and vanilla for today's special and rightfully so. It was a known favourite in the bakery along with the refreshing coffee that was made each morning, much to the customers' delight.

I had mastered the art of preparing delicious coffee, especially the caramel macchiato, which was why I continued working at the bakery even after I had gained enough money to pay for my phone.

Albeit being a meticulous person, I had managed to drop my phone in the toilet, the common method of lying it in rice failing me. In order to get it fixed, my father gave me a proposition.

I had to work at the bakery for a reasonable amount of days, which soon turned into weeks and then months. However, I was still in school, beginning my last year, resulting in me only working part-time.

Peaceful was the word to describe working here. No one from my school came here, satisfying me to no end.

"Lila, you're needed at the front," Sophie spoke, pulling her hair into a ponytail. "By the looks of it, he's in a rush."

Nodding silently, I walked to the front desk, a man clad in a grey suit staring out the window whilst his forearms rested on the counter.

"What can I do for you, sir?" I asked politely, scanning my eyes over the customers that had already filled the tables.

"Can I get an espresso with today's special to go?"

"Sure." I smiled warmly, preparing his coffee and packing the pastry in a white bag with the bakery's logo on it. The man paid the correct amount and added a generous tip after, leaving the bakery with a smile.

Exhaling a soft sigh, I sauntered to a vacant table, collecting the used plastic cups and threw them in the trash.

Sporadically, I took on weekdays and today was one of them. This time, senior year would be starting on a Wednesday, which allowed me to earn a bit more money before school started. Although, making coffee was my favourite pastime. It helped me put my imagination to use with making different patterns on the foam along with developing my coffee making skills.

Hearing a smash, my eyes snapped to the broken glass shards that were spread out on the floor beside a table that seated a woman and her child.

"I've got it." I mumbled to my coworker, taking the brush and dustpan in my hands.

The woman blushed in embarrassment, soothing her child. "I'm so sorry, she isn't normally like this."

My lips morphed into a polite smile, my eyebrows drawing close as I shook my head, bending down to sweep the glass. "It's completely fine, I'll just clean it up."

After making sure there wasn't any glass on the floor, I put the dustpan in its rightful place, wiping my hands on the front of my customised apron. Maia, my coworker, placed a plate with chocolate filled croissants on the front counter, pointing to a guy who had our back to us.

"Could you give it to him? I need to check up on my sister."

Picking up the plate, I walked to the table, lying it down in front of him. My eyebrows furrowed at the sight of him wearing glasses indoors, even when it wasn't a very sunny day. "Enjoy your croissants, sir."

After I turned on my heels, his hand held my wrist, tilting me back around. "I was wondering if you could get me some more sugar for my tea? There's barely any in there so it tastes quite bland."

Staring blankly at the rest of his features on his face, I raised my eyebrows. "There's sugar packets on the tables, sir." My wrist fell back at my side, the guy not looking up.

He seemed to be the same age as me, annoyance beginning to brew in my tone when he continued. "Which tables?"

"On every single table," I narrowed my eyes, my head cocking to the side.

"On every single table, including mine?" he repeated, his thick eyebrows low.

I stared at him incredulously, my lips parted. "Are you deaf?"

"No," he shook his head, shrugging. "But I am blind." A small smirk made its way onto his features before he took his glasses off, looking up.

I gasped, my annoyance dissipating rapidly and being replaced with sheer guilt. His eyes were a stormy grey that looked directly at mine, the smirk changing into a lazy smile. "I'm so sorry, I thought you were messing with me, I didn't know you were blind." I blurted out an apology, my eyes widened in shock.

My eyes wandered to the table, my fingers picking up the sugar packet from the cup and passing it in his outstretched palm. "I'll accept your apology - if you sit down."

"What?"

"Are you deaf?" he mimicked, gesturing to the seat in front of him. "I just want to have a nice conversation with someone other than my mother, is that too much to ask of you?"

I shook my head, smiling a tight-lipped smile.

"What's your name?" he questioned as I remained behind him, watching his movements whilst he ripped the packet slowly and poured the contents in, mixing it after.

"Lila."

"Well, Lila. I'm blind, which means I can't see you shake your head, but I'm guessing you're going to sit down because your feet shifted ever so lightly."

Composing myself, I silently cheered that he couldn't see the blush that had painted my cheeks and took a seat in front of him.

"I like this place. It has a good...ambience," he muttered, rubbing his jaw. "Someone told me this bakery was well known for the amazing coffee, what would you recommend?"

A wide grin graced my face, the guy leaning forward. "My specialty is the caramel macchiato, do you like caramel?"

He nodded eagerly, his grin matching mine.

"Great." I whispered, excusing myself to return back to the front.

Maia glanced at me slyly, a smirk on her face, she raised her eyebrows suggestively towards the guy, causing me to roll my eyes and continue in making the coffee.

Positioning the mug in front of him, I praised weekdays for not being busy.

Taking a sip, his tongue licked the side of his lips, a groan falling from his mouth as he threw his head back, closing his eyes. "That's really good." He complimented, his eyes averting to the door as a new customer came in.

"I've got to serve her, enjoy your coffee." I smiled, watching as he put his glasses back on, reaching into his wallet.

"How much is it?"

"$4.68," I responded, receiving a $5 bill. He told me to keep the change, holding his hand out to shake my hand.

I hesitated and raised my hand, slipping it in his larger one. His hand was warm and he possessed a strong grip whilst his bottom lip was in his mouth. He maintained his grip on my hand, the emotion on his face indecipherable due to his glasses. I watched him closely, wondering why I hadn't seen him before, coming to the conclusion that he was new to the area.

"Matthew." He stated warmly. "My name's Matthew."