Bright and early, Ariana comes back, ordering the same thing; venti chocolate mocha with six shots of espresso. This woman is going to die an early death.

"Kristopher, right?" She asks.

"Yes." I pull a cup out and start making her coffee. She considers my name for a bit, moving out of the line.

"Can I call you Kit?" She waves at the woman working next to me. "Hey, Avery!" Avery waves back.

"If you want to."

"Wow. Ten outta ten non-committal answer." Ariana leans against the counter, looking like she could never get bored of chattering at shy baristas. "But like, do you mind? Even a little bit? Because if you do, that's cool- I won't call you that. Do you prefer Kristopher? Do you have a nickname?" I pause for a second.

"Kit is fine."

"OK, cool! Well, this is Avery," Ariana points at the woman working the counter next to me, and Avery waves.

"Hi," I nod at Avery.

"This is Sadira," Ariana waves at the Middle-Eastern woman crossing to the back, who waves back.

"Hi," I waved, more than a little overwhelmed.

"And the guy working the end is Ethan," Ariana winks at the man at the end of the counter, and he winks back. Dear Lord, these people are terrifyingly extroverted. I snap the lid on and hand Ariana her drink.

"Thaaaank you..." She half-sings, gingerly sipping it. "See y'all tomorrow!" She waves at the entirety of Starbucks and pushes the door open with her back.

"Sorry for not introducing myself earlier, I forgot you were new, you just kind of blend in- you're so quiet." Avery says, writing someone's name on a cup.

"You're fine." I smile at another customer and ask them what they want.

"No, I'm not. Tonight we're going out! My treat. You ever been to Panera Bread?" Avery grins at me, and I notice that she has a row of piercings marching up her left ear.

"No?" I hesitate. There's no way in Satan's fiery Hell that this woman who's known me for exactly one week is treating me to a restaurant.

"Cool! Hey Sadira, Ethan! We're going out to Panera Bread! I'm paying for Kit, but you guy have to pay for y'allselves because my ass is broke as hell." Avery slaps Sadira on her back as she passes us. When did I become Kit?? Is this an official thing now??

"Ok," Sadira continues walking, no expression on her face.

"Alright!" Ethan cheers.

"Bitch, who even says 'alright' in response to good news? Were you born in the eighties or something?" Avery hands a cup off to a tired-looking customer.

"You'll NEVER KNOW," Ethan laughs evilly.

"Yeah, we don't actually know how old Ethan is... despite Ariana, Sadira and I all trying for two years." Avery cast a dirty glance at Ethan, who's still laughing under his breath. The customers look like they're used to these kinds of shenanigans from the staff. I knew it. I should have applied to work at the theater instead.

"Heeeeyyyy, all. Hiya, Kit." Ariana flounces into Panera Bread like she owns the place.

"Hi." I drop my gaze back down to the table.

"Why does Kit get a separate hello? He's a cute guy, but I'm obviously much cooler." Ethan winks at me.

"Kit's way cooler than you'll ever be." Ariana slings an arm around my shoulders. "Y'all ordered yet?"

"Nah. We were waiting for you." Avery taps the salt shaker against the table, seemingly randomly.

"Oooo. Whatch'y'all getting?"

"Clam chowder cup and Napa almond chicken salad half-sandwich." Avery starts alternating tapping with rapping her knuckles on the table.,

"Turkey-avocado BLT." Sadira taps her nails on the table, almost rhythm with Avery.

"Steak n' horseradish." Ethan snaps finger guns.

"You get that every time. Don'tcha want to try something new?" Ariana picks up Ethan's menu.

"Nope." Ethan snatches it back. "What about you, Kit?"

"Um. Greek with quinoa salad?" I ask tentatively. Quinoa is good. Quinoa is a safe choice.

**Author's Note: Yeah, I'm reasonably sure 'Panera' means 'breadbasket' in Latin/ Spanish?? ('Reasonably Sure')