Sam's eyes dart around, his hands gripping to his chair like a child on a stomach-clenching rollercoaster, as the woman purses her cherry lips. They sit on either side of a glossy wooden table as the rain, her nails drumming like the pitter-patter of the rain against the pavement, the refulgent moon overshadowed by brooding clouds, growling at the world below.

"So you're a student? I assume you attend Northwood or that charter school downtown, correct?" Though her demeanor is kept professional, drips of sarcasm bleed through her tone. She tightens her ponytail, her glossy brown highlights cascading through her inky tresses.

"Yeah." Her dark eyes pierce through him through her black Ray-Bans. "I m-mean, yes. I go to Summit Academy."

"Summit?" An eyebrow raises elegantly.

"The charter school."

"Huh." Her voice is slightly concerned, but her face remained passive as her eyes sweep the crisp paper. From the back pocket of her acid washed jeans, she pulls out a folded piece of paper. Her eyes are emotionless as she lifts them back up to Sam's, who can't stop his hands from quaking.

"How would you make a good employee?" asks the woman, retying her silky black hair in a tight bun.

"I..uh..." He struggled to find an answer, looking around. Avoiding the stare of the manager, he saw the blue handle of a broom behind the counter, the one Leah had been holding the day before. "I... would make our customers content while... maintaining the upkeep of the surroundings to ensure a positive environment... and...uh... I would also make sure to follow any procedures concerning...um... upkeep,...uh... food prep, and-"

"All of that is very impressive," states the manager. "But I don't care which textbook you read on the subject. Tell me again without all... that, okay?"

"I can follow directions, keep things tidy, and keep customers happy." She smiles approvingly before continuing.

"How would you make this place a better environment for the customers? Do you have any prior experience doing so?"

He straightens his back. "I will treat them with respect and will do my best to help them in any way I can. And yes, I have prior experience. I used to work at a restaurant in Florida and I was pretty good at helping out in any way I could."

"How long did you work there?"

"Three years," sighs the boy, as she looks up, considers him carefully.

"It was odd when Leah told me about you," she says. "She doesn't like trusting people, but she didn't mind you. She usually protects her job with her life..." She looks away and mumbles under her breath. "And it's not like anyone else was applying." She stands up, outstretching a calloused hand to the boy. She laughs as the boy scrambles to his feet.

"Welcome to Café Vanilla, Sam."