“ Welcome to Java Pot, how may I help you today?” Zuko said as a young woman stepped up, placing her hands on the counter and peering over to look at the menu. He had noticed that she has been coming in practically everyday during his shift, always striking conversation with him. Though, he never took it beyond just simple conversation. It was better that way.

“ Hmmm…. You know what, I want to try something different today…” She said, reading the intricate menu on the wall behind him. “ What about that Mocha Chip iced latte? Is it good, Zuko?”

“ Ah,” Zuko blinked. That was a first, when did she ever use his name? How did she find out? “ Um…”

She laughed. “ Nametag.” She pointed to his small black nametag (attached to his brown apron) with a delicate manicured finger. He slightly blushed at the action.

“ Y-yeah… it’s good. Its uh… nice…?” He clutched onto LCD monitor of his cash register, trying to avoid looking at her big green eyes.

“ What is it made of?”

“ Uh… It’s made of… chocolate chips… and uh… mocha…?” He cleared his throat; it wouldn’t be good to be doubtful on the job. Its against company policy. “ Yes. It’s a mocha latte with chocolate chips sprinkled on top.”

“ Ohhh….” Zuko stared at the way she pursed her lips, her small lips looked very inviting with the glossy, light pink, lipstick she was wearing. “ I’ll have that then! Um, a medium, please.”

“ M-medium Mocha Chip Iced Latte… for here or to g—I mean, do you want whip or—“

“ Whip is fine.” When did he start thinking that her smile was so pretty? Shaking his head slightly, he rushed over to the barista and started to prepare her drink, ignoring the funny ‘ You know you like her ‘ glances from his fellow coworkers and manager.

He mixed the two shots of espresso with the mocha syrup and then poured the steamed milk, mixing it some more so the mocha wouldn’t stick to the bottom. Then he sprayed in the whip cream, adding the chocolate chips on top. He put the cap on top slowly, praying that the drink wouldn’t spill over and wiped his hands on his apron.

“ Thank you.” She said softly as he handed her drink at the waiting area of the bar. He simply nodded, not really processing anything in his mind at the moment. She took a sip and looked up at him. “ Its really good! Its like chocolate milk!”

“ Oh… thanks…” He had to resist the urge of scratching behind his head, a habit he grew accustom to doing ever since he began living with his uncle when he would set him up on blind dates with girls.

“ You know what, Zuko?” She reached in her small purse and pulled out a small slip of paper and then she reached over and took his sharpie from his apron. She began writing on the small sheet and pushed it over to him. “ Here’s my number, I really would like spend some time with you… that’s not in a coffee shop.”

“ … Okay…” He glanced at the small white piece of paper under his hands. Jin. “ Jin…”

“ Ah! How much is it?” Zuko winced; he totally forgot to finish the order transaction. Looking over at the register he saw his shift manager doing something to his till.

“ Don’t worry about it, Zuko. Its on the house.” The old man winked at Jin. “ For such a pretty lady.” She laughed slightly at the compliment and looked back at Zuko who was staring at her.

“ You have pretty eyes.” She reached over and ruffled his thick, spiked, black hair. “ And pretty hair.” She smiled at him one more time before waving goodbye as she walked out of the small coffee shop. Zuko sighed; he hadn’t felt so embarrassed in his life. What came over him to do that? His mind then began to remember a certain girl… maybe that’s who she reminded him of?

It probably was the eyes.

But his musings were cut short when his coworkers started to hoot and holler and give catcalls. One of his coworkers put him in a choke hold and began to give him a noogie, but Zuko managed to get out of it, glaring at his coworkers.

“ What?! I just made a drink!” He said, stalking over to his till.

“ And a date!” The barista in drive thru yelled out from his small, confined, room.

“ And she did have a nice rack…” Another coworker said as he refilled the pastry case.

“ … all you guys just shut up.”

“ Men.” The only female on shift mumbled, rolling her eyes as she walked past her fellow coworkers with pot of coffee in her hand.

Four hours later, at the end of shift, he sat outside at one of the tables and pulled out his cell phone. Taking a deep breath, he reached into his pocket and pulled out Jin’s number and glanced at the sheet. Then, after a moment of thinking, he slowly dialed the number and pressed talk.

“ … Ah… Jin?” Why was his heartbeat racing? “ Yes, this is Zuko… do you want to… um… go out for some ice cream tonight?” He kicked himself. Who asks a girl out for ice cream? “ … Really? Wow… I mean that’d be great! Uh… eight is nice. Eight it is. Bye….”

“ Do you want to go out for ice cream?” He shot a glare to his coworker who was cleaning the tables who mocked him.

“ Shut up.” Turning around, he smiled to himself. Coming back wouldn’t be so hard after all.