Putting this here in case it never sees the light of day: 2026 edition lol
When your dear friend Mia called you in a panic, asking you to help her with her coffee shop’s booth at the weekend market in your little town, you agreed half heartedly. Only because it would take up a good chunk of your Saturday and also because you had zero knowledge about coffee, the beans, the roast and whatever it was that made coffee coffee. To you, it was just something you drank to stay awake. It was either that or some sugary, caffeinated energy drink. The former seemed like the healthier option.
But she was your friend and it wasn’t her fault that her staff had a medical emergency the night before.
“It’s gonna be so much fun!” Mia said, taking the containers from you and arranging them at the booth. “Are there any more stuff in the car?”
“Just another couple of boxes of paper cups, the trolley wouldn’t fit them.” You shrugged. One would have thought that Mia was preparing to cater to a wedding with all the paper cups she brought. “I’ll be right back with them.”
“Take your time!” She patted your back, “go get some breakfast. Just be back here by opening. Get me a snack, too!”
You gave her a thumbs up and turned to leave, pausing when Mia called out for you.
“Don’t you need the trolley?”
“Nah, it’s fine.” You waved her off, “I can handle two boxes of paper cups. It’s all that,” You pointed at the coffee machine and bags of coffee beans that were already set up on the booth. “that I cannot handle. Those are heavy.”
Mia cast you a toothy grin and shooed you off. You were a few steps away when your phone buzzed, an incoming notification from the bank. You narrowed your eyes at the message and turned back to glare at Mia.
“What is this for?” You asked, holding up your phone.
“For breakfast! My treat!”
You wanted to argue but she waggled her finger at you, dismissing whatever it was you were about to say.
“Let me buy you breakfast, you stubborn ass woman!”
“Alright! Alright!” You chuckled. You already turned down her offer — multiple times actually — to pay you for your help this weekend. If this could help Mia feel a little better about taking up your time, then why not. “Thanks in advance!”
You stuffed your phone back into your jacket pocket and slowly made your way to the food section of the fair, conveniently located at the next aisle. Thank goodness because hauling everything from the car and unpacking them made you hungry.
The market was held in an open field where multiple large canopy tents had been permanently erected for the weekend market. The hustle and bustle had already begun even though it was not officially opening hours yet. Booths were being set up, the food trucks were already in place and ready for business, selling food to their fellow vendors who came early for the set up.
You helped yourself and ordered a cheese and ham sandwich from a food truck you were familiar with, together with a fruit cup and a tuna sandwich for Mia. The vendor greeted you with a nod and packed up your order swiftly, thanking you when he heard the beep from the cash register signalling that your payment had gone through.
You glanced at your watch, it was almost opening hours. Best be on your way back to Mia. You unwrapped your sandwich and took a bite as you walked, Mia’s breakfast swaying in the takeout bag. You took in the market. It has been a while since you visited. There was something heartwarming about being back here again and having people greet you. It was like you never left.
The faint scent of roses wafted under your nose, a wonder that you even picked out the scent when you were stuffing your face with cheese and ham. You looked up from your breakfast, thinking you had accidentally wandered into the florist section of the market.
