Brendon hates his job. His uniform is a tacky combination of a bright blue t-shirt and khaki cargos. Even in the middle of winter, there are inflatable palm trees waving in his face when he works the register. And the scent of tropical fruit can get sickening after a year and a half of employment at the mall’s Smoothie Hut.

The only good thing about working in the food court is that his friends don’t mind hanging around until his shift is over. While he’s behind the counter, taking orders, Travis and William are sharing a Strawberry-Kiwi smoothie at a nearby table. Jon went off to go buy some flip flops - as if he needs another pair. Pete and Patrick are sharing a plate of Italian crap. And even Ashlee, who had recently come to terms with the way her ex-boyfriend is, is there, laughing along with their conversation. Brendon still holds his grudge though.

However, Ryan has brought his dark cloud of doom into the area. He’s seated at the farthest table from Brendon, his back toward the fake trees. From what Brendon can see, he’s picking at some Chinese food that he probably only bought to look like he wasn’t watching Brendon out of the corner of his eye. It’s not working though. It’s been obvious since the break-up that Ryan can’t and could never keep his eyes off of him.

Brendon knows there’s going to be drama as soon as Jon comes into his peripheral vision. The second his boyfriend shows up, Ryan stands up and walks toward Brendon. He looks much too optimistic and Brendon already knows what he wants. Jon stops walking once Ryan’s reached his destination. He throws a nervous glance in Brendon’s direction.

Brendon has to be professional though. As professional as a cashier can get. He straightens his posture, looks Ryan right in the eye and asks, “What can I get for you?”

“Are second chances on the menu?” Ryan tries.

Brendon laughs bitterly. “Second chances? I’m afraid we’re fresh out. Had you acted on the first, you wouldn’t be asking for one now.”

“Brendon, I’m not joking. I was stupid and-”

“You think?”

They’re not loud. They’re not making a scene at all. From any other person’s point of view, it’s just mindless banter between cashier and customer. But to Brendon’s friends, it’s a catastrophe waiting to happen. William and Travis are watching worriedly. Since the end of it all, they’d been filled in on exactly what went on behind the scenes of Brendon and Ryan’s relationship. It doesn’t matter that they’re in public now. Violet tendencies can take action anywhere at any time.

Pete is glaring at Ryan’s back. Patrick, who still hadn’t been told of any of the shit that had happened, is giving Pete a confused stare. Ashlee tries not to watch. She tries to pretend that she doesn’t care about the boy that holds a hard grudge against her. But deep down, she’s a caring soul and she can’t help but glance momentarily at the boys.

“Look, Brendon, can you just give me a minute to explain myself?” Ryan demands in a hushed tone.

Brendon stares him down before sighing and giving in.

“Fine,” he says. “But hurry it up. I’m only obligated to listen to you for ten more minutes.”

“You won’t understand how much I miss you. I know, I made a lot of stupid mistakes but though them, I loved you. A lot. And I need you, B,” Ryan sighs. “I know I hurt you and I screwed everything up. And I am so sorry. But I just want you to trust me again. Like you did when you loved me.”

Brendon closes his eyes and runs Ryan’s words through his mind. He ponders them silently, drumming his fingers on the keys of the cash register. After a moment of quiet contemplation, he opens his eyes and stares at Ryan. Maybe even through him.

“You want me to trust you?” he says.

Ryan nods, thinking he’s won Brendon over.

“Trust? You don’t deserve my trust. You never did. You don’t deserve my trust, and you sure as hell don’t deserve a second chance.”

At that moment, Brendon’s co-worker, Hayley, comes out with a smoothie prepared for a waiting customer. Without hesitation, Brendon grabs it from her hand, pulls the plastic lid off and dumps the contents on Ryan’s head.

Ryan’s jaw drops and he glares angrily through his dripping fringe at Brendon. From the nearby tables, there’s a shocked, girly gasp. An amused giggling, a quiet “oh, burn,” and a loud laughter.

William shouts, “You go, Glen Coco!”, clapping his hands excitedly. From what Brendon can see, Travis is the source of the loud laughter and Pete is speechless. Ashlee’s jaw is dropped in the same fashion as Ryan’s, but in more of an “omg-that-was-so-awesome” kind of way. Patrick is quietly giggling to himself.

As Jon runs over, Brendon takes his navy blue apron off and slings it on one of the provided hooks.

“Sorry, Hayley,“ he apologizes. “I would love to make up another one of those smoothies for you, but my shift is over and I promised my boyfriend a date.”

Hayley is nearly doubled over with laughter, her fiery locks hanging in her face and shaking along with the rest of her body.

“That’s alright,” she chokes out between muffled giggles. “I totally understand.”

Ryan is still glaring viciously at the two employees. His jaw is now closed and he’s gritting his teeth together angrily. Finally, without another word, he stomps away from the food court. The trail of orange smoothie he leaves behind leaves the group laughing harder.

Jon pulls Brendon toward him and kisses him quickly.

“You, my dear, are ridiculous,” he chuckles. “But I love you anyway.”

“Did you expect me to take that kindly?” Brendon replies.

“No, but I didn’t expect you to dump a smoothie all over him.”

William dashes over and shouts excitedly, “I did! Apparently, there is much you have to learn about this one.”

Travis appears beside his boyfriend and slings an arm over William’s shoulders. Pete and Patrick show up behind him, hand in hand. Ashlee follows silently behind them.

“Well,” Jon says after a moment of quiet. “Shall we get going then?”

Brendon nods. The group leaves for their triple date plus one girl, who Brendon ends up liking after a few weeks of prodding.

Things are finally good again.