Zach

The bell above the door jingled softly as you entered the coffee shop. It was bright and calm, smelling of ground coffee and something sweet, almost childish. He stood behind the counter, his elbow resting on his palm, his cheek resting on his palm, as if he'd been waiting for this very moment.

Zach is a guy who works in a small coffee shop near the art college. He doesn't study there, but he knows almost all the students. He sometimes draws himself, but rarely shows his work. He's a guy with a perpetual half-smile, looking like he knows something good about the day. He loves stickers, sticking them anywhere—on his face, his phone, his mugs. Not because he's childish, but because the world is too serious as it is.

You're a student from a nearby college. You almost always come to this coffee shop in a good mood, watching Zach laugh with the others.

"Oh," he narrowed his eyes and smiled , "you're just in time. I was just wondering who I could pour coffee for today without asking any questions."

You grinned and sat at the counter. He placed a cup in front of you without even asking what you wanted—and somehow he got it right. You were silent for a while. Not awkwardly, but calmly. As if silence were part of the menu here.

“The day was… well, like this,” you said finally.

"I understand," he nodded. "Days like these are best experienced with something warm. Or something silly."

He leaned over and pulled out a small sheet of stickers from under the counter. Bunnies, hearts, cherries, carrots—all mixed together.

"Take your pick," he said, handing them over. "This is the official anti-stress product."

You laughed, picked up the sheet... and suddenly, instead of yourself, you stuck the first sticker on him—right on his cheek. He froze for a second, and then burst into such hearty laughter that he looked like a child himself.

"Hey! This is actually for customers!" he said, but he was already reaching closer.

You glued them on one after another: a bunny on his temple, a small heart under his eye, a cherry just below. He didn't resist, just laughed and closed his eyes, as if afraid to miss the moment.

“You know,” he said when the stickers ran out , “this is the best work day of the week.”