That night we fell asleep in our respective areas. I tossed and turned on the couch for about 30 minutes before I finally fell asleep. It was almost unnatural for Serena to not be with me.

What was I saying? This was stupid. I was letting her cloud my ideals. I was here simply because she covered my expenses. Nothing else... At least I thought.

I awoke the next morning and my eyes adjusted to the light. Except there was no light because it was still dark out.

"What?", I grumbled as I started to roll over.

I could hear a small laugh and then footsteps.

"You've gotta get up. I go to work early and you said you were gonna come with me."

Serena's voice. I sat up and looked for her, but I couldn't see her.

"Where are you?", I said groggily.

Another laugh.

"I'm in my room getting changed dummy", she called down the hall.

I slowly approached her door and knocked lightly. The door cracked open and her face appeared.

"What are you doing? Go get ready! Put something nice on", she said as she closed the door.

Something nice? What qualified as nice? I decided on some blue jeans and a shirt with a collar. It looked... good? I guess? Human clothing was not my expertise. My confusion was put to rest when Serena entered the living room and planted a kiss on my lips.

"That looks great", she said with a smile.

I found myself smiling as she walked to the door and willed myself to stop. My ideals were being clouded again. She grabbed her keys and purse and we left. The sun was just now starting to rise over the horizon. We walked while she gave me tips about what to say and do but I was too focused on the fact that not one other living soul was awake right now.

When we arrived, she unlocked the door and we entered. A bell rang, letting the empty restaurant know we had arrived. I recognized this place... It was the cafe we stopped at for lunch a couple days ago.

"You work here?", I asked surprised.

She simply nodded and proceeded to wipe down tables and prep machinery. The bell rang again and I turned. A man in a sharp navy suit had walked in. He eyed me.

"Hello. You are?", he asked with a certain authority only the rich and pampered seemed to have.

"Oh! He's with me!", called Serena from the counter.

"Ahh... I see. Why?", he asked.

I looked at him and, with as little attitude as possible, told him I was interested in a job.

"Hmm... unfortunately we are full staffed today, but if someone calls in sick, you can... try", he said with that snooty authority.

Something told me the people that worked here didn't call out sick too often. I nodded and Serena seated me in a booth.

"You're welcome to stay here while I work. If you're hungry just let me know", she said.

I nodded and she handed me a menu.

There wasn't a lot to pick from. How were they so successful? The man in the suit went into the back room, which I assumed was the kitchen, and didn't return. Probably lounging in an overly pampered office.

Within the next hour, more people, mostly staff, had appeared and started prep. Serena constantly asked if I wanted anything and each time I told her no. She was very persistent. Almost too persistent. The blue suit, he was the manager I was informed, returned and swept the room with his eyes.

"Where is Manuel?", he asked irritatedly.

One of the servers called back saying he was sick.

He turned toward me slowly, a disgusted look appearing in his eyes.

"You! Yes, you! Get up. Time to see what you've got", he yelled at me.

He was really starting to tick me off but I stood as he walked over.

"You'll be serving food from the kitchen", he pointed to the back room, "to the tables", he pointed at my booth.

"Understand?", he asked pointedly.

I nodded and gave a mock salute.

He exhaled loudly and walked back into the kitchen. Serena looked excited. I didn't understand why. She already had a secure job here.

This was going to be a trial if I'd ever seen one. The manager announced doors would be opening in five and everyone scurried to their spots. I had the three tables by the door. That was it. How hard could it be?

The doors opened and a small group of people swarmed in. I greeted a group.

"We'd like a table by the front window if you don't mind", they announced.

I led my group, a man and a woman, over to one of my tables and seated them. I was told to start with drinks after handing them a menu.

The man requested a coffee, and the woman a water.

This was easy. I walked to the kitchen and retrieved a cup and a mug. I filled the cup with water, and while preparing the coffee I heard a loud bang.

"Damn stove won't light!"

I looked over and spotted a chef walking away from his stove. I approached.

"If you don't mind, I may be able to fix that", I told him.

He scoffed. "Go ahead, waiter. Let's see it."

I laid under the stove and surveyed the layout. One of the pipes had busted. I couldn't fix that right now. Instead I had a genius idea. I stood back up and flicked the knob to "light".

"It's not gonna light genius", the chef mocked as the stove clicked.

I listened to the flicking stove and felt heat run down my arm into my finger. The stove lit and I turned around.

"I wouldn't recommend turning it off... Genius", I scoffed as I walked back to my station to finish the coffee.

I brought the drinks to the table and they thanked me. I could feel the eyes of the manager burning into the back of my skull.

"Are you ready to order?", I asked smoothly.

The couple stated their orders and I copied them down.

I returned to the kitchen and felt a searing pain in my chest. I grunted as I slapped the food request on the counter. I had to get somewhere private. Collapsing here would cause a panic.

I made my way to the faculty bathroom and locked the door. I picked my shirt up and looked at my chest. It was a bright orange color under the skin. Lucky for me it was fading. I couldn't even use a flame the size of my finger. My magical affinity was depleted. I feared any further spells would result in much worse than a dizzy spell.

I heard my table order get called out and I returned to the kitchen counter. Two plates of breakfast sat on it, steaming. I grabbed one with each hand and returned to my table. I served the food and the couple dug in, eager to eat. I led a few more tables while they ate, but when they finished, they called me over.

"We'd like to pay now", they told me.

I retrieved their receipt and they paid.

As they left the man turned to me. He put his hand out, as if for a shake and I obliged.

"Thank you for the service", the man said with a smile.

I felt something enter the palm of my hand as he walked away. When I looked down, there was a $20 bill in my hand. This went on for the whole day. People were just so satisfied with my service, they'd pay me extra. That, I could live with.

As the day came to an end, I counted up my tips. Serena had informed me that it was normal for people to tip you. I had made over $120 dollars in tips. More money I'd ever make in a week pickpocketing. This was perfect. It required almost no effort and I made a bit of money off of it.

At the end of the day, the manager approached me.

"I'd be happy to have you on the staff team, if you're interested that is."

He must've noticed my exquisite service.

I nodded and shook his hand.

Job secured. Easy as pie. I knew it would be. I was to keep waiting tables and my pay would be given at the end of the week. What I heard was I get a shit ton of tips, and then more money on top of that. This was easy. Almost too easy... Meh. If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

Me and Serena went home to celebrate. She congratulated me on getting the job. She also told me that she didn't really expect it to actually happen. Apparently the manager, Eric, likes to stick to women for waiting tables. He seemed like a perv to me, but who knows. Well, I do. But that's not any of your business.

Serena had bought a small cake to divvy up for us and we ate happily.

"Would you, come sleep with me...?", she asked me when we were getting ready for bed.

I looked at her.

"I've been having nightmares recently and I thought maybe... you could help?"

She looked like an Angel. Her eyes were beautiful within the light of the night.

"Of course I can", I told her.

She smiled wide as she grabbed my hand and led me to her room. She stripped down to her shirt and laid under the covers. She watched me as I took my shirt off and traded my jeans for some soft sweatpants.

She patted the spot next to her, indicating it was for me. I sat down and pulled the covers up my lap as she rested her head on me. She sighed and closed her eyes.

"Thank you", she mumbled.

I brushed her hair with my hand tentatively and listened to her breathing slow as she fell asleep. However did I get here... I didn't deserve this.

I looked down at her sleeping body and laid my head next to hers. With her safely cradled in my arms, I closed my eyes and drifted off with her.