Song: Almost There by Anika Noni Rose from the movie; The Princess and the Frog

Chapter Three: I'd be forced to think you're a serial killer

The restaurant still had so many customers, but I was left in peace. Seemed like people rather sit and talk than eat. Weird, right?

By 5:46pm, a familiar voice caused me to raise my head from the book I was reading. It was titled 'A Court Of Mist And Fury' by Sarah J. Maas. Funny how the tables turned and the perfect one for her ended up being Rhysand not Tamlin. How was it so easy for her to change our minds? Author of the year. At least, either she or Rick Riordan, but I prefer to watch the Percy Jackson movies.

I would have scowled at whoever it was if it wasn't her.

"Hey Avery!" Leyla waved at me. She was my second best tipper. Even when she didn't buy anything, she'd still tip and I loved her for that. Wren Scott being the first. He always showed up here from what I could tell during my shifts.

"Hi Leyla!" I beamed at her. She tried her best to smile, but knowing my friend it wasn't original. Would she wonder if I asked? We usually talk a lot, but would this be invasion of her privacy? After all this time I couldn't believe I was having difficulties. It's not my fault, Avery Adams is socially inept.

I went with my instincts, Ivy. Ivy Instincts. Instincts Ivy.

She's like the voice in my head. Ivy! You better not be leading me astray.

Since she was just standing in front of me looking around, I asked. "Is everything alright?"

She snapped her head back to me so fast it was almost inhuman. "Oh yeah. I'm just waiting for someone."

I was itching so bad to ask who because she looked like she was dressed for a date. Chic but casual. She wore a red, slim fitted shirt-dress and black ankle boots.

I did what any socially inept person would do; wiggled my eyebrows and cooed. "Oooooh! Someone has a date."

She blushed. Actually blushed. And tucked a strand of hair behind her hair. Her blonde hair was really pretty. Waist length and thick. Really pretty like her. The world's just not fair, Ivy!

"Not exactly."

"Then, what is it?"

"Nosy today, aren't you?" She teased.

"Not today. Everyday. Life's more fun that way. So, tell me." I urged subtly.

"I'm waiting for a guy I heard would be here." She glanced at her feet sheepishly. "I want to ask if he'd grab a bite with me."

She wanted to ask him out? A girl wanted to ask a guy out? Well, that's a first. I love that.

Bold! Only if she didn't look so shy about it.

Ivy was whispering at the back of my mind again.

"That's nice. It could work."

"Could?" She glanced up sharply as if afraid something bad would happen.

"Yeah. Could. Only if you're confident about it would it then be certified."

"What do you mean?"

"Your outfit literally screams bold. You should at least try and act according to your look."

"Ok." She stressed, nodding.

"Who?" I asked. She was about to answer when the bell rang indicating a customer's entrance. Urghh, more work to do!

I didn't bother looking up, my eyes remained on Leyla as she craned her neck to see who was at the door. "Him." Just that three-lettered word was enough for me to change my line of sight.

Striding in, in all his blond haired and green eyed glory was, of course, Axel Brown. How could I be so dumb? Who else would Leyla be talking about if not Axel?

Dummy! If you would listen to me, I'd have told you.

Shut up, Ivy!

I wouldn't exactly go crazy from this, right? I heard talking to yourself would make you crazy. Nah! I mean it's not talking to myself if I wasn't saying it allowed, it was thinking. Yeah! That's gotta be it.

Following closely behind him were about five other jocks. The place's full already. Are they blind? I don't get why they kept coming here. According to my statistics; Jocks equate to popular kids, popular kids equate to rich kids, which equates to not eating at a simple restaurant like Tate's. Okay, maybe that's a teensy bit stereotypical.

A teensy bit?

Okay, okay, maybe a lot. But some stereotypes are true.

I looked at the six faces. I knew them all by name. Axel. Shawn. Mason or was it Miles. Umm...okay maybe I only knew two by name. I could guess the rest. You couldn't blame me. We run in different circles. I've probably heard their names before, but I might have forgotten. I'm sure they don't even know a Charvi Brooks in their school exists.

Darnit! Wren wasn't there. Apart from being a good tipper, he was a better conversationalist.

I tried my best to look mundane as I started randomly flipping pages in my book. By the time, Axel and his friends got to me and Leyla, I was still flipping pages.

He stood for a while obviously waiting for acknowledgement. I know I was being rude and unnecessary and that's not a way to treat customers, but I couldn't help myself.

"Some customer service." He mumbled. I took that as a sign to close my book, tuck in under the counter and look up.

I smiled so wide my lips hurt. "Sorry, did you say something?"

"Good day to you too, redhead."

My smile almost faltered but I kept it in place. How many times did I have to tell this granite blocked head that he can't call me redhead?

"It's Avery." I said in between gritted teeth.

You're overreacting.

I'm stressed, I'm allowed to do whatever the hell I want.

"What did I say?" He feigned innocence.

Is he seriously serious?

What other type of serious is there?

I ignored Ivy and turned to Leyla. She was awkwardly standing about 2 metres away from Axel, trying to look everywhere but at him and failing miserably. They didn't even notice her. Is she invisible and only I could see her, or were they just visually impaired?

I was about to pull her out of her trance so she'd remember what she came here for, but Mason/Miles spoke up.

"Can we have a table of eight please?"

Eight? There were only six of them. Whatever, I don't really care. Maybe he was having trouble counting. Poor boy.

"All the tables are taken."

"Then make space." Shawn said.

Who did he think he was talking to me like that? Oh, yeah! I'm a lesser because I work at a restaurant. I couldn't lash out or tell him not to order me around because that was what was supposed to happen.

"It's impolite to tell customers to leave." I smiled at him.

"It is?"

"Yes, it is."

"Would it be impolite to tell your boss you denied service to a customer?"

"It would." I deadpanned. "Plus, I'm not denying service. There's just no free space."

"Most of the people here aren't even ordering anything." Mason/Miles scowled. Would it be rude to ask what his name was?

Not exactly because you don't know him, and that's why it would also be irrelevant.

"Calm down guys." Axel ordered as he turned partially to them.

And like dogs obeying their master, they all shut up.

He turned back to me and smiled. It was kind of unnerving. "Red. When do you think a table would be free?"

I smiled back and turned to Leyla. "Leyla here," I said as I reached over the counter to tug her arm. She turned to me as they turned to her. "Has been waiting for a while now and still hasn't gotten a seat."

"I have?"

"Yes you have."

"I know you from somewhere." Axel pointed out.

Yes! Leyla this is your chance.

"Uhhhhh."

Really? So much for bold and confident. I mentally face palmed myself.

By the looks they're giving you, I think it was physical not mental.

Oops!

"Oh yeah! You're Charvi's friend." Axel recalled with a snap of his fingers.

Leyla stared at the ground. "Yup, that's me."

That's not a way to acknowledge someone, dummy!

She looked up and gave me a weak smile. "Anyways, I guess I should get going then."

Before I could say anything else, she walked away and out the door. I was so close to running after her, but I held myself back. Do you know why? Because we're mere acquaintances. I'm not her friend, Charvi is. I guess I'm going to have to call her when I get home to see how she's doing.

"I'm tired of standing." The boys complained.

Are they going to stand here all night?

I guess, if I didn't do something about it.

I walked out from behind the counter. I walked over to a woman who was sitting with her son in a booth that could at most fit 6 people. I politely asked her to leave after explaining to her that there are new customers and since she was done eating that she could excuse herself. I hoped to God that she wouldn't get angry. She just smiled at me and told me she understood. Phew!

The people in the booth closest to the one with the woman and her son weren't so easy. There were 3 guys laughing and clinking empty glasses for some reason. They got so angry and one of them said and I quote: "If we weren't so rich, we would demand a refund."

I almost snorted, but I was glad I didn't. That would have made their blood boil more. We don't want that, now would we?

They finally stumbled out cursing to never step foot inside here again.

I turned to face them still standing at the front watching and waiting. I smiled at them and gestured to the empty seats. They walked over to where I stood and made themselves comfortable.

"8 sandwiches and milkshakes." Axel ordered.

How polite.

"Ever heard of please?" I muttered under my breath.

"What?"

"Hmm, nothing." I said and quickly made myself scarce.

A few minutes later, their food was served in front of them with no 'thank you' from anyone of them. On my way back to peace, the bell dings again. Oh, come on!

In walked Wren and following behind was, Zed? I've never seen him here before. Okay, so I'm not supposed to know him.

Wren was okay looking, but I think Zed was the hottest person I've ever met in my life. And how am I just noticing this now?

Maybe because you've never seen him up close.

I talked to him today.

Yeah, but like you pointed out before, you were suffering from a migraine.

That could be it.

By the time I had gotten to the counter, they were already there.

I smiled at them.

"Is your name Cherry because you look good enough to eat?"

What? Did I hear right? I looked up and saw Zed wiggling his brows at me. Okay, so I did hear right.

"How long did it take you to come up with that?"

He considered for a while before telling me the truth. "About 30 seconds. I saw you before I came in."

"Splendid."

"Ignore my goofball of a friend here. Pick-up lines aren't his strong point." Wren pointed out.

"Clearly." I snorted.

Zed rolled his eyes. "You're just jealous you can't come up with pick-up lines."

"Sure. That's why." Wren stressed.

"And why cherries?"

"I don't know. Maybe it has something to do with the colour of your hair."

"My hair's red."

"No. It's really more of cherry, you know, with a hint of purple."

"When did you become such an expert in hair colours?" Wren interjected.

Zen gave him a pointed look. "The cherry colour is more than just the colour of hair, dumbass."

Wren punched his shoulder.

"What's the difference, anyways?" Wren questioned.

"A lot." We said at the same time.

"I still think my hair's red."

"Mmm, no it's cherry."

"Red."

"Cherry."

"Would you two stop acting like children?" Wren cut us both off with an incredulous look, then he turned to me. "Anyways, how's it going Av?"

"Wren, I told you shortening Avery to Av just can't work."

"It can if I say so."

"Cocky as usual, I presume."

He grinned. "Cocky as usual, you presume correctly."

We laughed. I turned to Zed who was looking around. His eyes stopped at Axel's table and it clicked. 8 people. Ohhh! That makes more sense than saying seniors can't count. My bad.

He turned back to Wren and smiled. "Found them."

"Oh, okay cool! See you around Av."

"Yh later, Cherry."

"It's Avery." Why do people always get my name wrong?

They're called nicknames.

Yeah, whatever.

"Sure it is." He replied.

"Urghh." I groaned as they walked over to their table.

********************

Axel and his team left about 2 hours ago. Other customers started leaving too a while ago. By the time I was cleaning up, the shop was already empty. I was about to enter the back when I caught sight of something glittering under the table. I bent and saw a silver watch that literally screamed 'expensive', but hey, what do I know about expensive stuff?

You know something.

What?

That whatever it is, you can't afford it in a million years.

Shut up!

Ivy was right though. She was that nagging voice at the back of my head always telling the truth and playing with my doubts and insecurity. I hated that! Over the years though, she became a friend as odd as that sounded.

I pocketed the watch since we didn't have a lost and found box. I'd give it to Benny tomorrow to look for the owner. Whoever owned it was sure to show up. I mean, who would give up a beautiful and expensive watch?

Rich people. They'd just buy another one. More expensive that the previous.

Urghhh!

I started towards the back to drop my apron. Using the back door, I exited the restaurant. Once I stepped outside and turned, I was hit by something and landed flat on the floor.

"Ouch!"

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry I didn't mean to."

Not something then, someone. Well I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind for almost breaking my tailbone.

"Of course you didn't or I'd be forced to think you're a serial killer."

"What?"

"Never mind." I looked up and saw that the supposed serial killer was Zed.

"We've gotta stop meeting like this."

"What?" He gave me a puzzled look.

Blockhead! He didn't meet Avery like that, that was Charvi!

Ohhhh!

"Just ignore what I said and help me up." I raised my hand. He took it and pulled me up. Once I was on my feet, I rubbed my head, groaning. Today has been a long day. What I need is a good night rest.

When I looked at him, he was staring at me wide-eyed. What? Never seen a girl in pain before? Then his eyes flashed to something on the ground. I traced his gaze and saw my red wig.

Isn't that supposed to be on your head?

All I could think was 'Shit!'

******************************

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