All for nothing

11

Luke leaned against the counter, fiddling with the cash register, uncles diner was near empty, the two groups in seats the exceptions.

The first group was a trio, most likely friends, a third wheeler, maybe more, who knows? The second group seemed like they were on a date which was odd considering how early in the morning it was. Usually, he'd make up scenarios customers were in and add them to his little stories, making his own world in his head. It was fun to do that, get lost in another reality, no North to yell at him.

Gabe was in the kitchen talking to uncle so Luke was covering him briefly, then he'd finish the cinnamon rolls he had started earlier.

The door chimed and he glanced at his watch before looking up. The light filtered around a girl, probably a year or two younger than him, red hair falling below her shoulders and a slight bounce in her step. When the door had closed and the light had stopped blurring his vision, he inhaled slightly, she had icy grey eyes and a light splatter of freckles that seemed to dance across her slightly rosy cheeks. He stopped checking her out only to notice her doing the same.

They locked eyes and he watched on in amusement as her cheeks burned at being caught out. She smiled at the man, and he grinned back.

Walking towards him, he couldn't help but notice the flash of her piercings in the light, one on her nose, the three in her ears and the way she smiled in an almost disarming manor.

Once she had reached him, she began to speak and he took a few moments to register what she had said before spluttering,
"hi, luke, is there any chance uncle's in today?"
She had glanced towards his name tag and hesitated when saying it but she looked at him expectedly. He had been staring at her, jaw dropped, like an idiot and she seemed to be containing her giggles.

"And how would a cute cupcake like you know uncle?"
Cupcake was just not it, he had to physically fight the cringe that came with the name. She was sweet though , like marshmallows with chocolate poured over and cookies crumbled on top, or chocolate chip pancakes, drowned in syrup. Sue him, he was curious. Why did she need uncle?
"oh, i was just supposed to see him today, don't worry Charm."
"charm?"
"cupcake?"
They looked at eachother with raised eyebrows before they turned away with narrowed eyes. It was a playful encounter. One that definitely didn't leave his heart racing.

"So is uncle not in today?"
"oh no, sugar, he's in"
"okay.."
She waved her fingers in front of his face and spoke again,
"can you tell me where he is please?"
There was a slight hesitancy to her words.

He slid around to her side of the counter and held his hand out, bowing down in a joking manor.
"thy uncle awaits, milady"
She seemed to laugh slightly before placing her hand in his.

Again, he found himself questioning his choices, what if she wasn't who says she was? But there was just something about her, he felt inclined to trust her. Odd.

Leading her towards the kitchen, it seemed like she already knew where to go. He felt her pull her hand from his and there was a brief smile on her face before she pushed open one of the double doors.

Her eyes sparkled slightly when she saw him and he watched as she placed her finger on her lips and began to creep towards the much older man. Luke wanted to see how this would play out.

She pounced on him, grabbing his shoulders and jumping on his back, her arm around his neck similar to a choke-hold.

Time seemed to freeze as Gabe looked over in shock and uncle stumbled before laughing loudly.

The boys were openly gaping at the scene before them, Luke was shocked it ended that way, she jumped him and uncle laughed.

"little bird, how have you been?"
Uncle seemed at home with her and luke couldn't help but ask,
"Uncle? Who is she to you?"
It wasn't unkind, just confused.

Uncle suddenly shook her off of him and put his heavy hand on her shoulder, guiding her towards Luke. The older man gestured to violet before saying simply,
"Vi, my nephew Luke, Luke, my daughter Violet."

Both men choked, Gabe out of shock and Luke out of mortification. Luke sputtered for a minute, he flirted with his cousin, what the fuck! Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew ew ew. Ew ew gross.

Violet hit uncle, scolding him,
"he acted as my dad, once for a day"
She rolled her eyes at him and luke couldn't help but feel she had to explain this far to often.

He sagged in relief at the news.

"Excuse me? What the fuck? Luke? Uncle? Lady?"
Gabe's sudden outburst made her flinch.
"uh, hi?"
She sounded nervous, way different to earlier. Luke couldn't stop the small frown from building on his face at how small she made herself.

"hi gabe, lets introduce the pretty girl to everyone except gabe"
He mocked in a squeaky voice, representing uncle, apparently.
"and ohmygod your fucking hair. Its mine now. I claim it. Oy, thank fuck for uncles not daughter and her gorgeous hair."

Luke shook his head fondly, Gabe would never change- not that he'd need too.

A/n: hi! How is everyone doing?
I'm deciding between doing Gabe's pov or Violet 's pov for the next one.