City of Kinetics

SEVEN ✴ Paying It Forward

       Mila stepped out of the kitchen slowly, staying behind the front counter as she watched Hunter walk across the diner. He didn't notice her, his back to her now as he walked over to Leila.

       She still had her books open in front of her but was in the middle of writing something when Hunter crouched down beside her, putting a hand on her arm to get her attention. Mila frowned when the girl immediately flinched away before relaxing when she noticed it was him.

       Leila dropped her pencil, listening to whatever Hunter was saying as he put his arms on the table. Mila found it odd that he didn't sit in the booth, he chose to speak to her below eye-level crouched on the floor beside her.

       It was a simple gesture of trying to make someone more comfortable by making yourself look less intimidating. It was odd seeing Hunter do that.

       Even though it was rude to eavesdrop, Mila wished she knew what they were saying. She tried not to stare too long, wanting to give them their privacy. The girl shook her head at something Hunter said before he brushed his thumb across the cut on her forehead, most likely asking how she got it.

       Even though Mila couldn't hear Leila's response, she could tell she didn't give Hunter a straight answer because he looked down at the floor, his jaw clenching before he spoke to her again.

       "Who's that guy?" Breanna suddenly asked, stopping beside her holding a pot of coffee.

       Mila quickly looked away, clearing her throat.

       "Must be someone she knows," Mila answered her, trying not to look flustered since she was just caught staring.

       Breanna, however, didn't feel embarrassed as her eyes went over him without a care in the world.

       "He's hot," she said. "Like, possibly the finest man I've ever seen in my entire life."

       Mila rolled her eyes. "You said that about a guy who came in last week."

       "That was before I saw him," Breanna said. "If he decides to stay, I call their table."

       This made Mila roll her eyes, but she nodded anyway, thinking it'd be better if Breanna was their waitress. She was much more confident than her, and Mila felt like she would just make things awkward.

       Giving one last look at Hunter and Leila, she turned away and walked over to the cash register when someone went to stand by the bakery display.

       "Can I help you?" Mila asked the older woman gently, smiling.

       The lady smiled back before pointing at all the different things she wanted. Mila grabbed a pair of gloves and began placing the items into a small box, occasionally stealing glances across the café.

       She really needed to learn how to mind her own business.

       "Thank you so much, dear," the lady said to her as Mila began to cash her out.

       "No worries," she responded with a smile.

       The woman took out the money she owed before handing it to her. Mila quickly counted out her change while putting the coins and bills in their perspective places. When she looked up, she was surprised to see Hunter standing a few steps away from them.

       Her eyes darted to him for only a second before going back to the lady, her smile slipping momentarily before she forced it back onto her face.