Can't Help Falling

02| Past and its Prisoners

      "We are products of our past, but we don't have to be prisoners of it."

- Rick Warren

-:-

Suspicions proved to be true, all the way through the day everyone had been gossiping about the new figure in town. I avoided each mention, tired from the sleepless night before and maybe the lovesickness from the newly coupled.

After third period, I contemplated whether or not to drown in the school fountain when I saw them get handsy with each other.

       "Hey, Keira!" I turned to see Grant calling out to me, his smile wide.

Fountain drowning is off the checklist.

One smile from mister golden boy and it always feels like your problems just vanish.

       "Grant! Hi," I gleamed, unbeknownst to the excitement I was showing to him.

His hair was ruffled, blue eyes still widened and bright looking at me. I noticed the small creases in his eyes and smile, markers of just how much he did.

       "You're working at your mom's new restaurant right?"

       "Yeah, I am, we're trying to have the grand opening ready for the weekend so we're stacked."

It's been my mom's dream to open that restaurant, and ever since her divorce from dad, she's been working on it day and night and now, finally, it's happening.

We always stayed out at night helping her, and he even found the building.

One of the many gifts he left behind.

          I noticed my expression change, forcing back a smile to hide it, I looked up at Grant's height, "Why?"

     "My brother is looking for a place to work, do you guys need any extra hands?" His smile widened, more so in desperation than his regular happiness.

I wondered if that had been forced.

    "We haven't been looking for staff, so I'm sure there's a spot for him somewhere," I replied, trying to reoccur if Mom had said anything about the staff yet. Grant sighed in relief giving me thanks and goodbye as he ran off to soccer practice.

I immediately texted my mom about the job as soon as I lost sight of him.

-:-

Clatter covered the restaurant even with only a few people staffed. Clarke and I decided to manage the place so Mom can rest at home with Jo. Thankfully, Mom ended up forgetting about employing a few people for the restaurant so that meant there were enough spots for Grant's brother.

Zariah and Finley offered to help too so Clarke and I gave them opposite shifts, knowing the distractions the two can have.

The restaurant was piled with boxes amongst the stacked tables and chairs, we had a few nights ahead of us for cleaning. I clutched my checkboard, steering my attention towards Clarke who carried two boxes towards the kitchen.

"Is that the last of them?" I pointed, Clarke nodded his head lazily and continued his walk. I'd been so focused on reading what was left to do that I hadn't heard the small bell alerting the door opening. We still have to organize the supplies, then sweep the floors—-maybe we can do that for tomorrow then—

"Hey, Delphy."

My face soon became heated, the air seemed to escape my lungs at the sound of that voice. I knew it immediately, and that stupid nickname. I lifted my head, seeing what looked like a ghost.