Promises || Road To Nationals

|7| Moving Forward

Jordan's POV:

   "I'm going now," Kai calls out from the break room, giving Vex and me a small wave. 

   "Later," we respond, watching as he leaves the building, leaving us to take care of the cafe all by ourselves. Well, it's not like there's much left to do. Just closing up is all. 

   Our boss's wife went into labor earlier today, so he left a few hours ago, leaving three college students to run his business. If I were him, I wouldn't even trust us to tie our shoes properly. Kai couldn't figure out how to open the cash register, so he started telling customers that we only accept cards; Vex wiped all the tables off with vegetable oil once, and I dropped two coffee mugs this week alone. 

   It's nighttime, and the chirping of crickets fills my ears as I mop the floors. Vex cleans off the counters (with soapy water, not oil). The two of us don't talk much during closing. It's not an awkward silence like being paired up with someone you don't know in a high school math class. It's much more comfortable. After a loud and chaotic weekend of listening to the cries of Kai's adoring fangirls (and some boys too), it's nice to enjoy the quiet. 

   "Aye." 

   Nevermind. I guess my brief anti-social time is over. 

   "Your starting to take your corners a lot better. You know, like on the ice. It's insane how fast you're growing, kid," Vex says, sitting down on one of the bar stools. 

   I stop what I'm doing to get a good look at her eyes. I guess I have been working really hard lately. But the insane one here is her. She goes to school, work, skating; and goes home regularly to take care of her younger brother. Not to mention she's always looking out for everyone, even though it's hard to imagine at times. She even pushed Daiki into a social situation with some upperclassmen just a few days ago.

   "Thanks," I respond, staring down at the grey tiles covered in brown water. When was the last time we cleaned these?

   "What do you plan on doing after this?" she asks with a yawn, stretching out her arms and legs, face all scrunched up. 

   "Hm, well, I was going to hit the weight room. The hockey team lets me use the equipment during their time as long as I don't get in the way." 

   Vex raises an eyebrow, leaning forward in her chair, "And what do you plan on doing for dinner. And don't say cup of ramen! I'll punch you." 

   My face heats up as my grip on the mop gets slippery. I don't know how to respond. I was planning on eating ramen when I got back to the dorms. Erin would be asleep when I got back, so she can't lecture me about my unhealthy eating habits. "I- uh, well, you see." 

   Before I know it, a breakfast sandwich wrapped up in a paper bag gets shoved into my face. "You aren't gonna build any muscle mass if all you eat is ramen: Carbs before a workout and protein after. Start being smart with what you put in your body. And be sure you're drinking enough water." 

   Vex isn't the type of person that would strike someone as the mom friend. She laughs at us when we fall down before helping us to our feet, and she rides a motorcycle for god's sake: But she makes me feel cared for. I couldn't ask for anything more. 

   "Yeah, sure thing," I sigh, a small smile playing on my lips as I catch the sandwich. 

   "Good, now ima head out. Catch you tomorrow at practice, girl. And don't be late," she says with a wave, walking off to the break room. 

   "Huh!? Wait! You're making me lock up!?" 

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