Fabian

Perfect timing

I walked up to the pastel blue cottage Ari lived in with her parents. She and her family really were perfect. Sometimes it was almost annoying. She always got more attention than me from guys, not that I particularly minded since I was never really interested in any o the guys in this area neither did I think they were cute.

Except for that one guy at the stationary yesterday. I had never seen him around before though. I wonder if hes from here.

I rang the doorbell and it was promptly answered by Aria's golden haired little brother Nigel. He looked up at me as I ruffled his perfect ringlet curls. "Can you go get your sissy Ni?" I cooed, crouching down to the 3 year old's level. "You got it dude" he proclaimed as he puffed up his chest and marched back into the house like a little soldier.

Aria came out a few seconds later. "Is that the only phrase he knows?" I question in relation to Nigel's sharp response."No but it's all hes willing to say" she giggled "I need to figure out how to take full house off cable". We shared a laugh for a but until Aria's expression suddenly turned serious. Worry laced my features as I quickly tried to determine what the matter was with her at light speed. After I failed I asked "What's wrong Ari"? Her big blue eyes looked back up at me drowning in tears. "Nona is getting worse" she whispered, crying softly. "They moved the competition up a few days but I don't know if she'll still have time. She gets worse by the day".

I swallowed her in my short twiggy arms and whispered "It'll be okay Ari, I'm going to win this I promise you."

"I'm picking up a shift at Ferrer's , the Italian place opposite the gym, to get a bit of money to pay for some of the treatment before the pageant. The pageant was moved up and was now 4 days away. Perfect timing, I thought, I just have to be ready before Saturday. I can do that. Nona's life is in my hands now.  "I'll work there with you too. The more paychecks, the more money for Nona."

We decided it would be best to go and apply as soon as possible and headed towards the restaurant. We talked to the manager and had a short interview. The man was just as pudgy as Mr Alaister but he had a thick mustache and new York accent that could be recognized for miles. He also had a very kind, refreshing aura which calmed my nerves a bit.

Despite me warning that I have another job I needed to attend at 7pm, he hired us both immediately. "You two can start tomorrow morning, your shifts end at 5pm." he stated. We were given our aprons and little name tags and we were on our way. I found it odd that he allowed us to work there so fast. This man didn't even ask for our resumes. Hell, I didn't even know his name! We needed all the money we could get though, so I was in no room to question it.