The Things I Can't Take Back [Michael Afton x F! Reader]

Chapter 13 ~ A Surprise Invitation

The next day, while you were at work, you found yourself feeling a bit more chipper than usual. You felt like you didn't have anything to worry about anymore; your parents had approved of your relationship with Michael, and now you didn't have to hide the fact that you were going out with him. Everything seemed to be going so perfectly.

You had almost completely forgotten about what your mother had told you.

It was starting to grow closer to the usual lunch rush, however... there weren't nearly as many customers in the diner as there usually were. There was only about half of the regular amount.

"Damn, business is slow today..." you muttered under your breath, glancing over at Molly as she walked by, "where is everyone?"

     "Have you been living under a rock, (Y/N)?" she scoffed in return, rolling her eyes as she tucked her notepad into the pocket of her apron, "haven't you heard about all those kids disappearing recently?"

     "Yeah, my mom told me..." you replied with a small frown, glancing around the restaurant nervously, "is that why everyone's gone?"

     "Well, duh," she sighed deeply, crossing her arms over her chest, "do you really think parents are gonna bring their kids here after the last kid literally went missing here?"

     You tensed up at her words, and you quickly shushed her. You didn't want any of the customers to hear her. "Keep it down," you whispered, "then... why not just close the restaurant down until they find them?"

     "Be real, (Y/N), do you think that's gonna happen anytime soon?" She raised an eyebrow at your words, "besides, Mr. Afton would never shut this place down for a reason like that. He cares more about money than any of his customers."

     "You really shouldn't be talking about him so loud like that..." you muttered, fearing the man would just jump out at any minute, "what if he hears you?"

     "I don't give a damn if he hears me, he's lucky I'm even still here," she retorted with a huff, "everyone else has been dropping like flies ever since the news got out. It's so bad, Jason's mom made him quit last week."

Now that she mentioned it, you really hadn't seen Jason recently. How had you not even noticed that he quit? It was as if everything was flying right over your head.

"I'm only still here so I can help support my mom," she continued, face turning grim, "but I swear, if one more kid goes missing, I'm out of this shit hole."

     All you could do was stare after her in shock as she walked away, going to wait on another table as if that entire conversation hadn't even happened. A deep frown tugged at your lips, feeling a bundle of nerves building up in your stomach.

     She was absolutely right. Nothing of this nature had ever occurred before in this town, so it was terrifying for everyone; not just the children. Parents were fearing for their children's safety, teenagers began to worry if they were in danger as well, and other kids were left wondering if they would be the next to disappear.

     "Miss (Y/N)!" A young girl's voice interrupted your thoughts, and you looked up just in time to see a blur of blonde hair come running up to you. You let out a surprised gasp when you felt the little girl crash into your legs, and her arms wrapped around the bunched up fabric of your skirt as she hugged you tightly. "It's been so long, I've missed you!" She exclaimed as she tilted her head back, looking up at you with her wide green eyes.

     "Elizabeth!" You smiled down at the British girl, giggling softly as you patted the top of her head, making sure not to mess up her hair bow, "what a surprise! What are you doing here?"