Back in the Saddle

Time Flies

Karl's POV:

It's been three days since that day at work. Every one of those days I've gone back to work, but luckily Hannah was there every time so I didn't have to see Felix again. After I got back to work on Tuesday, Felix didn't talk to me really the rest of the time. I was okay with that, besides the fact that it was extremely awkward.

Now it's Friday, and I can tell that it is much busier than normal. Throughout the week, it was never insanely busy, but that changed today. The line for concessions is never shorter than four or five people and me and Hannah are working our asses off to get them all served.

We both get along really well: when she got back, she was nice from the start and was patient with me. I showed her Felix's way of doing things and she showed me hers, so we ended up compromising by the end and got all the pre stuff done even faster than Felix and I did. She's really funny and incredibly nice and she's amazing at this job. If I liked girls, I would no doubt have a crush on her.

But I'm not, so we're just friends.

She actually asked me about if I'm gay, saying that she didn't want to be rude but she couldn't stifle her curiosity. I answered her honestly: it's not like I'm trying to hide it or anything, but no one ever asked so I never needed to tell them. However, I am debating telling Nick... just so he knows.

"Hi, can I have my usual, please," a familiar voice says from the window I have my back to. I spin around, smiling at the sight of Alex leaning against the counter. "Oh wait, you don't know those yet, do you?" I shake my head. "Well, good sir, I would like the hamburger meal with a root beer, please."

"You don't want cheese?" I scoff incredulously.

"I hate cheese on burgers."

"Oh, well then I don't know if we can be friends," I joke with a smile. "Hm, I suppose I have to make that for you, seeing as it's my job."

"Make it quick, I got places to be and people to see," he replies and I laugh.

"I'll take extra long just 'cuz you said that."

"No no no no no, please don't, I'm hungry."

"Luckily for you, I get tipped more the quicker it takes. Keep that in mind when it's ready in two minutes. I'm just that good so you might as well get used to it and tip generously. Unless of course you're broke."

"You don't tip at concession stands, hombre."

"Broke," I whisper and he sighs, pulling out a five and handing it to me.

Even though this is like the same cost as what he paid for already, I take the five and slip it into my pocket before getting to work making his food. We already grilled the patties this morning, which means all I have to do is microwave them and put them on a bun with condiments and lettuce.

While it's in there, I grab a medium sized styrofoam cup and put it under the root beer dispenser, then I pop a lid on it once it's done and grab an unopened straw. I set those on the counter next to me before going back to the microwave and retrieving the patty. I ready the bun with ketchup, mayonnaise, and pickles before setting the patty on the other side. Then I finish it off with lettuce, tomato, and onions since he didn't ask for any of that to be off.

Once it's done, I put it on the checkered paper in the red basket and scoop some fries from the fryer onto it. After I've done that, I grab the drink and straw and get two napkins and put it all on a tray before returning to the window where he's still waiting patiently.

"Wow, that was honestly really fast. Let's hope it's good or I might have to dock your tip."

Upon saying that, he picks it up from the basket and puts it to his lips. But, before he takes a bite, he takes a big sniff which I find hilarious for some reason. He seems to think it's okay since he takes a big bite. Then he takes another. And another and another until the whole thing is gone and he's licking ketchup and grease and salt from the fries off his fingers.

"Damn, that was pretty good," he says at last.

"Yeah? I think I'm doing well."

"You're doing more than well, 'cuz this is amazing. No offense, Hannah," he says to the redhead who's at the other window, taking another customer's order. She merely rolls her eyes and smiles at him. "Hey, guess what. Tomorrow is our two week anniversary."

"Wait, really? It's been two weeks already?" He nods and I think my brain explodes out of surprise. "Today is one week since I met Nick and Clay, and Wednesday will be two weeks in Texas. That's literally insane. Time has flown by since I've been here."

"You know what they say, time flies when you're having fun. It seems to me that you've just had a lot of fun here."

Before I have a chance to say anything else, I hear Sam's voice calling for Alex to get back to work. He instantly listens and gives me a little salute as he takes off to where the blond is waiting on him impatiently. I just laugh and get back to work, serving the next person who steps up to the counter.

===

I walk out the front gate of the ranch, accompanied by my three friends. Alex is bullying Clay for his wipeout today. There was another competition today and Clay got quite literally launched off the bull, causing him to limp a little out of soreness. Alex and Nick also competed: Nick got first place, staying on the bull the longest, and Alex placed third, so they both got some pocket money from winnings.

Clay wasn't too happy.

"Oh crap, I completely forgot to text Wilbur to tell him to come get me," I say, pulling out my phone. We've rode together every day, but today Nick and Clay have plans so Alex and I have to hitch our own rides. They all stop walking and turn to look at me. "You guys can go ahead; Nick, Clay, get to where you need to go and Alex you don't have to wait on me, I'll just chill here until Wilbur gets here."

"You guys live like twenty minutes away, we're not leaving you here alone," Nick says sternly.

"Well I don't want to hold you guys up."

"I can take you home, Karl," Alex says. All three of us look at him: we didn't know he had a car, seeing as the one he had in North Carolina was just a rental. Although it does explain why he didn't ride with us this morning. "What? Guys, I do have a car, you know. It's just crappy."

"If you don't mind, I would appreciate it."

"Of course!"

With that, the four of us go off in pairs to our respective cars. I swear I can feel Nick's eyes watching us, but I don't look back to check. We reach his car and I see that he was correct and it is quite crappy.

It's black and small, dirty and old. I don't make a comment because I don't really care, and he was nice enough to offer me a ride, so I'm not gonna make fun of his car. The inside is exactly how I imagined it and makes up for the confusion I felt at how clean the rental car was. There are straw wrappers and random papers all over the floor and old cups in the cupholders.

As he powers on the car and pulls out of the lot, I glance over at him with a grateful smile. My smile falters a little when I notice how upset and awkward he seems, since that is not anything like the Alex I've grown so used to.

"Are you okay?" I ask quietly.

"Hm? Oh, yeah I'm fine. I just didn't really want you to see my car," he chuckles though he doesn't seem like he finds it all that funny.

"I don't really care: I wasn't born with a silver spoon or anything. I just really appreciate you giving me a ride."

"Anytime, Karl. Say, I don't have anywhere to be. Do you wanna do something." I nod eagerly, grinning brightly at him. "Alright then, is there anything in particular you wanna do?"

"Surprise me."

Word Count- 1428

a/n- yay we're gonna have more karl and quackity content next chapter. also almost two hundred reads? already? thanks, damn.