One Last Shot

[2] Sprite

                                                                                               Liam

I didn't mean to be rude. But when the waitress comes out with the wrong drink and an attitude, how am I supposed to be nice? I'm also just, not nice to strangers, so I guess that also probably played a part.

"Well that's going out of your tip," I snap. Wrong answer. She picks the Ginger Ale from the hands, tilts it ever so slightly, and half the cup dribbles down my shirt.

"And to get that cleaned, that's coming out of your tuition." The guys laugh, and I'm humiliated. She walks away and Marcus gives me a stern glance.

"Try to be nice to her, she's my friend, and she works hard. She doesn't need asses like you ruining her shifts." I roll my eyes, Marcus is too nice to everyone. For the team captain as a Junior, he's no hard ass, but when it comes to his friends I guess he is. The guys keep talking, our food comes and it's all gone in 5 minutes. A basketball team coming off a game full of guys will do that.

"Everything taste okay?" She comes back over, I read her name tag, Iris. Cool name.

"Yes, thank you so much Iris," Marcus thanks her graciously, and I can tell him being overly nice is a result of me.

"Actually," I interject. "My Sprite has a bit of a Ginger Ale flavor to it, is there a reason for that?" The guys laugh and Marcus rolls his eyes.

"Yes I do believe there's a reason for that. Sometimes, guys like to fuck with their waitresses. And when that happens, we're not too understanding. So, instead of a new cup, I dumped the half of the Ginger Ale that didn't spill all over that ugly little jersey of yours, into the sink, and simply refilled it. If cross contamination isn't your thing, suck it it up buttercup." Marcus puts his head in his hands, letting a loud sigh out.

"Liam, cool it," he huffs.

"Seriously Bender, seems like this is one chick you don't want to mess with," one of his teammates adds. I roll my eyes, she might think she's putting me in my place, but I know the guys think I'm so cool for this.

"Smart guy," She puts the check on the table. "Have a nice night," She shoots me a fake ass smile and walks away. We leave after paying, Marcus making all of us over-tip for her for our behavior. I head back to my house with Felix, Archer, Jasper, and Grayson.

We slump on the couch.

"What a bitch," I groan, laying my head on a pillow.

"She was hot when she was putting you in your place, though," Jasper comments.

"Feel free," I say, sighing.

"Oh I wouldn't fuck her. Scared the shit out of me back there. Anyone know who she is?"

"Her name is Iris," I add.

"Yeah no shit Sherlock, I meant anything about her as a person. She's a year younger than us but I've heard nothing about her."

"I feel like I've heard the name before but couldn't tell you anything," Felix adds.

"I'm sure we've just heard Marcus mention her," Grayson says, shrugging.

"Yeah, probably," Jasper raises an eyebrow and looks at me inquisitively.

"What?" I whine.

"Why were you such an ass to her? Because she's hot?"

"Dude, obviously," Archer laughs.

"What? No. She just looked easy to pick on, and you know me."

"So you don't think she's hot?" Jasper asks.

"Nope."

"Get your eyes checked, dude," Felix says, getting up to head to his room. We all disperse to our rooms, me laying in my bed in silence. She was such a bitch. In front of my team talking to me like that? Some nerve. If she knew who I was she wouldn't have done that. Whatever, a hot shower after a good win and hopefully some rest, and I'll forget all about her. I get a text from dad, unusual this late at night.

Dad: "Heard you won tonight. Nice."

Me:"Yeah, easy win. How's mom?"

Dad: "Fine at the moment, she wants to go to at least one game this season, she misses seeing you play."

Me: "She doesn't have to if it's too much for her. I think I'm going to visit soon."

Dad: "Just name a time." I like the message and lay in bed. My mom has an untreatable illness. In fact, the doctors have no idea what it is, so they don't know if it's dangerous or not. I spend a decent amount of time at the hospital, or taking care of my younger sibling, but when basketball season starts, dad insists I stay focused on school and basketball. It's hard not seeing mom, though, and I miss her. Hopefully I'll see her soon, all will be right the world, and I'll never have to see Iris again.