Under the Counter ~ Luke Danes

3. A Ride Home

Isabella rushed into the diner with her heavy shopping bags filled with clothes and school supplies. There went her birthday money. She went early shopping to avoid all the people. She started her senior year of high school in 2 weeks. She was not excited at all. She was growing up. She was slowly panting. She placed her bags on the chair next to her at the counter. The diner was unexpectedly packed at 10. However, people were quickly leaving to go start their day. It smelled of coffee and pancakes.

"Alright Bell what do you want?", Luke asked looking at the notepad in his hand. Wearing a blue and yellow flannel, with the sleeves rolled up to his arms as always, revealing the veins on his strong arms and his blue cap on his head backwards.

Isabella was taken aback by the nickname Luke had given her. Normally people call her Bella for short but she loved the originality and how only Luke has ever called her that. She thought it was the hottest thing she ever heard him say. The way her nickname rolled off his tongue. She wanted to hear him say it again. She gave him an admired look while he stared at his notepad.

Isabella looked at the menu while Luke stared at her. He thought she looked beautiful. He always admired her when she came in, watching her eat her food by herself. He could always smell her as she walked away from him.

"I'll have waffles with a side of bacon please", she said innocently as she smiled.

He loved that she was always smiling at him. He admired that about her. He loved when she smiled.

"That junk will kill you Bell.", he said bluntly.

"At least I'll die happy and with a full stomach Luke." Isabella said with a snarky tone. She watched him as he walked away, he was perfect in her eyes. She wanted to get to know him more but she was unsure of how to start conversation.

"Do you want coffee Bell?"

"No. Thank you though. I'm not much of a coffee drinker."

"What? I'm known for having the best coffee in town and you don't drink coffee?" He seemed almost offended.

"No I never really liked the taste of it. I always thought it was too bitter."

"You do know you could always add cream and sugar to make it taste better?"

"Nah I'm good. I'd rather not stain my teeth thank you very much." She chuckled.

"Order up!", a man from the back yelled and placed her order on the counter behind Luke. Luke grabbed her plate swiftly and placed it in front of her.

"Enjoy your food."

"Ahhhh thank you, you kind gentleman."

Luke nodded his head at her as to say "you're welcome" but he just left to clean the other tables. He thought about how cute and quiet she was. Not much of a talker. Which was new to him because everyone in Stars Hollow were chatterboxes compared to her.

A couple minutes went by and her cell phone rang. Luke came rushing to the counter in front of her and pointed at his "No Cell Phones" sign. Isabella rolled her eyes playfully and sighed, "But Luke come on." She whined.

"No get out." Luke said as he pointed towards the door not looking up from the counter.

"Fine."

Isabella rushed out the door and answered her phone. It was her mom. She brought her phone up to her ear.

"Hi mom what's up?"

"Honey your dad and I have to go out of town to the city because he needs to get some more tools for the house. Are you okay with just being by yourself."