Hello, Sweetheart

C H A P T E R 6

I wake up to the sound of birds chirping in the distance, my window is open slightly, letting fresh morning air makes its way through my bedroom. 

I sit up, last night I changed into old plaid shorts and a white crop top. I get out of bed and stretch my arms above my head. I pull my hair up into a messy bun and tie it off with a pink scrunchie that was on my wrist. 

I slide on my fluffy white bunny slippers and let out a small yawn and slowly trudge over to the door. Its Wednesday, no one's home around this time, 9:00 clock is when Avery is at school and my parents are at work. 

I'm technically supposed to be in by 8, but Dorothy gave me a later shift, so I don't go in until 12 pm. I open my bedroom door and walk to the kitchen. I itch the back of my neck and open the pantry door, grabbing a granola bar and a plastic red cup. 

I grab orange juice from the fridge and pour a decent amount of the liquid into my cup. I place the orange juice back into the fridge before taking the first sip of the orangey drink. I replay the phone call with Keaton in my mind. 

This went by so quickly...somehow, I'm his plus one to his sister's wedding. 

My mind goes straight to making lists and planning out outfits. I think about the weather and where the hell this rich guy is taking me. 

I take a stubborn bite of the granola bar and walk back to my room, I open my closet door, looking for a suitcase to take with my eventful trip. 

nothing.

I check under my bed and spot a hot pink suitcase, the only suitcase I own, I guess. I pull it out and set it up against my bed, studying the stickers I put on it when I was 12. It's decorated with unicorns and rainbow stickers. I smell a faint strawberry smell coming from the suitcase. 

Of course, scented stickers. I wouldn't be counted as a normal 12-year-old if I didn't have my hands on some sort of scented stickers, even if they smelled horrible. 

I roll my sleeves up and lay the suitcase on my bed, already taking certain clothes off my closet rack and laying them down in a pile on my bed. I plan together outfits, for example, I could wear this skirt with 2 different tops. These 2 pairs of shorts with these two tanks.

I grab my converse, sneakers and sandals and place them next to the picked-out outfits. I take the hangers off the shirts and fold them nicely into my pink childish suitcase. I neatly place my shoes beside the clothes I laid down and grab my makeup bag from my vanity. I throw my clear bag into the suitcase along with a few hairclips and two pairs of sunglasses.

I place other items, such as chargers, other electrical devices and multiple books. I always bring a book with me no matter where I go, even if I don't read any of them it's always best to stay prepared. 

I latch my suitcase after adding a few other stuff and switching outfits. I know this means leaving Avery for some time, but I need to get away, I need to see the world and experience new things. I've been stuck in Florida since forever. Born and raised. 

I change into a summer dress with spaghetti straps and a lilac flower pattern. I pin my hair up with multiple hairpins and pull two strands of hair that round my face. I put on my white sandals and apply a layer of lip gloss that's a rosy, pink color. 

I grab my bag and suitcases and walk towards the door. 2 hours passed and I depended on just arriving at the diner a bit early. My mind has been focused on Keaton the entire night, I just adored the way he said my name and how his tongue rolled on the L. 

I shake my head to clear the ridiculousness thought, honestly, I just met the man, I can't be romancing everything he says. I walk outside and take my same route down the street, making a shortcut to get to the diner quicker. 

I open the door and tons of people are sitting in every space in the diner, slurping on a coke or a milkshake. I hang my canvas bag up and tuck strands of hair behind my ears to wrap my apron around my waist. 

I grab my notebook and pen and sign into my shift early, I put one earplug in my ear and play "Summertime Sadness" faintly into my right ear. I nod a greeting towards Dorothy and make my way towards a table of a older couple looking over a menu. 

I smile warmly and clear my throat to a softer tone. "Hello! How may I help you today?" The older woman gives me a warm smile in return. "We're ready to order by the way...but me and Charles would like a glass of your finest sweet tea and two of your BLTS, extra bacon for Charles here." She pats the older man hand comfortingly. 

I nod. "Of course! That'll be right out!" I rip the paper with the order out of the small notebook pamphlet and tuck the pen into my apron pocket and walk behind the desk, placing the order into the system so the kitchen gets the notification. 

I feel a vibration through my pocket and pull out my phone with the hot pink phone case and type my password in to see the notification. 

Its Keaton. 

Keaton: Thought I just come by early so we can go to this nice restaurant for breakfast. Have your bags ready, be there in 2 minutes. 

I tuck the phone back into my apron and massage the bridge of my nose. Alright...this is really happening. I turn around and notice the food already on the silver, metal table of the elderly couple's food. I pick up the plates and walk over to the table. Keeping a solid eye on the door to see a tall ass man with poshy snobby clothes. 

"Here's your meals...I see someone got you your drinks already!" I chuckle softly and they nod, I place the plates down and they thank me kindly. I go to walk away until I hear the bell jingle. 

Of course, its the one and fucking only, Keaton Hayes.

He walks up to me like we've been best friends since childhood. "You said 2 minutes, not 2 seconds." I look at him and wipe my hands off on my apron. He smiles "I see you don't like surprises. You don't seem thrilled to see me darling, I feel offended." he puts a hand to his chest. 

I hate his snobby little cheesy disgusting smile. His teeth are pearly white, perfectly lined and just fucking perfect, no other way to describe it. I roll my eyes and when I turn around to place cash into the cash register, he turns to Dorothy.

"Lacey won't be able to attend the diners shift for some times, we have a few events to attend." 

"Alright then, I'll just hire some hobo off the street no problem at all." I smile slightly at the sarcastic comments she makes and watch her walk away. 

"Well doesn't she seem delighted..." before I can turn around he's holding me by the waist, untying my apron and placing it on the counter all folded up nicely. 

"It's Dorothy, you can't expect a hint of sarcastic remarks in her sentence, if it's a pure nice sentence, then something must be wrong with her." I smile, completely ignoring the warmth and pressure his hands left on my sides. 

stop romanticizing and being delusional. 

Well let's get going love, don't wanna be late for breakfast now don't we?" he grabs my hand and I notice he already has my suitcase and canvas bag in the other empty hand that isn't gripping me by the wrists. 

He opens out the door and the most beautiful classic Cadillac is parked outside. He must be rich. These cars aren't even invented anymore, you can't find them anywhere unless you pay shit load of money. 

He opens my door and I slowly get in and watch him put my bags in the backseat and walk to the other side to the driver's seat. He opens his door and gets in. 

"Nice stickers Lacey Darling." 

My face flushes with embarrassment knowing he saw my unicorn and scented stickers on my hot pink suitcase. I roll my eyes and cross my arms while the car engine starts and drives away. Leaving the diner, leaving my sister, leaving my home. 

for now.