𝗕𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗦

Fuck Ups & Fuck You

SONG REQUEST FOR THIS CHAPTER: THIS SIDE OF PARADISE by COYOTE THEORY

827 Words

Feel like I haven't posted on here in a while.

Usually, my job isn't that bad. There are a fair few times when I get annoyed or overwhelmed, but I can shake it off and keep going through my shift. But today feels like God is testing me. Like he's sitting up there, waiting for me to explode. I've dealt with rude customers, and the kitchen staff shouting at me for their wrongdoings or messing up an order, but today it seems like I'm relearning the job that I've had for years now.

To start with, I came in a few minutes late due to traffic and my manager shouted at me. I got over it, but then I had an argument with a customer when I kept telling them that we didn't have any milk in the back and wouldn't have any for some time, but they weren't listening to me. After that, everything started to slowly push me over the edge - low tips, small comments from the kitchen staff and customers and my lack of cigarettes in my bag that I could have had on my break.

Sometimes, working in a diner really kills you.

The bell dings above the door as a new customer enters. I don't bother looking over at them, and like routine, I grab a couple of menus and walk over to the table. It's only when I look at them that I regret walking over here, seeing the recognisable face that makes me want to use the menus as a bat on his face.

My ex-boyfriend.

And his new girlfriend.

He looks up at me with an evil smirk, clearly happy with my stunned reaction to his presence. And she looks me up and down, clear disdain and disgust in her eyes. I already hate the next 30 minutes.

"What can I get for you?" I push through it.

"I'll have a salad." Oh, she's one of those. What person comes to a diner filled with greasy food and orders a salad?

"What would you recommend, sweetheart?" He places his hand on my waist.

'I would recommend you take your hand off of me before I make you eat it.' Was what I wanted to say. "Our burgers are good," I grumble.

"Anything specific?" He keeps rubbing my skin.

Every part of me wants to shove his hand off of me and shout in his face, but I know that won't do anything. If anything, it would lead to my manager shouting at me for doing something wrong. So, unfortunately, I just have to push through it and deal with him in the least way I want to.

"Number 3 is my favourite," I say through gritted teeth.

When his hand starts to slowly travel down my body, I'm ready to completely ignore the sane part of my brain and knock him out senseless. But, before I can do something I won't regret, another hand on my lower back stops me. I turn to face the mysterious person behind me, seeing the tanned skin, bright blue eyes, and dark hair of Bucky, my coworker.

"You okay, babe?" He asks, making my eyebrows shoot to my hairline. "I've been waiting outside for you for ages."

I can see that he's in his own clothes instead of his red shirt and white apron for work. His hand on my lower back holds my waist, replacing my exes and pulls me closer to him, holding me tightly against his chest. At first, his actions shock me, but when I clock on to what he's doing, I have to prevent a smile from appearing on my face. He's saving me.

"Sorry," I reply to Bucky. "My shift's almost done. I'll be with you in a minute."

"Good, doll." He smiles at me before looking at them sitting at the table. "Now, either you tell me your order or get the hell out before I throw you out myself for disrespecting my girlfriend."

"Fuck you, dude." My ex stands up, pulling the girl up by her wrist. "We're getting the fuck out of here."

"Well done for taking the easy way out, buddy." Bucky smirks. "Smart move."

We both watch as my ex and the girl leave the diner, storming out of the door. I quickly turn to face Bucky, letting out the long and heavy breath I've been keeping since I saw them both enter.

"Thank you, Buck." I smile.

"Don't sweat it," He waves it off. "He seemed like a dick. You know who that was?"

"An ex." I shrug.

"Explains the look of anger on his face when I told him you were my girlfriend." He laughs.

"Yeah," I laugh with him. "Quick thinking, smart move with that one."

"It was either that or I punched him in the face for touching you like that." He takes a step closer to me. "You let me know if someone does anything like that again, okay?"

I can only nod my head at him.