The Stars In Your Eyes ✩ Tim Shepard

He's Back pt.1

3 Months Later

The spring faded into summer and along with the new heat came new opportunities. I had gotten a job at a small twenty-four-hour diner in downtown Tulsa, called Angelo's. It was a cheap little place, specializing in coffee, eggs, and burgers, nevertheless, the tips were decent.

Over the past months, I was suddenly inspired to start making my own money. Though I didn't necessarily need to, I wanted to. It felt amazing to finally do something for myself.

I hadn't seen the face of Tim Shepard since I left him that April morning after my birthday. The only connection I had to him or his gang, was through Breanna's boyfriend, Gage, though I hardly ever saw him besides the times me and my friend hung out together and he happened to be there.

Though I usually told Bre everything, I had neglected to tell her what had happened between the two of us. However, I knew Bre was a smart girl. She had probably somewhat pieced together what transpired between us, though, I was grateful for her silence about the whole ordeal.

In truth, I intended to put everything behind me. Bre and I were going to college in a month– the same college in fact. Soon, we would be rid of this awful town, and I would be rid of Tim Shepard. For good.

I would never have to see him again- or so I thought.

At Angelo's, I worked the night shift, which was great because I was practically an insomniac. Bre had helped me get the job through contacts she had at her own place of employment, yet, she constantly told me it was all me. We both knew the truth.

I sighed, setting down two plates in front of the table I was serving. I smiled, they thanked me, and I walked away to top off more coffees around the diner.

Despite the clock on the wall's reading of 11:48, Angelo's twenty-four-hour diner still housed its usual clientele: older men and women stuck on the night shift who considered this time their breakfast and fellow insomniacs like me who dropped in for a quick bite to eat or just to sit and stare out the window as they sipped on lukewarm java.

Milo, a regular who came in every other day, waved me over.

"Another refill?" I quizzed, eying him suspiciously. It was his third soon-to-be fourth coffee of the night.

The older gentleman offered me a sheepish smile. "Coffee don't hit me like it used to, Connie." He explained. "In short; I'm old."

"They got you working overtime again?" I asked curiously, filling the porcelain cup in the man's hands. I was careful not to spill any of the hot liquid.

Milo hummed. "Course they do. Can't find no one else who wants to work. Plus, I'm the fastest mop alive." He added with a grim chuckle. I nodded as the man continued, "That's why I like you. The workforce needs more educated young people like yourself who want to make an honest living."

"Don't listen to him." Otis- another regular cut-in. "If I were you, I would stay away from heavy-lifting jobs; construction, factories, machines, and the like. Nothing but knee and back problems."

"Oh, cut it, you two." My coworker Mira said as she settled a plate of sausage and eggs in front of Otis. "Y'all squabble like cats and dogs whenever you're in here together."

Milo and Otis exchanged a look as Mira narrowed her eyes at them. Over the past few weeks I'd known Mira, I had come to realize she had no tolerance for drama, especially between customers.