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Chapter 6

-slight harassment warning-

RING...RING "Nick will you get that?" Elizabeth squawked from behind the counter; she was already swamped with orders from other people. Nicky grabbed the white wall mounted phone in the kitchen and switched on his professional customer service voice. "Hello, thank you for calling 'Roll out' the takeout diner. How can I help you?" Nicky could hear the cry of a baby as a woman quickly placed her order. He was dressed in a red shirt and blue jeans with white knitted knee high socks with a yellow band around the top. His faded green Converse, instead of his usual red ones, were hidden under his jeans.

"Ok ma'am that will be ready..." he checked his watch. "about 10 minutes, would you like us to bring it to your home?" The woman said abruptly "no, that won't be necessary. I only live a couple minutes away. I can come get it!" With a quick "thank you and goodbye" from Nicky he strode into the bustling kitchen. He slapped the order down on the metal bench where Gabriel and Grace were deep-frying fries and cooking burgers. "Order!" He yelled, causing several heads to turn and look at him. "Could you say that any louder?" Steve replied, sarcasm dripping from his voice. Nicky rolled his eyes, slapping the bench again with a little more force growling out "order...Now" he walked away hearing Steve audibly scoff.

" Hey Nick-knack", Mariam called as he walked into the break room. She was most likely texting her girlfriend. She was sipping on a glass of orange juice that was from the fridge in the corner. Nicky made his way over to the fridge and pulled out a coke. That's when he spied it. Steve's energy drink Nicky suddenly had a breakthrough idea like the huge amount of deep fat fried oil vapours actually did something for his brain instead of destroying his brain cells. He picked up Steve's energy drink with the cold metal feeling comfortable in his hand. 'Red bull' he thought Steve and him had never gotten along. He was always trying to get Nicky in trouble probably for the fact he could rollerskate and Steve couldn't but if something broke it was instantly Nicky's fault because "I wAtCHeD YoU Do IT" was always the argument.

Nicky shook the can of Red Bull vigorously. Mariam watched him, her eyebrow cocked "what are you doing?" she asked. Nicky gave her a wolfish grin and said "Just stirring up Steve's drink" Mariam looked at him with a look that suggested 'I wouldn't do that if I were you' but Nicky ignored her continually shaking the drink "Nicky, what if Steve sees you?!" Nicky stopped looking around the break room "that's funny" he said he stepped forward placing his hand on the table "I don't see him". Mariam rolled her eyes and rolled her shoulders placing down her phone. "If you want to get in trouble, knock yourself out."

Nicky grinned again and finished shaking the can, placing it back inside the fridge. He glanced at the clock. "I need to get rolled up," he groaned. Mariam smirked and pulled out a pair of purple roller skates that had tiny silver stars on them. "Here" she laughed as she helped him tie the laces of the too-small roller skates. "Thank you" Nicky said he rolled towards the door grabbing the frame for support "by the way" he said just as he was about to leave "please don't tell anyone especially Steve about the drink" Mariam smiled and made a lip sealing motion with her hand. She started helping him out of the doorway as he stumbled like a newborn baby deer. It was easier when he got outside on the smooth ground. He couldn't wait to finish his shift and have a cold beer on his couch. He could watch some shitty movie or something.

" Take care," Mariam warned as Nicky pushed off from the ground gliding across the parking lot. He pulled his notepad and pen from his pocket leaning over the window of the car. "Hey there folks, what can I get you?" The middle aged man behind the steering wheel looked at Nicky before glancing at his two kids "yes can I have two burgers, one taco and three cherry sodas?" Nicky nodded, noting the order down. The ground wasn't exactly flat so he was sliding a little bit. He noticed June out of the corner of his eye serving three older men who were in a truck. Nicky looked at the family he was serving "one moment please I will be back" the dad laughed and waved "it's perfectly ok I know it's rush hour for you!" Nicky nodded and skated over to the car where June was. The creep in the driving seat was being a little too...handsy touching June's shoulder, his eyes wandering to her breasts. Nicky felt anger boil in his stomach.

He skated over and stood just behind June. "Hey pal!" The unnerving driver said. Nicky grit his teeth gently moving June behind him. He was quite protective of his coworkers and didn't like how these men were eyeing June. "Hey pal" Nicky said, trying not to sound too intimidating but his voice was still laced with a hint of anger "I would appreciate it if you didn't touch my coworker". The guy in the passenger seat burst out into coils of laughter and nudged the driver, who then turned to the guy in the back still laughing. His laughter stopped and he looked at Nicky "what you plan to do about it...Sissy"

Nicky lost it when he saw a nearby drink on a tray. He took it to the server's displeasure "here's your drink!" He threw the coke at the guy in the passenger seat "June can I have a napkin? '' June grinned at him and grabbed some from her breast pocket, handing them to Nicky. The driver stared shocked at Nicky. "Here your napkins" he swiftly punched the driver in the nose watching as thick red blood dripped down his nose onto the napkins in his lap. Nicky watched their faces contort as he leaned over the window ledge and growled out a simple "leave." He stepped back and watched as the guy scrambled to start the truck he pulled out and sped down the road Nicky watched them go "disgusting" he said before sighing and turning to June "we should tell someone" June nodded and grabbed Nicky's arm just as he was about to leave "thank you" she said her voice slightly trembling.

"Home sweet home" Nicky snarled as he entered the building to bright lights making his head hurt. He wanted to go to his apartment and sleep. The only positive part of his day was the fact that he had seen Steve open the can and get covered in sticky red bull. "Hey" he said to the front desk employee. "Someone's here to see you" she snapped, her tired voice mixed with frustration. Nicky cocked his eyes and looked down the hallway. A figure stood at the end. He walked forward thinking it was someone from the bank or something. "Hey Nicky'' they said his mouth grew dry "M...Maritza?" he asked. She stepped forward and smiled "it's me". Nicky could have cried...and he did.