Echoes

chapter 3

Nina’s date with Theo had been lovely. The café’s cozy atmosphere, combined with their easy conversation, had made for a perfect evening. They had laughed, shared stories, and even talked about plans for the future. But despite the chemistry between them, they had left the café without that much-anticipated first kiss. Instead, they had exchanged smiles and a promise to meet again soon. As Nina walked home, her thoughts were a swirl of excitement and anticipation, but also a lingering sense of something left unsaid.

When she arrived home, her mother was waiting in the kitchen, the aroma of freshly baked cookies filling the air. “How was your day?” her mom asked with a knowing smile as Nina walked in.

“It was really nice,” Nina replied, her cheeks still slightly flushed. “Do you remember Theo from summer camp he was there. And we went out. It was really good mom.”

“oh that's good . It's nice to have a friendly face.I’m glad to hear that sweety,” her mom said, pouring herself a cup of tea. “I actually have something to talk to you about. I remember you mentioned wanting to get a job this year to save up for college. Well, there’s a diner nearby that’s looking for someone. I mentioned you to the manager, and he’s interested in meeting you.”

Nina’s eyes lit up. “Really? That sounds perfect! I’ve been looking for something like that.”

Her mom nodded. “They need someone who’s responsible and friendly, and I think you’d be a great fit. You can go right now and meet the manager. It’s a good opportunity to start saving up.”

“Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it,” Nina said, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Nina headed to the diner, a quaint establishment with a retro vibe. The bell above the door jingled as she walked in, and the smell of burgers and soda greeted her. She approached the counter, where a middle-aged man with a friendly face was waiting.

“Hi, I’m Nina. I’m here about the job,” she said, trying to sound confident.

“Ah, Nina! I’m Mr. Thompson, the manager. Your mom told me all about you,” he said with a warm smile. “We’re excited to have you on board. Let me show you around and get you acquainted with the basics.”

Mr. Thompson gave her a quick tour of the diner, showing her how to brew coffee, operate the cash register, and handle various tasks. It was a lot to take in, but Nina was eager to learn.

“Now, the real test will be when the customers start coming in,” Mr. Thompson said as he finished up. “Don’t worry too much. Just be yourself and focus on providing good service.”

Nina nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety. As the dinnertime rush began, she jumped into action. The initial flurry of activity was overwhelming, but she gradually found her rhythm. Handling the orders, making milkshakes, and keeping the customers happy started to feel natural.

Then, a new customer walked in. He was tall, with a confident stride and a smirk that seemed to announce he was used to getting attention. His eyes roved over the diner before settling on Nina.

“Hey there,” he said, his voice dripping with a casual arrogance. “What’s good here?”

Nina forced a polite smile. “Hi, what can I get for you today?”

The guy tilted his head and looked her up and down. “And who are you, exactly? New around here?”

She felt a flash of irritation. “I’m Nina. I’m working here now. What would you like to order?”

His smirk widened. “Well, Nina, I guess I’ll have a coffee. You seem to be full of surprises.”

Before Nina could respond, Mr. Thompson appeared beside her. “Ah, Ethan! Good to see you. Nina, this is Ethan. He’s one of our other staff members. Ethan, Nina’s our new recruit.”

Ethan gave Nina a quick, assessing look before turning his attention back to Mr. Thompson. “Nice to meet you, Nina. Hope you’re ready for the chaos.”

As Mr. Thompson left, Ethan’s smirk returned. “So, how’s it feel to be the new kid on the block?”

Nina, already feeling defensive from their earlier interaction, tried to stay calm. “I’m managing just fine.”

Ethan chuckled and leaned against the counter. “You sure about that? It can get pretty hectic around here.”

Throughout his visit, Ethan watched Nina from his seat, throwing casual comments her way. His demeanor was cocky and teasing, and it didn’t help that he occasionally made her feel like she was under a spotlight. At one point, he picked up a guitar from a corner of the diner and started strumming a few chords, his voice carrying smoothly as he sang a popular tune.

Nina couldn’t help but notice the group of girls at a nearby table, practically drooling over Ethan’s performance. They giggled and whispered among themselves, clearly infatuated with him. It was hard not to feel a pang of insecurity seeing how effortlessly he attracted attention.

By the time Ethan finished his set and left, Nina felt a mix of frustration and confusion. She tried to shake off the feeling but couldn’t ignore the lingering irritation.

As she finished her shift and headed home, her mind was still buzzing. She replayed the date with Theo, their conversations, and the connection they shared. Yet, thoughts of Ethan lingered in the back of her mind, making her feel unsettled. She was trying to figure out why she felt this way, especially since she had only known Ethan for a short time. His cocky attitude and the way he seemed to draw people to him stirred something in her, and it made her uneasy.

At home, she was quiet during dinner, her mind preoccupied. Her mom noticed her distraction but didn’t press her. After eating, Nina retreated to her room and tried to relax. She thought about Theo and how comfortable and happy she felt with him. But Ethan’s smirk and the way he seemed to always be in the spotlight kept invading her thoughts.

As she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, she tried to push away her insecurities. The girls at the diner had been beautiful and confident, which only amplified her self-doubt. She wondered if she was good enough for someone like Theo, or if Ethan’s teasing was more than just harmless banter.

With a sigh, Nina closed her eyes and tried to focus on the positive aspects of her day. She reminded herself that she had just started this new chapter in her life, and there would be ups and downs. The excitement of reconnecting with Theo and starting a new job were important, and she didn’t want to let a fleeting, confusing encounter overshadow them.

As sleep finally began to take over, Nina’s thoughts were a jumble of feelings and uncertainties. But despite the confusion, she looked forward to the next day, hoping it would bring more clarity and perhaps a bit more understanding of the unexpected turns her life had taken.