Dreamcatcher

Chapter 2 - Tuesday

It's your typical Tuesday. The kind that feels like a slow crawl from the start. The diner is quiet this morning, the kind of peaceful lull I've come to expect. My shift starts at 8 a.m., same time every day. Routine has become a comfort.

As soon as I walk through the door, I'm greeted by Paige, the ever-peppy, full-of-energy friend I've had since day one. She practically bounces over to me, her smile as bright as ever. "Morning, sunshine!" she chirps, her enthusiasm making me smile despite the early hour.

Paige has been my rock ever since I started working here. We clicked instantly, and even on the slowest of mornings like this, she somehow manages to keep the energy alive. It's a nice contrast to the calm, quiet life I've settled into over the past few years.

I grab my apron and tie it around my waist, slipping back into the rhythm of the diner life, a routine I've come to love. But as I get ready for the day ahead, my mind drifts back to how I ended up here in the first place.

When my mom got sick, everything changed. My dad asked me to help out, and without a second thought, I quit my job, packed my bags, and moved back to this small town. I got my own apartment, took on a job at the diner to help with bills, and stayed close to my family. Daniel came into the picture shortly after that, and now we share that same apartment.

My mom eventually got better, which was a huge relief, but even after things settled down, I didn't leave. The quiet life had a way of growing on me. I fell into the rhythm of it all—slow mornings at the diner, peaceful nights at home with Daniel, the comfort of a steady routine. It wasn't the life I had planned, but I learned to love it. The simplicity. The calm.

Paige nudges me out of my thoughts with a playful grin. "Earth to Ashlyn. Daydreaming again?"

I laugh, shaking off the memories. "Just thinking about how glamorous life is," I say, flashing her a mock serious look.

Paige chuckles, rolling her eyes. "Hey, you know you love the peace and quiet. But me? I crave adventure. I'd love to get out of this small town and see the world."

"Then why don't you? Go explore, cross off the items on your bucket list," I suggest, wiping down the counter, already knowing what her response will be.

She sighs dramatically, leaning against the counter. "Ash, you know I can't afford to do that. Not yet, anyway. But if I could, would you come with me?" She asks, her eyes lighting up with a mix of mischief and hope.

Before I can answer, the bell above the door jingles, and a group of people walk into the diner, interrupting our conversation. Paige winks at me, giving me a playful shove before heading over to help them. I watch as she switches to work mode, all smiles and energy, but her question lingers in the back of my mind.

I continue wiping down the counter, but my thoughts wander to the idea of leaving. Where would I go if I just up and left? It's a strange thought, given how much I've come to love the calm and routine of my life here. But still, Paige's words stick with me, and for a moment, I find myself dreaming of places I've never been, things I've never done. What if I could just take off, leave everything behind, and see the world?

I shake the thought away, bringing myself back to the present. The bell rings again, snapping me back to reality, as another customer walks in.

The hours tick by slowly, the diner quiet except for the occasional clatter of dishes and murmurs of conversation. I glance at the clock—3 p.m. One more hour until my shift ends. The diner's nearly empty, with only a couple of patrons lingering. One in my section, the rest in Paige's.

As I pour coffee for my lone customer, the familiar sound of the bell above the door rings out, pulling my attention. I glance up and freeze for a moment. Green eyes. It's him—Dean.