24 Hours | n.h.

Eleven

"Good Morning Samantha," I smiled at the elderly woman who greeted me. "Your name tag is at the office. We're opening in 5 minutes. Theres this black waist band, you can hold your book and pen and straws and money in there." She says.

I nodded, walking to the back. I entered the office, grabbing my things. I grabbed a pen I surprisingly have in my bag. I hung up my sweater and bag. I wrapped the thing around my waist, walking out as I put my hair up in a high ponytail.

"Your tables are 3, 4,6,8. You take the left side of the booth for today," She says as someone walks in, getting a table. I heard someone sitting in a chair, the booth behind me.

"Got it?"

"Yeap," I nodded, turning around, noticing Niall has entered, sitting on the left side of the booth.

His smirked slowly appeared on my face. "Oh hello, Samantha," He says, trying to read my name tag like he doesn't know my name.

I let out a sigh and said, "Good Morning, sir. What would you like to drink?"

"Sir?" He smiled. "Hmmm... you're gonna have to wait," He says, looking through the menu.

"Alright, let me know," I said, walking away.

"Actually, I would like some black coffee, sugar and milk on the side please," He calls out.

I walked back and grabbed a small plate and a cup. I placed it in front of him and poured the black coffee. I placed it back in its place and took out the milk and sugar.

I turned around and walked away, only to stop from a gasp. "Are those yoga pants?" He says, gladly the guys in the kitchen couldn't hear.

I turned around, only to see his stupid smirk on his face, leaning back on his chair. "Yes, they are,"

"I'm gonna lean on you with a little secret," He says, indicating for me to walk towards him. I leaned in, only to be a few meters away from him. "Yoga pants plus your ass plus my boner, makes me wanna hop over this counter and fuck you from behind," He whispers in my ear.

"You're such a pig," I huffed, walking away from his laughter.

I took orders from others, only to ignore Niall's glances. He's just sipping on his coffee, not even looking at the menu. I went back and told the guys the orders, turning around to ask Niall what he wants to eat.

"I haven't decided yet," He sighs, looking from the menu to me then back to the menu.

"Well, if you don't order in the next 5 minutes, you're gonna have to give up your seat. You can't sit here all morning,"

"Who says I was gonna sit here all morning?" He asks.

"Well whatever you're planning to do, you have to leave in 5 minutes," I sighed.

"And if I order something to eat, I can leave whenever?" He asks.

"Basically," I shrugged.

"Then I'll have a stack of pancakes, make it 2," He smiles.

"That'll make 6 pancakes though," I pressed.

"I like to eat," He shrugs.

I bit my lower lip, obviously mad how he's trying to bother me. "Why are you bothering me? Especially on my first day of work!" I hissed.

"I'm bothering you? Huh, then I'm doing my job," He smiles, obviously accomplishing at his plan.

"To be totally honest, I would have never thought you'll be up by this time on a Sunday. You should be sleeping still, get over a hangover,"

"You think so low of me," He laughs and that laugh wasn't a pleasing laugh.

"I-I.. Well... You're.. Never mind," I sighed, giving the guys in the kitchen his order.

"Oh no no, tell me, Samantha. I would love to hear what you gotta say about me," He pushes, getting glances from a couple of people.

I ignored him, cleaning a table from the other side of diner, ignoring his stare down.

I just gotta get through today and I'll go home and ignore him for the rest of the night because he's giving me trouble.

After 10 minutes, his order was ready. I grabbed the 2 plates and placed it in front of him. I handed him butter and syrup. "Enjoy your breakfast," I snapped, walking away to another table.

----

Niall has finally left, not saying a word. He gave me a couple of money, not wanting the change back. He walked out, obviously pissed off.

I took off my apron and grabbed my stuff. Today was an accomplishment, after Niall left. I made new friends, loving the guys in the kitchen.

"Bye," Nicole, the elderly woman says as I make my way out.

I waved goodbye, walking out. I arrived home, quickly taking a shower.

Ashton has been questioning me about my day, trying not to make things awkward from yesterday. He either wants to talk about it or see if I'll avoid it.

I'm avoiding it.

"So, how's you and Michael?" He asks, eating ice cream from the carton.

I took a better look at Ashton, realizing that he's in sweatpants and his Led Zepplin shirt. His hair was actually better, not sex hair, not party hair. His normal hair when he was normal. His lip piercing was off, which only leads to his tattoos.

Of course they won't come off, they're fucking permanent.

"Uhh, I haven't spoken to him since that night," I shrugged.

He nodded, letting out a yawn. "Man, I'm fucking tired," He sighs.

"Have you been sleeping all day?"

"Yeah. If you don't mind, I used your netflix," He says.

I smiled, not caring at the moment. "It's fine. Did you go out last night and got home early?" I asked.

"Uh no. When you and Tasha left, Jade left too. I stayed home and did my own thing," He shrugs, putting the ice cream away.

"Wait, I want some," I pouted, jumping off the stool.

I walked towards Ashton, grabbing the ice cream from his hands. I also noticed that we were making a full conversation without arguing. He was so tall, I felt like a flipping midget.

"You're so damn short," He laughs.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed a spoon. I jumped on the counter, facing Ashton. "Can you be honest with me?" I asked.

He raised his eyebrow, wondering what I'm gonna ask. "Why do you hate Niall?" I asked.

He thought for a bit before answering. "Michael and I were always friends. He knows people in Australia which led to being friends with me. Niall would always pick on Michael for no reason till I came in the picture. I would pick on Niall. Remember that night I came home crying?"

"You told me you weren't crying," I smirked.

"Samantha," He said sternly.

"Yea, I remember," I sighed.

"Niall got enough of me and came back, saying that their life would be easier if I wasn't a dumbass to be sent down here," He says.

I pouted, at his sudden tone change. "And-And... And how I'm gonna be forever be alone and how I will never get Ta- have a future,"

"Ashton, you're not alone," I whispered.

"That's why I don't want you involved with us. You're gonna get hurt," He says.

"I'm not gonna-"

"Promise me you will never talk to Niall," He says.

Fuck.