This is Just Crazy...

Chapter 1

~ Natalie Rosetti's POV ~

I let out a frustrated sigh as I pulled my long caramel-colored waves up into a messy bun. I peered over at the clock on my nightstand. 9:45 PM. Great. My shift starts in 15 minutes. "Yay swing shift!" I mumbled sarcastically to myself as I rolled my eyes. I looked at my petite body in the mirror. I was just wearing a simple outfit for work; a black tee, ripped skinny jeans and red converse. I shrugged. It was good enough for being a waitress. It's not like I had anyone to impress there anyways. I glanced over at the clock again. 9:50 PM. I considered being late on purpose because my boss wouldn't let me have tonight off to go to a big party with Sydney, my best friend and roommate, and a few other of our friends. Whatever, I didn't need my boss nagging me all night for being late. I reluctantly walked away from the mirror and grabbed my phone and keys off my dresser. I walked out to the living room and grabbed my black pull-over from the couch and pulled it on. I opened the front door of our apartment and stepped out. The cold frigid air of an Oregon winter hit me and I shivered. I turned around to lock the door and then started to run over to my car, a red Fiat. I hugged myself hoping it would help to warm me up, but it was a pretty pathetic attempt. I opened my car door and hopped in, it was colder in here than it was outside. My whole body shivered as I put my key in the ignition and started to back out. This was going to be a pretty boring night...

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It was always pretty quiet during swing shift. I looked around the nearly empty diner, only 5 or 6 tables full. I watched my red converse stride on the black and white checkered flooring. This was a pretty classic 80s style diner; bright red booths, a jukebox, glowing neon signs lining the walls amongst other old Coca-Cola posters and such. I walked to the kitchen and wrapped my black apron around my waist, struggling to tie it behind my back. I let out a little sigh as Natasha walked behind me carrying a tray of drinks. Natasha was the only other waitress who worked swing with me so we grew to be pretty close. She was older than me, in her early 30s or so, but she was incredibly kind and beautiful. She was also a little ditzy, but her positive attributes shined through that. She set down her tray to help me tie my apron and heard me sigh. "Hey Nat, what's up? You don't seem all that happy tonight." She said sweetly. I turned around to see her straightened black hair up in a high pony-tail and neon red lipstick line her perfect smile. I looked down a little and shrugged. "I'm alright; a little bummed I couldn't go to a party. That's all." I said before looking and trying to return the smile. She looked at me with a little empathy and gave me a small hug. "Awh, I'm sorry Nat. Don't worry! There will be other parties at your age!" She said and gave me her signature smile yet again. "Alright, now I hate to bother you but you have work to do!" She said in a firm yet playful tone. "Alright, Alright! I'm getting to work!" I said as I filled the pockets of my apron with the notebook for taking orders, a pen and a handful of straws. I walked out to the quiet diner and began to tend to the tables. I bussed dishes, took orders, and delivered meals. My whole night was going to be like this, I better get used to it.

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After an hour or two of doing the same old chores, I began to grow bored. Very bored. I just finished dropping off a load of dirty dishes in the kitchen until I heard Tasha call my name. My head turned into her direction. "Hey Nat! I think these guys are for you!" She said excitedly while gesturing to the door. My eyes followed her gesture. At first I thought it was just a drunk group of college kids stumbling in until I recognized Syd's bright blonde ringlets falling down her head to her shoulders. My eyes lit up. "Nat!" she squealed as I felt her arms wrap around me in a tight hug. "Sydney!" I exclaimed. "What are you guys doing here?!" I said as I looked behind Syd and saw everyone else. Syd's boyfriend, Jake, came and pulled her off of me. "She had a little too much to drink..." He said with a chuckle. I laughed before peering behind them to see Mike and Kyle (friends of ours), and one more face I didn't recognize. I greeted Mike and Kyle with a small wave and a grin and they returned it. My eyes looked over at the unrecognizable face, I fell into a trance. He was... Gorgeous. His perfectly styled dark brown hair, his piercing forest green eyes, his bright white smile, his- "You goggling over my cousin?" I heard Jake's voice interrupt my admiring. I immediately turned bright pink and bit my lip. "Uh, what the hell are you talking about?" I snapped at Jake, trying to act like I wasn't embarrassed. "Come on! Don't you dare deny it Natalie!" he snapped back with a chuckle. I rolled my eyes. "Whatever!" I said, clearly annoyed at him for catching me gazing at the gorgeous face. I looked back at the handsome figure and realized how awkward that must have been for him. I caught myself before I could get lost in him again. I extended my arm and gave an uneasy smile. "I'm Natalie, but you can call me Nat for short" I said in a playful tone and gave a shrug. He extended his arm and gave my hand a shake. His large hand was surprisingly warm and soft. "I'm Devon, or Dev for short" His amazing voice spoke. It was deep and calm. Devon, finally a name to put to that face. I let my hand linger in his for too long before quickly pulling away and biting my lip. I looked down as the bright pink color returned to my face. This was about to be an interesting night...