Love Bites

Chapter 16 - Today, Is A Good Day

 Now when it was time Charlie opened up at least to herself, she realized she never ever liked working at Johnny Rockets. Not even for a tiny bit second. She didn't knew if it was a better or worse fast food chain than others, but what she knew for sure she hated every moment of serving there. She hated the tables, the uniform, the dishes, the silly fake smiles of her co-workers, the cooks, the customers, the food. She even hated herself for being stuck there when she knew it wasn't where she belonged. She understood she should be doing something else instead.

Today was a good day, she told herself. Today is going to be better than yesterday, because Clarke's shift was yesterday. Today he is not going to bother her with his stupid claims. Today there are going to be a great deal less people because little of them hang out on weekdays. Today is good. And tomorrow is going to be even better.

Charlie reluctantly walked in circles in the kitchen. It was eleven o'clock in the morning, and she was meeting Duff at five pm. A whole shift before she sees him. She guessed it was good she had something to do at her hands so she just doesn't drive herself up the wall thinking about him like she usually did before a date. Before her so-called "new LA" chapter began, she would never have guessed guys were going to become such an important and time-consuming part of her life.

So right where she stood now a Clark Stepler-involving incident took place a day before. Clark, the ultimate nobody-considers-worthy guy has been abruptly and weirdly trying to flirt with her for good two months, and Charlie never saw a good reason for it. She still wondered why would she interest a guy, and a especially glasses-wearing, changing-shirts-every-single-day guy like Clark Stepler. That's been a mystery yet to be solved. However, this did not stop Clark from doing his creepy deeds, and yesterday he approached Charlie with a sharp knife designed for cutting cherry tomatoes, threatening her to kill himself if she rejected him. Luckily, she was quick enough to cry out for some people who managed to stop and disarm him before he attempted to do any harm. Clark was sent home with a hasty paid-for day off, and Charlie only firmly established she must leave that psycho house as soon as she could.

So though the new day was easier and less stressful than the previous one, Charlie caught herself thinking something was wrong every few moments. She tried to act chilly, not bicker with Wendy over trifles and just wait until the end of the day like she usually did. But there was that slight uncomfortableness inside her that didn't let her feel safe. She knew it is not the feeling she had planned to meet Duff with, but she finally identified it as nervousness. When the clock face showed five minutes to give pm, she developed such a terrible stomachache she had to lock the toilet's door and give herself some times to breathe deeply and calm down. 

"What is he going to tell ? Damn, what? What if he is dumping me? What if he has already dumped me and I didn't get it?! What if he drags a girl with him? What if he doesn't come at all?!" - Charlie thought to herself in dull horror. She was starting to panic even though she realized it was a stupid and useless thing to do.

Gradually, she somehow made herself come to her normal senses and get out, tiptoeing silently. She sneaked into the restaurant's hall to check if she was needed. There were literally zero customers, only a couple being served by a new Croatian guy, and a man in a baseball cap who was talking to Wendy. Charlotte almost decided she was grabbing her jacket and going home when she realized somebody was watching her. She turned on her heels slowly and saw Duff McKagan himself catching every move she made.

- Do you often get Honky Tonk Woman sang to you?

He was sitting by the corner table so Charlie didn't notice him at first. He had a bruised shoulder he didn't bother to cover, a headband lost in his bottle-blonde locks, and a bottle of beer in his hand.

- It's Honky Tonk Women, just for your information - she couldn't help correcting him, - you don't mess up with The Stones! 

- Ugh, whatever. This place brings the song to mind, I don't know. It's situated like we are in the middle of  Arizona or I don't know what.

- I've never been to Arizona, - Charlie stated frostily, crossing her hands on her chest. - Also, hi Duff.

- Didn't I greet you? Sorry. Hi, Miss...Mademoiselle Charlotte. 

He had such an awful idea of what French accent sounds like that Charlie couldn't suppress a giggle. He smiled foolishly, too, and that made her both think of how adorable he was and angry that she didn't manage to appear cold, hurt and disdainful.

- Whataya want from me?

- Sit down, at first, - he nodded at the chair next to his, - also, you look cute today.

These were the words that every girl was happy to hear, but they put Charlie on the guard. Was he being sarcastic or what?

- I look like a person at work...Though what do you know about work, - she mumbled, taking a sit behind him.

- I worked at Black  Angus, have I even mentioned that? Whatever. So shall I start with the facts or with the news?

Charlie was scared but also triumphant. She knew that wasn't all as easy as it seemed! Duff didn't look very concerned or anxious though, sipping his beer and throwing long glances at her. What is happening?

- I don't care...Well, let it be the news!

- I thought you would like to know that Axl's girlfriend is pregnant.

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♪ Mudhoney - Today, Is A Good Day

Author's note: It's been a long time since I rock and rolled! (Led Zeppelin fans will get this :)) I feel really bad about not updating for a month, but there have been too many new and old things in my life that consumed all my time. I was watching Guns on YouTube today, and I knew I had to go and write this! Tell me what you think, please, and I promise I'll publish next part in much less than 31 days. :D