The screaming of the world around me had eventually become nothing but a familiar humming in the background. And the flashing lights that used to worry me about seizures were just a soft source of entertainment.
New York was fantastic, but what would astonish you in the beginning, too soon just became an afterthought. There was always something new to be seen here, always calling out to you, always beckoning; but what I loved above all, was night.
Your senses awoke to the buzz in the air and the loose, jittery feeling you got when you went out on the town was fantastic. Day after day, it was still as exciting and spontaneous as the last. You could never wait for tomorrow. It always felt like forever.
"Table for two. Water, no lemon." Riane barked, tossing me her notepad as she rushed by balancing trays full of cake on both arms.
I grabbed two menus and led a couple to their table by a window. The water pitcher waited for me on the counter with two cups already polished sitting beside it. Riane was always rushing around, taking orders, striking up a good conversation with the customers, and somehow still helping out her coworkers at the same time. She had gotten the cups ready for me and I never did a thing for her.. well, I did help her a little, but that's just cause we were friends. She did need to watch her mouth sometimes though, because she could be rude and would never even realize it. Anyways, I grabbed the pitcher and filled the glasses then brought them to the table. "Welcome to Dags Diner, can I get you anything else to drink today? Our seasonal lemon lime float comes free with any meal of $12 or higher."
"No thank you. Water is just fine."
"Alright, are you ready to order, or would you like a minute more?"
"Um.. I think we're ready. Lincoln, you can go first." The woman looked to the man she was with.
I looked up from my notepad and my words caught in my throat before I could get them out. I cleared my throat in an attempt to hide my surprise. I'd gone to school with this guy for more than half of my life, and here he was, sitting with some random brunette. "Ahem..I um. order. Wha-what would you like to order?" I forced the words out. It felt like a brick sliding down my throat when I spoke. I couldn't believe he was with another girl... but why couldn't I? We'd never been together or even considered it... so why was I so appalled?
"Excuse me? Waitress... Dawn?" His face contorted in astonishment. "Oh my gosh wow I haven't seen you in a year or two how are you, you look beau-"He glanced at the girl he was with.
Her steely glare slapped him in the face and he quickly looked back down at the menu. "...I think I'm fine with just water." He slid the menu across the table and snuck me a flirty glance.
My heart skipped a beat. But I felt good again. "Would you like to order anything?" I looked to the lady.
"No thanks, actually, I just remembered we were going to the movies." She gave me a questioning look and stood up quickly, dragging Lincoln out with her.
I watched in agony as he left. Oh gosh. No, not this again. Right after I'd begun to feel good again. It's this weird feeling I get when I become really sad and an invisible bubble begins to slowly form around me. I want to draw into myself and block everyone out because my blood pulses in my ears and heart races and suddenly I have to cover my face, trying to hold in tears I didn't know I had. Sadly, I guess I'll have to admit it.. I'm in love. Those feelings have all been described to me and I've felt them so often.. and everyone around me is happy. I'm on my own little island out here, no one to vent to, no one to kiss and hug, no one to love.
"Dawn, why did they just leave?" Riane walked over to me and pursed her lips.
"Um, the guy ... I'll tell you later."
She raised her eyebrows and picked up the menus; then turned around and went into the kitchen to clean up before we closed the diner.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. 'Just shake it off and move on' I told myself before grabbing a rag and wiping down tables.
As the last customers were leaving and the drunks were finally staggering out into the dark, I closed and locked the doors and flicked off the light switch. My eyes rose to the ceiling and followed the lights as they went out one by one. Walking to the back, I swung my bag that hung on the rack by the door over my shoulder and sat on the bench outside of the diner.
The sky was just a cloudy darkness, you couldn't see the stars in the city. And the air was a bitter warm, not hot enough to go short sleeve, but not cozy like in the fall. I watched a ragged leaf fall from a tree standing by itself across the street. A car sped by and sent the leaf back into the air as it fell to the pavement. It fluttered about then landed in a ditch and disappeared in the trash on the side of the road. Frowning, I shifted my weight and looked up at an advertisement for Victorias Secret.
"Dawn, you ready to go?"
"Oh!" I jumped as Riane exited the diner. "You scared me.. and yeah, we're still going to your place right?"
"Yep. Here, my car's around the side."
I stood up and followed her to her little purple Honda.
"Awright, want to get anything to eat on the way?" She turned toward me and waved a dollar around.
"Well you probably have food at home."
She smiled and laughed. Then put the car into drive and hit the road.
