Chapter 07: The night

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The night shift was always given to the new or crappy workers, Eric had told Eden. This confused her, for the night shift was a time where workers fought for positions. But since Tony's was a family restaurant open twenty-four hours a day, there wasn't much traffic at two in the morning. Nevertheless, Eden was stuck with that shift, and she would just have to suck it up and deal with it.

After slipping on her new black pants and official diner t-shirt, she was ready to go. She went by Brooke's bed and kissed her on the forehead, but the girl was sound asleep. The two girls had become so distant ever since their last fight. Sighing, Eden grabbed her phone, wallet, keys, and jacket before heading out the door.

Of course, it was raining when Eden got outside, but the light drizzle was comforting rather than bothersome. She took her time getting to her car and overall getting to work in general. Jo hadn't talked to her once since the meeting and she dreaded seeing him again for fear of the awkwardness. So when she pulled into the parking lot, she had to force herself to go inside.

"Eden!" Randall and Eric greeted simultaneously. She responded with a light wave. "Let us guide you to the magical realm that is the employee locker room!" Eric said before jetting off into the back hallway. Eden tailed behind.

"Here's your locker," Randall informed as he handed her the key.

Eric added with a wink, "It's right next to Jo's."

Eden rolled her eyes at the latter and proceeded to open her locker. She shoved her belongings inside, including her jacket, before slamming the door shut.

She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. "So what's the deal around here?"

"You and Shannon wait. Jo and I cook," Randall told her, "and Eric greets. Pretty simple, eh?"

Eden nodded, and soon, everyone was present and in their positions. Jo and Randall sat inside the kitchen, viewing the diner out of its window. Shannon and Eden waited patiently at the bar stools, while Eric sat behind the podium in front of the entry doors, his body turned to face the others.

"This is pretty damn boring," Shannon commented.

"Well not all of life can be as spontaneous as your hair," Jo retorted from the kitchen.

And the night went on as such, with the coworkers exchanging pointless conversation and sitting around waiting for customers that never came. Laughs were had, inside jokes were formed, and bonds were tightened all in the span of an hour. Until they became bored again.

"Hey Jo," Shannon called. "Can you guys make me some breakfast for tomorrow morning? I'll take a bacon and cheese omelet with hash browns and a slice of apple pie."

"Randall, pull out the stuff. Anyone else want something?" Jo asked.

"Same." They all said simultaneously, except for Eden. The all looked at her, awaiting her answer. She didn't want anything, she didn't want to be more of a burden on Jo than she already was, but thinking of Brooke she said with a smile, "Same, and make it a double."

"Atta girl!" Randall cried as he and Jo began frying up the eggs.

Suddenly, Jo felt the urge to set fire, as he knew he would. It was small, one that could be ignored, but as he continually snuck glances at Eden, he grew more and more nervous, feeling more and more confined. What if he did something accidentally? What if the fire got out of control? What if--

"I-I think I'm going to go to the bathroom," Eden said timidly. She gazed at the fire on the stove before dashing off into the back room, away from attention.

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