We're All Burning (Contest)

Chapter 10: Aaron, I

"Aaron, I don't want to talk to you right now," Jo said as he watched his best friend waltz through his house as if he owned the place.

Aaron plopped down next to Jo on the couch. "C'mon Jo. I'm just trying to make sure you're okay. Ain't nothing bad about it."

"Get a job and get out of my house."

Aaron frowned. "I told you I was sorry."

"I have to go to work."

Jo stormed out, leaving his friend alone. He had to, though. If he got too angry, his pyromania would kick in and then where would he be? As he pulled into the parking lot of the diner, he realized he was the last one to show up. Nevertheless, he waltzed inside, carefree. Shannon and the twins were conversing, so he assumed that Eden was in the locker room.

Eden was, in fact, organizing her things in her locker when Jo came. She didn't notice him at first. It would've been the perfect opprotunity, Jo realized, to sneak up from behind and wrap his arms around her waist. But he wasn't sure if that would be... apropriate.

Instead, he decided to go to his own lovker and greet her normally. "Hey babe."

"Shh! Don't call me that here!"

"Right, right." He brought his voice to a whisper. He'd been thinking about asking her this all day. But he was still nervous. "If you can get away this Saturday, I know a good bike trail j-just outside of town. I-I have an extra bike, if your up for it."

"I can't," Eden said as she closed her locker. "I have to go back home. The cops want me to testify for the fire." They had called earlier that day.

Jo's heart sunk, but he accepted her answer. He held the door open for her as they entered into the main dining area.

"Tony said that from two-to-for, AM and PM, is happy hour," Shannon informed. "Desserts are half-price, so we might actually get some customers."

"Nice," Jo replied.

Everyone went to their respective positions, except this time, Shannon and Eden went behind the bar instead of in front of it. Jo couldn't keep his eyes off Eden. It wasn't long before their first customer came in.

"I call this one," Eden said, waiting for Eric to seat two girls. After giving them a minute to look through their menu, Eden went over to them.

"Hi! Welcome to Tony's. My name's Eden, and I'll be your server today. Desserts are half-priced tonight, by the way."

"Does that include the onion rings?" one girl asmed

"Well, that isn't on the dessert menu, so I'm afraid not." Why were people so stupid?

"Well, I'll get that anyway."

"Small, medium, or large?"

"Medium, with a small chocolate shake."

Eden scribbled down the order on her notepad. "And for you, ma'am?"

"Same."

She put a number two next to the order. "Alright, should be out in a few."

When Eden went back to the bar, Shannon was already helping a customer seated there. Eden handed Jo the order. Their fingers touched, and they let them linger there for a second before pulling away. Eden saw Jo's ears turn pink as he started up the fryer. She scurried away, afraid of the hazard.

Shannon whispered in her ear, "Kingston loves late-night specials. We should be full soon."

"Eden!" Jo called after a few minutes. "Food's ready." He handed the platter to her and watched her walk away. Thankfully, no one noticed. He needed to keep himself in check.