From the Ground Up H.S.

Chapter 2

A/N: You'll get Harrys pov at the end of this chapter. Enjoy!

I pull into the parking lot of the restaurant; I'm almost ten minutes late. Getting out of the car, I rush to the employee entrance at the back, not wanting my boss to notice that I'm late.

When I got inside, I can already smell the food cooking and hear the chatter of the customers having breakfast. Meanwhile, multiple staff members rush every which way doing their best to serve their designated tables I'm in a timely manner. Same old things, different day.

Hurriedly I make my way to the employee lockers, I throw my purse and other belongings in and grab my apron. As I finish thing my apron, one of my co-workers, Evan, greets me. He teases me about my lateness. In return, I tease him over his bad attitude when dealing with unruly customers. I grab my notepad and pen, fixing my hair before I lock my locker and head out to greet the breakfast rush.

Heading out to the dining area, I look at the hostess's podium to check what section I'll be in today. A sigh of relief leaves me when I see I have one of the less demanding sections. And as luck would have it, is right next to my best friend Emma will be in. So I won't be too lonely.

Not wanting to waste any more time, I begin the tedious task of waiting on my section. The first table I come up to is a group of older women. They are all so sweet, making me laugh with their old school jokes. These are my favorite kinds of customers, they make the work day seem a little less daunting.

But, this ease does not last long enough. By the time my lunch break rolls around at 11:30 I'm already past the point of exhaustion. And since Melanie and I are on good terms with the boss, were able to have our lunch break together.

Some days, like today, Mel and I get lucky. Every now and then if a customer is not happy with their meal, it goes back to the kitchen where employees are able to eat it. And today, it happens to be chicken alfredo. My favorite. And there's enough for both Em and I.

Once we split the dish of pasta, we take a seat in an empty table, far enough away so that we don't disturb any customers.

"So, how's Miss. Bella? It feels like I haven't seen her in so long!" Emma asks, taking a large bite of her pasta that had been twirled around her fork. She send a quick text before putting her phone facedown on the table. She's been texting someone quite a lot recently, but whenever I I about it, she changes the subject.

I laugh softly. She says so long, when really she just saw Bella two days ago when she came over for a girls night in.

"Same as always. Grumpy in the morning, a bundle of energy at night." I smile, thinking again of my baby girl and how lucky I am to have her.

"I think we need another girls night this weekend. The last one was pretty great!" She replies, as she, once again, checks her phone for any sign of a message.

"Agreed. I'm free this weekend. Now! Tell me who you've been texting!" I beg in a desperate attempt to know who has been holding her attention for as long as they have.

"Nobody." She answers shortly, her eyes suddenly darting away from the eye contact we were making only seconds ago.

"Liar. The only person you text is me, and I'm right here. Now spill!" I send her a playful glare.

"Hey!" she exclaims. "I take offense to that." I just smirk and shrug, brushing off her attempt to lure me off track.

"Fine. I met a guy," she mutters, her cheeks instantly turning a light shade of pink.

My smirk turns into a full on grin. "Clearly! Now tell me more! I need details, woman!" I say, playfully slamming my palms down on the table in front of me.