Hybrid Hunter

Diner & Date Night

**DING**

I slightly flinch as I am pulled from my thoughts with the ear piercing ding of the bell. 

"Trix last order of the night is up, table five!" Roger, the cook and also the owner of the diner says with a smirk knowing how much I hate the sound that the bell makes when the diner is empty. I scowl and mumble some not so very nice things to myself as I finish wiping off the table I'm at then head over to the window separating the kitchen front the front end of the diner.

"Thanks Roger I'm on it" grabbing the plate heading over to table five which just so happens to be occupied by my best friend, Max.

"Here you are loser" I place the food in front of Max and then slide in across the table from him. 

"Roger I'm taking my break now!" Roger rolls his eyes then scoffs continuing to clean the grill as the diner is now closed and Max is the only customer left.

"So, I was thinking that we could go out tonight! You know since you didn't have to work an early shift today and you don't have to work tomorrow" Max says not even looking up at me, instead he's focused on something on his phone while absent mindedly stuffing fries into his mouth. 

When I don't answer right away Max looks up at sees the hesitation on my face. Knowing exactly how to break me he gives me his best puppy dog eyes which are very hard to ignore because of his sparkling blue eyes, eyes that I truly did believe could melt the coldest heart. I do feel bad for wanting to say no and hesitating wanting to use the excuse that I am too tired because I know how much it would mean to Max for me to say yes. Especially since we don't hang out as much outside of work or school like we used to.

Max and I met ten years ago when him and his uncle moved in across the street from us. I met Max's eyes that day and knew that I had to meet him. Max had a pretty rough childhood and when his parents either died or left, no one knows for sure, he was adopted by his uncle Jackson. You would never know that Jackson wasn't his biological dad as him and Max look almost identical. The day we officially met Max and his uncle had just moved from the city to Grand Falls, Max was going to be starting in a new school and both Max and Jackson had to learn how to live together. All of this would be hard for a teenager let alone a seven year old kid still grieving his parents. So, of course being the social butterfly that I was, I went right over and welcomed them to the neighborhood. Turning to Max I asked if he wanted to come and play Pokémon in my tree house and we have been attached at the hip ever since. I even took to calling Max's Uncle Jackson, "Uncle J", which I found out through Max Jackson absolutely adores. 

"Come on Trix! You have been working so hard lately that we haven't had any Max and Trixie time. I am beginning to wonder if you even know how to have fun anymore! Also I think it is about time that you hang out somewhere else besides your couch and this old place, no offence of course Big R!" Max states turning towards the kitchen and flashing Roger a big smile.

"Just remember you little shit that this "old place" feeds your sorry and apparently lonely ass every day" Roger says pointing his  fingers at Max and shaking his head.

 "As much as I hate to admit it Trix, the little shit is right! Go out, have fun! Maybe you will  finally hang out with a guy that doesn't swing for the same team as you" Roger comes out of the kitchen and leans against the wall. Roger gives me a tired smile and folds his arms resting them on his beer and burger rounded belly.

I look between Roger then Max and let out a giggle. 

"When I start taking relationship advice from a forty year old bachelor with six cats or a guy who's longest relationship is with his gaming chair and a bucket of popcorn, I'll let you know" I grab a fry from Max's plate and throw it at him when he snorts and mutters under his breath "you're getting there".

"Ouch! What I mean is, I don't want you to grow up and realize that you have become a female version of Roger, again no offense" Max throws the fry back at me and it bounces off my forehead and hits the table.

"You know, you say no offense and yet every time I am somehow offended" Roger replies holding his chest dramatically. 

I roll my eyes and get up from spot, 

"if you two are done with your mini soap opera I am going to finish cleaning up" poking Roger's belly on the way by earning a playful glare from him. 

"Oh and Max, be at my house in thirty" I call over my shoulder looking back in time to see Max's bright smile.

----

"Are you ready yet?" Max lets out an overly dramatic sigh and I come out of the bathroom to see that he is lying on his stomach on my bed channel surfing.

"Just remember that this was your idea therefore you have no right to complain about how long it takes me to finish getting ready" picking up a pillow and tossing it at his head then return to the bathroom.

"Well if I would have known it was going to take you this long I would have at least made myself some popcorn." Max states shutting off the TV, scrolling through his phone instead.

"Geeze, you are such a drama queen" I say from the bathroom and then throw a roll of toilet paper at him, Max ducking with a look of feigned hurt on his face.

"And I am the closest you will ever come to any kind of queen, so admire and love my fabulousness" 

I laugh as Max's voice is slightly muffled by the pillows on my bed as he lies face down on the bed. I smile as I finish putting on the final touches of my makeup. When I am finished I take a step back to admire my reflection and I am impressed. It has been awhile so tonight I decided that I was going to go all out. I decided to wear my favourite emerald green skin tight dress that Max states "matches my eyes perfectly" I also decided to curl my hair and I have to admit that they soft curls framed my face perfectly. I step out of the bathroom and I when Max looks at me I am not sure how to read his expression.

"So how do I look, and be nice, not bitchy nice" 

Max gets off the bed and comes over to me "Damn girl, if I was straight I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off of you!" Max motions for me to spin around slowly, 

"where in the world have you been hiding all these curves girl? You are going to need me to keep all of the men off of you tonight".

I look at him with a shy smile and then laugh grabbing my purse off of the table and take one last look at myself in the mirror.

"Now let's get out of here before we both decide that curling up, watching T.V. and eating ice cream is a better idea".