Lights, Camera and Love

Where's my water?

"Hey, can you please hurry up with my water? I've been asking you about it for a while now." A large man with white hair and mustache asked.

I am becoming irritated as I wiped the table next to him. "I'm sorry, sir. I already gave you a glass of water about five minutes ago. Do you need another glass?" I tried forcing a smile but I can tell that my face clearly states that I am annoyed. "I will go ahead and get you another one."

"Put more ice in it. The last one you gave me hardly had any," he ordered.

Nearly spilling the tray of dishes I was holding, I stomped my way to the kitchen. I dumped the dirty dishes in the kitchen sink and sighed irritably. Maybe if I used tap water instead and even spit on it...

"Are you thinking of spitting on the tap water and giving it to that customer?"

Turning around I saw a tall pretty girl in glasses looking at me questionably. "I'm sorry, Mia" was all I said.

"You have to be careful, Liz. If the manager finds out about this from the customer, she will definitely fire you," she warned.

Working in a fast food joint doesn't really suit me. I don't know why I even came here for a job in the first place. Mia was the one who suggested I work here since they were in need of a waitress. She's a schoolmate and we have some classes together. I like her but she doesn't seem to like me that much.

"Liz!" Mrs. Norman called. Mia looked at me with a face that says 'I told you so'.

Mrs. Norman began her lecture as I was sitting down the chair in front of her table. "Liz, you're smart but you just need to learn how to get along with the customers! This is the fifth time that a customer complains about you."

I listened to her but none of it really made sense to me. My mind is telling me to just go home right now and rest.

"You're fired." These words made me jump and snapped me out of my daydream.

"What?" I asked as my eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, but we really cannot afford to get any more complaints. I am going to have to remove you as our staff. Don't worry, I can still get you a recommendation letter, but I would have to point out that you are not well to interact with customers," she said in an apathetic voice.

I stood up, apologized and thanked her. Mia saw me get out of the office and she can tell what happened just by looking at my gloomy look.

"Oh no," was all that she can say.

"Thank you, Mia. I'm sorry for being such a trouble. I know that I really wasn't much of a help at all and you even took the time to get me in this job."

Avoiding to look in her eyes, I went to gather my things. Just as I was heading out the employee exit I felt my shoulders being grabbed. It was Mia.

"My shift's over. Come on, I have a perfect job for you so let's go check it out," Mia said with a wide smile. I never seen her smile at me like this before. She always seem so irritated at everything I do.

"I really don't wish to impose anymore," I told her waving my hands in disapproval. "I'll try to look for a job tomorrow or during the weekend. There's bound to be something I'm good at."

"Okay. If you don't have any options left just talk to me."

I smiled. "Okay."

If you think I was sad from being fired, then you're wrong. Yes, it's bad news that I got thrown out of the job that's keeping my hobby alive, but I am really relieved because I was able to get out of that place. I hate that job and I am never going to come back again. Ever.

"Liz!" Someone called. It sounded like Erin, and I was right. He was waving at me from the other side of the street. I raised my hand at him to wait for me get to his side.

"Let's go home?" He half yelled as I was halfway to his direction. He is impatient as always.

"I never agreed you can live with me. It goes against my rights and dignity as a woman," I huffed.

Erin laughed. "But you're thinking about it, right?"

"No."

"Then I won't stop bothering you about it."

"You would still bother me even if I agree with it. You would be living with me and it's going to be hell if that happens." I buried my hands in the front pocket of my jacket. It's almost winter and leaves were all over the sidewalk. "And I really need to find a new job. I just got fired earlier."

"Really? Since you don't have a job and money to spend for that hobby of yours, you can just let me live with you and I can take care of the extra expenses in your apartment," he said in excitement.

I ignored him. "Why are you so happy that I got fired? I'll start looking for a job tomorrow after school."

"Don't think that a sixteen year old can get a decent job these days. You can only go for fast food or grocery stores."

"No! I don't ever wish to go back to that kind of hell again. The idea of interacting with customers gets on my nerves."

Finally, we reached my apartment. "You can go now, Erin. Thanks for walking me home." Not waiting for an answer, I reached for the knob to get my keys in and open the door. I then suddenly felt Erin's lips press on my cheeks.

"What the..." I felt my cheeks go strawberry red. Before realizing it, Erin was already about three meters away from me, his back turned to me as his hand waved goodbye.

I entered my apartment and dashed to my room. I slumped onto my bed and dazed at the ceiling for what felt like hours because of what just happened.