Another City Of Lights.

Chapter 23.

January, New York.

Sam's POV:-

It had been a busy day at the diner. I didn't know if today was anything special, or if people were generally hungry for diner food on Monday's, but today had been a very busy day for us. People had been coming in nonstop since I went to work this morning, and it had been so packed that I didn't even get time to take a break. Actually none of us did.

I liked my job, even though it didn't pay a lot and I had to work extra shifts now, but I liked it.
I liked working with Jade, and I had even got on friendly terms with my other coworker, Max. They were fun to be around, and they helped me out a lot, exchanging shifts with me whenever I was feeling a bit under the weather. With them being around, I didn't mind waiting or cleaning tables.
I even liked the customers that came through everyday. They were all so cheerful, and some of them were regulars, I had noticed. A few of them left me big tips on good days, so that was a plus. And normally, we all got to head home early if there weren't many people.
But on busy days like today, when the customers kept filing in, the boss; Simon, a middle aged, sort of hefty man; made sure we all stayed till closing time, to ensure we had all the help we could get. None of us were in a position to argue with that, seeing as each of us pounced on every opportunity to make some extra cash.

It was nearing 11pm, and there were still a couple of people that just weren't leaving. Jade, Max and I were stood by the counter, literally waiting on them to leave so that we could too. But these people were taking their sweet time, slowly munching on their food, and drinking the coffee.
I was absolutely exhausted. My eyes kept closing, and I was having a hard time standing up straight, so I was mainly leaning on the counter, listening to Jade and Max talk. But their chatter came to a halt when all of us heard the little chiming sound, indicating there was someone else entering the diner. I heard Jade groan, and I rubbed my eyes and stood up straighter, trying to seem normal, and looked towards the door.

It was just Remy though. Remy, who looked as dead beat as I felt, and who was carrying his green jacket and some of his books under his arm. He smiled at me from the door, and I heard Jade and Max snicker as he made his way up to where we were standing.

"Hey pretty girl, ready to go home?", He asked, still smiling at me as he took in my disheveled appearance.
"15 minutes to go", Max smirked at him, and I frowned.
I guess I couldn't keep expecting them to cover for me all the time, so I didn't argue. Instead, I went to attend to the remaining customers, while Jade poured Remy a cup of coffee.

Jade loved Remy, not in that sense, but close enough. She was overjoyed when she found out about him, and a little surprised too. But she liked him, and said he was good for me. I really didn't argue with whatever she always told me.
Max and Remy had a weird relationship. Max was always trying to piss him off, but they also got along so well. They had so much in common, and I think they both enjoyed each other's company. It was weird, but it was good that my friends liked him atleast.

After almost twenty minutes of cleaning tables, and hearing Max and Remy bicker about football, I was finally done for the day. And I was beyond ready to get out of there. It had become suffocating and my claustrophobia had kicked in.

I could tell that Remy was tired as well, and irritated. So I threw my apron off, and grabbed my bag from the back in about five seconds, and then we were out the door.
But it was cold, so terribly cold outside, that I was almost running just to get home faster. And Remy was laughing as he followed me.

When we got home, Remy went straight to take a shower. But I was too tired to even bother with that, so I just changed my clothes and jumped in to bed. I had planned to study tonight but I guess that would have to wait, it was too late for that now.

I was halfway asleep when I felt Remy slip in to bed beside me. I was curled up at one end, and I knew I was hogging all the pillows but I didn't have the strength to move.
I felt him shift closer, and I felt his cold fingers on my face when he moved some of the hair out of my eyes.
"Tired?", He smirked, and I opened my eyes to glare at him, which only made him laugh more.
"Me too", He sighed as he fell back on the bed.
"I'm so hungry", I mumbled from under the layers of blankets and pillows, and I heard him chuckle.
"Can you wait until breakfast? I don't think I can move very far from this bed", He gave me a tired smile, and I nodded.
I wasn't really in a mood to get up and eat anyway. It sounded like too much work, and I knew he was ready to sleep, just like me.

He worked hard, even more than me, considering that he had to go to his classes as well. He was working part-time at a small business his friend's parents owned, and then he also helped me study for the NYU exam whenever he got time. So I felt super guilty asking him to do anything for me.

"Do you get the day off tomorrow?", He asked, while I was still scolding my grumbling stomach.
"I think so, why?", I replied.
"Well, I don't have classes tomorrow, so I was thinking we could go out? I could show you around campus, or anywhere else you want", He turned so he was facing me, and suggested this.
"Sure", I answered, unable to control myself from smiling.
And when I looked up at him, he was looking at me with that look in his eyes, and that smile that makes my heart flutter.
He laughed when I turned red, and pulled me closer.
"Go to sleep", He said, kissing my forehead.
And I was out like a light within a few minutes in his arms, his scent all around me.