Otherside

Chapter 1

     After almost an entire shift of a nonstop flow of customers, the restaurant was finally slowing down. Lunch hour had just ended, and only a few elderly couples lagged behind. Elle cleared the last of the dishes from her tables, heaved herself up on a barstool, and let out a sigh of relief. Her feet were swollen from the constant bustle of the day, and she silently thanked her lucky stars that she only had a couple of hours left. A soft bell sounded as new customers walked through the front door and she groaned quietly, praying that they wouldn't be seated in her section and even going as far as crossing her fingers. For the love of God, just give me five minutes. Five minutes to rest my feet.

     "Ellie," Cassie, the hostess at the time, sang her name out across the diner as she glided to the bar. An ear-to-ear grin was plastered on Cassie's face and Elle shot her a glare. "Hey, don't hate me yet, Grumpypants, you'll be thanking me in a few minutes."

     Confused, Elle turned to the new customers and almost screamed. "Cass! What the fuck!" she whispered, but Cassie was already hurrying away, leaving Elle with only one thing to do.

     "Good afternoon, gentlemen, my name is Elle and I'll be your server today. Can I start you off with something to drink?" she tried her best to keep herself composed, but felt a blush slowly creep up into her cheeks.

     "Miss Eleanor, I think I'll just start with a glass of ice water." a man with long brown hair that Elle immediately recognized ordered and offered a goofy smile, only serving to make her blush intensify.

     "Same as him, please." the man with curly, green hair smiled as well.

    "Make that three." the one with stark black hair and earrings barely looked up at her, picking at his fingernails instead.

    "Four." the tallest grinned at her, then turned back to scouring the menu.

     "Sure thing, I'll be right back with those." Elle smiled and quickly turned away, hoping they didn't notice the color in her face. As soon as she reached the back, she ran to find Cass.

     "Cass, holy crap. You just sat the Red Hot fucking Chili Peppers in my section! I can't even keep a straight face, I'm dying over there!"

    "You know you love it! Get back out there!" Cass handed her a tray with the waters on it and gave her a light push back out to the dining room. She made her way back to the table and distributed the drinks, receiving another smile from each of the men. They all proceeded to order, and she hung back in the kitchen as their food was being made.

     "Alright, we have a club sandwich, a plate of ribs, the steak, and finally," she couldn't help the laugh that escaped her, "the breakfast platter  for Mr. Smith." Elle slid the giant platter in front of Chad.

     All of them thanked her, but before she could turn to walk away, Anthony placed his hand on one of hers that was resting on the edge of the table. "Stay, hang out for a little bit" he offered. Heat rushed to her face once more and she nodded, sliding a chair from a nearby table over to the end of theirs and sitting awkwardly with her hands in her lap. 

     "So, what's your story, doll?" Flea, with a mouthful of food, inquired.

     "My story? Well, I just moved to L.A. a couple of months ago from Florida right after I graduated college. I'm trying to get an acting thing established here, so in the meantime I'm working here and singing in some clubs just for some extra money. Not much luck yet with the acting, but the singing keeps me pretty comfortable as money goes. Um, I have an apartment here in the city with a roommate and my dog, and that's just about it I think."

     There was silence at the table as the boys chewed their food, then Anthony swallowed and smiled at Elle. "That definitely sounds like an adventure. I'm assuming you know who we are?" she nodded. "Awesome, that's great. I'd love to hear you sing sometime, Elle." he continued, and Flea nodded enthusiastically. 

     "Well, I do sing tonight in a little jazz club downtown called The Rogue, if you're not busy that is. I go on at 9, but there are other singers and groups going earlier too." Elle wrung her hands under the table, wanting him to accept her offer but at the same time terrified at the thought of him actually seeing her perform.

     "Sweet! We'll definitely be there." Anthony smiled wide and the others followed suit; Chad giving a thumbs-up as he stuffed his face with food. They finished their meals as she sat there, both parties making small talk, and when they paid their check and got up to leave, Dave smiled awkardly and waved goodbye, Chad and Flea both hugged her like they'd been friends for years, and Anthony planted a light kiss on her cheek. 

     "I'll see you later, Eleanor." Anthony winked and strutted out the door with the rest. All Elle could do was stand there in shock as Cassie came up to her and slung an arm around her shoulder.

     "I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it went well." Cass said, her green eyes practically glowing with delight.

     "They're coming to watch me sing tonight, Cass." Elle mumbled, still dumbfounded.

     "That's great! Maybe you can get a little somethin' somethin'" Cass said with a wink, making Elle scoff.

     "Come on Cass," she said, blushing, "let's finish up this shift first, then we can fantasize." Both of the girls laughed as they went to clear the table, and excitement boiled up in Elle's belly at the night ahead of her.