We'll Make Our Own Fairytale

Chapter One

Three years ago

Regina’s POV:

I was in desperate need of a job otherwise my summer was going to suck. Or so I thought…Later of course, I would find out that couldn’t be farther than the truth. But anyways, with the prospect of a job in mind, I dressed in my favorite jeans and crop top and hitched a ride to the mall with my seventeen-year-old sister Megan to look for a potential employer.

“I’m headed to the mall with Megan to look for a job, mom,” I called out on my way down the stairs.

“Okay,” she replied. “Tell Megan that the car keys are on the counter.” I picked up the car keys and dangling them from my finger, gave them to Megan.

Once we reached the mall, Megan dropped me off at the entrance and said, “I’ll meet you back here in two hours. Good luck finding a job.”

I began going from store to store, stopping in all my favorite stores to ask if they were employing. As luck would have it, none of them were. I was getting frustrated but I reminded myself did I really want to watch seasons upon seasons of shows every day for the next three months? Not a chance. Just as I was about to give up the search and go home, I decided it would be smart to check the plaza, which was nearby and had no shortage of restaurants or stores. Surely there would be a job opportunity somewhere there.

I called Megan and asked if she could come pick me up just a little early and take me to the plaza. She agreed, but only after I made a deal with her that I would do her chores for tomorrow. Ugh, sisters, I thought, shaking my head.

I hopped in the car as Megan gave me a withering glance. “This better not be for nothing,” she admonished.

Upon reaching the plaza, I sprinted over to the nearest restaurant. I didn’t find anything there, but after a few tries, I found a restaurant that was hiring, much to my delight. I pulled a waitress aside and told her that I was interested in a job. She led me to her manager, who had me fill out a form and application, as well as answer a few questions about myself.

I said all the standard things, “Regina McCartney, 15 years old, freshman at Easton High School, need a summer job,” etc.

Halfway through the interview, a guy who looked about my age walked up. Damn was he hot; it took all my willpower not to stare. I could feel butterflies in my stomach and it felt as though my airway was cut off.

Breathe, Regina, I instructed myself. I wiped my mouth discreetly in case I was drooling. Super weird, right? But I did out of habit, just in case. Not that I had ever done it, but there’s a first time for everything and the first time for that should definitely not be in front of an incredibly attractive guy.

He cut into my thoughts, “Who’s this?” he asked, looking at the manager.

“A job candidate looking for a summertime job,” the manager replied. “This is my son,” explained the manager, looking at me. “He is a waiter here and knows the ins and outs of this place obviously, so if you’re ever stuck, then ask him for help.”

Because I was so intent on the guy, the news didn’t even sink in until a little while after. I slapped the stupid, in-awe-of-his-hotness, smile off my face, and replaced it with a genuinely blissful one.

“Wait, so does that mean I got the job?!” I asked ecstatically.

“Yep, you’re hired,” answered the manager, confirming what I already expected from what he had said. I restrained myself from jumping up and giving him a hug. After all, he had just saved me from an otherwise doomed summer vacation.