Highly Strung

The Trouble With Girls

I sat at the long counter during a lag in customers, flipping through a book on Physics. My shift didn’t end until five when Conrad would take over waiting tables and the other cook Victor would come in to start his own shift.

I had yet to meet Victor in person, but from what I’d seen from my previous visit to the diner, he was massive, and he was Russian.

A glance through the window revealed Conrad scribbling away furiously on a place mat in the kitchen. I really didn’t understand that boy. He barely spoke, and the way his eyes darkened whenever he had to speak to anybody made me nervous. It was as if he’d been through something sad, and preferred to keep his emotions bottled up.

I hadn’t even realized I’d been staring until he glanced up, his green eyes clashing with mine. I quickly glanced away, a blush heating my cheeks.

Jeff stumbled through the door, the bell dinging merrily despite the angry look on his face.

“Are you okay?” I asked hesitantly, flipping my book closed, glad for the distraction from being caught staring down somebody as I analyzed his personality.

“No.” He snapped. “Some idiot is parked around back with the radio thumping out horrendous noise!” He spat, pointing to the door. His finger turned on me before I could open my mouth to reply. “He said he was waiting for you, a friend of yours?”

“I don’t know anybody …” I trailed off as the answer came. “Cole.”

“I’m so sorry, Jeff. It’s Alex’s brother. You know him don’t you?” I was hoping maybe he wouldn’t fire me if I could calm him down.

“Yes, I know who he is.” Jeff grunted, letting the door slam shut behind him as he meandered further into the restaurant. “Your shift is over, just get him out and I’ll consider letting you keep your job, girl.”

I nodded quickly, scrambling out of my seat and pulling my books into my arms as I did so. After punching out and grabbing my bag, I pushed open the door, squinting against the harsh light just as Victor pulled up in his car.

I waved, a fake smile on my face before storming over to the van.

“What is it that you think you are doing?!” I shrieked, flipping the radio off and slamming my door shut.

“Picking you up.” Cole replied breezily, not at all put off by my tone.

I ignored the fact that he looked really good in his aviators, with his hair falling over his face. He was a musician, no. They only lead to trouble.

“You almost got me fired.” I stabbed, still angry with him.

“Almost.” Was his reply.

“You know, you should learn to care about people other than yourself.” I said calmly, flipping my sunglasses on as he pulled from the lot.

* * *

“Where are we?” I muttered when Cole pulled over to the side of the road.

“Come on.” He hopped out, heading around to my side and pulling open the door. “M’lady.”

“Aren’t you just a gentleman.” I rolled my eyes, but got out anyway.

“Are you going to kill me?” I asked. Cole was dragging me through the woods, deeper and deeper.

“No.”

“I feel like we’re in Twilight.” I muttered.

“Really.” Cole rolled his eyes, pulling me to a stop. “Ready?”