Catherine

3. Undesired Friends

25 minutes passed.

Catherine was still in the car, and her mother was getting increasingly impatient every time the traffic stopped. She started looking for a place to pullover so Catherine could walk the rest of the way to school, alone.

" Catherine. Will you be okay if I give you money to get some  some food, then you go to school without me? " Her mom asked.

" Y-yes. I think I can. " Catherine replied, hesitating.

" Then go honey. " Carine quickly took out, from her handbag, some money for her daughter. " Take it. It'll be enough for some snacks too. I know everything is a bit expensive around here, so be cautious. " Her mom kissed her forehead. " Come on, open the door. Mommy loves you honey, I'm sorry. " She said, hastily.

" It's okay mom. " Catherine replied as she got out of the car. She waved to her mother, and went to the closest coffee shop as soon as her mother's car disappeared in the distance.

She got in one big and spacious coffee shop called " Love in one cup ". She headed to the counter, and stopped next to a chubby lady, with red, short, curly hair, wearing a darck pink dress, and had a red handbag on her arm. She looked at Catherine with an unpleasant expression. Catherine thought she seemed to be in her early-forties, judging by the few spots and wrinkles she had on her face, but decided to look away and patiently waited to be attended.

" Yes my dear? " said one of the waitresses nearby. She was dressed as a bartender, black and white, with a fancy bow tie. " You're here for breakfast? " she asked.

" Yes please! " Catherine politely replied, with a big smile on her face. " I want the bacon menu! The one with a hot chocolate. "

" Checked. I'll bring your order in no time. " The waitress walked away, as Catherine stood next to the lade in the dark pink dress.

" You should be ashamed of yourself little girl. Shouldn't you be at school right now? " said the lady, taking her coffee.

" Excuse me? " Catherine replied.

" Your parents will be very disappointed once they find out you're skipping school. Kids like you are worthless. " she croaked.

" Excuse me ma'am. I know I'm late, but I didn't have time to eat this mourning... " she said, feeling reprimanded.

" I know your kind of games, you little plague! That's just a cheap excuse you're making up to run away from your classes. " the lady said, sickeningly.

" Please miss. I will have to ask you to stop disturbing our client, as this is a public space where everyone has the right to feel safe and comfy. " Interrupted one of the employees nearby. " Your order will be here in any minute. If you wish, you can pick a table over there and have a seat. " he said to Catherine.

" T-thanks. " she stammered.

" I'm just saying. Back in my days, skipping school would get you punished. You and your parents. " said the lady. The young boy walked away, shaking his head and looking up, hopefully praying to get rid of that lady as soon as possible.

Catherine kept her mouth shut, and remained in the most awkward state she had ever felt in her life as some of the employees walked past her. She waited 5 minutes until her order finally arrived.

" I'm sorry sweet-heart. " said the waitress from a few minutes ago. She had a black, circular tray on her hand. " Where do you wanna sit? "

Catherine pointed to one of the tables next to the windows. The waitress took her meal, and she followed her, almost unable to hide how happy she was. The waitress wished her a " Bon appetite ", then walked away.

Catherine noticed that only her and 'Miss Bulky' were in the Coffee shop. Big part of the employees were still cleaning the tables and windows, probably from the dust, or because of the clients they had before turning off the lights last night. Catherine's 'new rival' was staring at her, drinking her coffee.

Some people really don't have anything else to do in their lives.  

" Is it good? " asked the same waitress from before.

" Uh, yes! " Catherine answered a little muddled.

" I'm sorry for miss Rachel. She is one of our goer clients. Just, not very friendly. " she said.

" It's alright. I don't mind-"

" She still has a point, though. " the waitress interrupted. " Shouldn't you be at school now? "

" Y-yes. But I woke up late, and I didn't have time for breakfast. I was just hungry. " Catherine said, a little ashamed.

" Hm... I see. " she said, not looking very convinced. " I used to skip school some times, but I was a little older. How old are you? Eight? "

" I'm 9. " Catherine answered.

" And you're going to school alone? " said the waitress. " Do you know how dangerous it is here? Do your parents know that? "

" Well... how old are you? " Catherine asked a little annoyed.

" Why? You're upset now? " she laughed. " That's funny. You wanna be friends? " she asked rhetorically, giggling.

" Uh... no thanks. My parents said I shouldn't talk to strangers. " Catherine said

" Kid, let me tell you some- "

" Shouldn't you be working? I'm in a hurry. " Catherine interrupted, a little frustrated.

The lady realized her childish behavior, and immediately apologized.

" I'm sorry. There are no costumers to talk to, so I... "

" There is always some lame excuse. I noticed that, thank you. " she interrupted again.

" I-I'm sorry... please, enjoy your meal. " the lady walked away, embarrassed.

Catherine kept eating as some of the employees passed nearby, looking at her. When she finished, the same girl came, asking if she could clear the table. " Can I ? "

Catherine didn't answer, she just looked away, and the lady decided to just do it. " Look, I'm sorry. I was rude, I know. Please don't be mad at me. " she said looking at Catherine.

" I just want the bill, please. " she answered, crossing her arms with a grin.

" Yes, Missy. " said the waitress, sighing as she walked away.

Catherine followed her to the counter " By the way, my father started working when he was fifteen, you must be way older. I mean, look at your face. " she said, provoking her.

Some employees around started laughing, making fun of her. She got even more embarrassed.

" Okay, now YOU're being rude. " she answered. " I'm 22 years old, I'm not so old. "

" There. Wasn't so hard, was it? " Catherine said as she took some money from her school bag to pay for her meal, then she headed to the exit. The 'bulky lady ' was still taking her coffee, staring at her and repeatedly calling her a 'snotty child'.

" Please, come back again. " said the waitress. " Or don't... " she whispered to herself.