Girl Next Door (Editing)

Unexpected gifts

   Robins POV

Ms Diana was very accommodating. I told her about me leaving Clarksville tomorrow and she decided to let me leave work at twelve.
I sighed as I wiped some stains off a table. Ms Diana had always treated me like a daughter. She had welcomed me so easily.

"Robin? Can you come into the kitchen for a minute?" It was Lily, the chief chef of In not out. I nodded and left my table. I realised a couple of waitresses were gathered in the kitchen. What was this all about?

"Robin, Ms Diana told us you were leaving tomorrow and we decided to give you something"
I was speechless. I'd never been very close to my workmates other than the occasional talk of a raise but for them to give me a going away present? That was so sweet.

"But Lily - "

"No buts young lady. It's tradition over here." I looked at the few waitresses around Lily and saw some of them smiling and a couple blushing. No one hated the fact they had to part with something and that made tears form in my eyes.

"Thank you Lily. Thank you so much guys. It means a lot to me" I hugged Lily and the others took turns to hug me back. Some wished me luck and some told me to be mindful of the world.

"Ms Diana is waiting for you." I recognised her as Melanie. I nodded and Lily handed over an envelope to me. I stashed it in my bag.
I knocked and entered Ms Diana's office. Other than reporting on my first day at work, I'd never been there. Her walls were covered in primroses and there was a vase of white roses on her desk.

"Sit down, Robin"  I did as she asked. She gave me an envelope. I was confused. "That's your salary for this month and next month"

"Ms Diana, I appreciate that but I can't accept next month's salary when I won't work here next month"

"Robin, please don't turn this down. I've been trying to help your mother for years but she wouldn't take it. It hurts me to see such a beautiful and brilliant woman  here suffering. If I can't help her, let me help you, her daughter." Her earnestness caused me to cry. she really did want to help. She took a handkerchief from her bag and wiped away my tears.

"Thank you, Ms Diana. I appreciate everything" she came over and gave me a motherly hug.

"Go on. You can go home. I'm sure you'll have to pack before you leave tomorrow. " I nodded and stepped out of the café in my work clothes. I was too overwhelmed to change back into normal clothes. It was just half past nine. I could always pack what little I needed later. I walked over to a nearby park. It wasn't busy and I loved what little privacy I could get.

"You look like you need a pal. Can I sit by you?" I turned and saw Steve Roberts. My sort of pal in River Hill High.
He didn't wait for an invitation but sat by me anyway.

"Hi, Steve. Shouldn't you be preparing for school?"

"I could ask you the same thing, Andrea. Didn't you go to work?"

"I was there but I needed to go home. So what brings you here?"

"I was coming to see you." What could he want? Steve was a good person. He stood up for me when I was picked on and hanged out with me as much as his "cool" friends would let him which was almost next to never.

"Is something wrong?"

"I might not be around for junior year and I just wanted you to know so you'll look after yourself." That was sweet of him.

"Don't worry about me, Steve. I'll figure something out. I hope you enjoy wherever your life takes you" He gave me one of his small but beautiful smiles.