The Day Everything Changed

Chapter 2 - Nandos and Bad Jokes

I was at work when I got a special waitress request by the blonde male sitting in the back corner booth of the store. I sucked in a deep breath, before walking out of the Nandos kitchen. I approached the mysterious male in the corner booth holding my notepad in hand.

“Hello sir, I’m Darcy and I will be your waitress for today,” I said smiling politely, “Would you like a drink to start with?”

“I’ll get a coke thanks,” he said, and I noticed he had a slight Irish twang in his voice.

“Coming right up” I said as a handed him the menu and told him the specials before going back to the bar to get his drink. I took it over to him and placed it in front of him.

“I suppose you’re not ready to order yet, so I’ll give you a bit more time.” I said before turning I was about to walk away before I felt his hand grip onto mine.

“No, I’m ready to order” he said placing the menu on the table in front of him, “I’ll have the half chicken leg, medium, with a double side of fries and a stack of hot peri peri chicken wings, please”

I nodded along as I wrote down his order, “Anything else sir?”

“No that’s all thanks, but I do have a special requirement.”

“Sure.”

“You come and join me during your lunch break.”

“If you’re lucky.” I say winking. As I turn and walk off to the kitchen I hear him mutter under his breath “I hope I’m lucky.” making me chuckle.

I work for 20 minutes before I leave for my lunch break. I glance out the kitchen window and see the guy still sitting in the corner booth. I smiled to myself while hanging up my apron. I grab a bowl of fries before making my way over to him. I sit down and he looks up at me as a wide grin appears on his face.
“So you decided to join me?” he said winking at me.

“Well, I thought it’d be rude if I didn’t.” I said with a smug grin on my face.

“Good thing you’re not rude then.”

“I guess so” I shrugged before grabbing a fry and dunking it into my sauce.

With a little smirk on his face, he reaches across the table taking a fry from my bowl,

“Hey that’s my lunch, I’m hungry!” I said pouting at him.

“Hello hungry, I’m Niall” he said laughing.

“I was wondering when I’d get to know your name,” I laughed and added “That was a pathetic attempt at a joke by the way.”

“Well you tell me a better one then.”

“What! You can’t just put me on the spot like that! I have to think about one first.”

“Whatever! You just suck at telling jokes!”

“I’m actually really good at telling jokes.” I said defending myself.

“Go on then, tell me one.”

“Fine, but don’t laugh! Well do laugh obviously because it’s a joke… Don’t laugh if it’s bad because you forced me remember!”

“Alright, whatever you say Darcy.” He said smirking at me

“Okay, what type of shoes do ghosts wear?”

“What type?”

“Boo-ts” I said stifling back a laugh.

Niall lost himself, throwing his head back laughing at my joke before calming down and looking back at me, “That was the worst joke I’ve ever heard. And I’ve heard bad jokes.”

“Hey! It wasn’t that bad!” I said laughing and reaching over to hit his arm.

“You have to admit… it kind of was”

“Okay big shot, you have a better one?” I said challenging him.

For the rest of my break we told jokes, laughed and talked about anything and everything. I had tears streaming down my face from all of Niall’s jokes and comments. He was so funny, and his laugh was contagious! After about an hour of talking with each other I noticed the time. My lunch break was over.

“I have to get back to work now.” I told him looking down at the empty bowl which was once the home to my fries.

“That’s okay,” Niall said, causing me to look up at him, “You were really good company.”

I smiled at him, “As were you.”

“Maybe I should come to Nandos more often…”

“Yeah,” I agreed “Maybe you should.” I bit my lip subconsciously and glanced at the bowl. I picked it up and stood. I began walking off slowly back to the kitchen when a voice spoke, causing me to turn.

“It was nice meeting you, Darcy.”

“You too, Niall.”