Don't Leave Me

ch. 2

"Huh?" I opened my right eye. My phone was ringing for some odd reason. No one ever calls me. "Hello?" I squinted from the bright light on my phone. "Hey Sky! Do you mind covering my shift? I'm sorry it's so last minute, but something came up." I rolled my eyes. I'm generally a nice person, but I'm starting to think people are taking advantage of me. They know I don't do much, so they always ask me to cover their shifts. "Sure," I got out of bed and headed into my bathroom. "What time do you start?" There was a pause. "Now?"

I had to hurry to get here, but I made it on time. I'm opening the diner today since I'm covering a shift again. The only other person who was here was the cook, who got there earlier than everyone else. We opened at eight, but no one really showed up until around ten or so. I decided to clean up to pass the time. I grabbed my headphones, mop and mop bucket. One of my favorite songs came on, so I began to dance. I almost slipped a few times, but I caught myself before I could.

"I've been down so long it look like up to me
They look up to me
I got fake people showin' fake love to me
Straight up to my face, straight up to my face
I've been down so long it look like up to me
They look up to me
I got fake people showin' fake love to me
Straight up to my face, straight up to my face"

I sung and danced along to the music. I was really getting into it.

"That's when they smile in my face
Whole time they wanna take my place
Whole time they wanna take my place
Whole time they wanna take my place
Yeah, I know they wanna take my place
I can tell that love is fake
I don't trust a word you say-"

I feel a tap on my shoulder and immediately scream, jumping in the process. I hold my chest and turn around. I almost melt from embarrassment when I realize it's the man from last night! I fumble trying to take my earphones out while he chuckles. This is the first time I see him laughing, let alone smiling. I didn't realize I was smiling back until his disappeared, followed by him clearing his throat. He must have noticed he was smiling and stopped. "Um," There was an awkward silence. I moved my hair out of my face and got my notepad out to take his order. "What can I get for you?"

It's been around an hour that he's been here and I can't take my mind off of his smile. It was the nicest smile I've ever seen! I was just wondering why he never showed it. The diner was busier now that it was around twelve. I noticed he was done, but I wanted him to call me over. I casually checked on the tables around him while avoiding his.

I was about to give up when a heard a faint 'excuse me' when I was walking away. I hid my excitement as I approached him. "Would you like a refill?" He glanced at the coffee pot in my hands before shaking his head. "I was actually going to ask for my check." I reached in my apron pocket. For some reason the manager wanted us to keep them in hand.

After I charged him I returned with his receipt. "Is there anything else you need...""Justin." I really wanted him to stay. He was the only interesting thing around here. "Yeah," He stood up, towering over me. "I was hoping I could bum a ride?" He sent me a shy smile, and I returned one. "Sure, let me just ask my manager." He nodded before heading to the office. "Hey Joey," I knocked on the door, even though it was open. "I was wondering if I can go home early?" He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. I was dreading his response, because I already knew the answer from his body language. "Go ahead. You've earned it." My eyes grew wide in shock. He never let me go early. "Really?" He waved his hand at me. "Go before I change my mind." I grabbed my things and rushed out of there.

"Ready?" He stood up again when he saw me. "Yeah," I put my purse over my shoulder. "I'm surprised he let me leave early." He held the door open for me and I blushed. "So, where am I taking you today?" I turned the engine on and turned up the air conditioner. This felt like the hottest day of the summer. I would do anything to go swimming right now. I would go to the community pool, but what's the point if I'm just going to be by myself? "I'm just going home. I'll give you the directions. I nodded
pulling out of the driveway. It was getting to quiet, so I decided to make conversation. "So, um, do you have any siblings?""Nah...I'm an only child. Do you have any?" I could feel his eyes on me now. "Not that I know of, but there was this one girl in high school that looked just like me now that I think about it." I pretended to think hard about it and we laughed.

We finally got to his house, and I was sad to see him go. We started to get to know each other, but I wanted to know more. It was such a good conversation that we've been sitting outside of his house for a good thirty minutes. "Did you want to come in?" I must have given him a weird look because he started laughing. I could instantly feel my cheeks getting red from embarrassment. "W-What do you mean?" I began to grow nervous. He shrugged. "I want to spend more time with you...you know, outside of this car." I gulped. "Um, yeah sure!" He smiled as we both entered his house.

What have I gotten myself into?