Midnight Rose (completed)

Chapter 5

"How was the dance?" I asked Kendra who bounced beside me on our way to school.

The storms were taking a break, and the temperature was forecasted to reach mid-seventies. I could use some sunshine and less sloshing in my shoes.

"Honestly? Kind of lame, and Donny was a complete dud. Natalie can have him back. I'm pretty sure I'm within the thirty-day return policy." She laughed.

"I'm sure he's already groveling at her feet."

"Speaking of feet, when are you going to toss those sneakers?"

Kendra wasn't shy about her disapproval of some of my fashion choices.

"First of all, they aren't sneakers. They are Chucks. And second of all, you don't just throw away something because they are a little rough around the edges." My defense would totally hold up in a courtroom.

"Abby, there's a hole wearing in the toe," she shrieked.

I wiggled my big toe, stretching the white rubber to reveal the infamous hole.

"They're my favorite," I claimed simply.

"Then just get a new pair."

Miss Obvious was trying to be helpful, but if she knew what these red shoes symbolized, she would give me a fashion pass. 

"I will take your suggestion under careful consideration." Although, I couldn't imagine parting with them. Ever.

"You have that interview today, right?" She happily changed the subject.

A car full of teenage boys passed, honking and catcalling Kendra.

"And that is the perfect example of why I don't like dating." Kendra threw her hair behind her shoulder.

The interruption saved me from an uncomfortable conversation that would undoubtedly lead to Wes, so for the moment, I applauded the boys in the car.

The school bell echoed across the parking lot.

"Shoot, we're late," Kendra panicked.

There wasn't time to finish our conversation as we ran separate ways to class.

                                      ***

I chose to walk to the bistro, avoiding the twenty questions from my parents. My dad tried to derail my interview by guising it with my first driving lesson, but he failed to remember I wasn't an impressionable pre-pubescent kid anymore. Plus, I needed the ten blocks to work off my nerves. By second period I had convinced myself to flake on the whole thing, but by lunch I realized my apprehension wasn't because I was afraid to run into Wes, but because he might think I only wanted the job to run into him. At the end of the day, I reminded myself I had applied for the job way before the Hunters came back, with no reason to think they would return. I wanted this job, and considering the other dozen places I applied hadn't called, my options were limited.

I stood outside of the bistro, staring at the sign, studying it like it would be one of the interview questions, stalling as much as I could until I could breathe evenly again. It was like plucking petals off a flower. I want the job, I don't want the job, I want the job, I don't want the job. What petal would be left?

The door opened. "Great, you're here."

Mr. Hunter's voice was kind and his smile captivating. He waved me inside, holding the door open. My shoulders slouched in defeat as I accepted Mr. Hunter's invitation hesitantly.

The restaurant was bustling for a Monday afternoon.

"It's been crazy today. The good weather brings everybody out, and I had a girl call in sick, so I'm going to have to cut the interview short."