The Good Boy's Troublemaker ✓

Chapter 4 - "Bad reputation"

I was working hard at the counter.

So many people want pizza today. The orders just kept coming and coming. My shift ends in an hour or so, but then I have tons of homework I need to get done.

I like working here.

It is owned by Mr. Anderson's wife, and she's like a mother to me. Just like he's a father figure to me too.

I was already getting tired and I wanted to sleep so badly. I said that I liked working here, but then there is also a lot of kids from school coming here. So that's the only negative.

I was chatting with one of the waiters here, and that's when I saw Bailey walking in with a lot of friends. One of the guys got his arm draped around her shoulder. This was definitely the popular kids at our school.

She didn't see me, yet.

I turned around and walked into the kitchen, "James, I was just looking for you. My shift just ended and you'll have to waiter. Table four just got here." He handed me his apron and walked out.

No, no no no! I don't want to waiter her table.

I don't really have any other choice. I put the apron on and walked to table four. I tried to not get any attention, but since I'm the waiter...

"Oh look it's J-J-James B-Brown." One of the guys at the table said, and everyone burst out laughing. My cheeks flamed red, and my nails dug into my fists.

I looked up and Bailey was staring at me, but then lowered her head. "W-what can I-I get you guys?" I asked.

I took their orders and went back into the kitchen, giving it to Bill. He's a nice guy. He's been making pizzas so long. I made some milkshakes and placed them on a tray.

I walked back to table four. But someone placed their foot in front of me and I tripped over it, falling down with the drinks. I heard their laughter, but I was so embarrassed that I couldn't move.

I saw someone holding their hand out for me to take, I looked up and it was Bailey. She offered me a smile, and I place my hand in hers. She took one of the full milkshakes in the tray and poured it out on a guy's head.

He started screaming like a girl, worrying about his hair, and running out of the diner. Bailey bursts out in laughter, which I soon joined in.

She slipped a dollar onto the table and walked out of here. She was definitely something else. I would never have done that, but she did. She stood up for me.

I stared at the other guys for a second, but threw my apron off and run after her. She wasn't that far, only standing outside. "W-why did y-you do that?" She turned around.

"Why not?" She asked smirking.

"B-but what about y-your reputation?" She shrugged.

"What about it?" She started walking, and I followed.

"You got a bad reputation."

"I said that I wanted to change that, but I can't do it alone. I just want to prove to you that I wasn't playing around. I mean it."

My shift ends in a few minutes, but I need to get home anyway.

"O-okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay, I believe you." She lets out a sigh. It wasn't a frustrating one, more of a relieved kind of one.

"Thanks, I almost thought you would never believe me. So, a pizza place?" She asks raising an eyebrow. I nod.

"Y-yeah. We need the money." She nods. I don't have to tell her a lot about my personal life. She has nothing to do with it. "So why did you m-move?"

"Because of my dad's work."

"D-do you like it here?" She nods. "Where did you come from?"

"My mother's womb." My cheeks flushed red, and she burst out laughing. "New York." She said when her laughter finally calmed down.

New York. Such a big city. I wonder how it's like living there?

"It's not as wow as you think, it's... busy. So what is stage one of changing me into a good girl?" We took a left into our neighborhood street. Stage?

"Uhm, m-maybe we should start small. Something like homework?" She nods. How do you turn the bad girl into a good girl?

"I'll do it tonight then. Next?" Uh, what do I tell her? I'm not an expert in this.

"O-outfit?" She nods. "L-language?" She nods for me to continue. "I-I don't know? F-friends?" Well, that's all I could think of. I don't want to turn her into a nerd, but what is a good girl?

I always thought you just have to be a good person, but sometimes it's much more than that. It's your physical appearance too. So is she going to have to change everything just to be good?

"Thanks, I'll work on that." I shrugged. She really wants to be good, well I don't know how to make someone good. I just know how to be good. Hopefully, it's enough to teach her.

"No p-problem... thanks for standing up for me." She smiled. That wasn't just a kind act for me, that was special what she did back there. She could've watched how they all mocked me, but instead, she stood up for me. She did the right thing. The good thing. I think that's a tick off her 'Turning into a good girl' list.

"Glad I could help. Can I ask you a question?" I nod. We were standing in her driveway now.

"Where is the school's lost and found?" Oh, Strawberry! Her diary. She is looking for it. What do I tell her? That I have what she's looking for?

"I-in the o-office, next to the nurse. Why?"

"Oh, I can't find something, so I must've lost it. But I had it this morning." She mumbled something under her breath and I couldn't hear it. "So I'll see you tomorrow?" She rushed out and I nod.

"Goodnight James." She waved.

"Night Bailey." I waved back.

She walked to the front door, but stopped and turned around. "Hey James, I'll be more than happy to give you a ride tomorrow. Just to make sure you don't run after the bus again."

***

Song >> Bad reputation by Shawn Mendes

Question >> Pizza/tacos/burgers?

Chapter dedication >> elianaychs

A/N >> Please don't forget to vote by pressing the star 🌟 Thanks!