I Am Not Your Maid! (On Hold)

Chapter 11 - Just Plain Awkward

Chapter 11

Just Plain Awkward

My shift didn’t start for another hour and a half practically.  That seemed like ample time to get some studying done, except for the fact that it took almost half an hour to get ready for my shift.  So the reality was that I only had an hour, and that wasn’t enough time to finish everything.

Dash dropped me off in front of the café and went around to the back to park his car.  Sakura, Elizabeth, and Misty were surprised to see me arrive so early because they knew I had school and had to commute to get there. 

“I was offered a ride,” I said to their stunned expressions.  “Is it okay if I just sit down and study until my shift starts?”

“Of course, it’s no problem at all.” Sakura beamed at me warmly.  She waved her hand to the backroom.  “Why not have a seat in the staffroom where it’s quieter and more private?”

I would have preferred that, but Dash and I talked in the car about doing homework “together.”  I didn’t like the idea at first, but he insisted.  He reminded me of how little time I had to do my schoolwork now, and that he wanted to help me with it. 

Pfft.  Help me with my homework?  He was just hoping to score bonus points with Elizabeth.  I may not be particularly intelligent regarding the mechanisms of a boy’s mind, but even I could figure that one out.

I shook my head in response to Sakura’s suggestion, and insisted on taking a seat in the corner of the café. 

A minute later, he entered, shaking the rain out of his hair and striking a super-model pose from the looks of it.

Misty stared in mouth-watering awe, while Elizabeth and Sakura greeted him warmly.  The latter two looked surprised to see him seat himself next to me.  Misty, on the other hand, was still drooling.

My textbook was already out on the table and I was busily doing homework when he made himself comfortable next to me.  I was too absorbed to see the gaga faces Misty made at him, as well as the curious, but knowing eyes, from Sakura. 

Sakura grinned at me from behind the counter as she filled out some paperwork regarding the business’ progress and revenue.  She was probably already putting two-and-two together and keeping awfully quiet about it.

Not that it was any of her business, of course.

Elizabeth was the first to join us, while Misty checked her hair and makeup quickly on the back of a silver tray.  By the time Misty came to our table, Elizabeth had already asked Dash if she could get him anything.

Misty leaned down next to me as she took in the sights of Dash, like a fine specimen to be studied under a microscope.  “Emi-chan, you didn’t tell me that you had a boyfriend,” Misty said.  She giggled a little, her eyes still glued on Dash.

I tried not to shudder at her comment.  Instead, I shot back forcefully, “No he’s not.” 

I glanced at Elizabeth.  It was clear that she recognized him, and knew that he had come in before, but Misty didn’t seem to remember him at all, even though she had been there when he first came in on opening day.

“We go to school together,” he replied calmly.  “I offered her a ride to work because of the rain.”

They both ogled him and gushed about how thoughtful that was.  They asked what classes we had together and how long we’ve known each other.