Mr. Brightside

Chapter One

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Peyton pressed her lips together into a straight line. There was no reason to be nervous she thought to herself. It's not like this was her first job. Gripping onto her backpack straps, Peyton stepped into the small restaurant and forced a smile onto her face. Instantly she was welcomed by an employee waiting just a few steps away from the door.

"Manager." She spoke softly, "Can uh I speak to a manager?"

"Is there anything I can help you with?" The dark haired man dressed in complete black asked before stepping out from behind the host stand.

Peyton examined the man once again and made a quick prejudice judgment, "I'm the new employee." She glanced behind him, eager to end this conversation. 

"Oh right, they said you'd be coming in today. I'm one of the managers."

"Oh." She returned her attention to him awkwardly shifting her feet. "Nice to meet you."

"What did you say your name was?"

"I didn't.. it's Peyton."

"Right. My name's Franklyn. Welcome to the family." He smiled before gesturing for her to follow, "I'll take you to the back."

As Franklyn lead her through the restaurant she took in its appearance, realizing it was the first time she actually stepped pass the hostess stand. 

The walls were painted with a creamy tan and had white baseboards to complement the color. The booths and chairs were a dark brown along with the tables. The main appeal to the place were the pictures hinged up of New Jersey. Or at least that's what she believed the pictures represented.  As they continued through the restaurant, they walked towards double doors near the back and without hesitation Franklyn called out, "The new girl is here!"

Peyton, just a few steps behind him, looked around. Employees curiously stopped their labor to glance at the new comer before continuing to work. Some smiled. A few greeted her. Majority of them didn't seem to care all that much.

"Where's Damon?" Franklyn asked one of the nearby workers.

She instantly responded, "I think he's in the walk-in."

"Oh Peyton, this is Felicia. Felicia, Peyton." He placed his hand on Felicia's shoulder and gripped it tight beginning to lightly shake her.

"Hi." The girl smiled widely.

"Hey." Peyton gestured a wave but instantly regretted it. Embarrassed she shifted her eyes, catching a familiar figure who was already staring at her. Relief flushed through her as she recognized the blonde boy she had known since freshman year, Brayden.

A loud thump suddenly broke her concentration and she watched as a boy struggled out of the walk-in freezer with a cardboard box plopped in his arms. With his glasses slid slightly forward, he tilted his head back just a bit to see clearly through them as he made his way to them. Peyton's eyes, examining him, shifted from head to toe, taking in every feature this boy had to offer.

"Damon! Right on time." Franklyn exclaimed, putting a name to the face.

"For?" He asked as he set down the box next to where Felicia was standing at. Adjusting his glasses, he looked at Franklyn then to Peyton. "Is this the new girl?"

"Yeah, can you get her a shirt?" He answered and then turned to Peyton, "How late can you stay?"

"However late you need me to." She replied.