Running (old story)

Chapter 1

"Hey Steph, what will you be having today?" Lily asks giving the woman who just sat down her warmest waitress smile. It had been two weeks since Lily started working at the diner and she was finally starting to get the swing of things and know the regulars.

Stephanie slumped into her usual stool in front of the bar and gave Lily a tired smile. "I think I'll just have some yellow pea soup with some toast slices. Oh yeah and a glass of water too please."

"Sure thing Steph. It'll just be a few minutes."

"No need to rush." Stephanie told Lily as she dug around in her purse pulling out a well worn paperback book. "I've got time." With that Stephanie gave her attention to her book letting Lily get back to work. Lily had learnt since she started that Stephanie has been coming by nearly every day after work for the past month. Apparently she'd had a nasty break up and didn't like going back to an empty house and eating alone. She wasn't the chattiest of people but she did seemed to enjoy the buzz of people being around her.

Lily enjoyed having Stephanie come. Often when she finished one of the books she read she would give them to Lily on the condition that she would pass them on as well. Lily found it made her feel more connected to the world around her, that she wasn't just floating aimlessly with nothing to hold on to.

The light chime of the bell on the door brought Lily out of her thoughts and back to reality. Looking up from the counter she was wiping she saw it was two men come, both looking to be about her age.

The one leading the way was very tall probably about six foot four or six foot five, if she were to guess. He didn't come with the presence she was used to tall men carrying though, he was quite lanky and pale as if he didn't do many sports; not in the least bit intimidating. He also wore a carefree smile as he laughed and talked loudly and animatedly. Somehow he didn't scare her much; unlike the guy he was talking to.

He was a different story altogether. He was a few inches shorter than his friend but it was obvious he was much more defined. All in all he fit the mysterious bad boy stereotype to a tee with his messy dark hair, leather jacket and a smirk to top it off instead of the warm smile his friend wore. In all honesty it wasn't only his look that scared her, over her few weeks at the diner she'd become a bit more comfortable with male customers, it was the healing black eye covering his left eye and the scabs that covered his knuckles that made her weary.  

Lily looked around for any other servers as the two boys sat down in a booth only to realize once her eyes fell on the clock that Tyler's shift had ended almost forty five minutes before. Holding in a sigh lily grabbed two menus and a jug of water and made her way to the new customers.

Nether boy noticed her till she made it to the booth setting down the menus and filling up the glasses sitting on the table as she started her usual spiel. "Welcome to The Nextdoor Diner. I'm Lily and I'll be your sever tonight. Is there anything I can start you off with or would you like a few minutes to go over the menu?"

At this point she had managed to capture both of the boys attentions and another overly excited grin made its way to the taller boy face as the other looked at her with unreadable eyes.

"Oh you must be the new girl my aunts been talking about." said the tall guy with far too much enthusiasm for Lily's liking. "She hasn't been able to shut up about you, you know. Apparently you're one of the best new hires in a long time." Lily just looked at the boy in confusion. He seemed to notice this though as he quickly cleared his throat and gave a little laugh. "I forgot to actually introduce myself didn't I?" Lily gave a small nod in return. "Well I'm Brett Harris and this is my friend Noah. Ellen's my aunt so that's why I've heard about you."