Gods & Monsters [mj]

VIII

Seeing Michael was like having freezing cold water dumped over you without any warning whatsoever.

Because one moment the crowd was surrounding him and the next moment there he was. He was all caramel skin and curls and his lean body was accentuated by the grey shirt he wore even though it was cold outside, his lips were curled into a smile that made him appear oh so charming and his dark eyes were flitting around the diner and-

And Jocelyn didn't see anymore because she had ducked underneath one of the tables, banging her head along the way.

''Fuck.'' she hissed. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. She took a breath. As long as he didn't see her then it didn't matter. She could get through her shift and then go home. What were the chances? There were many diners across London but of course he had to show up at Speedy's. Him and her. The couple. A couple. Together.

''Jocelyn, what are you doing under there?'' It was one of waiters, Fredrick and his damn loud voice.

''Shhh!'' She glared at him. She probably looked a state, her hair messy and her skirt hitching up in an unladylike manner, a scowl on her face. There better not be any gum underneath this table.

Fredrick laughed boisterously. ''What is this, hide and seek? You've got people to serve.'' He dragged her up by her arm and smoothed down her skirt for her like she was a child.

She looked around consciously to see if he had spotted her but he hadn't, he was deep in conversation with Tatiana at the other end of the diner.

Jocelyn briefly noted that Tatiana looked really pretty. They matched well together. They both had lovely curly hair and were both extremely aesthetic.

She'd been staring for so long, she had forgotten Fredrick was still next to her. ''Like something you see?'' he said with a little laugh.

She shook her head and brushed past him.

Table 8 wanted fries and a beef burger with Pepsi. Table 6 wanted a veggie burger with a bottle of mineral water. Jocelyn managed to balance two plates on both of her hands and wobbled her way over to Table 6. It was a girl on her own with glasses too big for her face. She smiled as Jocelyn placed the plate in front of her.

''Thanks.''

Jocelyn smiled faintly in response, Tatiana's voice drifting over to her. ''That steak is medium rare, not rare. Send it back.''

Why would you like your steak rare, anyways?

Table 6 rolled her eyes. Jocelyn raised an eyebrow curiously. ''What, you don't like her?''

''She just seems like high matienence. And besides, what is she actually famous for besides being Michael Jackson's girlfriend?''

Jocelyn shrugged, silently agreeing. It was kind of true. Apparently she was an actress before dating him, but no one had even seen nor heard of her, then suddenly she was everywhere and you couldn't see enough of her.

She served Table 8, a rowdy group of teenagers.

''I can't believe he's right there.'' a girl was saying excitedly.

''Why don't you get an autograph?'' one of her friends suggested.

''Are you crazy? I'm too shy to speak to him.''

''He's not all that.'' Jocelyn commented quietly. They all glanced up at her like she was insane and she realised she had said that out loud.

''Not all that? He's Michael Jackson. The king of pop, king of music, king of mankind, king of the universe!''