Within This Moment ~ Frerard ~ slow updates

More Of An Ariel Than A Merida

The warm sound of conversation and dishes clattering flooded the small diner, but not in a way that was overwhelming to its visitors. It added to the vague ambience that was truthfully a bitter illusion. The air appealed to the restaurant's patrons, but it was only a ploy to distract them from the fact they were dining at the lowest income diner in all of Jersey. Izzy's Diner managed to maintain a luxurious, but retro curb appeal, and the inside of the building wasn't hideous, with the exception of a reeking stench of greasy food.

Gerard noticed every one of these details as he slipped in between tables and balanced trays of toxic food. When the establishment wasn't busy he occasionally found himself observing the chefs prepare the food, and he questioned how it was consumable. Granted, he was guilty of having ingested the slop before, but those instances had been dire circumstances where he had resorted to thievery. Working on a minimum wage with bills to pay left the young man all too familiar with the process of fasting. He'd rather have heating than food, to say the least.

"Way! I need these drinks over to table five!"

Muffling an annoyed groan, Gerard finished placing a plate of biscuits and grits in front of a saggy-faced old man, remembering to ask if he needed anything else before scurrying back to the post where table five's drink waited. Gerard piled the condensation-covered glasses on his tray, intending to deliver them when a hand on his shoulder caught his attention.

"What?!" He snapped, turning to face whoever had approached him.

"Woah," Gerard's only friend, Alexis, stood behind him with an alarmed expression and her hands thrown up in defense, "okay, Mr. Grump, you need a break."

Her fingers gently wrapped around Gerard's wrist, taking the plate of drinks from his hand. He furrowed his eyebrows at his co-worker, instantly attempting to take them back.

"Alexis, stop! I have to take these to table five!" He whined. Honestly, Gerard was too overwhelmed and exhausted to keep working, but he didn't want to be fired. Their boss was unruly and more strict than Gerard's fourth grade teacher. The one break he was allowed over the course of his shift was only twenty minutes, and he'd been only working for a few hours so far, so he didn't want to use it quite yet.  

Alexis smiled, and being the mother-type person she was, shook her head and walked away with the tray of watered-down beverages. In her eyes, it was her responsibility to take care of her tortmented friend. Alexis didn't know much about Gerard since he was more reserved than a hermit crab, but she figured she could still do her best to make sure he didn't have a mental breakdown. It was simply in her nature to help anyone in need, and while there were plenty of people in Jersey who fit that description, Gerard needed her more. Pushing the thought away, she served the customers before returning to Gerard's side, finding him rubbing his temples with his eyes shut and leaning on the counter.

Alexis cautiously placed a hand on her friend's shoulder, hoping to soothe his bitter mood. "I know you're constantly sour, but this is excessive even for you. Maybe you should just go home and rest..."

"Alexis, shut the hell up. I'm fine, and I'm not going home or wasting a break!" Gerard snapped, having been fed up with her consistent belittlement of him. At least, that's what it felt like to him.

Alexis simply ignored his comment, her attention switching to the 'ding' of the diner's doors. She watched a dark haired man who was covered in tattoos walk through the entrance and look around, probably waiting for a server to take him to a table. He was more attractive than the general person, but what caught her eye was the way he held himself, a tragic mix of confidence and insecurity that simultaneously clashed. The man appeared like he was ready to throw a right hook any minute, yet at the same time like he wanted to curl into a ball on the floor and cradle himself. She wasn't sure what gave her that impression, but it was a trait she recognized in her bitter co-worker. Alexis smiled downwardly, a plan conniving in her mind.