The Test of Time

6 ~ Month Three: November

The quiet of the diner is unbearable in November. No-one ever comes in. People save for Christmas. They budget for presents and decorations and mountains of food. They keep their money for the better restaurants, the ones where there is more on offer than just burgers and fries.

They go out for the day, shopping for each other, ending up in swanky restaurants where they can rest their legs and marvel at what they've bought.

I wish I was doing all of that.

They skate around the ice rinks that are placed inside the mall in the next town over. They don't come to old fashioned diners on the edge of town.

I pick up my cola from the counter beside me and take a drink, watching the family stand up from the only occupied table as they gather their coats and prepare to leave.

"Thank you!" The middle aged lady calls to me and I nod, smiling widely at them. The little boy smiles back at me as his Mum drags him by his hand towards the exit.

"Thank you for your service," I reply, in a high pitched, polite voice that we all have for customers. Sickening.

They exit and I quickly approach their table, picking up their plates and stacking them high before taking them back to the kitchen. Bert is sat in front of the TV, laughing his head off at the Spanish soap opera.

I have no idea how him and Harry successfully keep this business running. They inherited it from their Grandmother after she passed away twenty years ago and haven't decorated it since.

I wish I worked in the kitchen. Sitting down, doing whatever you want, no need to make niceties to anyone.

I reluctantly leave him in there before I'm yelled at, walking back out front and grabbing a cloth to clean the now empty table.  As I wipe it down I hear the familiar bell ring out from behind me, signalling that another customer is entering. Just great.

I guess I was hoping that no-one else would come in before my shift ends, leaving me free to catch up on my English homework behind the counter.

I slowly straighten up and turn round, taking a look at the new customers as I head back behind the counter.

Brett Winters and his friends, settling into a booth.

Perfect.

Of all the places they could go. Why the hell are they in here? I'm judging them for even setting foot in here.

I take a deep breath, throwing the cloth to the side before grabbing a notepad and making my way over to their table. Stopping in front of them I smile, careful to avoid eye contact with Brett.

"What can I get for you?" the sickening customer service voice asks.

"Hey... it's you!" The dark haired, blue eyed Ellis grins up at me. What? He knows me? "Didn't you stand up to Brett's girl?" He asks and I raise my eyebrows, watching as he leans back, proudly displaying his red football jacket.

"Ellis leave it would..."

"Apparently." I cut Brett off as I shrug. "I suggested to the cheerleading captain that maybe she should move a girl in the line up. If that means I've stood up to her then yes."

"Is that it?" Ellis looks disappointed and I can't help but grin.

"Unfortunately. Sorry to burst your gossip bubble!" I shrug and Ellis smirks.

"I thought you slapped her around the face!" He moans. I'm sorry, what?

"No."

"Straight talking girl. I love it." He winks at me.