Best Day of My Life

Chapter 10 - Emily

        After my phone conversation with Kayla, I got into bed. But I couldn’t fall asleep. I just kept thinking about our talk. And Adrian. I knew I wasn’t ready to forgive him, at least not out loud and especially not to him. I stared at the ceiling, trying to make my eyes tired, but it wouldn’t work. My thoughts were racing and I couldn’t get them to shut up. I continued to stare into the wee hours of the morning.

     I finally fell asleep . . . and my alarm went off. I groaned and hit the snooze button. I knew it wouldn’t do any good though. Now I was awake. Again.

       I laid in bed for a few more minutes until the alarm went off again. I slapped it off and rubbed my eyes. Today was going to be a long, tiring day, with no breaks. I groaned again and got out of bed.

      I got ready sluggishly, however, I was not like Kayla when I had no sleep. After my shower, I pulled on jeans and a blouse and put some makeup on. I went downstairs and grabbed a bagel on my way out the door.

     Today was my day to drive. (Kayla and I switch days.) I shoved the bagel in my mouth and struggled with my keys to unlock my car. When I finally had, I threw my backpack in the passenger seat and slipped in.

       I made it over to Kayla’s house and honked. I watched her as she walked out the front door waving to her sisters. She opened the car door and threw both our backpacks in the back seat. (I did get the annoyed look from her as I pulled out of my driveway. I suppose I deserved that.)

       I yawned as I started driving down the road. “Whoa, not looking so good there, friend. What’s up?” She read me like an open book.

        “I got no sleep last night,” I told her.

        “Oh, thinking about Adrian, were we?” (I reiterate what I said earlier.) My silence was my answer. She just made a “Hmm,” sound and we made our way to school in silence.

       Let’s just say, the day dragged on and on and on. Yes, I was nodding off in class and a few of my teachers caught me doing it. I couldn’t help it. I was too tired.

         After school, I met up with Kayla and we drove off to work. I was not happy to go to work today. I didn’t feel like being cheery and I especially didn’t feel like singing to anyone.

       We got into uniform and walked out into the musical restaurant. Thankfully, everyone that was here had already been served and taken care of. So Kayla and I busied ourselves with wiping down the tables and counters, waiting for someone new to walk in.

           In about five minutes, a group of kids walked in that I recognized from school. I asked Kayla to get them taken care of and she said she would. I noticed someone needed help with food, so I volunteered to help.

         There’s something you need to understand about the restaurant we work at. It’s just like a regular restaurant, except instead of talking to customers, we have to sing to them. Usually, it was just nonsensical tunes, but if a song was stuck in my head a particular day, I would sing the words along to it. Anyone could perform at any time and a lot of people were really good. We even had a karaoke night set aside on Friday nights. It’s a fun job, but not when you don’t want to sing and are super tired.

           I mostly kept quiet while helping the other waiter, Michael, with the food. The only time I really had to sing to this group was to announce food to see whose it was. Michael picked up the stand and tray with a flourish and I followed suit.

         “Enjoy!” We sang in unison and walked away. I took the trays from Michael and put them where they belong. I went back in the kitchen and waited until Kayla came back.