Hurricane

14: Big Bad Wolf?

Ring. Ring.

Ring. Ring.

I groan as I rub my eyes, making my blanket slide down my body.

I get up as I stretch my arms up and sigh, feeling like the world is the best and is in peace.

Like there's finally something to look forward to.

I get ready for the day and just when I was ready to leave, I get a text and I eagerly check it, but get disappointed when I see it's from someone I wasn't expecting.

The manager from the Lunar Restaurant texted me to work today from 9AM-7PM. That's about 10 hours. But, I wasn't planning to go to work today at all.

Me: Actually, I have class today, and I'm not sure I can do it.

Lunar Restaurant: We'll pay you double. $20 per hour and the tips are yours. Please reconsider.

Damn it! Why do they do this to me all the time? The owner must be rich as hell.

Me: That's very tempting but I kinda...don't want to do dishes.

Lunar Restaurant: You can be the cashier and waitress.

I smile. Sounds like a good deal to me.
I quickly type a reply.

Me: Okay. See you at the restaurant.

With that, I change my school bag to a smaller one and leave for work.

I really didn't want to go to work today but saying "No" to at least $200 for 10 hours I'll work would be stupid. I can shop for better winter clothes with that.

   "Oh my god, there you are!" I hear Ruby's voice. I look at her and smile. She runs as best as she can with her heels as she approaches me.
     "Hi, would would like to order something?," I say jokingly.
       "Oh stop, you had me worried to death. You never missed school."
        "Just couldn't resist the offer. Currently running low on money." I sigh.

Ruby pouts as she takes out her phone, "Okay, I'm gonna take a picture of you and put it in my wall of inspiration. Smileeeee," I laugh as I pose and let her take the picture.
              "You're crazy," I say to her as she shrugs.
               "I'm gonna go tell Stevie, she's also looking for you. Bye!" Ruby waves and then runs out slowly.

I sigh.

The day almost just goes by like that. I take people's order, and then when it gets busy, I go and serve the food.

Some people from the university greeted me. Some were pitying me.

I just thought about the money I'll be getting at the end of the day.

After I came back from my 30 minute break, I see Ethan waiting at the counter. I'm almost too shocked to see him there. Doesn't he have class during this time?

When I come to the counter, Ethan looks at me and blinks, "Why do you have to work here? Where everybody can see you? It bugs me because I can't make people stop spreading unnecessary rumors." He scolds me.

My eyes go wide. There it is.

The Ethan that I know.

I smile brightly.

          "Hey! Stop smiling! You should be hiding in a corner right now." Ethan's frustration makes me laugh even more.
           "How do you expect me to be scared of you, I mean...look at you." I wave my hand in front of his face.
            "Whatever. Abby, it's happening again. How are you staying so calm? I heard from someone that—"
            "Doesn't matter Ethan. It's only going to hurt me if I let them." I play with top of the cash register, not knowing what else to do.