Under the stars || James McVey

chapter eight

Katherine's POV 

I'd arrived to work a little later than I had expected. Seen as my dad was at work, and my brother had the other car, I had to take the bus, which, as per usual, was late.

I'd managed to walk through the door on time, just as Steph walked up to me, declaring that table 17 needed attention. I rolled my eyes at her quick dismissal and made my way to the back. I quickly tied my apron around my waist and tied my long hair up into a ponytail. I checked myself over and realised I had forgotten something, and looked back at my shirt to see an empty space where my name tag should be. I searched frantically for it and panicked when I couldn't find it, when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder.

"Looking for this?" I turned to see a fair haired boy grinning at me, his curls falling into his eyes. I glanced towards his hand, where he held up a plastic pin with the name 'Katherine' typed across it. "Honestly, Katie, you'd lose your head if it weren't for me." I smiled up at him and took the tag from him to pin on my shirt.

"Thank you, Cameron" I giggled, and reached up to kiss him on the cheek. "I don't know what I'd do without you." 

"You'd lose your head," He repeated, causing me to laugh. "So, where are you starting?"

"Erm, table seventeen." I replied, grabbing a pen and notepad from the piles. "You?"

"Eight and three"

"Ok, well, I'd better get started. Thanks again." I said, before walking over to my designated table, only to stop short when I see who it is.

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"Oh shit"

I stand there, frozen in my place, whilst all four boys continue to stare at me. 

Tristan was first to break the short silence. "Hello again" He smirks, with a smile.

"Hello again," I manage, walking around the table to stand in front of them all. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Erm.. Food." Connor replies with a smirk. I gape at him after realised what I just said, and mentally slap myself for being so stupid.

"Right.. of course. What can I get you?" I ask politely, trying to refrain from humiliating myself further. It had only been a few short hours since I'd seen them last, now they're here, and I'm taking their order. 

James had ever so kindly asked me along to his band practice, and even though I wanted to run out of there realising what I complete idiot I must have seemed showing up at his house uninvited, I stayed out of politeness. They were really good singers, and they put a smile on my face for while, but I'd never felt so uncomfortable, that I was so relieved when I stepped on the house and onto the foreign pavement. I don't know why I felt so out of place, may be because they seemed so confident, and I managed to harshly reject one of them and have a mental breakdown in front of another. Excuse me for feeling a little overwhelmed when they just randomly turn up at my workplace and make me feel complete awkward again.

I kept my eyes focused on the notepad I was holding, whilst I scrawled down their orders, not daring to look them in the eyes. My palms had begun to sweat and it was making it extremely hard for me to keep hold of the pen. I completed the order with Connor's drink, quickly turning on my heel, after telling them I'd be back in a couple of minutes with their drinks. 

I handed the supervisor the order for the food which he handed to the chef, and made my way over to the bar to get the drinks. I collapsed into one of the bar stools and lay my head on the bar with a groan. 

"You alright there, Katie?" I peered up through my arms to see Charlie, the bartender standing in front of me, peeling the drinks order from my grasp. I groaned again and let my head fall on the counter with a smack, not realising that I'd moved my arm from cushioning the impact.

"OW!" I exclaimed, causing a ripple of laughter from Charlie and Cameron, who had just sat down beside me. I rubbed my head a little and scowled at the two boys wetting themselves at my clumsiness. "Shut up, it really hurt." I whined at them, which made Cam laugh even harder. I nudged him lightly in his arm and rested my head on his shoulder with yet another groan.

"What's up, chick?" Charlie asked while he started pouring drinks and putting them on a tray. I swung my head low before lifting it up and confessing everything to them, like I normally do, about my mother's secret, Stonebridge, my breakdown, and of course, The Vamps. Aside from Chloe and Mags, these are the boys I tell everything to, seen as Cam has lived opposite me pretty much my whole life, and Charlie took me in when I needed a job at the age of fifteen.

"So, he just held you and let you cry?" Cam asked in puzzlement. I quick nod of my head confirmed it. "Woah, that's new. Do you think he knows?" I hadn't the need to ask what he meant by that, I already knew.

I shook my head. "I don't think so, he looked pretty confused to be honest." I sighed and grabbed the tray of drinks, mumbling a 'be right back', before bracing myself and walking back over to table seventeen. I smile at them as I approach, and carefully place each of their drinks in front of the correct person.

"Thank you, Katie." Tristan grins at me, before taking a big gulp of his coke.

"No problem. Is there anything else I can get you?" I ask politely, not really wanting to linger any longer.

"No, I think we're alright, thanks"

"Ok, when just let me know if you change your mind. Your food should be arriving shortly." I smile again, and turn to walk into the other direction, just when I feel an a hand grab my arm. I turn to see Bradley standing in front me, an uneasy look of his face. "Anything the matter, Bradley?"

He looked at me, bewildered. "Why do you call me Bradley?" I raise my eyebrows in confusion.

"That's your name, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but, why don't you call me Brad?"

I tilt my head to the side, understanding why he'd asked me about it. "I don't know, I guess I prefer Bradley." It was true, Bradley suited him well, and I really liked it. He smiles then, dimples showing on either side of his face. "Is that what you wanted to ask me, or?"

"No, I, er..," I watched as he rocked back and forth on his heels in anxiousness. "About last night, when I asked you out, I didn't mean to.. I mean, of course I meant to, I just don't know why, it was a little forward, and I, well, I..." He glanced down at me and his eyes widened when he realised he'd been rambling. I giggled at him when he brought his hand to his head in embarrassment. I pulled it away with a smile and encouraged him to continue. "Well, I just thought, that maybe, despite my randomness and complete insanity, that maybe, we could be friends?" He bit his lips nervously, and I admit, it made him look very attractive,  and I was aware that I was still holding his hand. I let it fall back to his side and looked back at him with a faint smile.

"Yeah, sure thing." I say, before turning away to the kitchens to get his food.