Untitled; It doesn't need a name to be famous.

Chapter 2 - Milk Tea and Milked Dreams

"And that, class, is the way to make your characters diverse, but still molded to you. Dismissed."

"FREEDOM!" I jump from the staircase to the bottom floor. That was my last class of the day, and thank God I only have it once a week. I hop on my bike, bitterly stuff my hair under my helmet, and rush to start the engine to speed the fuck out of here! It's time to go to work, and that's always been the highlight of any day.

The ride to work is always fast since it's only a few minutes away from my building, but I wouldn't mind some delays, I was early anyway. When I pull up in the parking lot, I roll my bike to the back alley behind the restaurant and hide it behind the broken lamp sign that hasn't worked in years. I take a quick peek at my watch, which reads 4:30. I turn to the front doors and pout, "Great, I got at least half an hour 'till I have to be productive." 

I throw open the doors to my workplace, Sukiyaki-ya, a Japanese/Chinese fusion restaurant. I waved at Dané on the other side of the counter, flipping two pans at once with ease. I'll admit, I get pretty jealous of her doing her job so well, but I swear, she always gets the worse accommodations. 

"Nǐ hǎo! Please take a seat, we'll take your order soon!" I receive a slight tap on my shoulder and a small "excuse me" from behind. I turn and step to the side to let the couple walk to their table. Now, where is he? I scan the interior of the restaurant, looking for Chen and wanting to be complimented on my punctuality. I work hard, damn it! I deserve to be made important! Instead, I get Satsuki, violently running into me from behind, giving me her usual bear hug. 

"Hey, hey, hey! What's up, little girl, how was class? Learn anything new?" I snicker and turn her to the front of me. Our height difference is crazy, she stands at five foot three, while I tower at five-ten, so who gave her the right to called me little? 

"Who you callin' little? You should see yourself. But, class was chill, I guess. Did a lesson about empathy, and shit. Nothing exciting."

"Nothing exciting today, huh?" she asks, wrestling off her apron to throw it at me, "Well here's something! You're working the counter till 6, then we're waiting tables!" she sings. Only she could try to make something boring sound exciting.  She runs to the back kitchen and emerges  with a couple of plates, lightly placing them in front of a mother and her two children. 

I step beside Satsuki as she carries the platters back to the kitchen, "And why am I behind counter? Does Chen not understand I'm underage?" We walked through the doors again, being flagged by the mother for help.

"Yeah, maybe just a little," she agrees, giving the smallest child a napkin to wipe his face and smile sweetly at him. 

"But that's never stopped us before." 

"Ya damn right."

-

The plan of me working until six fell through, of course, but I wasn't complaining. If you've never served alcohol after four, let me tell you; it's definitely not for the lighthearted. But I promise you, you'll get the best stories/character ideas! Today's round of interesting individuals was a bickering couple who couldn't decide where to go on the night of their anniversary. She wanted to go back home with his in-laws,  while he wanted a romantic getaway with no kids, no parents, no worries. They were simple to take care of; just simply nod and agree, added with a pinch of sweet talk and to top it all off, a sweet kiss and off they went. See? Easy come, easy go. 

As usual, I got the freaks, geeks, jocks, and possible pedophiles, but there was one dude who ordered a simple margarita, just wanting to talk.  

"You know, you don't look like you're over eighteen..." He took a long sip of his drink and swishes it around in his mouth for a second. Damn, how could he tell? 

"Nah..,"I laugh nervously and wipe the counter. "Do I really?" 

"You do! But don't worry," he took another pause, "I won't tell, I'm not the police." I snicker and pour more into his outstretched drink. 

"So, what do you do besides the illegal sellin' business?" He grins as I let out a heavy sigh and dramatically laid out across the counter

"Well, I'mma animator and I really wish I could stay in Cali after I'm done workin' in this place, but I dunno." I watch as the lights dimmed and couples started filling the dance floor. That was my indication of the time. "I guess I should be happy I at least have options."

He smirked, quietly smiling at the bottom of his glass. "You should. Not everyone has it that easy. What do you like to animate?"

"Oh, a wide array of things. Western, anime, whatever as long as it's 2D."

"Whoa, really? What's your favorite anime?"

"Naruto, for sure."

"A real weeb, huh?" He leans back in his seat for what seemed to be for a breath of air. He stops rocking backward when he catches a glimpse of Satsuki, who was carrying a tray bigger than her. I meet his gaze and snicker beside him. 

"This place has some beautiful ladies." I playfully push him away and offer out my hand to take his glass. He got up and places his money on the counter, but pauses when Dané came to Satsuki's side to whisper something in her ear. They giggle to each other and turn to my new friend at the counter. Dané grabs Satsuki close to her cracks her knuckles and makes a fierce scowl. 

I stifle my laugh and push the dude out his seat and towards the exit. "Quick, before she pounces!" He lunges off the ledge of the counter and bolts towards the doors. After he leaves, I laugh harder then I was keeping in. Dané hits the table in her own laughing fit as Satsuki, confused, looks between me and her.

"What the hell just happened?"