Just The Two Of Us <Sweet Pea FF>

43. For you

Toni pulls out in front of a tall redbrick building. I get off the back of her motorcycle carrying boxes full of cupcakes. "Cupcakes and wine is an interesting compilation for an art exhibition" Toni notices
"I don't judge" I laugh "and we can use that money"

Both of us dressed in black trousers and white blouses, we walk up the stairs and enter the room.
"Oh, the exhibition doesn't start till 6" a beautiful black girl with glasses and a pretty dress approaches us.
"We're here to be waitresses" Toni explains

"Oh that's why we wear those clothes and carry boxes full of cupcakes" I whisper so the girl wouldn't hear me. Toni chuckles.
"Well, come in, I'll tell Jonathan that you're here" she smiles and we follow her inside putting the boxes down on a table.

"Hello" a tall boy with brown hair and a suit approaches us "You must be Toni and julia" he smiles "I'm Jonathan but you can call me Johnny, it's really great that you do this today"

"He was totally flirting with you" Toni whispers as we put the cupcakes on trays and fill the wine into small cups, 10 minutes later.
"I don't think so"
"I'm Jonathan but you can call me johnny" Toni imitates him with a deep voice making me burst into laughter.

I look up just to see Johnny standing in front of the table, hopefully he didn't hear that but he starts talking like he didn't "it's brilliant it all worked out. Ronnie told me a lot about you"

We both laugh a bit nervous
"So, when people start coming in, circulate" he gives further instructions and walks away as I answer "got it thanks"

An hour later the art gallery opens and is already packed with people. I walk around with my tray of cupcakes and wine when I spot Ronnie, she is dressed pretty fancy.

"Hey, V" I smile
"Veronica, do you know the waitress?" A guy asks and I can feel the others looking me up and down, judging me. Wow, usually I'm the one judging.
I try not taking offense.
"Yes, Julia, those are some of my friends from new York" she points at the group around her "This is Julia... eh she works at my diner and w-" she doesn't keep on talking because I interrupt her.

"Yeah, well it was nice meeting you" I turn around and walk away. I feel like I don't belong here, of she doesn't even introduce me as a friend... like I'm embarrassing her.
"Don't worry jules" Toni must have heard our conversation "that's just how it is. They're the ones going to fancy events and we're the ones they ask to serve"

I leave out a sigh and pour down one of those small wine cups "Well, let's continue to 'circulate"', stressing the word circulate.

Walking around a corner someone is appearing to my right side. It's Charles. Charles from new years, who wanted to kiss me but didn't because Cheryl. Yeah well he is towering over me with his signature charming smile.
"Great, I was hoping tonight would get weirder" I whisper to myself.

"Julia, it's so great to see you again"
"Yeah, you too" I fake smile when he tries to reach for one of the small wine cups on my tray.
"No, no. Not the wine. The wine's mine" I pull away and he starts laughing.

But I was serious I could not make it through this evening sober. Which I'm not totally at this point.
"So, what do you think about this" he points around.
"A bit too fancy for me" I laugh
"I'm not really into art either" leaning against the wall trapping me.

"We could be doing something else, if you want" he smirks "something a little less boring if you know what i mean"
I know what he means and all I can say is oh hell no. "I have a boyfriend"
"So?"
A surprised and nervous laugh escapes my mouth.

Luckily Toni rescues me. "Ju, would you help me with the wine?" Pulling me away to the table.
"What the hell" she is putting glasses of wine on her tray "if sweet pea was here..."
"There was nothing and he isn't so..."

"Hey, girls how's is it going? Do you like it?" Veronica pulls up at the table reaching for some wine on my tray.
"No, whoa, whoa, I need all those"
She looks down "look, J about earlier-"
"Oh, no it's alright"
"No, it's... complicated"
"What are we? on Facebook?" Sipping on my wine.

"Veronica, we got some folks" a girl walks up behind her and pulls veronica away.
"can we just go while I still have a shred of my dignity" I sigh facing toni

"1:30 more hours" she tries cheering me up "and the Facebook one" laughing "that was a good one"
"Forget the money, let's just go" I whine
"No, you're not leaving with no dignity and no money" Toni laughs

"Fine, TT, I'll just circulate a couple more times" I laugh pouring down another cup of wine.

"Come on we have to get our money from johnny" I pull Toni aside when the exhibition finally ended.
"Oh crap" she looks at me and starts laughing "Johnny cash"
We both laugh mostly because we are a bit tipsy by now.

"Are you drunk?" Sweet Pea laughs as we leave the building and approach his motorcycle.
"This" Toni points at the building "was ridiculous"
"We had no other choice" I add giggling.
"Uff, well Topaz you can't drive"