Hide and Seek (not continuing)

Chapter 16 - Rant

*unedited*

[Camille.]

During my shift, I had to help Alex in the kitchen because Denise had asked me to teach him everything he needed to know. She also added that I had to be nicer and I promised I’d try. I showed Alex around the kitchen, telling him were to find all the cooking material, all the products et cetera. Then I gave him our book with all the recipes and we both started preparing everything for lunch. Unfortunatelly, he did quite well. I tried some of his pastries and they were great. Of course they tasted amazing, he’s a chef for god’s sake. I guess he is indeed perfect for the job, ugh. Alex and I didn’t talk much while we were working, he made some attempts though, but I never cooperated. I was still mad about how today was my last day in the kitchen and he’d be spending more time in here than I would.

When it was finally noon, I made my way to school for my afternoon classes, which were surprisingly interesting today. I guess anything would be more fun than hanging out with Alex. Natalie and I made some small talk before we went back home. However, I took a long way home, determined to drop by Harry’s hotel.

In the lobby, I ran into Carol. She was very sweet, asking how I was doing and all. I told her everything was just fine (relatively fine, of course) and I thanked her for her help the other day. She answered it was no problem at all and wondered if I was here to see Harry.

“Yeah, I am.” I replied and asked her if she could accompany me to his floor so Harry didn’t need to come downstairs for me (because I had no key card and therefore no access to the elevator).

So now I was standing in front of Harry’s door, knocking harder on it then I normally would. He opened with a smile on his face.

“Hi there Cami! Haven’t seen you in a few days, how are you?”

“Save the small talk, Harry.” I said angrily.

He shut up and a confused expression replaced the smile. I didn’t give him any chance to ask me what was going on as I started my rant immediately.

“How dare you go behind my back! I loved that job and now I have to do something I absolutely detest, how could you do that? Don’t you think it would be better to first ask me about it? This isn’t helping, Harry!”

“But –“

“I’m not ready for this! Would you throw someone who can’t swim in the middle of the ocean? No. So you can’t make a waitress of someone who has social anxiety! At least not without giving me time to adjust to the idea.”

“Cami, just –“

“Tomorrow is my first day. Tomorrow. I don’t even know what to do…” I said, my voice panicky but still angry.

“Why don’t you –“

I sighed heavily, cutting him off again. “I still can’t believe you went behind my back! It’s my life you know, I need to be involved in decisions like this. I hate to be kept in the dark! I’m sorry, but if this is you’re way of helping, then it’s no longer needed.” I raged.

I gave Harry no chance to defend himself and stormed out the door without giving him a second look. Turned out I was actually more pissed off then I thought I was.

He didn’t come after me, but I didn’t want him to. I was too angry. All I wanted was to have dinner in front of the television, watching some stupid soap without having to think too much about this situation.

So that’s exactly what I did that night (after revising my classes, of course). The only disturbance there was, was the call from my sister. Usually, I really loved talking to her, but she just went on about how Harry hadn’t been seen for two weeks now and I absolutely did not want to talk about Mr. Popstar right now. After the call, I saw Denise had sent me a text, saying I would start tomorrow at 10 pm. Because I had classes in the afternoon, my shift would end at 12 - meaning I had to work a total of two hours. That's not much, is it? I would survive two hours... Right?

- - - -

The next morning, I reluctantly walked to Le Bouquet, scuffing my shoes on the pavement. When I entered the cafe, I could feel I was very stressed already and I hoped it wouldn’t get worse. As usual, Denise greeted me and I walked to the break room to drop my stuff and put on my apron. Walking back to the front, I passed the kitchen and saw Alex working very hard. With the excuse of having to work, I decided not to say hello.

So then it started, my first official shift as a waitress. I was very nervous and I wasn’t sure if I could do it. If only someone was here to encourage me…

At 10 am, the first customers arrived and I greeted them all with my cheerful waitress voice (which means I barely use it outside Le Bouquet). I wrote down all the orders and passed them to Alex who prepared everything. When something was finished, he rang a little bell so I could come and get it.

The first hour went by and I was still a little shaky, afraid I would do something wrong or that people would notice there was something wrong with me. I tried to push those thoughts away as I went to the next customer.

“Good morning, welcome in Le Bouquet. How can I help you?” I said joyfully (as I was supposed to sound), looking to my notes with orders, ready to write the next one down.

“There’s a pretty girl who works here and she has the most delicious cupcakes ever, could you get me one of those?”

I recognized that voice.

“Maybe if she still made those cupcakes, but unfortunately she has another job now.” I shot back, looking up from my notes.

“Cami, listen, I just want to talk.“ Harry tried.

“Sorry, no time for that. I’ve got some work to do, you know.”

“I know… You’re doing great by the way.”

I was a little surprised hearing him say that. Did he really think I was doing okay?

“Really?” I asked, letting my guard down for a moment.

“Really really. You can do this, Cami, even though you think you can’t.” There it was, the encouragement I needed. Maybe I wasn’t doing as bad as I thought I was. I mean, I’ve had no problems so far…

But I was still mad at Harry. “So, cupcakes then?” I said, not wanting to deal with him right now.

“Yeah, I guess. And a coffee, please.” he said, disappointment clear in his voice but I just turned around to pass his order to Alex.

When Alex rang the bell I picked up his order and gave them to Harry with a rather fake smile. “Enjoy.” I said in a high-pitched voice and walked away from him, continuing to do my work.

[A/N.]

Fireproof on the side bc I'm loving it! 

And the gif... Omg. LIAM THANK YOU. 

BY THE WAY; 'FOUR' COMES OUT ON MY BIRTHDAY. HOW COOL IS THAT.