the lonelier version of you

Tim

Much to my dismay, Patrick did come in the next day but he didn't really say much to us.

"Hey girls, I know I'm late." Tim said getting on his apron. "Iris!" He said picking me up in a hug knowing how much I hated hugs.

"Put me down Tim." I said to the all short brown haired guy. Tim was my age, twenty three and had been working here for just as long as Jess and I has been.

"You missed a few days, I thought you quit on us."

"It was the knee." I lied.

"I know how it gives you trouble in the cold. Your like the Tin man from the wizard of oz. I think I'm going to get you an oil can for Christmas to lube up all those screws." He said making me smile and shove him.

"You'd definitely be Dorothy, Joe." Jess laughed.

"You'd be the witch." Tim retorted to Jess.

"Oh hey,  that's Patrick. He's a regular now thanks to Iris." Jess said and Patrick waved to Tim.

"So what did Iris do to get a celebrity coming here?" Tim asked. Jess eyes widened and I'm sure my face was stuck on confusion.

"I wouldn't say I was." Patrick said looking at Jess then me.

"Yeah, your the singer of fall out boy." Tim said.

"Are you sure?  their singer is heavier has some mutton chops and the glasses are a little different." Jess said eyeing Patrick.

I just stood there taking it all in. He was the guy from fall out boy.

"My- my shift is over." I mumbled and took my apron off.

"Hey, let me walk you home, its icy and your leg has been acting up." Tim said. Patrick looked like he was glad the heat was off him. "Don't leave me here alone! You just got here Tim. What if we get customers in?" Jess frowned.

"Chill jess, its only a few blocks and you should be able to handle what ever few people drizzle in here by yourself for ten minutes." He said.

"No, she's right. Besides, I'm not going home just yet, you know where I'm going." The sentence came out of my mouth sadder than I had expected making Tim push harder.

"Fine, it will be a twenty minute walk there and back. Jess has it covered plus of your going to the studio you need help carrying your bag,where is it?" He asked.

"In the back" I said

"Knew it." Tim had called already fetching my bag.

"See you Tuesday Ris" Jess said. Tim had come back with my bag and I gave a wave to Jess. Out the corner of my eye I saw Patrick watching me over his laptop as I walked out the door with Tim.