The Search Of The Lost

Chapter 3

It's been two weeks since my birthday, and graduation was over too. Realization finally dawned upon me that day that this it. Eighteen years of my life were over, my entire childhood. I teared up then, seeing all of the people I grew up with go different places, this might've been the last time I was seeing up. We didn't realize it then, but it was goodbye. I've always fantasized about this day and how amazing it would be to finally leave, but I've never once thought that I would have been feeling that nostalgic. And I'll allow myself to admit now that maybe, just maybe, I'll be missing those school days I once desperately wished would come to an end.

I started working at Denny's; cooking is somewhat a hobby of mine. I was earning some cash too, so it was a win win situation. The only thing that was bothering me was the fact that I had to wake up at six in the morning, I would've quit in a heartbeat if I had to wear a uniform too. There was no way someone was going to tell me what to wear. Getting this job was kind of my refuge from my unbearable overthinking too, and I can't deny either that my mother's words were ringing in my mind when I decided to take that job 'How do you expect to make a living'. Maybe I'm trying to prove her wrong somehow, and kill the doubtful voices in my head in the process.

My days usually consisted of working by day and painting by night, and I didn't regret my choice of a gap year even once. I wasn't going to fit under society's rules and feel as if it's a must to follow the same path that was drawn for all of us before we took our first breath. Maybe I will get to draw another one, and another if it doesn't seem like the right one anymore. And maybe even until I've scribbled on all the pages because I have nothing to lose, only infinite trials not yet used. I'm not just defying those unspoken rules to satisfy the rebel inside of me, I'm giving myself time to discover what I actually want. I mentally applauded myself for the speech I just gave. I just wish that my mother would hear that and understand where I'm coming from, her support is one I can't help but want.

Today, since Laila, the cashier, asked me to fill in for her because she wanted to spend time with her son on his birthday, I ended up tirelessly taking orders and running to the kitchen to prepare them. Though I can't say that my aching feet weren't screaming at me to call her so that she would just come back.

An hour passed with no new customers, giving me time for a much awaited rest. I was lost in thought trying to convince myself that today would pass without world shaking plot twists, I just had this strong feeling that I was tiptoeing slowly towards a cliff, unaware of the fall that I was about to take. There's an expression for that, right? The calm before the hurricane, I think. Well, whatever it was, I hoped it was merely an illusion in my head reinforced by my unnecessary fears.

My spiraling thoughts were suddenly cut when a guy snapped his fingers in front of me to gain my attention. I brushed off the thoughts in my head and looked up at him with an apologetic expression, preparing to take his order. His hair was a dirty blonde shade, almost brown, and his eyes were a dark grey which reminded me of Scarlet's.

'Oh, sorry. Hi, what will your order be, sir?' I immediately regretted calling him sir when he looked my age, I really needed to focus. I rolled my eyes at how cringe worthy that must've sounded like.

Much to my embarrassment, he chuckled. 'Cole, just Cole' His eyes seemed to be laughing at me.

'Okay great, what will you take?' I could hear the irritation and slight sarcasm in my voice. I looked up at him, making sure signs of annoyance were written all over my face and through my feigned smile.

He leaned his elbows over the counter, his eyes gleaming with amusement. 'Aren't you going to tell me your name?'

I deadpanned, honestly not knowing why the hell he didn't order yet.