Hamburgers and Summer Time

Prologue

Louis sighed as he shook hands with his new boss and tried to remember how he ever ended up in this position, getting a job in a local fast food. 

 “LOUIS WILLIAM TOMLINSON! Tell me what the bloody hell you do on your phone to make the bills so freaking expensive?” Louis looked up from his iPod and it only took one glance at his mom to see that she was really pissed. His mom was never pissed.

“I really don’t get it Lou! Even your sister doesn’t talk or text as much as you do!” Louis simply shrugged but immediately regretted it by the look of pure anger on his mom’s face. He was in trouble.

“THAT’S IT! I’m not paying for your phone anymore!”

“But mom! I can’t pay it! I bought two pairs of Toms last week, I don’t have any money left!”

“Well ‘young’ boy, I guess it’s time you take some responsibility and prove me you can show some maturity.  I want you to get a job.” Louis groaned because he knew all too well his mom wasn’t joking and she was just as stubborn as he was.

“And don’t you groan at me again Mr. I’m-twenty-years-old-and-I-never-had-a-job! “

And there he was, in a small office that kind of look like a bunker, in front of a short man, probably in his early 50s, who just hired him to work in a kitchen for the entire summer.

“Well Mr. Tomlinson, the restaurant isn’t open yet but you can grab a uniform over here and head upstairs with me to meet the rest of the crew, they should be here by now. ” Louis nodded, grabbed the uniform and left the office.

The boss, Louis really didn’t remember his name. Actually, Louis didn’t remember if he even told him his name. But Louis remembered that he told him a little about the crew. He will be working with the same four boys all summer. The boys were around the same age he was, but all younger. Their shifts were at the same time because they were only here for the summer, just like Louis. 

The boss also showed him around before they got in the office. Louis liked the fact that the place was small. There was the main room, with tables for the clients, the counter where they would order and the drive-in windows. There was a wall behind the counter with a very large hole that gave to the kitchen where the cooks would give the meals to the cashiers. The kitchen wasn’t small but wasn’t that big either. There was a very large oven; two persons could easily work with it at the same time. There was basically anything a fast food needed. Then there was the room where they would take their break, a small room with lockers and a table. Nothing grandiose. And finally the offices ‘bunker’ that crept Louis a little.

As Louis turned the corner that led to the main room he started to hear voices, probably arguing.

“I won’t do it Liam!”

“Zayn, saying the headset is going to mess up your hair is not a valid argument to refuse to take care of the drive-in.”

“You are a terrible assistant manager, you should make sure the employees are happy in the their job! Niall, tell him he’s a terrible assistant manager!”

“Oh no, you’re not dragging me into this, not after what happened last time.” Louis noticed the sudden Irish accent as he awkwardly stand next to the Boss, the two boys still arguing and the other chuckling at the scene. They didn’t even acknowledge them until the Boss opened his mouth.

“Woe, woe, woe boys, what’s going on here?”

“Oh, Mr. P, exactly the one I wanted to see. Could you please explain me why is Liam the assistant manager? He doesn’t even care about our feelings! I believe my picture should be hanging on the wall, not his!” The blond chuckled again while the other one simply rolled his eyes.

“Zayn, I’m gonna tell you once again but I hope this is the last time. First, Liam is the assistant manager because he has a good sense of responsibility, he is mature and he is sensible. Second, your picture couldn’t be hanging on the wall because you’d look at yourself all the time instead of serving the clients.”

The blond let out a loud laugh while the Zayn one glared at him. But before anyone could protest, the Boss started talking again. 

“Boys, this the new cook I just hired. C’mon introduce yourself kid.”

“Well, my name is Louis Tomlinson, I’m twenty years old, I’m from Doncaster and I’m very excited to work with you guys.” Louis said but he sounded a little unsure, he really didn’t know what to say.

“Yeah that’s the spirit buddy! I’m Niall, 18, from Ireland and I’m very excited to work with you too!” He said and laughed. A huge grin, spread across Louis’ face. There was something about this kid, maybe the positive energy or the happiness he could feel when he talked, but Louis liked it. Then the assistant manager took a step toward him and held out his hand.

“I’m Liam, 18 and the assistant manager but don’t worry, I’m not as bad as he says I am. He’s just moody at times, especially in mornings.” Wow, he looked so much older than he really was, Louis really didn’t know how an 18-year-old teen could sound so adult. He shook his hand, smiling then turned to Zayn.

“Don’t listen to him, he acts all friendly at first and then, torture you in the worst possible way. He’s a real dick.”

Liam and Niall laughed out loud at that statement while Zayn just smirked.

“Oiy Malik! Language!”

“Sorry Mr. P! ” He smiled at me and held out his hand as well.

“I’m Zayn, 19, and they all say I’m vain. They love me though.” He shook his hand, a smirk still on his face. Louis looked at him and thought he would probably vain as well if he looks as good as he did.

” There’s one missing! Blondie, where’s the cook?” Mr. P didn’t look please at all and just as Niall was about to answer him, the front door flew open to reveal a tall boy with big green eyes, and amazing brown curls. Louis stared, unable to take his eyes off the boy. 

Louis knew he was gay. Because really, what straight boy would get a job just to be able to buy some more pairs of Toms? But he knew for some time now, and as he watched the late lad making his way in the restaurant, uniform already on, he knew he shouldn’t feel this way about a boy, but he couldn’t help it. Louis was gay and already crushing on this guy he just saw for the first time.

“Well, well, well, Mr. Styles. You’re late. Again.”

“Sorry Mr. P.”

“And what may be the reason this time? You saved a puppy on the side of the road? A meteorite fell right in front of you on your way here? You found a solution to get rid of poverty?”

“None of the above sir.” He answered with a cheeky grin. Oh that smile, Louis literally felt his inside melt at the sight.

“I just didn’t hear my alarm so I slept in.”

“Well, at least you thought to wear your uniform today. Anyway, Harry this Louis, the new cook you’re gonna work with. Louis this is Harry.” They shook hands and Louis looked into the green orbs in front of him. 

“Nice to meet you co-captain.” Louis heard Niall’s contagious laugh again but kept on looking at Harry and didn’t try to stop the smile that was slowly growing on his face. Maybe this summer wouldn’t be as boring as he thought.