"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." Sir Issac Newton
Tiana's P.O.V
I leave my baby in the Moonlight diner's parking lot as I walk up to the entrance.
Pushing through the double doors, I begin to take in my new environment; the floors are white marble and the walls are black, but you can barely tell with the decorations overwhelming my senses. There are pictures in frames of famous older actors in their prime all in black and white. A blue neon sign hangs above the wall behind the counter: "We are the moon that lights your night".
"Hello dear, can I help you?" An older lady in uniform asks. Her name tag says Kahuna.
"Yes, my mom, Amanda, said someone here knows I'm coming. My name is Tiana," I respond with a fake smile, still trying to erase the events of this morning from my mind.
"Oh yes! Amanda is a good friend of mine. Come on back and I'll show you the ropes," her voice has a gentle tone and the wrinkles crowding her lips prove her smile is genuine.
"You're here earlier than your mom said you would be. Aren't you supposed to be in school now?"
"Oh....I um have the day off. My mom must have gotten the dates wrong," I look down at my feet, unable to look her in the eyes as I lie through my teeth.
"I may be elderly, by my senses have not dulled and I can always tell when someone is lying."
"I'm sorry. I just wasn't in the mood to learn today," I explain, telling her the whole truth.
"I understand the feeling," She sighs, "but education is important. I will let it slide today, but I expect this will not be an issue in the future." I nod to show my agreement to her request.
Kahuna teaches me the requirements of the job and assigns me to clean the restaurant until someone sits in my section.
I hear the bell ringing at the door, telling me a customer has walked in. I keep my head down, working quietly. The people who sat down are laughing and talking among themselves. My ears perk up when I recognize one voice in this group.
"Looks like those boys sat in your section. Showtime!" Kahuna says, unknowingly sending me into a disastrous storm of arrogance and toxic masculinity.
I slowly made my way towards their table, wishing time would stop.
I begrudgingly state the lines on our waitress script, "Welcome to the Moonlight diner where our moon lights your night, What can I get for you today?" My monotone voice filled the air.
The boys laugh as if aware of the events about to take place.
"Get us a round of burgers, servant," Ryder commands.
Instead of letting sadness absorb me, my heart lights on fire with anger. It takes everything inside me to say, "coming up."
Kahuna is giving the boys a death glare as I walk back her way.
"The first rule of being a waitress: rude customers get their food spit on," she smiles, suggesting I do this.
"No, It's fine. I know them and I can handle it without getting dirty," I chuckled at the end of my sentence.
Once the food was ready, I begin to bring it over, balancing everything in my arms somehow. I make it without dropping anything.
"Took you long enough," Ryder grumbles. None of his friends speak without permission because they all know what he's capable of. "Man, you really are bad at everything you do," Ryder laughs.
"Why don't you try to do what she does and say that again if you still think that way," Kahuna said, slyly sneaking up behind me to listen to our conversation.
Ryder is in shock, not used to others telling him when he's wrong. He sits, speechless, then laughs out of nervousness.
"Do you think I'm joking? Stand up and take this food in my hands to table six," she states, pointing to the table she was referring to.
He slowly stands and she hands him the plates of food she's balancing. Ryder makes it barely three steps before dropping a plate, the catalyst to everything in his arms crashing and shattering on the ground.
"Next time you want to tell her how to do her job, remember this," Kahuna smiled as Ryder's face turns a shade of embarrassment.
"Come on guys, let's get out of here before she makes us scrub the floor," he nervously chuckled, avoiding looking at Kahuna.
I watch as he leaves, I'm thankful for what Kahuna did for me, but I wish things were different.
"You like that boy?" Kahuna asks, probably wondering if I'm crazy.
"How did you...?" I wonder.
"The look you gave him as he left was not one full of disdain."
"It's complicated...," my voice lingers.
"I see," she ponders. "You don't have to explain anything to me but let me give you a word of advice." I nod my head, desperate for any wisdom or perspective on how to handle him. "In all due time, you'll understand the purpose of one's actions. Remember, there is a fine line between love and hate."
A/N:
Yay a new character! Hope you guys like her because she will be in future chapters. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and have a thrilling Tuesday.
What do you think of Kahuna?
How will Tiana handle Ryder in the future?
Will Ryder show us his nice side again?
Ryder: I don't have to be nice, I have alpha blood in my veins
Rachel: And I have a pencil, what's your point?
Ryder: If we got into a fight, I'd beat you up
Rachel: Ha! Please, I have every weapon in my arsenal. I could write that I have a bazooka. You really think you can win against a bazooka?
Ryder: That's an unfair advantage
Rachel: Yeah and so is a werewolf fighting a human. I'll take any advantage I can get
Ryder: -_-
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