My Waitress (NOT EDITED)

Chapter 33

I brushed my teeth, showered, put on a plain gray hoodie, dark blue thigh-high ripped jeans, and these green crocs I found in my closet. Ever since I came here, almost every week I'd find something in my closet I forgot or never knew I had from New York.

I was confused when Malachi asked me to use my bathroom to get ready, but apparently he has clothes, a pair of shoes, a spare toothbrush, towel, and his own body wash in his car trunk. I asked why.

"Sometimes I can't bother staying in my own home," he simply said.

He would either stay with his grandma Marceline or Jace, where Noah would be too. I'm curious of why Noah will stay at Jace, but it's not my business to ask.

Now I'm waiting by the front door as he's getting ready. It takes 3000 years for this guy to get ready.

I let my eyes wander, and they land on an envelope hidden behind the tall potted plant next to the door. The envelope that's filled with Malachi's money.

I didn't know what to do with it. I'm 17, not officially an adult, no knowledge of getting a new place. I feel like if I use it, I have to repay him, and with the amount of hundred bills I saw in that envelope, it won't be soon. So I placed it where no one could see if they come in. Plus, I don't want to be reminded of that night between us. It makes me feel so stupid for ever trusting Ethan...

When I pick up the envelope, I hear the bathroom door opening. Out comes Malachi with messy hair, wearing a black hoodie, joggers, and sneakers. I check the side of his face. It's still bruised, a little black around his eye, but it looks better than last night. He puts the clothes he wore before in a string bag.

"So you took ages in the bathroom," I say, "just to look like a robber."

He smirks. "Gotta dress the part." I don't know what he means by that. He winks. I raise an eyebrow.

"I stole the rest of your toothpaste."

"Of course." He chuckles. Great, now I have to buy more toothpaste.

"I'll get you some more." He runs his fingers through his hair as he walks toward me. "I also stole your heart, didn't I?"

"It's not nice to take other people's stuff without asking." I smirk. "Will you give that back too?"

"It's mine now."

I feel my ears and cheeks heating up. I look away as he stops right in front me. He looks down at me. He catches the envelope in my hand. His smirk lowers. "Is that the money?"

"Yeah..." I extend it out towards him. "I know you're trying to help, but I can't get a place right now. I don't want to start wasting your money. You can take it back." His eyebrows raise. He looks at me then at the envelope.

"No."

Excuse me? "No?"

"Don't give back gifts, Milkshake." He shifts past me and opens the door behind. "It's yours to keep. "After u graduate, you'll have the money for college, and some leftover for a better home. Or, if college isn't the move, you'll have more for a place. At that time you'll know what to do." I turn around. He looks at me as he taps his forehead. "Jus' thinking ahead for you."

We use the elevator to go down to the first floor. He tells me to wait inside at the back because he moved his car somewhere else, so the black car won't follow us. But my paranoia is coming back as I'm standing here alone, waiting in the silence. Whoever's in that car could've gotten out and walk here during the time Malachi and I were getting ready. He can be here right now...

Out the window I spot Malachi's car coming from the corner. I quickly exit the building and hop in the passenger seat. As soon as I closed the door Malachi drives off. He takes the different route like he said and turns onto different streets with new neighborhoods I haven't seen before. I can't help but still look around to see if the Katzons' car is following us.