Loving Will

Chapter 1

He stood in the front of the room, his tight black jeans gripping him perfectly. I tried to pay attention to what he was saying but it was difficult. He was reciting Act 2 of Romeo and Juliet but I knew it off by heart. His book held tightly between his palms as he looked around the class.

I personally don't like his attitude but he was certainly something to look at to pass the time. His eyes again scanned the class ending with me, I wasn't sitting quite at the back of the room but I was close. His eyes remained on me longer than I deemed necessary. Finally, they snapped back to his cliched story that made its way onto our syllabus.

The siren ran right at the end of the scene which meant we didn't need to listen to it again tomorrow, thank gosh. I stood from my chair throwing my books and pen into my handbag. As I made my way to the door a firm voice called "Miss Phelps can you stay back for a moment."

I paused in the doorway holding my breath watching as everyone else made their way home. I turned to face him "I will give you the homework tomorrow, I promise and it will be good."

He shook his head in disappointment as he sat on the corner of his desk "I have seen your test scores, Carley, I know if you tried you could be my top student. I have had a word with the principal and he has suggested that I organise a meeting with your guardians. I don't want to do that yet."

I took a deep breath sitting in the nearest seat "don't call my aunt, she works all the time. Please, I will try better, I will be better. I am begging please don't call her."

He nodded his head "only on the condition that your grades improve. I also want to mention the study group I hold every Tuesday and Thursday in this room. You are more than welcome to come I don't just walk about English I cover other subjects."

I snorted "what history as well, you are my history teacher, Mr Peters."

He smirked at me "I also cover math in the study group, not just history and English."

I took my phone out of my pocket to quickly check my messages "fine, I will come to the study group once but if I find it lame I won't hang around."

He got up from his desk packing away his things, as I went to leave I turned to face him again "what time does the session start and end, I have work."

He shrugged "we start after school but we finish when you want to leave. I personally don't leave until the last person leaves."

I didn't bother responding, I walked down the empty corridor outside. The car park was empty there were a few cars still there but they belonged to teachers. I crossed the road and slowly made my way home it usually took forty minutes but over the years I have found a few shortcuts that make it thirty minutes.

My aunts' house was empty when I got there. There was a note on the fridge that told me she was working a double and that she would see me at breakfast. My aunt was never able to have kids so when my parents passed she eagerly took me in. I grabbed a snack from the cupboards before going upstairs to change into my work uniform.

My workplace was only down the street but it was sometimes loud and handsy. I work at one of the local clubs. I work as a bartender slash waiter it depends on the afternoon. As I walked in I saw Sammy mopping the floors and Patty wiping down tables. I instantly jumped behind the bar and started wiping down the top of the bar and wiping down the taps.

Brian soon joined us telling everyone their jobs for the evening I was spending my evening as a waitress as then when the bar reached the peak I would work behind the bar. Brian knew I was a minor but still gave me the job on the condition that he paid cash. Soon the sign out front was flipped and our regulars started pulling in.

Sonny our straight whiskey drinker ordered his first with the demand that we keep them coming. He does this every Wednesday without fail, it's the day he gets paid from the government. Then there is Robert, he comes in every day. Without fail he orders whatever we have on special and washes it down with a cheap beer.

We usually have his order made as soon as the doors open because he is that predictable. Time slowly dragged on about ten o'clock hit and Brian yelled at me to get behind the bar and multitask as a waitress. I poured Sonny another whiskey and then answered Sammy as he rang the bell telling me the order was up.

As I served the customer their meal I rushed back over to the bar to help Patty. She had gone red in the face as she became overwhelmed. A few hours passed and Sammy was delivering meals to customers as I remained behind the bar. It was much louder inside now as we had a live band as well as the common chatter of the patrons.

As I was mixing a cocktail for a woman who looked to be in her late twenties I became distracted. Someone I knew walked into the bar. His aura demanded attention and that is what he got. I watched as he hugged another man in a friendly manner and then they sat together. They exchanged a few words before he made his way to the bar. I tried to bury my face under the bar but Patty called me to help me.

I stood confidently in front of him or at least I hope it looked confidently and smiled "what can I get for me?"

He was taken back, seeing me behind the bar "Carley, you shouldn't be here."

I laughed at him "neither should you Mr Peters. I suggest you order something."

He rested his palms on the bar top "does your boss know you are underage?"

I shrugged my shoulders "it doesn't matter, please don't be difficult."

He scratched the back of his neck "does your aunt know your work here?"

I shrugged "it's a job, what will you drink?"

He was hesitant to order "two beers please."