Princess {Currently Being Updated}

Chapter 4

Now that winter break was starting, I had more time to invest in my other jobs. I juggled three jobs during the semester to keep me busy, not that school wasn't enough. All the local jobs usually limited how many hours a week they would give to students, especially full-time students. It wasn't a law or anything, just common curtesy that I respected.

But someone has to put food and drugs on the table.

The next day after that meeting with Dr. Hill, I was scheduled to work the afternoon at a small family owned Italian shop. The building was built with rich red bricks and hosted some families of ivy growing on the walls. Some were natural. The ones inside were encouraged by wooden sticks a thin wiring. That was the wife of the owner's hobby. She kept little potted plants everywhere and there was a garden in the back where she would cut fresh flowers for some of the tables. It was a very homey restaurant

The sound of thunder resonated through the busy streets. I clutched my raincoat closer. As if the rain wasn't enough, the wind was icy cold and mercilessly whipping my hood off my head. My red hair was wet and messy now, but I didn't care. I couldn't afford to be late.

The people around me were either altering their course to avoid the street rat, or blatantly walking through me. I lost my balance more times than I cared to admit. The sad thing was that no one knew me here. These were regular street people. Regular super rich snobs that knew who I was in one glance, not that it was hard. My coat was old and tacky. It was something my dad left behind before he left. The color on my black pants had been washed away long ago. Lastly, my shoes were barely there. They used to be ankle high navy converse with dazzling white laces. Now they were almost grey, or maybe black. The dazzling white was replaced with a dull grey. As sad as they were, I couldn't part with them. They were the last gift my father gave me before he left. It was embarrassing to say, but I felt that somehow prolonging the life of these shoes would somehow increase the likelihood of his return. It was absurd, but no matter the reason, I couldn't let them go until there was no hope.

"Bethany are you serious?" Kathy burst through the restaurant door and helped me inside. "My God, woman. You'll catch a cold out there." She traded my bag and jacket for the standard apron. "'Kay, we're not absolutely swamped, but you'll need your game face. Apparently this hole in the wall has decided to help fundraise club at AU. So, let me see your game face." She snapped a quick glance at me in time to catch me after a sneeze and my bun give out.

"My bunny slippers just ran for cover." She reached over and helped fixed my hair. "You sure you're alright?"

"Yeah, thanks. Tables?"

"Voilà! You're stationed at tables four, eight, and ten. Do me proud soldier!" She salutes me before continuing to her tables.

As much as Kathy claimed to hate her job, she sure was good at it. If people came here often enough, they would request to sit at her table. Not to mention, she was always tipped well. She was very upbeat, a good worker, and just good company. At first glance, no one would guess. She was tall and skinny and always dressed in black. She had tattoos climbing from her left wrist to her neck. Her hair was dark black with red feathered in, and she wore the stereotypical dark makeup of an emo kid. Also, she had a scar on her left eyebrow from a car accident. She really was just someone awesome to be around and I felt bad every time someone gave her a questioning look.

"Hello, my name is Betty and I will be your waiter tonight. Can I start you off with some mozzarella sticks?"

After placing the silver wear and straws, I realized I should've stayed home.