It All Began In Autumn

ch14

Life goes back to normal. School is hard, mama cries a bit when she thinks I am asleep and she works most of the time. I spend my days with Noah or at the flowershop, helping mama.

Today was the last of our finals. School is over. It feels strange. So very strange.

"Here you go" i say as I hand the middle aged woman on the other side of the counter, a bouquet of lillies. She pays me and leaves the shop. Mama was feeling down today, so I opened the shop after school for her.

We have two to three orders a day, I found a job at the diner across from the shop and am starting tomorrow. Mama insisted I shouldn't but I won the argument.

I need to go and pick my uniform today. I close up the shop and head across the street.

The manager is an old woman named Cyrilla. My uniform consists of a white button up with my name tag and a short black apron with pockets.

"Hey mama" I say and kiss her cheek when I enter the living room. Cozy is here with Clarke. I say hello and head to my room to study a bit.

Noah comes by at sundown to say hello.

He brings my mother flowers, hilarious, and he pulls me out on the porch to watch the sunset.

"Tomorrow is the full moon" he whispers in my ear as he holds me against him.

"Wanna come"? He asks and I shrug. "Do you want me to come"? He kisses my cheek. "Always" he says on my skin and I smile, leaning on him.

....

"Make sure not to spill the coffee on the people for now" Maggy, the other waitress instructs me as she hands me the tray.

I nod, serious as ever. I found out today that my shirt is way too big. I have it tucked in my purple skater skirt but it still looks like a sack of potatoes.

I successfully take the coffee to the old man who ordered it and return to the bar.

"Didn't spill it" i say with a smile. Maggy doesn't smile. She never does. The other employees tell me not to worry about it too much.

"Pancakes are for table fifteen and the milkshake for table four" she says and slides them towards me. I carefully put them on the tray and start counting tables.
Maggy says I need to memorise the numbers.

I deliver the milkshake and pancakes safely and return to find two more orders waiting for me.

The rest of the day goes like this.

I take food and drinks from the bar and deliver it to tables with minimal failing and also clean the tables.

By the time my shift is over, my calves are burning and so are my arms.
I made sure to wear tennis shoes but my feet are still sore.

"Hey ms waitress" Noah greets me as I exit the diner, still untying my apron. I smile and hug him. "How'd it go"? He asks and I notice his fidgeting hands. Full moon means extra energy and fidgeting. His senses are heightened and he can't sit still. He is like a puppy that just woke up from a nap.

"It was okay. I am exhausted though" i pout and rub my upper arms. Before I know it, he has swiped me off my feet. "Hey"! I squeal and press my skirt down. He is holding me bridal style and the danger of flashing someone is very high.

One arm is wrapped around his shoulders and the other is holding my skirt down. My bag is resting on my stomach as he carries me home.

"See you at ten"? He asks as he lets me down on the porch, he goes down a step so that we are at the same hight and I nod as I place my hands on his shoulders. "The stream"? I ask and he nods with a knowing smile.