Saving Athena ✓

2) Wonder

A t h e n a

The rain is heavy today, pounding onto the sidewalk outside, rain splatters, ricocheting onto the windows of the diner, the clouds casting an overhang over the worlds as the sun and stars are tucked away, leaving the world gloomy.

I tuck my head into my arms, resting it on the table. Milo had to go back to university yesterday, leaving me and Vinnie to wallow in his self-pity. Vinnie was wealthy, he didn't need this job whatsoever, his parents made him get it, said he needed something to do with himself.

I saw him out of the corner of my eye as he came and threw himself next to me, our bodies touched and I grimaced as I moved away. "Don't be so uptight," he nudges me in the shoulder, I jerk away.

"Don't touch me," a scowl forms at the corner of my lips. He furrows his brows, lifting his notepad as he tapped my thigh with it repeatedly, I slap his arm.

"Can you calm down?" He snaps, throwing the menu at me, I snatch it away and pelt it back so it hits his chest harshly. "I'm gonna quit if you continue to be so mean," he pouts.

"Make my day, Vinnie," I scoff, turning away and watching as the door opens, people usher in and Vinnie pokes my knee this time, I let out a breath and turn to him. "What do you want?"

"Why do you hate me so much?" My eyes widen. I open my mouth only to close it and shake my head, it hurt me to hurt other people. He shrugs and slams the notepad to my chest. "Go serve them, whiteout."

One would think that after nineteen years of living with people constantly biting and commenting on my skin condition wouldn't hurt me as much as it did, but it does. A frown etches my figure as a wave of confusion passes over him, I shake my head, getting up and throwing his notepad back at his neck, he grimaces and watches as I pull out my own.

I walk over to the elderly couple, hand in hand as they reminisce and their smiles can stretch for miles. I wave as their smiles move to me. "Hello, what can I get you guys tonight?"

They exchange looks, the man says, "Tuna sandwich for me, honey."

"And the special for me," the lady says.

"Any drinks?" I look between the both of them.

"Honey iced tea," they say at the same time, they gush and hold hands as they smile. I grin as I write down their orders quickly and paste them on the metal bar by the kitchen. I go back, furrowing my brows when I see the table of two guys, only now do I see he's the boy who helped me the other day.

I walk over, tilting my head at the guy across from him, he's like a replica, identical-colored hair although his features are broader, stubble on his chin and he seems bigger, legs outstretched from under him as he crosses his arms, draping them over his dark blue sweater.

The stranger that helped me looks at me, eyes narrowing as he looks me over, his eyes flicker to the menus in my hand. I go over, smiling softly as I place them down in front of them. "Hey," I greeted quietly. "Know what you guys want to drink?"

The twin darts to me, he scowls and ignores me completely. Stranger flips through the menu before his eyes find mine. "Water for me," his voice is placid, intense, as if he's either tired of everything or not wondrous enough. I nod and turn to the twin.

"Seltzer," his voice on the opposite is cold, mean, I nod and walk off, waiting until their drinks are poured to bring them back. They take them and none of them thank me.

"What are you guys going to order?" I tilt my head, playing with my fingers.

"Chicken parmesan, no sauce." The twin states, turning and I watch as he pelts the menu to me, I catch it but barely. I bite back a scoff and turn to the stranger, wondering if he'll do the same thing.