The Secret - Camren

Part 1

"Laruen!! Pay attention please" yelled Mr. Summers bringing me out of my daydream.

"Sorry sir" I replied embarrassed that I was dozing off in the middle of class. Working two jobs was really starting to affect me. My father had died three months ago in a car accident leaving my mother in a state of total depression. It had fallen upon me to pay the bills and take care of my two younger siblings. They were both too young to have jobs which left me as the only option since my mother now refused to leave her room or talk to anyone.

A few minutes later the bell rang releasing us for the weekend. I collected my things and rushed to my locker. I needed to get to work in 15 minutes. Thankfully my best friends Ally and Normani had agreed to pick up my brother and sister and watch them until I got home later tonight. I honestly don't know how I would survive if I didn't have them to help me out.

I through my backpack into the back seat of my beaten up Toyota Corolla and quickly change into my work uniform. It was this hideous green t-shirt with the Zak's Diner logo on the top right and my name tag on the left. Zak's was the most popular diner in town and was always packed. Most costumers were nice but there were always a few ass holes every shift. Thank God the tips were good or I would have quit a long time ago.

I got there just in time and found my boss to find out what section I was going to be working for the night. Zak's was a 24 hour diner and I was lucky when I got to finish before the asses came in at 10 o'clock and today was no different. I was scheduled until midnight, great. After I got my assignment I went to relieve one of the day time waitresses Alexa, a teen mom of 2 year old twin girls. She let me know what tables had been taken care of and which had just been seated. The next few hours of my shift passed quickly and thankfully my friends hadn't called to tell me my siblings were being trouble. Around 7 I finally got a break to eat supper and decided to check in at home.

"Hey Ally, how is everything?" I asked when she picked up her cell phone.

"Hey Laur, everything is good so far. Normani is teaching Taylor some dance routine Oh and your brother went out with his friends to see a movie. I hope that's okay?" ally answered me.

"Hey that's fine. How's ummm... have
you seen my mom at all?" I asked a little nervous. I really hope she hadn't caused a scene like last time.

"Nah she hasn't come out of her room all afternoon. Taylor went to check on her when we got home but she only told Tay to leave her alone. There were a lot of empty whiskey bottles on the kitchen table when we got her though" I sighed loudly. This was the fourth time this week that she had gotten drunk.

"Thanks Ally, I'll call you later tonight okay? Can you make sure that my brother is back home at ten please?" I asked a little out of it now.

"Yeah sure thing Lauren, we'll be waiting for your call. Have a good rest of shift okay?"

"I don't think so but I sure hope it will be" I laughed and hung up my cell but not before hearing Normani give some directions to my giggling little sister. I ate quickly looking around the restaurant. Zak's was an old style dinner with leather booths and a jukebox at the entrance. A few years ago the waitresses still had to roll around on skates. It's safe to say that I'm happy that this isn't still the case. However my boss Zak came up with the idea that in a few weeks we would start having theme nights to attract more clients, not that it was necessary. I heard a rumor that we would be required to sing on these nights. I'm really hoping that I won't be working those shifts but with my luck I will. I finished my food and got back to work. I had section four which was my favourite. There were 6 booths in the far back corner near the kitchen so I didn't have to walk around much.

I checked on all my tables and went into the kitchen and plopped down on one of the extra stools we held back there. I was really starting to be exhausted. I couldn't imagine going to practise in the morning. I also worked as a junior soccer coach on the weekends. I was in charge of a team of ten five and six year olds and I loved it. The kids always put a smile on my face and my team was actually really good. They finally understood that they weren't all supposed to chase the ball but to stay in their positions on the field. I was really proud of them.