Chapter 2 Playing at being normal

“Two classic burgers with fries!” I yell over the clanks of plates and the chatter of customers. I dance around from one table to another serving food and taking orders. For some people, this dinner rush was crazy and chaotic. However, I loved it. I love challenges and thrive under pressure. Granted that is how I was raised to be, but it is what I needed to survive, especially now that I am alone. Most seventeen-year Old's just want to hang with friends and live for summer nights. I was not like them. Yes, I craved to be normal like them, I knew I would never fully be, but I wanted to try. I came here in late spring and decided I would start school in the fall. I laid low for the first few months while school was in session. I wanted to make sure it was safe. Seeing how I didn’t end up going as far as I originally planned. Just before the summer I decided I would look for a job. I had plenty of money stashed to get me through the next few years without a job. However, I wanted to blend in and have some “normal” work experiences before I needed to really get a job. I figured it would help me out in the long run. So, I found this diner that was willing to hire me. Originally, they only wanted to keep me for summer help. Once they saw how well I did for this being my “first job” so I could save for college they offered to keep me during the school year. I think they did not believe me anymore about this being my first job when they offered to keep me during the school year. I shrugged and said I was raised not to laze about. If there’s work to be done, I just get it done. I will have to remember not to be so aggressive in school so I can blend in better as a “normal” teen.  

School is about to start in a few days, which is probably why the diner was extra crazy tonight. It seemed like everyone, and their mother was here. I assumed some people must go away for the summer because there were a lot of new faces. I got used to the summer regulars from the teens and townies. So, the new crowd was a new challenge for me.  The normal football frat guys were all hooting and hollering in the back corner with the cheerleader girls giggling and gossiping. I found them annoying in the movies and TV shows I watched but man! They were more annoying in real life. Of course, the guy who seemed to be the leader, who the rest of the jocks looked up to, and all the cheerleaders gushed over, was the rudest one.

The door dinged for the millionth time. I did not think this rush was ever going to let up. Then the frat boys got all extra loud and began screaming for whoever walked into the door. The hot blonde jerk got up and practically shoved me out of the way nearly knocking the food I was balancing over. I was getting frustrated with him and the crap he put me through when he was here. He got so mad at me for being in his way he yelled at me to watch it. With that, I was over it and had to do something, I couldn’t bite my tongue any longer.   

“Sorry, but if you looked at anything other than yourself you would see other people around you.” I spat out while going back to my work. I have had enough of his rude attitude all summer long. He grabbed me by my shirt pulling me into his presence. What an idiot, if he thought that would scare me, he would just have to try harder. I smiled at him and did not back down from him. From all my training I would easily take him down. I just had to make him look like he started, and it was only self-defense for me. I don’t want to lose this job. The bigger the opponent was the harder they hit the ground.

“Why the hell are you smiling like that for? You should apologize for being so rude to me,” he spat at me. Thankfully it was so busy no one seemed to pay attention to the loud and annoying teenagers in the back.  

“You want me to say sorry? Fine. I’m sorry your parents raised a rude and tactless boy who tries to play tough.” I replied with the biggest smile on my face. Let him try and get me. I kind of had been itching for a fight. Let us see if he was as dumb as I thought he was and would walk right into a fight.  

"Oh, you!!!!!” He practically growled, getting ready to hit me. It was really disappointing how quickly he walked into that one. I prepared for the fight. Then, a large hand landed on the football jerk’s shoulder.

“Luke you really think fighting a waitress is the best thing for your college application. You think a school wants a hot head?” A cool, deep male voice rang out from a teen I had not seen before. He was tall and wow! He was hot. His skin tone said he had been somewhere sunny and probably beautiful. The way he spoke meant he had a good education or at least seemed decently educated.  

“Yeah, you’re right, Ez... She is nothing.” He let go of me and walked off back to his friends. I watched him leave feeling a bit disappointed.  

“Pity,” I mumbled to myself as I gathered the orders I needed to hand out and was about to walk off when a voice stopped me in my tracks.   

“You best watch yourself around people. You are just asking for trouble speaking like that.” Ezra said with a cool indifference.   

“I can handle myself just fine. I do not need any heroes saving the day here.” I replied as I turned to walk away. But before I could he grabbed me and pulled me in close. I was a little shocked by cool touch, so I didn’t fight him. 

“I promise, little mouse I am no hero,” Ezra whispered into my ear before walking away.