Chapter 3

• "And you're sure you don't mind?" I asked, my voice tinged with embarrassment as I glanced at Kat.
• Kat scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Of course not. We work the same shifts anyway. I’ll just have to come in thirty minutes early," she said with a shrug.
• When Kat found out I planned to walk half an hour to and from work, she insisted on giving me a ride every day. I wasn't used to people offering help, so her gesture made me feel a bit guilty.
• "Let me at least give you gas money every week," I said, fidgeting with the tight uniform we had to wear.
• It was my first day of work, a Sunday, and while Saturday was spent finishing the project Ethan and Kieran refused to do, today was slow. Fortunately, the people in this town tipped well, and I only managed to spill things on myself rather than on anyone else. Our uniform was a black t-shirt with the restaurant's logo and tight black slacks, which hid most of my clumsy spills.
• Kat and I stepped back inside the restaurant after our thirty-minute break. As I peeked out from the kitchen doors, I noticed more people coming in. It was around 5p.m., and my shift ended in two hours. I was counting the minutes until I could collapse into bed.
• My heart sank when Kieran and Ethan walked in with Jessy and another beautiful girl. A sharp pain radiated through me at the sight of them with the two girls, but I shoved it down. Now wasn't the time for my conflicting feelings. They were seated in my section, and I audibly groaned.
• Kieran and Ethan looked even more attractive outside of school. Kieran wore a black sweater rolled up to his elbows, dark jeans, and black boots. Ethan wore almost the same thing, but with a leather jacket. I caught myself gawking and quickly stopped. The last thing I needed was to fall into their game.
• "What's wrong?" Kat asked, peeking out the door.
• "Kieran and Ethan, of course," I sighed.
• "I don't know what you did to get on their radar, but I feel for you," Kat said, shaking her head with a sad chuckle.
• "I didn't do anything. I ran into them once by mistake, and they decided to make my life hell," I grimaced.
• "I'd tell you to go to the principal, but they seem to have everyone wrapped around their fingers," Kat frowned.
• I sighed, deciding not to complain further. They wanted a reaction, and I refused to give them one. All I needed was to hold out until I turned eighteen next February and could leave this town.
• "Do you want me to wait on them?" Kat asked.
• I shook my head. "No, they'll never let me live it down."
• I took a deep breath and approached their table with a fake smile, focusing on the girls. Jessy sat next to Kieran, while Ethan had a beautiful raven-haired girl by his side.
• "Hi, I'm Sophia, and I'll be your server today," I said, ignoring Jessy's sneer. "Can I get you anything to drink this evening?"
• "Sophia. What kind of name is that?" the raven-haired girl snickered, causing Jessy to laugh.
• I kept my smile in place. "I'll take water," Jessy sighed. "But I'll need something stronger if I have to look at your freaky eyes for too long."
• Having one brown eye and one blue eye made it difficult to find a color that suited me perfectly, but I couldn't fathom what was so 'freaky' about it.
• I glanced at Kieran and Ethan, who smirked. They ordered sodas while the girls ordered water. I practically ran from the table to get their drinks.
• In the kitchen, Kat and Tyler stopped me. "How's it going with the twins?" Kat asked, frowning.
• "Always pleasant," I replied sarcastically.
• "Who's always pleasant?" Tyler asked, draping an arm over my shoulder. I stiffened, uncomfortable with his lack of personal space.
• Kat huffed, "Why do you have to put your grubby hands all over everyone?"
• Tyler smirked, tightening his arm around me. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Kat."
• "Vermin," Kat muttered, shaking her head.
• Jessy really had it out for me, and I grabbed their drinks, trying to steady my breath as I approached their table. I nearly cheered when I made it without spilling anything.
• As I set Kieran's drink down, his hand flicked forward, spilling it. His smirk made my blood boil. "I apologize for that. I'll clean it right up and get you another," I said politely, mopping up the soda.
• "Don't be shy, sweetheart. You made the mess," Kieran smirked.
• I leaned across the table, my heart pounding, as I cleaned up. Kieran's cologne was intoxicating, earthy with a hint of sweetness.
• "Why do you smell like cologne?" Kieran demanded, his eyes flicking to Ethan.
• "I don't see why that matters," I murmured, rushing back to the kitchen for a replacement drink.
• "You alright, Sophia?" Tyler asked.
• "Yeah, Tyler. I'm fine," I huffed, grabbing another drink.
• Placing the new drink in front of Kieran, I forced a smile. "Is everyone ready to order?"
• Kieran and Ethan looked p*ss*d, and Jessy's nasal laugh echoed from across the dining room. They directed insults my way, but I grinned through it all.
• Finally, they got up to leave, and I grabbed the check, retreating to clock out for the day. My eyes widened as I looked at the check. Their bill was almost $70, and they left me a $60 tip. The note at the bottom of the receipt sent butterflies and nausea rushing through me:
• "See you soon, doll.
• E&K"