Cast & Fall (8 page)

M
y
alarm went off and I pushed the
snooze
button. I was glad
to wake up with no nightmares. Most people dread waking up in the
morning. I was the opposite of that. My nightmares were so vivid that
I dread sleeping almost every night…and waking up was almost
always—a relief.

I
took a quick shower, tossing my hair to my usual upside down routine,
blow drying while using my large rounded brush. It took a good solid
ten minutes to dry the ends and create a little volume in my usually
flat hair.

After
I was done prepping my do, I snagged my skinny jeans from the bottom
of the pile in my closet and my pink top. I brushed a hint of blush
on my cheeks and clawed my hair up with a clip. I headed downstairs
to get something to eat. Today is an oatmeal day. I didn’t
particularly like oatmeal, but like most people, I knew it was good
for me.

I
microwaved the oatmeal, added milk and honey, sliced an apple and a
banana and mixed it all in my power breakfast. I sprinkled pecans and
granola pieces. I ate slowly chewing the graininess of the oats, the
crunch of the apples, walnuts and the granola pieces. It was
satisfying; I felt full—almost ready to tackle the day. I
washed the spoon, bowl and placed them on the rack by the sink.
School always made me more hungry than usual. I had friends that said
they liked school. I wasn‘t one of those lucky people. School
made everything longer than necessary, but nonetheless, I knew it was
important.

I
raked through the stacks of envelopes that was lying on the counter.
I found nothing that needed my immediate attention so I turned to
look at some of the magazines and flipped through them. Then, decided
to leave sooner, as soon as I realized it started sprinkling.

A
drizzle hit me as I came out of my car, and like always, I was
annoyed by the misty wet that always made my hair frizz like a cotton
ball. Rushing to get inside, I almost slipped, but strong hands
caught me before I completely landed on my bottom. “Careful
there.” A guy wearing a long tee with hypnotic eyes had saved
me from total embarrassment and possibly an injury. “Thanks,”
I mumbled. He stared longer as I continually walked inside the
building. Strangely enough, I felt a little bothered by the way he
stared at me. I don’t remember ever seeing him before. Strange
that he was the second new student I’ve seen, especially this
late in the year. The day was fast. I remembered lab and the grueling
sprint I had to do in P.E., then the bell rang and I was driving
back.

When
I got home, Steve had a box of pizza left out. He was watching his
usual sports channel in his favorite, beige lazy boy. He was drinking
his usual brand of beer. I couldn’t help but think how content
my dad was despite the fact that he knew many people that are of
above means. He really enjoyed the simple things in life. He loved
the indoors as much as he loved being a forest ranger. I was glad
that he always found something that made him happy enough to overcome
the loss.

Steve
stood at six feet tall. He had hazel eyes that flaunted his stunning
blue eyes when he wore the color. He had eyebrows that could use some
trimming, a rather prominent facial bone structure that gave him an
angular face, a bit of stubble that usually got trimmed down when I
made subtle hints how it aged him. He was slender and definitely had
the good looks for a middle aged model of a fashion clothing
magazine. He must have been a ladies man back in the days, but even
now, women flock over him. Small traces of lines creased his forehead
and some deep lines have crept up around his eye area. Hints of gray,
made his subtle salt and pepper hair, suit him as a respectable
father—but still, a looker at the age of fifty. He loved to
fish, hunt and shoot. When I was younger, we went fishing a lot,
though I tolerated shooting more, even though I wasn’t good at
the aiming part. He couldn’t really teach me how to be
coordinated.

“
There’s
pizza!” that’s the way Steve said hello, how’s your
day and here’s dinner, when he‘s favorite team was on—I
like it. He’s so easy going and easy to live with. He was never
a strict father growing up. He had such a wisdom as a parent that
made you think twice before you did anything that would jeopardize
your future—he laid out the pros and cons—and that was
usually enough to deter me from making stupid mistakes. I always felt
like the choices were mine to make as well as it’s
consequences. Of course, I knew whenever he didn’t agree with
anything and I always felt, I had to be responsible enough to do the
right thing. Our personalities seemed to be in sync and I always felt
proud of him as my father—he had integrity.

“
Dad,
I forgot to tell you that I got the job at the Blue Lagoon and I’m
starting tonight…I’ll be back around eleven thirty.”

“
Okay,
sweetie, be careful.” I only have half an hour to eat and get
ready. I devoured the pizza and chugged the ice cold water. I drank
so fast my throat burned cold. I rushed to change and ran down the
stairs to give Steve a peck on his cheek. “Don’t wait up,
Dad.” I yanked my purse from the kitchen counter before I
sprinted to my car.

It
was a good fifteen minute drive to the restaurant. There was very low
traffic. Still, I felt I couldn’t get there fast enough. The
knot in my stomach tightened as I approached the corner. Veering into
the parking lot, I immediately noticed the crowd of people that
assembled in front, forming a curved line to get in. I parked at the
last row available on the west corner. I killed the engine and
grabbed my purse. I opened the door and slammed it shut and pressed
my key lock, setting my alarm on.

I
was nervous more than usual. I wasn’t really sure why. I
usually prep myself up for these things, especially when I have to do
and start something new. But I had been so busy that I was just
running from one thing to another. Normally new employees were
trained as a hostess, then progressed to being a waitress. But as
Becca already explained to me—
we’re
short on people—
and
that I needed to learn fast. So I will be taking orders tonight;
something I have never done before. Though the thought occurred to me
that this was something that wasn’t entirely difficult. I mean,
I eat out…specifically, I have eaten here before, and that
should give me enough of an idea, how things worked.

From
a distance I could see the massive Blue Lagoon sign—bright,
blue waters cascading and a beautiful marlin fish swimming in it. The
front of the restaurant was surrounded by nice landscaping. Large
glass windows surrounded the modern steel architecture of the
building. Two sets of handmade surfboard benches facing each other
was just right outside the front entrance. I grabbed the metal,
fish-looking door handle and swung in to get inside. It was more
crowded inside than I
realized.
I suddenly felt a wash of intimidation as I saw the crisscrossed line
of people crowding in front. I looked for Becca immediately. As I
approached the
Employees
Only
sign, my eye caught her back as she entered the door to the main
office.
I followed her.

“
Hey
Becca,” I yelled from a distance. She came toward me in her
usual happy
greeting.
We gave each other a hug. “I’ll give you a tour…you’re
getting me as your private trainer.” She smiled confidently,
like this was going to be her best night and I was going to be the
guinea pig. Either way, I was glad. I needed her help. We walked
toward the dining room.

“
It’s
really crowded tonight,” I gulped, a little overwhelmed by the
mass of crowd hovering, like they were all starving and this was the
last open place that was serving food.

“
Oh,
you should see Friday and Saturday nights.” I suddenly went
rigid with claustrophobia.

“
But
don’t worry, I will be helping you out. Just remember to smile
a lot and be helpful. But first, you need to look at this.”
Becca showed me the menu. As she was going through the quick on the
job training, something unknown made me look up. Immediately,
something caught my eye—something or someone familiar. Though
from afar, it could’ve been any employee since everyone wore
the same black long sleeve shirt and a tie with a tiny Blue Lagoon
embroidery across the chest on the left corner and the same black
slacks. But his profile and that hair was all too familiar…and
too coincidental.
Oh,
no!

Fear
suddenly struck me with force. My stomach tightened. My head rambled
into a whirl of mixed thoughts.
He
didn’t seem like someone who would work at a restaurant. He
didn‘t seem like he belonged in a place like this.
Though
why exactly I felt that way was unclear to me.

“
Becca,”
I gasped, hyperventilating, feeling another wave of panic attack
building.

“
Who
is that and what is he doing here?” sort of pointing my finger
in his direction, but quickly took it down, worried that he might
look our way.

“
Who?”
Becca asked sternly, a little taken back by the piercing shriek in my
voice. I looked down and started to describe his features without
pointing a finger again.

“
He’s
across the room, taking someone’s order, he has dark brown,
sort of messy hair and…”

“
Oh,
that’s Tristan, Isn’t he gorgeous, he works here,”
she finally recognized who it was that I was pointing at. I was a
little surprised at how cheery she was at describing him. But then
again, maybe she hadn’t known him very well.

“
That…jerk
works here?” I said it so much louder and vigilant more than
what I had Intended. I was flabbergasted by my own erratic reaction.
I knew somewhere deep in the tiniest crevice of my heart that I
wanted to see him again, but it was overshadowed by a more immediate
feeling of fear.

“
What?
Who? Who’s the jerk?” Becca wrinkled her forehead,
looking confused—like she couldn’t believe that we were
both talking about the same person.

“
Him!”
My eyebrows stretched and my eyes pointed at him this time, sounding
a little more defensive as the more intense feeling of fear
continually took over followed by a wash of indignation. Becca looked
in his direction again, squinted and before she could respond…

“
Well,
I’m not quitting just because he works here…would he
think I followed him
here?…I
mean, how was I supposed to know he works here…besides, who
cares…I
wasn’t
following him. I needed a job and I’ll be darned If I had to
quit because of
some
idiot who has an ego problem…If he stays out of my way, I’ll
stay out of his,” I
ranted.
My face flushed. I never thought I could be flustered about someone I
didn’t
even
know.

“
Did
he do something to you?” Becca asked worried. She had never
seen me this wound up before and I don’t remember ever being
this way before either. I caught myself and decided to soften my
expression. I didn’t need her thinking I was neurotic. “You
know he only started today. Just say the word and I’ll have him
fired.” Becca’s voice was firm—determined—under
a thin layer of what seemed like…disappointment.

“
Really?”
I said, a little taken back by her loyalty. I was more than glad to
know she had my back.

“
Yes.
Really. I’ve only spoken to him once, but…he’s
incredibly nice…not to mention…gorgeous…in a
very manly way of course…Well, I hope you‘re sure,
though.” Her eyes fluttered under her thick, curly lashes. I
was happy I could count on Becca, but her description of him didn’t
match in my head.

Gorgeous…yes.
Incredibly nice?
I
tried to process that thought for a moment. It lingered in my mind,
floating but couldn’t connect the clashing words together.

“
Becca
to Katheryna!” Becca snapped her fingers across my face, once,
maybe even twice.

“
Well?…fired?”
Her eye brows twisted—waiting for me to hammer down the
verdict.
He
just started? Fired?
I
processed the information quickly, feeling somehow horrible at the
thought.

“
Well…”
I held my word and contemplated on whether I really wanted to be
responsible for someone losing possibly their only source of income.
Definitely, he was rude to me when I saw him at the café.
Well, Okay… more than rude and more than once...but, “…I
don’t know if I want to get him fired,” I finally
confessed. My thoughts were torn.

“
Whew!…great…It’ll
be nice to keep him…I mean we’re short on people,”
her tone awkward and relieved. All of a sudden, she tugged me back
toward the bar.