“Yea girl, no problem, I’ll see you Monday.” I get up and start to head out the door. Before I am able to leave someone grabs my wrist. When I look back is Ethan his eyes aren’t as happy as they always are, he has this hard look going on.
“Hey, are you not going to say bye?” he smiles and let’s go of my hand. The smiles doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“I didn’t want to get in between you and” I point with my head to the girl he was with. He looks back.
“Simone were not dating. Anyways will I see you tomorrow?” I think about it. I nod my head.
“Yea, I should be done with work at around 8:10.” I smile back at him. I look at his eyes to see if I can find something that will tell me why he is this way now. “Hey are you okay?” I couldn’t resist asking him.
“yea im fine, just tired, and a bit buzzed. I’ll see you tomorrow okay.” I nod and wave goodbye.
Once in my car I let go of the breath I did not realize I was holding. I start my car and start heading out. When I look back in the review mirror I see Luke, I take my eyes away and keep driving.
“what a crazy night.”
Chapter 6
September 1
Another night, another sleepless night. Last night was different. It started with a gleeful memory, we were all at the beach, I was teaching him how to swim, he was laughing, we were playing around then suddenly, he stops. He starts screaming at me, I could not hear him though, but I knew what he was saying. I tried getting to him, but I couldn’t. something pulls me down under the water I tried to fight it but I couldn’t, my lungs started to fill up with water and I started choking. Then we were back in the room, I was back to the same nightmare I have had for the past 4 years. I tried to get to him like I always tried to, but then I wake up.
The happier the memory is, the worst the nightmare comes out to be. I stare up to my ceiling wide awake.
His laugh just rings in my ears then turn into screams. This goes on for a couple of more hours. The torment just keeps going and I cannot drift away from it, I cannot pull away.
At six am I cannot take it anymore; I get up and go for a run.
It was raining outside again, pouring. Put I did not mind it. I ran and ran. And hour later I stop. I should head back to the bakery. I turn around and head back. My mind is just as cluster as it was when I left. My emotions were running high. I ran faster. Pushed myself harder. Picking up speed, memories started flashing behind my eyes. His eyes came into view and I had to stop. it was if they were reprimanding me for living, punishing me for his-
Beeppppp. I looked up and saw a truck coming my way. I did not move; I just closed my eyes. A second later I feel my body hit the ground, not from a hard impact like I expected but by someone pushing me down. I landed on top of them. I open my eyes and see Luke under me. I just stare at him and he stares at me.
“What the fuck was that?” his voice is full of anger.
“I didn’t see it and when I did it was to lat- “
“No, it wasn’t too late, you could have moved back, but you stayed, you just closed your eyes. What the fuck was that!” I push of him and sit in the ground. I do not say anything. He grabs my head pulls it up. His eyes meet mine, they looked troubled, they looked angered and in pain. A pain I know all to well. “That’s not the way to fix things. That is a permanent solution to a momentary problem.”
“Are you finished? I did not mean to stay there, I thought that I did not have time to move. I froze.” He looks back into my eyes and shakes his head, gets up and extends his hand to me. I take it. I dust my shorts of from the mud.
“Come on I’ll give you a ride home.” I take him up on the offer because I need to get home for my shift. I get into his black pickup truck; it looks brand new. I do not say anything as I get in. I put my seat bell on and stare out the window. I got goose pumps in my arms; the cold rain is getting to me now. I guess he notices it because he puts the heat on. “Where do you live?” he asks me. I look at him.
“Um just take me to wake and bake I live in the apartment above.” I look at him for a brief second and he nods but does not say anything. Fifteen minutes later he parks behind my car. “Thanks” I murmur, I go to get off and he stops me.
“Leah wait” I look back at him he stays quiet for a while. “never mind” he says after a couple of seconds. I look at him nod and leave the car. As soon as I get to the apartment, I go shower. It still early, only seven thirty. I stay in there thinking till the water goes cold. Thoughts about everything just swirls around my head.
I get out and dry myself. I put some mascara on and eyeliner. I braid my hair back even though is wet and check the time. 8:20. I go to the closet and grab a pair of black leggings and one of the shirts Elia gave me yesterday. My phone rings, Elia’s name was flashing on the screen. I picked it up.
“Leah honey, sorry to bother you. I need a favor, can you please open up the shop, I won’t be able to make it till 10, the babysitter called and said her car got a flat tire and I can’t leave my grandson alone and I can’t tell Theodore to go because then I won’t have a way to- “
“Hey, it’s okay, I got it. it’s just an hour I’ll be fine.” I hope that I was right, for both our sakes.
“Yea, and it shouldn’t be busy this early in the morning. Everyone is sleeping at this time. Just put the things that are in the freezer to bake, and we will be there soon ok? If you need me just call me.”
“You got it.” We hang up and I decided to go early downstairs so that I can warm the ovens and start the coffee. I go in through the back doors, I grab an apron and start heating up the oven, I then grab the pastries from the fridge and put them into the oven. Ones that is done I put an alarm in my phone to check them in 20 minutes. I go to the front of the restaurant turn on the lights and start the coffee machine. I decided to make myself a coffee I charged it and put the money in the register. I start drinking my coffee when my alarm goes off to check on the pastries. I go back to the kitchen and check on the pastries, they were ready. Golden brown. I grabbed a mitten and pull the tray out. I went to the pastry box and put them in. I then went back and put two other different desserts to make and put the alarm again. When I looked at my watch it was eight fifty five. I went around the register and I started to turn on the signs, then unlocked the door. I turn around and walk to the register when I turn around Luke was reaching the door.
“Good morning, welcome to Wake and Bake, what can I get for you?” I gave him a smile; he smiled back and approach the register.
“Well, I have a usual, do you know it?” I think back, Elia did not tell me anything about him having a special.
“Hmm no, I guess Elia forgot to tell me.”
“That’s okay, ill have a black coffee with three sugars, a croissant with ham, cheese and mayo, but heat up the croissant before putting everything inside.”
“Umm I just took out the croissant from the oven do you still want me to heat it up?” I asked, they were still hot and the fact that there was heat coming out of them showed it.
“Um I guess not; they are hot so it should be fine.” I nod
“Okay, for here or to go?”
“For here.” He goes and sits by the window. I make his order and take It to him. I place it down on the table.
“Can I get you anything else?” I ask him
“No this is fine.” I walk away and go to the counter. A couple of minutes later when Luke finally takes a sip of the coffee, he spits it out. Oh crap. I guess he did not like it. I run to him with a towel.
“I’ am sorry I did the coffee just like Elia taught me yesterday, I can make you another one, I ramble on while I clean his pant. I look up at him and he is already looking at me. I take my hand away and clear my throat. I go to grab his coffee and he pulls it back.
“No, the coffee is good, I spit it out because of this.” He shows me his phone and I see a video that just got sent to him, it was of me dancing on him during the dare, the video recorder the whole dance a
nd the ending too. Where we are just looking at each other. I give him the phone back.
“why did you spit your coffee out for that? It was a dare and we were just dancing.” I tell him and start to clean the table.
“Because now everyone in school is going to think we have something going on, and I don’t need the stupid drama.” He grabs his coffee again and drinks.
“Well, I don’t know who will create the drama for you cause it won’t be me.” I tell him
“That’s what they always say and then they are clingy and tell everyone they are in a relationship with me, when that is a clear lie.” He holds my stare.
“Trust me, I don’t want to date you, not even if it was to save my life.” I smile at him and walk back to the counter. Elia was right the mornings on Saturday are dead. It did not pick up till around lunch time and by then Elia was already here. Time flew by and before I knew it six strict the clock.
“Hey Leah sweetheart, can you come to the back.” I headed to the kitchen and saw Theodore give me a small smile. I gave him one back.
“Yes Elia?” I asked her she smiles at me.
“I don’t know if I told you this, but you are allowed to eat at work, with no charge. While you are working you can make your self a lunch or a coffee or breakfast. I saw that you paid for a coffee you had this morning; you do not have to do that. You can drink it for free.” I blushed; I did not know they had cameras in here.
“I didn’t know, and I don’t like taking advantage that’s why I paid.” She smiles at me and comes to my side.
“You are really something else Leah.” I smiled at her and bump my shoulder with hers. “From now and on, when you open up you can make your self-breakfast and take lunch with you to school or eat when you come back form school whatever you choose.” I look up at her.
“Thank you, now where the hell are the cameras because I haven’t seen one.” She smiles takes me to the front of the restaurant and points to the top of the fan, to one of the lights and to the sign on the wall behind the register. I laugh. “Wow they are really small!” she laughs.
“yea, we were going for the whole incognito aspect of it. Anyways, are you okay staying alone from now till closing? My feet are killing me, and I am in need to get in my bed. My grandson was up at 4 in the morning today jumping and running around.
“Yea that fine. I got everything cover for Monday and ill start cleaning early today so no worries go home.” She smiles and goes back to kitchen and hangs her apron, then her and Theodore go out together.
“Have a nice rest of your night and, rest tomorrow.” Elia tells me.
“I will same to you, be careful driving home in this weather.” They wave and leave. I start to wipe all the tables down, when I am done with that, I start to sweep the kitchen floor, then I hear the bell jingle. I go outside to attend the customer.
“Welcome to Wake and Bake, how can I help you?” I look up and see Ethan. “oh hey, is it 8 already?” I look at my watch it was 7:10.
“No, I just came early because I wanted to see you. If you do not mind if not I can just lea-”
“No its totally fine. How are you?” he smiles
“I’m good tired from last night. After you left the party kept going. Pretty much everyone went home like at 6 or 7 in the morning.”
“oh wow. You all dance and drank till 6 in the morning?”
“No, no. we just didn’t leave. We do not let people drink and drive. So, a lot of people stayed others catch ubers. God no I would be dead if we party till that time.” I laughed.
“Yea that’s a good idea. No accidents on the street. Do you want anything to eat?” I change the subject. I did not feel like remembering this morning.
“Um can I have a juice? The watermelon one.” I nod and go and grab it. I pour it in a to go cup and hand it to him. He gives me a five-dollar bill and I put it in the register. “Thank you.”
“No problem. I have to sweep the front of the house so take a seat and talk to me while I do it.” I tell him while grabbing the broom and start sweeping.
“So last night was crazy.”
“which part?’ I asked
“you dancing with me, and then the truth or dare game was intense too.”
“Oh, yea it was, you’re a good dancer.” I smirk up at him.
“Better than Luke?” I laugh.
“Me and Luke didn’t dance, I danced on Luke, which is different. But if we count what me and Luke did as him dancing, the yes you are a better dance partner than Luke.” I laughed at him and look up at him. He has a huge smile on his face.
“You are an amazing dancer too. Where did you learn how to dance like that?” I freeze for a couple of seconds, then proceeded to tell him.
“I was a party animal in California, so I picked up a lot.” Short and sweet, straight to the point. That is how my answers are usually.
“Oh, I guess you are right.” I nod. “So, are you ready to build this bed?” he asks while sipping his juice.
“Yes, I want to stop sleeping in the floor.” Not that I sleep much.
“True, it’s not the same.” It is the same to me. He stays quite a couple of minutes and then speaks up again. “So, the reason I came early was because I wanted to tell you something.” He pauses trying to find his words. I am almost done sweeping when he speaks again. “so, the girl I was with last night, she is my ex, well was my ex, we got back together last night after you left.” I nod and look at him.
“Congrats she is really pretty.” I give him a smile that does not reach my eyes and continue sweeping.
“Yea she is. Are you mad?” He asks I looked back at him and stare at him as if he grew three more heads.
“why would I be mad?”
“Because I was leading you on and flirting with you. I just don’t want you to get hurt.” I laugh.
“No, I’m not mad. We just met and yea we were flirting, and you are a great dance partner but, like I said we just met, no feelings were developed.” I said I looked at him and he nodded. I finished sweeping.
“I also have to tell you that she doesn’t want me to help you tonight. She told me that if we didn’t meet up in 30 minutes, she would dump me.” I looked at him, a little bit mad that he is letting her control him that way.
“Then what are you still doing here? Go.” I tell him in a playful voice. He looks at me.
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to – “
“I’m fine go, I can build it on my own. Get out of here go.” I took him out with my broom. He laughs and hugs me then leaves. I check my phone and its seven forty. I go and start preparing the water to clean the floor. When I was about to clean the kitchen the door jingles. I go and start taking my note pad out while saying “welcome to Wake and Bake how-“I look up and see Luke.
“oh, it’s you. What do you want?” I look at him.
“Do you always treat your customers this cheery?” He smirks.
“No, your special so I give you the special treatment.” I smile back at him and his smirk drop.
“I came to apologize for earlier today.” I nod waiting for his apology, a couple of seconds go by and nothing.
“Okay where is the apology?” I raised an eyebrow.
“That was it.” I look confused. “I said I wanted to apologize, that’s the apology.” I shake my head.
“Unless you are buying something get out.” I turn around to go back to the kitchen.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stereotype you and make assumptions about you without knowing you.” I pause and smile. Then turn around.
“Okay, apology not accepted, you can leave now.” I turn back around and go clean the kitchen. I do not hear the bell jingling, so I know he still there. I ignore him and keep cleaning. When I am done with the kitchen is already seven fifty-five. I go back out and start taking the food out of the pastry box. Elia told me that if there were things left that I could take it or throw it out. Unless I wanted to go down to the church and donate it. today the
re is only three things left so I am just going to take it. I grab a zip lock and put them in. then I grab the plates and go wash them. Luke is sitting by the window looking out. When I am done washing the stuff is already 8:02 so I go and close the door. “I’m closing.” I look at Luke then at the door. He looks at me.
“What are you doing after work?” I look at him contemplating if I should tell him.
“I am building a bed.” I look down then up. He is staring at me like if I had grown another head. “I just moved here, and I don’t like buying furniture so I’m making it.” He nods.
“Can I help?” He looks hopeful. I look to the right then sight.
“sure.” I lock the door and start cleaning the front of the house. Ten minutes later I am done. I go and hang up my apron I come back and take the money out of the register and go to put it in the safe. I go inside the small office and put it in the code for the safe, and put the money inside. I lock it, then head out. I turn off the kitchen lights. I grab my stuff and gesture for Luke to follow me.
Once in my apartment I put the pastries inside the fridge and turn around to see Luke looking around. “it’s empty because I haven’t had time to fix it yet, I’m hoping tomorrow I can start, and go grocery shopping.” He turns around and nods at me.
“Are you hungry?” at the moment my stomach decided to answer. I laughed and so did he. I have not eaten anything since the coffee at nine.
“ill take that as a yes. Do you like pizza?” I look at him and arch my eyebrow.
“Who in their right mind does not like pizza?” We both laugh again.
“Alright I’m calling the best pizza place in town. What do you want?” He steps towards me and start taking his phone out.
“If they have ham and Canadian bacon pizza, I’m good with that, if they don’t cheese or peperoni will do.” I say while going into the living room.
“Canadian bacon and ham? I have never seen that before. The hell did you come from?” I chuckled and so does he. He dials the number and orders, surprisingly they had it. I have been dying to eat Canadian bacon and ham pizza for a while now. Realizing that my toolbox is in the back of my car I head for the door.
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