1994

Justin

The streets of Manhattan, New York had been as busy as ever, especially now since it was cold and people were rushing to get to work. I could hear the honking of the cars that were stuck in traffic and the chatter from pedestrians all around me.

I shiver, rubbing my hands to together to create heat as I walk to the little diner on Bowery street. When I walk in, the smell of coffee and pancakes filled my nostrils. I walked to the back to put my coat up.

"Hey, Justin," said Rosie who had handed me an apron. I took it from her putting it on. "How's it going?"

"Pretty good. How about you?" I replied, grabbing my notepad and pencil. "I could be better but I'm ok." I nod smiling.

I've worked with Rosie for about six months now. She was about twenty-two years old, pale skin, dark brown hair with rosy cheeks,and blue eyes.

I walk to the front of the diner where I could take orders.

I write down orders like eggs and bacon, coffee, and pie.

It was the same thing I did everyday for the last eleven months. Taking orders and giving them to the chef.

I didn't necessarily hate my job but it could get tiring at times. It got food on the table so it was fine.

I sigh taking two more orders to the chef. I look towards the door as I hear the little bell on top ring. In walks an old couple but after them was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.

She was brunette, had green eyes, tan skin. She was perfect. She came in smiling, placing her books on the table.

"If you take a picture, it might last longer." I suddenly snap out of my trance. I look to see Candace, another co-worker of mine, laughing.

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. Candace rolls her eyes.

"Come on, Justin. Don't act like you weren't staring at that girl. You were damn near drooling."

I shake my head turning back to the girl. "Go talk to her." Candace whispers to me before walking away to tend to another table.

Go talk to her. Those words kept repeating in my head. Did I even have the confidence to talk to her?

How about you take her order then see how it goes from there. My mind tells me. Sounds good to me.

I make my way over to the girls' table, taking out my pen and pad.

"Could I start you off with a cup of coffee?" I offer standing in front of her.

She looks up at me smiling then shook her head.

"No, but you can get me a slice of your sweetest pie." Even her voice was beautiful. I wrote down her order.

"Was that all?" I was starting to get nervous. Get it together, Justin.

"Yeah, thanks." She smiles widely. I smile back turning around to get her pie slice.

"Hey Janet, what is the sweetest pie here?" I question the elder lady who bakes all of the desserts here.

"Cherry, hon." She answers back.

"Could I have a slice please?" She cuts a nice slice and hands me the plate. I thank her and bring the pie to the mystery girl.

"Here you are." I put the pie on the table in front of her.

"Thank you-" she looks up at my name tag. "Justin." I smile.

"So" I was usually good at this stuff. "Since you know my name, I think its only fair that I know yours."
I smirk sitting in the chair in front of her.

She laughs, her pearly white teeth showing. "It's Lauren." She tells me in her thick New York accent. She definitely wasn't from Manhattan.

"Where are you from?" I ask, leaning my elbows on the table.

"Brooklyn."

She moves aside her books, placing them on the chair.

"How about you. You don't look like a Manhattan boy."

I smile observing her face. "I'm not. I'm from Canada. My mom and I moved here five years ago to start fresh." I was beginning to remember the horrible divorce that my parents went through.

"Wow Canada? That's pretty cool." She replies.

As I was about to say something else, I heard my name being called.

"Justin stop sitting on your ass. You have work to do!" My boss yells from the counter.

I roll my eyes, sighing. I hear Lauren giggle a bit.

"I think you'd better get back to work."

"Yeah." I was so lost in her bright green eyes. She was absolutely perfect.

"I guess I will see you later?"

She shrugs, smirking. "We'll see about that."