Alexa's Point of View

I climbed into my window. I rushed to get into pajamas and then I laid in my bed. I should text my mom back.

Me: why??

Mom: I've been calling you, you haven't answered.

Me: sorry, i was asleep. do you still need me?

Mom: No, it's okay.

I let out a deep sigh, I thought she went into my room and discovered me being gone. That was a close call for sure.

My phone buzzed, it was Hamzah.

Hamz: what happened at the party? are you okay?

Me: i'm fine hamz, why?

Hamz: aaron seemed pretty upset with you.

Me: misunderstanding :)

Hamz: anyways, you in trouble?

Me: nope

Hamz: how??

Me: long story short, my mom j thought i was asleep

Hamz: ohhhhhhhh

Me: i'm seriously so tired tho, goodnight hamz <3

Hamz: goodnight lex <3

I shut my phone off and placed it under my pillow, falling asleep almost immediately.

***

I woke up to my alarm blaring, it was eight already? I had to be at work in an hour. I got up out of bed and got dressed in my usual work uniform.

I worked at an old retro diner, I was a waitress. The outfits were.. tacky, to say the least. But the paycheck made up for it. It was one of the most popular restaurants because of how old fashioned it was, a lot of people enjoyed it. I got paid fourteen dollars an hour, plus tips. That's two dollars more than minimum wage. It gave me no problems wearing a powdered blue tacky waitress costume.

I left my room, grabbing everything I needed and went into the bathroom. First I brushed my teeth, then I found myself brushing my hair up into a ponytail and putting on light makeup. I smiled in the mirror, I didn't look too bad today.

My mom was waiting for me by the door, ready to give me my ride, "You ready Alexa?"

"Yeah," I nodded as she reached for the doorknob.

We walked out to her car, the cold air smacking me in the face. It was quite windy today, making it feel even colder.

We sat in her car, but for some reason, it wouldn't start, "Seriously?" I huffed out angrily. "I'm gonna have to walk?"

"No way," My mom said. "It's too cold."

"Then Hamzah can bring me," I said.

"You know how your father will feel about that Alexa."

"I don't care," I said. "I'm gonna be late and I can't call in sick."

"Hamzah huh?" She asked.

"Mom he's been my best friend forever, he's fine really," I said.

"Okay fine. But we're not telling your dad."

"Wasn't planning on it," I said. "Bye mom."

"Bye Alexa," She said. "Have a good day at work, make sure he drives safely."

"I will!" I called back to her as I was already on my way to Hamzah's house.

I knocked on his window, loudly. I had to wake him up quickly or else I'd be late.

"Alexa?" He asked, his voice groggy from being asleep. "What are you doing?" 

"Drive me to work?" I asked smiling. "I'll wait your table, breakfast on me."

"I can never turn down a good waffle," He laughed. "I'll be out in a second."

"Hurry," I said. "I can't be late."

He nodded his head and yawned shutting the window as I walked over to his car. Luckily, his car was unlocked. I sat in the car, my body shivering from the cold. Wearing a dress certainly did not feel good in this January weather. Soon enough, Hamzah was climbing into the car and starting it. He had to let it warm up for a few minutes. I was definitely gonna be late now.

"Will your boss care?" He asked.

"I don't know," I shrugged. "I'm kind of am a favorite there."

"Because you're like the youngest waitress and you're hot," Hamzah said starting to drive his car.

"Shut up Hamzah," I said. "I don't want to think about my older boss thinking I'm hot."

"Whatever," Hamzah said playfully.

I placed my hands on the radio, turning up the music. Hamzah rarely ever listened to the radio, but this morning there was just no time for aux cords and picking out songs for the car ride, I was already running late as is.

Finally, we arrived at the diner. I rushed out the car and ran in. I made it to the back room to clock in, taking my jacket off and hanging it on the coat rack in the break room.

"You're late Miller," I heard my boss say as I walked past his office.

"I'm sorry, my mom was having car troubles and my friend had to drive me so I'm gonna seat him and I'm gonna serve him, just take it off my paycheck," I said looking up to my boss.

"It's fine," He said. "But only this once, don't make the same mistake again, okay?"

"Yes sir," I said walking out the break room and over to Hamzah who was waiting by the hostess, Samantha. "Seat him at one of my tables." I said to her.

"Got it," She said. "Follow me."

He followed her to one my tables and I began to serve him.

"Was your boss mad?" He asked.

I shook my head, "Nope."

"What did I tell you?" Hamzah said. "He thinks your hot."

I shook my head, "Stop Hamzah."

"And give me extra bacon with that waffle," He winked at me.

I shook my head and turned away, heading to the kitchen to put in Hamzah's order.

***

A little while after Hamzah left, we were having our lunch rush. People were spilling into the diner. I was already waiting four tables at once, and I noticed people getting seated at another table, making five.

I walked over to the table, keeping my eyes on my notepad, "Ready to order?" I asked.

"I didn't know you worked here Lexi!" I heard.

Lexi? I looked up from my note pad, Haley? It sure was her, with Chase, Claire, and of course, Aaron.

"I do," I laughed. "I have been for a while."

"Cool," She smiled sweetly.

"Anyways, can I start you off with anything to drink?" I asked.

"Orange juice for all of us," Aaron said looking at me from head to toe.

"On it," I flashed my smile that I flashed to all my tables, it always worked to get me good tips.

I went to another table, "Everything okay here?"

"Yeah, can we just get more napkins?"

"Of course," I smiled.

I went to the kitchen, "I need four orange juices!" I called to the chefs.

I made sure to grab extra napkins while I waited for the orange juices. A chef then placed four orange juices on a platter on the counter.

"Thank you," I smiled grabbing the platter with one hand.

I stopped at my first table and handed them the napkins, "Need anything else?"

"Just the check," The woman answered.

"Be right back with it," I smiled as I went over to Haley's table. "Orange juices!"

"Thanks," Claire said.

Now even Claire was being nice to me? This is so strange.

"Ready to order?" I asked.

I wrote down everyone's food on my note pad and went to the kitchen. Placing my order ticket on the counter.

I then went over to my register, ringing up the other table's order with their order ticket. I printed the check and walked back over to the previous table.

"Here's your check," I said in a friendly tone, placing the check on the  table. "I'll be back soon."

I went to another table, "Everything good here?"

"Perfect," An older man said looking me up and down making me uncomfortable.

"Good," I smiled through the awkwardness and walked away heading back to the kitchen to check on the food.

"Food done yet?" I asked.

"Almost," A chef answered.

I nodded my head, and walked back over to the table that was ready with the check, nobody was there except my check. I got tipped twenty dollars, that was so good. I placed my tip in the pocket of my apron and took the rest of the money back to the register.

Walking back to the kitchen, the food was finally done. I grabbed the platter and brought it to their table. Handing each of them their food.

"Anything else?" I asked.

"Some ketchup would be nice," Aaron said.

I wanted to roll my eyes so badly, but I ignored my impulse, "Got it."

I walked to the kitchen, grabbing a ketchup bottle and returning it to their table, "Is that all?"

"Some salt and pepper," He said again.

"Anything else..?" I asked, I didn't want to have to make another trip.

"I think that's all," He said.

I walked back to the kitchen, sighing and grabbed a salt shaker and a pepper shaker, walking to his table.

"Here you go!" I faked smiled placing it on the table.

I turned around to walk away, "Miss waitress!"

I turned around, my face burning up, "Yes?" I asked.

"Can I bother you for one more thing?" He asked.

"Of course," I smiled.

"My fork fell on the ground, I'll be needing a new cutlery set."

"Right on it," I said practically snatching the fork from his grip and rushing to the kitchen to get him a new one.

I returned to his table, with the fork and walked back to the break room to get something to drink. I was nearly out of breathe from all the back and forth Aaron had me doing.

"You okay?" My boss asked. "You know those people?"

"Just kids from my school," I said. "Don't worry about it."

"If they're giving you a hard time, you let me know."

"Of course, thanks Mr. Williams."

"It's Tarver," He said smiling.

I shook, thinking of what Hamzah said earlier. I was just being paranoid.

I walked to all of my tables, checking on all of them. Then eventually, over to Aaron's.

"Why do you let men look at you weirdly?" Haley asked as I walked over.

I let out an awkward laugh, "Tips help me out.. a lot."

Haley's face scrunched up, "That sucks."

I shrugged, "It's whatever. Can I get you guys anything else?"

"The check please," Aaron said.

I turned around without saying anything and rang up their check. I quickly returned it to their table.

"I hope you found the service here good," I smiled placing the check down.

"We sure did," Haley smiled.

I turned around and went to check on my new table that just got seated, "Drinks for you two?"

"A coke and a sprite," The man said.

"Got it!"

I walked to the kitchen, "A coke and a sprite!"

I went back to Aaron's table to find them gone. I grabbed the cash and went to the register, they overpaid by a hundred dollars. Did they tip me a hundred dollars? Was that Aaron? I knew he had money but damn, maybe it was accident.

I shook the thought out of my head but couldn't help but smile as I continue to wait the rest of my tables.