Alexa's Point of View

I put a spoonful of my favorite birthday cake ice cream in my mouth. Everyone was laughing and smiling and having a genuinely good time. Seeing Hamzah smile made me so happy.

"We should all do something tomorrow!" Haley suggested.

"Can't," I said. "Work."

"Hmm.." Haley said. "Hamzah?"

"I don't know," He shrugged. "I can try."

"Good," Haley said. "But we can't do anything too fun if Alexa's not there."

"Hey let's focus on now," I said swirling my ice cream with my spoon. "Tonight's not over and I'm still having fun."

"Love that energy," Haley winked at me.

I looked in front of me where Aaron sat, he was staring at me, his eyes hungry. I rolled my eyes and looked over to Hamzah, who was also staring at me. I titled my head at him but he turned away to face Chase who he was talking too.

"You look good Alexa," I heard Claire say.

"Thanks Claire," I smiled. "I don't normally get all dolled up like this."

"Well you look amazing," She said. "You should do my makeup some day."

"Sure," I smiled.

I secretly hoped I could actually do Claire's makeup. We didn't talk often but hopefully we could talk more so I can hang out with her and Haley. It would be nice to have some girl time for a change.

Everyone's laughter was filling my ears, snapping me out of my thoughts, "What's so funny?" I asked.

"Nothing, just jokes," Chase said making me smile.

"What did you get Hamzah?" I asked trying to talk to him.

"Banana split," He shrugged blankly.

"We used to eat those all the time!" I beamed.

"Yeah," He nodded his head.

I fashioned a confused face towards him.

"What?" He asked.

"Nothing," I shook my head.

"That was delicious," Aaron said looking up from his chocolate sundae.

"We should all watch a movie at my place," Haley said.

"I should get going home," I said standing up.

"Oh what a party pooper!" Haley scrunched up her face towards me.

"Sorry Hales," I sighed, I had enough Aaron for today and he was definitely gonna be at Haley's to watch the movie. "But it's a school night."

"It's fine," She shrugged. "When do you have off of work though. What's your schedule like?"

"Monday's and Wednesday's are my days off," I said to her.

"That's terrible," Claire said.

"I'm making money that's all that matters to me," I said getting up and grabbing my bag. "Bye guys."

"Need a ride?" Aaron asked.

"No.. thanks though," I said before leaving some money on the table for my share of the check.

"I'll bring you home Alexa."

I looked behind me to see Hamzah standing up.

"Okay," I nodded.

"Let's go," He said linking my arm, just like the old days.

He turned around to Aaron as we walked out. I wasn't quite sure why but I went with it anyways and walked out with him.

"Why do you wanna bring me home?" I asked Hamzah.

"I don't know," He shrugged. "You wouldn't let Aaron and I'm not gonna let you walk home alone in this freezing weather."

"Thanks Hamzah," I said as he opened the car door for me then shutting it as I sat down.

He got in the car, turning on the heat.

"So, what are you and Aaron anyways?" Hamzah asked as he checked his rear view mirrors to back out of the parking lot.

"Nothing," I said to him.

"Really?" He asked surprised. "Looks like you two came together."

"Haley was supposed to pick me up," I started. "But Aaron thought he was being a good guy by getting me instead."

"Why wasn't that good?" Hamzah asked.

"Well, I think he has a girlfriend or something.." I trailed off causing Hamzah to look at me with wide eyes. "I don't know for sure though."

"Did you know this when you two-?"

"No no," I cut off Hamzah. "Of course not. But Haley and I went out today and saw Aaron with some girl that Haley said he's liked for a long time. Her name is Ryleigh."

"Is she nice?" Hamzah asked.

"I thought so at first," I said. "But she tried to threaten me I think."

"You think?"

"Jeez Hamzah this is a lot of questions!"

"It seems like I missed out on a lot in just a short while," Hamzah said sympathetically.

"Do you forgive me?" I asked Hamzah.  "And be honest."

"No," He shook his head.

"Seriously?" I asked.

"You wanted honesty," Hamzah replied as he pulled up to my house.

I sighed and got out of his car and slammed the door. Then I proceeded into my house.

I walked into my room and tore off my clothes in an angry manner. Nearly crying as I cleaned my face of all the makeup.

"I'm so stupid," I said to myself quietly.

I lied in bed for a few hours trying to sleep but I just couldn't. I sighed getting up and walking into my kitchen to try and find some drowsy cough syrup. I poured a thirty millimeter dose of the cough syrup.

"Disgusting," I whispered to myself and made my way back to my room.

***

I rushed through the wood and glass double doors to the diner. Reaching my hands for my ponytail, pulling the hair in the correct direction to tighten it.

"Sorry I'm late," I said grabbing my pocketed apron and tying it behind my waist.

"You got a boyfriend or something now?" My co-worker Kathy said.

"No not at all," I shrugged. "Why?"

"Crew just assumed that's why you've been late," She said.

"Nope," I said walking past her and into the dining room to start waiting tables.

I walked to my closest table, "Hi I am Alexa your waitress can I start you off with drinks?"

I looked away from my notepad to see a familiar blonde with straight hair, Ryleigh. She was here with a group of girls.

They all gave me their drink orders with attitude, there was about five of them.

I went to the kitchen grabbing the drinks but Kathy spoke to me on my way back to their table, "Who are they?" Kathy asked.

"Bitches," I crossed my arms. "Would it be bad if I spit in their food?"

"Did it to my ex," She said laughing.

Kathy was a little older, early twenties. She had super curly black hair and brown skin. She was covered in tattoos and and even a few piercings. She was a single mom to a daughter she had as a teenager. She looked after me very well when I first started to work here over the summer. But now that school started my schedule changed a lot and Kathy normally does weekday breakfast which I clearly couldn't do.

"What are you doing here anyways?" I asked.

"Needed to pick up a few extra shifts," She said. "Delilah has been sick lately and the medical bills have been sort of piling up."

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Cancer," She shrugged.

"Fuck Kathy," I said. "There's gotta be some sort of like charities or organizations..?"

"I don't know," She shrugged. "This is all so new to me."

"If you need anything-"

"Oh waitress!" Called Ryleigh.

I looked at Kathy apologetically before making my way to their table.

"Your drinks," I fake smiled as I walked up to the table.

"Took long enough," One girl rolled her eyes.

I sighed, "Sorry about that." As I placed the drinks down. 

For the next thirty minutes, they kept bugging me for a condiment or a certain cutlery any chance I got to relax for a second with Kathy. Soon enough they were done eating. I made my way to their table, "Need your check?" I questioned.

"Maybe not," Ryleigh laughed as she stood up with her cup.

"You can't leave without paying," I said with my hands on my hips.

"Fuck that," One girl said.

Ryleigh laughed, splashing whatever was in her cup at me. It got all over my dress and even my chest. Her friends and her instantly ran, leaving the diner. I stood there, wet as I watched Kathy chase them out of the diner. Seeing Kathy do that made me laugh, she's such a good person.

"You okay?" My boss asked looking at me.

I looked around to see everyone that was seated was staring up at me.

"Yeah.." I trailed off. "I just should go change."

"Go home," He said patting my shoulder. "I can cover the tables for you."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Go ahead," He said. "Clean up."

"Thank you," I said. "I'll be on time for my next shift. I promise."

"I'll hold you to it," He said tying an apron around his waist.

I walked home quickly, the cold nipping at my cheeks. Finally home, I rushed into my room to change out of my clothes.

Through my window I saw Hamzah's curtains were pulled. His lights were dimly lit, barely on at that. And he was making out with Haley.

I widened my eyes in disbelief and rushed to my window to close the curtains before they noticed I was staring.