"Eva your late, again," My boss Rob told me.

"I'm so sorry I got held up at school!" I apologized while quickly putting on the work apron.

"Of course you did, table seven needs cleaning, table nine needs more drink, and table twelve needs their food."

I nodded my head and got to work.

"Hi, my names Evangeline and I will be helping you today, what can I get you drink?" I put on my usual smile and started copying down orders. I got table nine there drinks, table ten there food and cleaned table seven.

A few more people came and left, by ten o'clock I was worn out. After school shifts were not the best idea, but hey it got me out of the house, and a bit more money, even if I didn't need it. Usually by this time it's pretty quiet so I sat down in a booth and started putting more salt in the slat containers. Then I moved on to the pepper.

I hate pepper with a passion. The season always makes my nose itch which eventually makes me sneeze. I do not care for it on my food either. Forget the spice I wouldn't want to be sneezing the whole time I eat.

The bell above the door went off signally people were coming in. I pushed up my glasses then got up and went towards the door to see a big mass of people walking in. Out of the mass of people I saw a few faces I knew.

"Eva I didn't know you worked here!" Leah greeted me with a hug.

"Hey, Leah. Yah I work here three days a week," I said once she let me go. "How many?" I asked.

"Twelve," Jonathan stepped forward. He had dark bags underneath his eyes and you could tell he hasn't slept in a while. I haven't seen him since the incident in the woods which was a few weeks ago.

I ended up having to putting two tables together. Some sat in the chairs around the table that could hold eight and others in booths around them. "Look at the help," Snickered Lexi I ignored her.

"What can I get Y'all to drink?" I asked. And, one by one they all gave me their drink orders and a few appetizers.

I rushed over and gave our current cook, Gary, the food orders then went to get the drinks everyone asked for. Leah offered to help, but I waved her off saying that this is my job. She accepted that and we got all the drinks handed out. The ordering was the hardest part. For teens they sure did eat a lot.

Giving Gary the food orders I took the appetizers and put them on the appropriate tables.

"So, what are you all doing out so late?" I asked Leah. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Late night food run, I guess."

"More like late night all you can eat buffet," I told her with a laugh. She looked away nervously and I could see I hit a nerve. "Did I say something offensive?" I asked. She shook her head no, but before she could answer someone needed more coffee. That someone just so happened to be Jonathan.

"You ok?" I asked him while pouring some coffee. Leaning up against the booth I crossed my arms with the coffee pot in one hand.

"Yah, I'm fine," He said with a small reassuring smile. I nodded my head and Gray called me over to get a few plates of food.

Making no more small talk with the group I started cleaning up for closing time. Finally all the teens had been served and I flipped the open sign to closed. Still filling everyone's cup every once in a while I started sweeping.

Everyone started leaving and Rob came out his office, "Eva you can leave I'll clean up everything else," With that he walked back inside his office and I gathered up my stuff.

"We're all going back to Jonathan's house for some late night swimming, you wanna come?" Leah asked me. It was already past twelve. How time flies by.

"I don't know, it's already late," I told her.

"You don't have to if you don't want to."

I sighed.

"Sure why not," Leah rode with me back to Jonathan's house. Everyone went to the back once we got there. The girls swam in there underwear and bra. I don't fancy that so I sat on the side lines. Jonathan was the first to go inside.

Out of pure curiosity I followed him inside, and to an office. He walked inside leaving the door cracked. I walked up the door and was about to knock before I heard, "You don't have to just stand there," His voice startled me.

Finally at last I pushed opened the door. "Sorry I was just curious," He pulled out a cigarette and lit it with his feet on top of the desk.

"Your always a curious one aren't you?" I pushed my glasses up.

"I guess you could say that," my voice was berly audible above a whisper. I walked around his office looking at all the books.

"Afraid of the big bad wolf?" He asked all of a sudden.

"Wolf?" I asked.

"Yes wolf? Like werewolf fantasy."

"I'm more of a vampire kind of gal."

He chuckled, "Only if you knew," He whispered. Or at least I think he whispered.

I turned around, "What?"

"Nothing," He put out the cigarette and walked to the door then looked back at me. "You coming?" I nodded my head and hurried out the door.

We went and sat on the couch that is on the patio, everyone was still in the pool. Water came our way every once in while I ducked behind Jonathan as it did. Eventually I dozed off my head falling on his shoulder.

The sun was shining through the blinds and hit me strait in the face. I rolled over in the bed facing the other way. Yawing I rub my face. Slowly I opened my eyes. I came face to face with another person, freaking out I back up and fell outta bed.

"Dang it!"

"Eva are you ok," Jonathan said with a chuckle looking over the end of the bed. I laid on my back. Act natural. I thought.

"Yah, I'm fine. Just hanging around."

He chuckled yet again and sat up offering a hand, which I gladly took.

I looked over at the clock an it read nine twenty. I did a double take then motioned over to the clock. "We're late for school!"

Jonathan just nodded with a yawned laying back down. I went over and looked at him his eyes were closed and he looked to be asleep already. "Did you hear me? School. Late."

I poked at his arm. "Yes, I heard you. Your probably gonna want new clothes Leah's room is down stairs third on the right. You can see if she's still here," Clothes. Yah right clothes!

I took his directions and found Leah's room to be empty. But there was a note:

Hey Eva, if you found this that means I'm already at school and your late. I'm sure you can find my closest choose whatever. I'll cover for you till you get here so hurry. -Lea

Opposite to the bed laid her closet I set the note down and walked over. Throwing the door open I look into her small walk in closet. She's not my style but I eventually settled on an outfit. Deciding to skip a shower I get dressed and wear my same converse.

I threw my hair up in a pony then went back to Jonathan's room. He was still laying down. "Aren't you coming with me to school?" I asked.

"No, I have better things to do."

I scoffed, "Better than getting an education, get up I'm not taking no for an answer."

He sighed and sat up,"Yes, better things."

Rolling my eyes I look around the room for my keys. Finally finding them on the night stand.

"Are you sure you won't come with me?" I asked on last time.

"Yes, I'm sure."

And with that I left the strange and mysterious house, with one thought on my mind. Why dose pepper make you sneeze?