The quiet of the diner is unbearable in November. No-one ever comes in. People save for Christmas. They budget for presents and decorations and mountains of food. They keep their money for the better restaurants, the ones where there is more on offer than just burgers and fries.

They go out for the day, shopping for each other, ending up in swanky restaurants where they can rest their legs and marvel at what they've bought.

I wish I was doing all of that.

They skate around the ice rinks that are placed inside the mall in the next town over. They don't come to old fashioned diners on the edge of town.

I pick up my cola from the counter beside me and take a drink, watching the family stand up from the only occupied table as they gather their coats and prepare to leave.

"Thank you!" The middle aged lady calls to me and I nod, smiling widely at them. The little boy smiles back at me as his Mum drags him by his hand towards the exit.

"Thank you for your service," I reply, in a high pitched, polite voice that we all have for customers. Sickening.

They exit and I quickly approach their table, picking up their plates and stacking them high before taking them back to the kitchen. Bert is sat in front of the TV, laughing his head off at the Spanish soap opera.

I have no idea how him and Harry successfully keep this business running. They inherited it from their Grandmother after she passed away twenty years ago and haven't decorated it since.

I wish I worked in the kitchen. Sitting down, doing whatever you want, no need to make niceties to anyone.

I reluctantly leave him in there before I'm yelled at, walking back out front and grabbing a cloth to clean the now empty table.  As I wipe it down I hear the familiar bell ring out from behind me, signalling that another customer is entering. Just great.

I guess I was hoping that no-one else would come in before my shift ends, leaving me free to catch up on my English homework behind the counter.

I slowly straighten up and turn round, taking a look at the new customers as I head back behind the counter.

Brett Winters and his friends, settling into a booth.

Perfect.

Of all the places they could go. Why the hell are they in here? I'm judging them for even setting foot in here.

I take a deep breath, throwing the cloth to the side before grabbing a notepad and making my way over to their table. Stopping in front of them I smile, careful to avoid eye contact with Brett.

"What can I get for you?" the sickening customer service voice asks.

"Hey... it's you!" The dark haired, blue eyed Ellis grins up at me. What? He knows me? "Didn't you stand up to Brett's girl?" He asks and I raise my eyebrows, watching as he leans back, proudly displaying his red football jacket.

"Ellis leave it would..."

"Apparently." I cut Brett off as I shrug. "I suggested to the cheerleading captain that maybe she should move a girl in the line up. If that means I've stood up to her then yes."

"Is that it?" Ellis looks disappointed and I can't help but grin.

"Unfortunately. Sorry to burst your gossip bubble!" I shrug and Ellis smirks.

"I thought you slapped her around the face!" He moans. I'm sorry, what?

"No."

"Straight talking girl. I love it." He winks at me.

"Really?"

"Yeah you don't find those often." The blonde boy sat on the other side of Brett claps his hands together, leaning on the table as he looks up at me, smiling with surprisingly white teeth. "They're normally too scared."

Are they serious? Us girls are strong, can talk up whenever we want.

It's only Ashley and her minions who act like that. And it's only because they think they can impress these boys. It would appear that they're failing at that...

"Got that right Ben." Ellis nods as he glances down my body. I scowl in response.

"You do know I'm still here?" I query, pointing my pen at them.

"What's up? Don't fancy a compliment?" Ellis taunts and I shake my head, lowering my pen.

"You can't say anything nice to Savannah. She'll throw it back in your face." Brett chooses to say.

"Maybe I just don't want compliments from the likes of you." I smile sweetly at Brett as his friends laugh. "I'll get you the iced tea so you can cool down." I finish and his friends continue to laugh, a hint of a smirk appearing at the corner of Brett's mouth as I'm turning away.

I walk slowly but surely back to the counter, subtly smiling to myself.

Savannah 1, Brett 0

Today at least...

*~*~*

"I'm not talking to her." I hiss as Elle drags me along behind her.

"Then don't." She retorts, "Sit silently. Just don't be rude." She warns and I shoot her an innocent smile. She rolls her eyes as she pushes the door of the restaurant open. I walk behind her, tucking my hands into the pockets of my beige coat as I look down at my tattered black shoes.

"Aunt Lara!" Elle calls out as we approach a table. Lara gets up, moving across the floor before enveloping Elle into a hug. I shuffle my feet and gaze around the restaurant.

"Savannah!" Aunt Lara lets go of Elle and grabs hold of me, pulling me into an uncomfortable hug as I stay silent, Elle shoots me a warning glare. "How are both my girls?" Lara asks, sitting down as I slump beside her, Elle taking the seat across the table.

"Very well thank you." Elle smiles at her and she responds. "You?"

"I'm just lovely." She grins, grabbing hold of her hair and brushing it over her shoulders. "Went to the hairdresser this morning, had some extensions put in." She continues, "Can you tell?"

I can't help but raise my eyebrows in disgust, lowering my head towards the table. I wish I could afford hair extensions. Hell, maybe one day I will but I won't leave any family member struggling before I do it.

"Not at all. Looks amazing." Elle chirps.

Maybe I could dye my hair brunette? Really change it up when I get the extensions. Or maybe I should just stick with my natural blonde, just make the hair fuller and longer...

"Can I get you some drinks?" The waiter disrupts my daydream and I look up, smiling at him. I hope his job here is better than the diner, he certainly looks happier than me.

"Cola please." I smile.

"Me too."

"White wine." Aunt Lara requests, barely glancing up at the boy. "Savannah, how is school?"

"Same as always." I shrug, picking with the sleeve of my top.

"Are you doing well?"

"I guess."

"I reckon you'll end up at one of the top universities, studying at Stanford, just like your Mother."

"If I can get a scholarship."

"Excuse me?"

"I'll only be able to afford to go there if I have a scholarship."

"I'm sure that's not true." Lara scoffs, "Elle is working, it'll be fine." I widen my eyes in disbelief.

"Are you so..."

"Of course." Elle cuts me off. "Ann is smart. She'll do amazing."

"Your drinks." The waiter smiles, carefully placing the cola in front of me. I can't help but continue to glare at my so-called loving Aunt across the table. "Are you ready to order food?" He asks.

"The ham and cheese baguette please." Elle asks, smiling at him.

"I'll just have a bowl of fries please." I pipe up, as Aunt Lara scowls at the menu.

"Could I have the avocado and roasted pepper salad, with a side of fries?"

"Of course." The waiter smiles, grabbing hold of the menus and walking away.

"Not sure on this restaurant you chose." Lara grimaces as she looks around the cozy room.

"I quite like it." I shoot back.

"It's very small and dark." She wrinkles her nose as she takes a sip of wine.

"Suits the atmosphere."

"Pardon?" Lara asks, her eyes widening.

"How is work Aunt Lara?" Elle quickly interjects, shooting me a quick glare. Whatever.

"Well, I have some news to share." Lara grins, clapping her hands together.

"You do?" Elle asks eagerly and I shuffle in my seat, disinterested as I take a drink of cola.

"Peter has been offered a new job!"

"That's amazing!" Elle smiles.

"Isn't it just?" Aunt Lara babbles, "It's for double the money he earns, and he wants me to move with him!"

"Move?" My head shoots up as I repeat the word.

"Yes, isn't that exciting?" Lara smiles at me.

"Haven't you just started seeing him?" I mutter out.

"Very!" Elle talks over me, reaching over and squeezing her hand. "I'm so happy for you Aunt Lara."

"Thank you my dear girl."

"Where is this new job?" I say. "Where are you moving?"

"Well... this is the thing..." Lara mumbles, looking away from my eyes.

"I knew it." I mutter into my glass as I take another drink. She'll travel halfway around America before thinking of her family. Hell, when our parents died, she left Edgewater Valley so fast to move to the city. Heaven forbid she be reminded of how sad it was that her sister died.

"It's in Spain." She finally announces. I feel a smirk subconsciously make its way onto my face. Of course it is.

"Spain?" Elle's eyes nearly fall out of her head.

"Yes." Lara beams.

"As in Europe?" Elle asks and I put my glass down.

"Yes." Lara nods, "You can come and visit whenever..."

"We don't have the money." I snap.

"Well I'll pay my dear."

"That is too kind Aunt Lara, but we couldn't accept." Elle responds quickly, shooting me a glare.

"When are you going?"

"Next month." Lara replies, "I have so much to do, so much to pack up!" She gestures, taking another sip of wine. "I mean Europe! It'll be so beautiful, so wonderful." She looks into the distance, clearly dreaming of her new life already. "Sipping sangria all day long."

"I'm so happy for you." Elle smiles as I crunch another ice cube.

"Thank you my dear." Lara nods, "It'll be hard to leave you two behind with no other family to take care of you."

"I think we'll manage." I scoff, swallowing the last of the ice.

"Your food." The waiter interrupts, quickly placing our food down in front of us.

"Thank you." I grin at him, before looking down and tucking into the large basket of fries. Yum.

"So... you'll be moving over there permanently?"

"Yes." Aunt Lara responds to Elle, "I might visit the good old States once a year." She nudges Elle's shoulder and I almost choke on my food. "I must check in on my favorite girls!"

"I'm sorry, do you mean us?" I almost laugh.

"Why of course, silly!" Lara reaches over, slapping my hand playfully. "And hopefully you two can visit me over there every now and again." Is she serious?

"That would be nice."

"You'll have to get some time off work Elle." Lara lectures, "It's crazy how many hours they make you work, all day long and night shifts!" She shakes her head and I look at her disbelievingly. "You must be exhausted."

"I am!"

"Poor girl." Lara smiles sympathetically. "If there's anything I can ever do to help, please let me know."

"We will." Elle nods, taking a bite of her baguette.

"It's just awful knowing that I'm leaving you behind to fend for yourselves!"

"Then don't go." I snap. Elle glares at me and I shrug. I can't help it, it slipped out!

"Oh girls! I know you don't want me to go." She takes it completely the wrong way, reaching over and grabbing hold of my hand, "I'm going to miss you too." She smiles adoringly at us both, "Watching the two of you grow into lovely independent women. You will always be my family."

"And you will always be ours. No matter where you are in the world." Elle replies, looking over at me. "Isn't that right Anna?"

"Yeah." I mutter, taking another fry.

"Don't! You'll make me cry!" Lara exclaims, fanning her hands in front of her face, "Right, I must be off girls. I have so much to do today." Lara announces, standing up and grabbing her designer bag. "I hope this helps cover the meal." She smiles at us, throwing a twenty dollar bill onto the table. "It has been lovely seeing you both."

"You too." Elle stands up, giving her a hug. "Ann?"

"Yep." I get up, giving Lara a small wave. "Good to see you." I respond as she grins before turning and making her way out of the restaurant, Elle slumping back down in her chair.

"She's moving to Europe..."

"I don't know why you're surprised." I scoff, grabbing hold of my bag. "She's never hung around to help us before."

"I know but..."

"Stop trying to see the best in her Elle, she's selfish, that's all there is to it." I retort, grabbing hold of Aunt Lara's wine and finishing it. "If you told me a year ago that she would move to Europe and leave us behind, I wouldn't have been surprised."

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