School's over and I was beginning to worry after not seeing Theo, even though his attendance record is probably the poorest in the school. What if he was hurt? I don't think he would have stayed at my house if he was. Or what if he was arrested? The Greenwell guy was hospitalised, afterall.

I stop in my tracks when I see my mom's car in the school parking area. My mom never picks me up from school since I live within walking distance, but sometimes I'm lazy enough to still catch the bus.

Shit. What if Theo did get arrested, and the police need to talk to me about what happened? My mother would have a heart attack if she knew!

I slowly get into the car, once seated I look over to my mother who has an unreadable expression.

"I got a call today." She states.

I swallow. She knows. What if that asshole gets charged and gets angry? Would he try and get revenge? What if-

My mother leans over and wraps me in hug, squeezing the thoughts out of my head.

"Congrats Alana! I'm so proud of you sweetie!" She squeals - my mother, she actually squeals. What? Am I pregnant?

"The girl from The Burger Place - Sam, I think, called me, you got the job! She wants you over there as soon as possible for training, so I figured I would take you star aight after school!"

My mouth falls open slightly, only to break into a huge smile I can't help. I had completely forgotten about that job at The Burger Place I applied for, with all the drama of Friday.

I briefly glanced out the window to see a junior who was walking by give me a funny look. It probably was an odd sight, my mother was still hugging me like crazy. I pulled back from her hold and she returned back to the driver seat from the awkward position she had manoeuvred in order to reach me.

Through the short car ride, my mom kept smiling and asking me questions about school and life in general. With losing her job at the nursing home, she's been working ridiculous hours, picking up odd jobs here and there so we can scrape by while my mom looks for a new job. We barely got time to talk, even when she had her job since she would mostly work night shifts. It felt good seeing my mother genuinely happy, she deserved it, being a single mother due to my father leaving - I don't know why he left, I don't even know my father to be honest.

• • •

The door chimed as I pushed it open, revealing a somewhat empty restaurant, which was rather unusual.

I looked around, and spotted a waiter wiping over a table. Sam was probably in the back.

The waiter looked up, I recognised him as the guy behind the bar from last week. I mentally cringed at the awkward conversation we shared, he probably sees so many people in a day he wouldn't remember me, I hope.

He approached me with a smile, "Hey Anna!" he greeted, as if we were good friends.

"Hi um.." I started, then realised I didn't know his name. How does he know my name but I don't know his? Actually Anna isn't my name but that's not the point!

Shit, this is awkward.

"That'd be Zac." Zac said lightly with a chuckle.

I nodded, and the silence grew between us.

"So.. do you work here everyday?" I inquired, not knowing how else to continue the conversation.

Zac smirked slightly, "Nah, you've just been lucky enough to come in when I have been."

Oh god, please don't be another arrogant, extremely gorgeous boy. Four are enough in my life.

I rolled my eyes, laughing slightly. "Is Sam around?" I asked. Why is everything I say to him a question?

As if on cue, Sam came walking down from what I presume was the kitchen.

"Hey Alana. Thanks for coming in such short notice, and welcome to the team!" She grinned, taking me by surprise when she threw her arms around me.

Everyone is hugging me today! Who's next, Zac? Actually, I wouldn't mind that one bit...

I smiled and hugged her back, awkwardly. I guess Sam is a very friendly manager.

Zac shot me a quick thumbs up before walking back to the array of tables, retrieving the cloth and picking up where he left off.

"We have a lot to get through, and I don't want to take up too much of your time so let's get to it!" Sam pulled away, taking me by the hand to walk me to the checkout.

Sam wasn't lying when she said she didn't want to take up too much of my time. Within about two hours she had shown me how to use the register, take orders, make a couple burgers and use the deep fryer. It was a lot to take in, but I knew I would get the hang of it.

After she declared I had it all down-pat, which I doubted, Sam had to go back to the office and do some paperwork, so now I was sitting at one of the tables on my phone scrolling through instagram.

"Hey An-Alana," I looked up to see Zac standing next to my table, looking adorably awkward for the first time since we've met."

"Analana?" I laughed.

He laughed too, flashing perfect white teeth. "Forget I said that," He looked down at me. "Do you have a ride home?"

"I'm walking home," I said, not sounding overly confident as I glanced outside at the darkening skies.

"Don't be silly, it's getting dark. Let me drive you home." He grabbed his keys, clearly already having made up his mind that I was getting a lift from him.

I know you shouldn't get in a stranger's car, even if they are cute. But as cheesy as it sounds, I felt like I had known Zac a lot longer than I have from the small conversations we had.

"Okay, thanks." I nodded, standing up and walking out of the restaurant with him.

Now that he's finished his shift, he had taken his apron and work shirt off. He was in a black shirt that moulded to his muscular body.

He turned to me as we approached what I assumed was his car, as it was the only one nearby. It was a sleek black car that looked rather expensive, but I don't know anything about cars.

I quickly averted my eyes as I realised I was checking Zac out, I pray he didn't catch me.

The lights flash as he unlocks the car, and I open my door to the passenger side as he gets into the driver's.

The car ride is relatively silent, other than the occasional set of directions to my house. In no time we pull up outside my house. I unbuckle my seatbelt.

"Thanks a lot, Zac." I turn to him, giving him a quick smile.

He nods, "Anytime, Alana."

With that, I get out of the car, closing the door gently.

As I turn to walk to my house, I freeze. There, sitting in my porch is Theo.