Look at this,he literally won't stop talking. Do this, do that, stand here, smile there… like I'm some kind of machine or something."
I dropped the tray on the counter with a small clink, rolling my shoulders like they'd personally betrayed me.
Across from me, John was already laughing.
Emma… relax," he said, trying,and failing,not to grin. "Since you started this job, you've been the one talking non-stop. Not him."
I blinked.
Wait. Are you serious right now?"
He raised a brow. "Very."
I let out a short, embarrassed laugh, scratching the back of my head. Okay, damn. So I am overdoing it?
Yeah… just a little," he said, holding up his fingers like this much.
I groaned dramatically. God, I'm such a spoiled mess. I literally don't know how to do anything in jobs like this.
Hey, John said, nudging my shoulder lightly. It's your first day. You're allowed to be bad at it.
Wow. Thank you. So comforting.
He laughed. "You'll get used to it. And then you'll actually be good at it."
I side-eyed him. "You're always this optimistic, huh?"
"Of course." He leaned back slightly, arms crossed with that easy confidence of his. "Someone has to balance your chaos."
"Rude."
"Accurate."
I tried to look annoyed, but ended up smiling anyway.
"Anyway," he added, glancing at the clock. "What do you say we grab something to drink after this? My treat."
I immediately turned to him. "Wait, seriously?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, we're definitely going."
1:00 AM
The streets were quieter now, the air cooler, almost soft against my skin. Neon lights flickered from nearby shops that hadn't closed yet, casting faint colors across the pavement.
John and I walked side by side, each holding a drink.
I took a long sip, then groaned. "Ugh… my shoulder is killing me."
"That's normal," he said casually.
I stopped mid-step, staring at him. "You're so..
"What?" he asked, amused.
"So calm. It's suspicious."
He laughed. "I told you already. You'll get used to it."
"Yeah, yeah… and then I'll magically love it, right?"
"Exactly."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "You're annoying."
"And you're dramatic."
"Shut up."
We walked a few more steps in silence before I spoke again.
"Do you ever get tired?"
"Of what?"
"Pretending everything's fine."
He didn't answer immediately.
Then..
"…Sometimes."
I glanced at him, surprised by how honest that sounded.
"But," he added, shrugging, "it's easier than making everything heavier than it already is."
I hummed softly. "…I wish I could do that."
"You can," he said. "You just don't let yourself."
I kicked a small pebble on the ground. "Or maybe I just like overthinking everything."
"Oh, you definitely do," he said without hesitation.
"Wow. Thanks."
"Anytime."
I rolled my eyes, then smiled again without realizing.
"I really want that first paycheck though."
He chuckled. "There it is."
Early Morning
I tied my hair into a high ponytail, leaving two loose strands framing my face.
paused for a second, staring at my reflection.
You're actually pretty, Emma… you just don't see it.
I looked away quickly, grabbing my phone.
"Alright… let's go."
School — Morning
The moment I stepped in, I knew something was off.
Susan was standing there.
Of course she was.
Surrounded by half the school like she owned the place.
"There she is," she said, loud enough for people to hear. "Our part-time waitress."
I exhaled slowly. "Good morning to you too."
"Didn't know they hired people who look this tired," she smirked.
"Oh, sorry. I was busy actually working," I shot back. "You should try it sometime."
"Oop—" someone whispered.
Susan's smile twitched. "Careful, Emma. You're getting bold."
"And you're getting repetitive."
A few laughs broke out.
She took a step closer. "You think you're funny?"
"No," I said flatly. "I think you're annoying."
The tension snapped tight between us.
And then..
"Okay, that's enough."
The voice cut through everything.
I froze.
Gina...
She stepped forward, placing herself between us like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Back off, Susan."
Susan blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
The entire hallway went quiet.
I just stood there, staring at Gina like I'd seen a ghost.
"What's your problem?" Susan scoffed.
"My problem?" Gina tilted her head slightly. "You picking on people like it's your only personality trait."
"Oh, please.."
"No, seriously," Gina continued, her voice calm but sharp. "Find something else to do. It's embarrassing."
Someone actually snorted.
Susan looked around, clearly not expecting this.
"Whatever," she muttered, flipping her hair. "You're not worth it."
And just like that, she walked off.
The crowd slowly started moving again, whispers spreading everywhere.
I was still staring at Gina.
"What was that?"
She turned to me.
For a second, something softened in her expression.
"You okay?"
I blinked again.
"Yeah," I said slowly. "I just.."
I hesitated.
"Did you just defend me?"
She let out a small breath, looking away. "Don't make it a big deal."
"Kind of is."
"Emma…"
"What?"
She met my eyes again.
"We should talk."
My chest tightened slightly.
"Yeah. Maybe."
Classroom
The teacher walked in, clapping his hands once.
"Alright everyone,quick announcement. Tomorrow, there will be no classes."
The room exploded.
"What?!"
"No way!"
"Finally!"
He raised his voice over the chaos. "Because tomorrow night,we're hosting a school event. A party."
The reactions doubled.
"Oh hell yes."
"Wait, what are we wearing?"
"I'm about to look insane."
I leaned back in my chair, smirking slightly. "This is gonna be chaos."
John leaned toward me. "You going?"
"Obviously."
He smiled. "Good."
From the other side of the room, I caught Gina glancing at me.
Just for a second.
Then she looked away.
And for some reason… that bothered me more than it should.
My fingers tightened slightly around the pen.
John noticed. Of course he did.
"You still thinking about it?" he asked quietly.
"About what?" I said too fast.
He didn't answer. Just gave me that look.
I exhaled. "…We said we'd talk. That's it."
"Mm."
"Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"That mm thing like you know something I don't."
He smirked. "Maybe I do."
"God, you're annoying."
"And you're predictable."
He leaned back, still smiling. "So… what are you wearing?"
I paused. "I have no idea."
"Wow."
"Hey, I've been working, okay? I didn't have time to plan a whole outfit."
"Excuses."
"Support me or don't talk."
"I am supporting you. I'm emotionally invested in this outfit now."
I rolled my eyes. "Relax. It's just a party."
He raised a brow. "You literally just said it's not gonna be a normal one."
"Yeah," I said, a small smirk forming again. "Because it won't be."
"Why do I feel like that's a warning?"
"Because it is."
Before he could reply, the bell rang.
Chairs scraped, people stood, voices filled the room instantly.
I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder.
John stood up beside me. "Alright then. I'll see you tonight?"
"Yeah," I said. "And don't be late."
"I won't."
We stepped into the hallway, noise echoing everywhere,people already talking about the party like it was the only thing that mattered.
Outfits. Music. Who's going with who.
Same story, different day.
But something about this one felt… off.
Like something was about to happen.
Something that would actually matter.
I glanced ahead,and for a split second, I saw Noel at the end of the hallway.
Leaning against the lockers, talking to someone, looking like he didn't care about anything around him.
He looked up.
Our eyes met.
Just for a second.
Then..
He looked away first.
I scoffed quietly under my breath. "…Yeah. This is gonna be fun."
John glanced at me. "What?"
"Nothing," I said, walking forward. "Just… don't lose me tomorrow, okay?"
He smirked. "I won't."
I didn't say it out loud.
But yeah..
This party?
It wasn't going to be normal.
to be continued...