Ayla's POV
My arms ached from wiping down the same table twice. I didn’t even realize it until I saw the rag still clenched in my hand. My shoulders hurt, my legs hurt, and my feet felt like they were about to give up on me. But I didn’t stop. Couldn’t.
One of the waitresses had called in sick, so it was just me and Gloria tonight. Which meant I was the cleaner, the server, and sometimes the dishwasher when things piled up too quick. I didn't complain. I didn't even think about it. My hands just moved. Wipe, grab, stack, carry. Rinse and repeat. It gave me something to focus on. Something that wasn't school or Rowan or the cafeteria.
The dinner rush had finally died down, and the diner was quiet again. A few chairs were already turned up on tables. The scent of fried food clung to my cl
