Rosewood: Part One

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Songani

"Hi Greer!" Rennie piped. Her gaze was on our waiter at Camden Diner. Rennie's older brother owned it. Greer was gorgeous with black hair and the same oceanic blue eyes that Rennie had. He was twenty three years old. I'd had a thing for him for the longest time but he treated me like his kid sister. That really bummed me out.

"Rennie please, I am busy enough." Greer uttered. He shot me an expression that pleaded for help. I smiled into the bottle of coke I'd asked for. The diner was packed and only Greer and one other waitress was working plus the cook. I didn't blame him for looking stressed out. Especially with the football players taking up a few of the larger booths.

"Hey I'm a PAYING customer." Rennie complained. She picked up the menu and looked it over with an intense gaze. I heard Greer sigh loudly.

Rennie had a habit of picking on Greer. He was a dad/brother to her. Their mom had died shortly after giving birth to Rennie and their dad had passed only two years ago. I missed Mr Camden. He'd been great and he never remarried after his wife died. Rennie absolutely loved Greer though and I think that is why she tortured him so much. He tolerated it. I always tried to make things easy for him.

My best friend had known loss too but coped differently. We may be very different but we had a connection. I wouldn't know what to do without Rennie in my life honestly.

"Ren you know everything that is on the menu I haven't changed it in years." He protested. Rennie stuck up a finger as if to shush him. She tapped a manicured nail on her chin in thought.

"AHA!" She exclaimed loudly, making me jump. I avoided Greer's amused gaze.

"I'll have a strawberry shake and a large fry."

"You get that every time you come here Rennie stop wasting my time."

"Make me!"

"I'll have a chicken wrap and a sweet tea please." I interjected loudly as I snatched the menu from Rennie and handed them to Greer. I smiled at him and he paused a moment, silently watching me. He took the menus and my eyes widened when our fingertips brushed. I looked away from him and he stepped back. He was acting…off. I pushed the thought out of me head and went back to my coke.

"Anything else?" He asked tersely.

"That will be all my good sir." Rennie said with an accent. I finally looked at her when he walked away. Rennie grinned widely at me.

"You don't let up." I commented with a shake of my head.

"Never." She shot back. She dropped her head in her arms and exhaled.

"Liking your first day?" I asked as I pulled out my phone to scroll through f*******: absently. Hmmm…Jewel just got a new car? No fair.

"No. I have two classes with slay boy and he won't even talk to me. I am losing my mojo." I straightened up at that. She'd been talking to Colin the new guy.

"Oh?" I asked, trying not to sound too interested. I looked up at her and she raised her head to look at me.

"He is so pretty. But silent. He barely speaks. The few times I have heard his voice it's…"

'Heaven.' I thought. I frowned at that. His voice was nice. Deep. Slightly raspy. Why couldn't I get him out of my head?

"Oh my God you're crushing." Rennie announced. I sent her a look. Her eyes widened.

"You ARE crushing! This is great! Okay you have dibs on slay boy. I'll back out. You know…cause I'm a lot of competition." She stated. She wasn't egotistical at all.

I looked up as Greer came back with our food. He set Rennie's down in front of her and then when he was bending to set down mine, Rennie spoke up.

"Songani has got a crush."

Greer jerked slightly and the plate tipped…right into my lap.

"Oh s**t!" Greer snapped.

"Greer!" Rennie exclaimed.

"No it's okay!" I protested.

I jumped up and reached for a napkin and when my hand shot out it knocked over the tea which proceeded to pour all over Greer. My eyes widened and I brought my hands up to my mouth as Greer just stood there. The restaurant seemed to freeze and a few kids from our school snickered in their booth. I stood still in shock as I watched Greer look down at his wet shirt. He looked sad almost.

"Greer I…"

"I just bought this shirt." He pouted.

"Greer help Songani clean herself up! I have to get something in my class that I forgot. Bye!" Rennie jumped up and grabbed her bag. I glared at my traitor "best friend" as she practically ran out of the diner. She had really left me here with the mess and her brother. And he looked enraged.

"Yeah Greer wipe her down!" One of the football players catcalled. His name was Sam. I blushed furiously and brushed past Greer without a word. I could hear laughter behind me. I was going to kill Rennie. But first I needed to clean up the mess.

I made my way to the women's restroom and locked the door. I looked in the mirror to survey the damage. My pants looked like I'd spilled my lunch on them. Which technically Greer HAD. There was iced tea on the white shirt I wore. I sighed and reached out to pull some paper towels out of the dispenser. I wiped at my shirt trying to reduce SOME of the stain and then set to work on my pants. I ended up taking off my shirt and I held it beneath the hand dryer nearby. I glanced in the mirror and frowned.

I saw the little girl there staring back at me. The one with wide terror filled green eyes and a tear streaked face. I turned my head and gazed at the birthmark beneath my ear. It was in the shape of a small crescent moon. At least it looked like a moon to me. I reached up and ran my fingertip over it. Between my neck and shoulder was a scar. I didn't remember much. I knew my family had been killed though and whatever killed them was still out there. I shivered and pulled my shirt back on. It was warm at least but a little damp. There was no hope for my jeans.

I leaned against the wall and simply stared straight ahead. I still couldn't believe she'd done that. I wondered why but when did Rennie do ANYTHING explainable? She was a constant mystery it seemed. The bathroom smelled nice at least. There was an ocean mist air freshener plugged in beside the mirror and a painting of Van Gogh's Starry Night on the wall across from me. I loved Van Gogh. It was that painting I was staring at when a knock sounded on the door beside me. I jumped and turned to open it. A pair of oceanic hues stared down at me with concern. Greer. I smiled lightly at him. His shirt was still soaked.

"I am sorry..I didn't mean for that to happen. Rennie just.." He couldn't finish the sentence. He looked stressed and I grinned.

"I get it. It's okay." I replied. He was quiet for a moment before leaning down just slightly. His breath smelled like peppermint.

"Hey so.. you're crushing on someone?" He asked and I rolled my eyes. I shook my head.

"Just some boy at school. Not a crush more of an…an irritation." I responded. I stepped out of the bathroom and he backed up a step. Good. He was so close and I felt like I couldn't get air. His brow arched.

"This irritation..need some help with him?" He teased and I laughed.

"No..but thanks?" I said. I needed to get my backpack. Rennie had rushed out and I'd left it alone at the booth. I moved to pass him but he spoke again.

"Alright..if you need me holler." He held out my backpack. I chuckled and took it from him. At least he was thorough.

"I'll see you okay?" I said as I moved passed him. I heard his soft, "K." from behind me as I exited the diner. The first day of school and already it was complete chaos. I didn't understand why Greer was acting so weird either…