Mackenzie

Chapter 29

After school, I walked to my locker.

I felt some kind of peace after I told Jesse I didn't want to tutor Tanner again. Hopefully, he'd deliver my message, haha. I thought it was better that I stopped tutoring him. That way, I'd be able to face my job without wondering if I'd taught him well that day. I'd also have time to visit mom. I let out a breath as I got to my locker and grabbed a few books from my locker.

"Boo!" I turned to see Ryan laughing.

"Haha Ryan, I was so f*****g scared" I said dryly, rolling my eyes.

"C'mon, girl, Lighten up."

"You can't lighten up when you're called a slut." I muttered to myself.

"What? Who called you a slut?" His expression was just like Bambi's. He was surprised and angry.

My eyes widened. How could I forget Ryan's super ears?

I laughed nervously, "What? I didn't say slut. I said... Uh, you can't cheer up when your hair isn't... Chestnut" I swallowed.

"Try again, Kenzi. Who called you a slut?"

"Nobody, Ryan.. you didn't hear me correctly."

"Oh, really?"

He still didn't believe me.

"I swear, Ryan.. just let it go. I didn't say slut."

"Well, you could say that, but I heard you loud and clear."

Loud and clear? He's got some pretty sharp ears.

"C'mon Ryan, nobody actually called me a slut. I really have to head home now. Study a little bit before starting my first day at work." I said, smiling.

"Have you talked things out with Tanner, though? About the time and all? What did you guys come to?"

"What?" I choked on just that word.

"Remember what I told you yesterday? About moving the time to tutor Tanner?"

"Oh, yeah!" I rushed my words, "Yes.. of course, we definitely talked about it!"

I felt really terrible lying to his face, but I couldn't let him know about what happened yesterday. I also didn't want to talk about it.

"Oh great." He nodded and I was grateful when he didn't ask what time we had agreed on. "So, you ready? C'mon. I'd take you home."

"No, it's okay. I really feel like walking home today." I smiled.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Ryan." I chuckled.

"Call me when you get home." He said, pointing at me

"Yes, father... Don't forget to study for your test." I reminded him.

"What test?" He asked, very lost and I laughed at him as I said,"We've got a test tomorrow for sure."

"That's true," he paused to think for a while, "Gabi's pretty good at Trig, if I forget to study, I'd just be extremely friendly to her tomorrow and we both know what would happen."

I chuckled. Gabi was some kind of nerd. She was always found with a book and she was also quite good at Trig. Thing was, she had a huge crush on Ryan... I didn't think it had ever occurred to her that Ryan was always very nice to her on test days, but I guess she was too deep in love with him..

"How would you forget to study? I just reminded you!"

He smirked,"I can make myself forget."

"Whatever." I playfully rolled my eyes,"Just take it easy on that girl. You're taking too much advantage of the crush she has on you." I chuckled, "I'd see you tomorrow."

"Sure. Don't forget to call me."

"Won't." I shook my head.

*****

Immediately I got home, I sent a text to Ryan, telling him I'd gotten home.

3:45pm.

I took out my Trigonometry textbook and opened it up to study. I took out my phone and set an alarm for 5:15 to stop studying and leave the house for work. I wanted to arrive there early, just so as to make a good impression on my first day.

I looked over the pages and started doing a few calculations, but it got to a time, the words appeared in two's and I didn't understand anything anymore. My eyes became heavy, and no matter how much I tried to keep it open, it didn't. I looked at the pages again. A short rest for 15 minutes wouldn't hurt. In fact, it'd help in making my brain refreshed.

Don't sleep, lazy ass! My subconscious said and I scoffed," You just shut up"

And I rested my head in the table and fell asleep.

15 minutes. That was all.

*****

Beep. Beep. Beep.

What the hell was that disturbing noise? I turned my head to the other side, hoping the noise would stop.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

My eyes shut open and I found my phone vibrating, with the light shining bright. I squinted at the screen.

5:15??!!

One. I was only meant to sleep for fifteen minutes!

Two. It was time to head out for work!

Serves you right! Now get your ass up.

I ran around my room, trying get into the most appropriate dress for my first day.

Aw damn.

*****

I pushed the door of the diner open as I walked in.

"Hey!" A pretty black girl appeared beside me. Her natural hair was parked stylishly and I was jealous. She smiled widely which revealed her braces. She wore a uniform, so I was sure she was a waitress here too.

"Hi." I smiled back, eyes dropping to what she held in her hand.

"I'm guessing you're Mackenzie?" She asked, her big eyeballs shined. It made her look so cute.

"Yeah.. I am Mackenzie." I nodded.

"Mr. James said you'd be resuming here today! He isn't around at the moment, but he asked me to give you your uniform and to inform you that you'd be working with me." She said excitedly, "Finally! I have someone to work with. It gets really boring working alone." She let out a breath as she rolled her eyes,"I'm so sorry for rambling. I'm Kora."

I chuckled,"It's okay. Nice name you have there." I playfully winked.

"I like you already!" She squealed

Kora.. doesn't that remind you of Avatar. You've got friends with weird names, don't you think?

That was totally fine with me. I loved weird names.

"C'mon, let's get to work." She said, handing my apron over to me.

She led me to a stand, "This is our stand. God knows for how long I've been in this stand alone during night shifts. You're a lifesaver​."

I smiled sympathetically at her.

"How long have you been working here?"

"Uh, about a month now." She nodded seriously.

"Right. Can you please tell me things I need to know?"

"Sure. The first thing you should know is, you shouldn't rush in collecting orders.. then, first impression is everything. Make sure you're pleasant, welcoming, neat and helpful. Always flash a smile and make eye contact, y'know.. that way you'd put the people you're serving at ease. When you approach them the first time, be sure to go with bottles of water. It's like a normal here. Water's free.. uh, the first order to fill is the drink order. Soft drinks or beer. When you've gotten their order for that, be sure to serve them quickly. When you've done that, you could then go ahead to ask if they're ready to order. If you're ever going to serve the drinks in a glass, hold the glasses by the bottom. Then, if a guest is taking long in ordering, move on to another person, so the guest doesn't feel uncomfortable the way you're standing and watching her."

I nodded in understanding, remembering that day Ryan, Bambi and I went to grab ice cream and the way we felt when the bipolar woman stood, watching us. "Very awkward."

She chuckled,"True. Anyway, be sure to ask guests questions, like, what their salad's dressing should be like, or what garnish should be on their potato. When you deliver food, keep your hands out of the food. If the food's hot, warn them so they won't burn themselves. After delivery, always check back to guests and find out if they're satisfied. Finally, never let the guests have to catch your eye, telling you they need to have a check. When delivering their last course or anything, take the check along with you. If two people are dining, you should place the check between them", she let out a breath," That should be all.. wait! The trays.. be sure to carry the trays with confidence and effectiveness so you don't dump it on the floor or something."

I chuckled, nodding, "Got it."

"So. Are you ready to start work?"

"I definitely am," I smiled,"But I've got to get into my uniform first."

"Oh, right. There's a changing room by the left. Uh, there." She pointed to a door by the left and I nodded.

As I changed into my uniform, I went over the rules in my head. I should be able to do fine here.

*****

The first day wasn't so bad, I thought to myself as I landed on my bed. I sighed. Kora put me through some things and even laughed at me for getting a little frustrated by an extremely huge woman who was just going to order everything in the diner! We'd left the diner together and then parted, because she had to take a bus home.

I took out my phone and dialled Ryan's number, waiting patiently for him to pick up.

When he didn't, I headed to the bathroom to take a quick bath.

After a few minutes, I stepped out of the bathroom, feeling refreshed and I got into my pyjamas.

Taking a bite of the blueberry muffin I'd gotten on the way, home, I sat on my reading table, Trigonometry textbook in front of me, I buried my face into it, solving a few problems, learning some formulas and doing calculations.

*****

I unlocked my phone to check for the time.

1:34am?!

How had time gone so fast? When I looked at the topics and pages I'd covered, I knew it wasn't time that went so fast. I'd done a lot of studying, and to be honest, I felt very satisfied with myself. I guess it was time to get to bed, because very soon, I'd be waking up to Bambi screaming for me to wake up.

*****

"Wake the f**k up!" Bambi screamed in my ear the next morning.

I know I'd said she would scream for me to wake up, I didn't know she'd actually burst my eardrums.

"Dang, Bambi." I sat up, hands over my ears.

She sat on my bed,"I'm sorry, it's just that I've been​ tapping and calling you​for, like, ten minutes now."

I sighed.

"Did you sleep late?"

"Yeah. I got a test today.. had to study."

"But, Ryan told me you left school early to study."

"Yeah, but I fell asleep then."

"Oh, I see..." She nodded her head slowly. "How was your first day at work?"

"It wasn't bad, really. It was quite okay, except that this really huge woman came to the diner and practically ordered everything we had!"

Bambi laughed, swinging her legs,

"That's a lot of gain for the diner."

I chuckled, then said seriously,"By the way, Bambi.. did Ry ask you anything about me?"

"Yeah. He asked if I knew anything about anybody calling you a slut."

"And?." I urged her to continue

"And what?" She looked confused.

"You didn't tell him yes, did you?" I asked, hoping she didn't.

She stopped swinging her legs,"Wait. I wasn't meant to tell him?"

"You told him?!"

"Yeah.. I mean.." She sighed,"Yes, I did. I didn't know I wasn't meant to tell him. I'm sorry"

"It's okay... I should have told you not to tell him." I groaned, a hand on my forehead. "I just didn't want to tell him because.. y'know Ryan.. he wouldn't care, he'd go meet Tanner. They're friends and..."

"Kenzi." Bambi called.

"Yeah?" I looked at her.

"You're a rare gem. I mean, it's normal that since you don't like Tanner, you'd look for ways to get Ryan to not like him too, but here you are, not wanting to cause a fight between them." She flung her arms around me.

*****

"I have no idea what to tell Ryan now. I repeatedly told him yesterday that I didn't say anything like slut." I told Bambi as we faced our lockers.

"I'm so sorry, Kenzi." Bambi looked at me

"No, it's not your fault. Really."

The bell rang and I looked at Bambi,

"C'mon, get your ass to class. Hey, that rhymed!" I laughed and Bambi joined me, before she stopped and shot me a straight face,"Alright, Kenzi, nothing was funny."

"But.. but you laughed."

"Yeah. To make you think you're funny. Good luck on your test, sister." She tapped my shoulder and walked to her class.

I stared after her, then finally grabbed my books and walked to class too.

*****

I sat down, not taking a look at Tanner who was also seated. He sat looking far away, lost... And guilty, again. I could tell from the way he avoided looking at me. I couldn't help but hope Jesse had delivered my message.

"Kenzi." Ryan walked up to me and knowing what he was coming to say, I smiled at him widely instead, "Hey Ryan! I know, I know, I was meant to call you, but I actually did when I got back from work. You didn't pick up your phone."

"It's not about that, Kenzi. Why-"

"Morning class! I hope you're all ready for my test. Of course, you are. Today's the last day of the week! Settle down!"

Bless Mrs Martinez!

I looked back at Ryan as he said,

"We're going to talk after this class, Kenzi." He said sternly, like a father scolding his child, but then again, I didn't call him father for nothing.

Before walking away, he threw a look at Tanner. Thankfully, Tanner was too busy looking all lost.

I looked at Mrs Martinez who had gotten out the papers for the test. I took out my pencil and waited patiently for Mrs Martinez to distribute our papers.

"How do you feel today, Mackenzie?"

Mrs Martinez asked as she dropped my test paper on my table, the blank page at the back, to me.

"Better." I nodded, smiling a little.

She smiled at me and looked at Tanner,"McCann, are you ready for the test?"

Tanner didn't say anything, he just gave a mindless shrug.

Mrs Martinez continued distributing the papers, and when she finished, she went to her table, smiling widely, obviously happy we were writing her test.

"Alright, guys... Start!"

I bit my lip and turned my paper over.