Faling Into His World

Chapter 1

Meet Skylar Moore, a twenty-year-old college student and a waitress at a local retro diner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania her hometown.

As of right now, she’s trying to successfully get off of campus without getting trampled. She was only five foot two and barely broke a hundred pounds. Skylar always got lost among large crowds. Her diner shift starts at 1:30 today meaning she had twenty minutes left to get to work. She’s doing her best to push through the sea of students until she makes it to the exit. The cold Pittsburgh air slaps her in the face almost immediately. Her red coat is slung over her shoulder as she puts it on. 

She’s at the crosswalk when her phone starts buzzing in her side pocket. She pulls the phone out of her black leggings and checks the contact name. The name Ayla flashes across the screen. Ayla was like a little sister to her. She had just started high school this week. Today was her fourth day.

“Hey babe’’ Skylar answers. ‘’Hi. Um, Are you at the diner yet?’’ She asks. “Not yet why? Aren't you supposed to be in school?’’.  Ayla laughs, ‘’Yeah that’s actually why I’m calling. Apparently, it’s an early day, so I went home but the fosters locked me out’’ she said. “Wait hold on! They locked you out? Those assholes really locked you out?’’ Skylar sighs. “Yeah pretty much,”. “Ayla, how many times have I told you. Sweets, you need to report them to Social Services’’ This time Ayla sighs, “Sky, I already told you I can’t. It doesn’t matter anyway, I enjoy the freedom.’’ 

Skylar knew she couldn't win this battle. Ayla had always been more closed off about this subject. She could complain non-stop about her fosters but she could never take action. Ayla had trouble trusting people and when she did she got attached. 

With Ayla

After ending the call with Skylar she felt drained. Things just hadn’t gone her way today. First, she was locked out. Then was threatened by a girl she had bumped into. Hopefully, the rest of the day was better. 

Now she was heading to the diner. If Skylar wasn’t there she knew April and Peyton would be. She had grown close to the girls that worked at the diner. They were her friends and the only people she talked to. Throughout middle school, she had to wear uniforms so she was going to take advantage of the four years of free dress ahead of her. Ayla had a unique style; she was very into grunge, 90’s punk rock but yet still modern and sometimes vintage and classy. Today she had decided on black boots, stone-washed jeans, and a black long-sleeved ribbed shirt.

It had dropped to 54 degrees and she was cold. The diner was maybe 3 blocks away. Her last location had been the park where she stopped to call Skylar.  She had made progress. Just then a gust of cold wind hit her, erupting a flutter of goosebumps all over her arms and legs. “Hey!” a voice from behind called out. Ayla turned to see a teenage boy handing her his leather jacket. “Uh, thanks’’ she told him. The jacket looked expensive, Ayla was planning on returning it to him once she got to the next block but it looks like he invited himself along for the walk. “So.. what your name?’’ he asked, now walking beside her. “Okay,’’ She puts her hand up to stop him from talking and walking closer. “ Yeah you’re. That’s not what a teenage girl wants to hear when she’s walking alone’’ He chuckles. “You're right. I um, I saw you at the park. You were talking to one of the girls there. She seemed like a handful. She does that often?’’ The stranger said. 

“I wouldn’t be able to tell you. It’s my fourth day but, with my luck, I was bound to run into trouble sooner or later’’. He looked at her, “Oh so you’re a freshman?’’ She nods. “What grade are you in?’’ Ayla asks. “I don't go to school here but I’m a junior’’ Ayla nods, putting her hand into the pocket of his jacket. “So, why are you here’’ She then realizes it came off kind of rude. “Sorry I didn’t mean to sound rude’’ He laughs waving her off. “My dad’s here on business and dragged me along and I decided to walk around a bit. I’m 17 by the way’’ The age gap unsettled Ayla but she usually had a good judgement of people. “I didn’t catch your name’’ he tells her. “That’s because I didn’t give it to you. But, it’s Juliet’’. The stranger shakes his head. “You know I can tell when people are lying’’. Freaked out by his deep observance she had no choice but to play it out now. “My name is Juliet. Do you not like it?” She asks. He feels guilty now but little does he know that’s her goal. 

Walking in silence for a bit longer Ayla realized she was only a block away from the diner. In the distance, she saw a small figure running. Funny enough she had a feeling the small thing was Skylar. As they walked closer she was certain it was her. The boy opens his mouth to say something and Ayla turns to him expecting him to say it but he never does. 

Ayla watches as Skylar crosses the street and is now beside her. “Hey,’’ Ayla gives her a quick “hey” before hugging her. Even Though Skylar was short she was still taller than Ayla. Skylar’s eyes meet the boy’s and then land back on Ayla. “Who’s your friend?” Skylar asks. “Oh, this is uh,-’’ “Hunter” he smiles at Ayla. They stare at each other. Ayla's gaze is more like a weirded out expression. It's a while before Skylar speaks up. 

“This is our stop’’ The snap out of their staring competition and Ayla goes to take off his jacket. Just as she’s handing it to him he stops her. “It’s fine you can keep it. I have a feeling we’ll see each other again.’’ Ayla smiles at him and enters the diner. “Oh my god!” Skylar burst into laughter. “Okay, we’re not talking about that’’ Ayla says then laughs. 

“Not talking about what?” Peyton, Skylar’s coworker, and friend. Peyton was 23, a blonde with short hair about 5’5. Their other coworker and friend was April. She was 24, and a bit more reserved when talking to strangers but when she was around Ayla, Skylar and Peyton she didn’t hold back. Almost every time she spoke there was always a s****l innuendo sandwiched in between her words. 

“Some boy gave Ayla his jacket’’ Skylar said. “Oooh! Was he hot?’’ April asked and Ayla laughed. “He was nice to look at but way older too. Sorry I don’t swing like that’’. The girls laughed at the comment. Ayla put her backpack on the table and Skylar took hers with her to change into her uniform. She puts Hunter's jacket next to her as it is warm enough in the diner. 

“The usual’’ Peyton asks. “Yeah.’’ Ayla frequented the diner often and ordered the same thing every time. A strawberry milkshake and a small sub. When Skylar comes back she stuffs her clothes in but the only way to fit in is if she takes out her book. She put her red coat over it to cover the title. The Vault was an erotic book. Skylar enjoyed reading them to relax and this one was definitely her favorite. 

Skylar had been working for fifteen minutes. Most of the people in there were somewhat regulars. Just like an elderly man named Murphy who was there every single day. He never failed to order the tuna melt no matter what time of day. Skylar had been working there for two and a half years. She was looking for a job to help pay off her student loans. She found more than she was looking for. She had found a family.

“Hey,’’ April tapped her shoulder interrupting her self-reflection. “Take this to table 3 please’’ Skylar nodded curtly. She took the tray and walked it over to a group of teens. Three boys and one girl. As she serves them she realizes that because her uniform has a V-neckline the boys are not so secretly trying to get a view of her breasts.  “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry’’ The girl quickly apologizes. “I don’t even know why I’m friends with these perverts’’ The redhead adds in a sweet-as-pie voice. Skylar laughs it off like it’s a normal thing. Sadly it is. 

As Skylar awkwardly walks back towards the counter Peyton and April share knowing smiles. “I swear you get all the cute ones’’ April complains. “That redheads kind of cute though’’ Peyton admits. See Peyton’s bisexual she’s dated both female and male. “I’ll make sure to put a word in for you then. It’s just your luck because I think she just might swing your way.’’ Peyton just stares at the redhead some more before April shoves her. Benny, the cook taps the counter to signal to the girls that the food is ready. With Skylar at the register, the two other girls get to serve. “You know I heard they’re planning on putting you on a dating app if you don’t get a boyfriend soon,” Benny tells her. Skylar’s eyes widen, “What! Are you serious?’’ He laughs. “Peyton said and I quote ‘she needs to get laid’. I agree with them you should let loose have fun, mess around.’’ She shakes her head. “I can mess around when my debt is paid off and Ayla’s doing a bit better.’’

Skylar glances at Ayla to check on her briefly. She’s on her computer and her blue light glasses are now on. Skylar smiles at the sight.

The bell on the door chime and a very attractive blonde man walks in. Skylar looks him up and down then quickly looks away afraid of being caught. He had to be at least 6’1. He was gorgeous and so very hot in black slacks and a white button-up with two unbuttoned. The shirt clung to him perfectly. 

He sits in the same booth as Ayla and that’s when his looks don’t matter anymore. He was near her baby and that’s all she was worried about. He could be a creep for all she knows. “Benny, Can I have Ayla’s food’’ He tops the shake off with extra whipped cream and hands it to her. “Extra whipp. Just how she likes it’’. Grabbing it quickly she makes her way over.

“Here babe. You should take a study break’’ Ayla’s eyes light up. Both Skylar and the guy laugh at the same time. Well, his “laugh’’ sounded more like a throaty chuckle. Ayla had noticed his presence early but never looked up until now. She smiles and looks down. Skylar stares at Ayla but notices the guy browsing through the menu. “Hi, can I start you off with something to drink?’’ Skylar makes direct contact with his hazel eyes and nearly melts. NO doubt she was attracted to him. “Is it good?’’ Ayla’s head snaps up and with her eyes, she silently asks him if he was asking her. With his eyes, he gives her confirmation. “It’s really good. I’d also recommend the Italian sub’’.

“I’ll have what she has but an unsweetened iced tea’’ Skylar nods as she writes it all down on her pad. “Okay should be outright- I mean it should be right out’’ Skylar shakes her head in embarrassment. She’s never stuttered before. However, Ayla is laughing at her friend. 

“You don’t mind me sitting here right?’’ he asks. “Of course not. Ayla Graziano’’ She holds her hand out to shake. “Ree Anderson’’ he shakes her hand.  Meanwhile, Peyton and April are eavesdropping behind the counter.

“Holy s**t Pey, that’s Ree Anderson. He looks even hotter in real life.’’ April says. Peyton just nods her head. “He’s also friends with Daniel.’’ Peyton reminds her.  Daniel was Peyton’s ex-girlfriend. She had heard of Ree before but never met him. Daniel had trusted him and described him as a nice guy and from what she’s seeing she believes it. “Oh yeah. I’d shoot my shot but I’ll leave him for Sky. I felt the tension all the way over here, gosh.’’ Peyton laughs. 

….

“So you're into those types of books? I mean I don’t judge but you seem a bit too young’’ Ree asks Ayla. Confused, she grabs the book.