Help a girl out.

Chapter Three.

Jessie’s POV.

After ordering food, Lily and I got to talk some more while waiting for the food to be prepared. She actually took her break, sitting beside me at the counter just talking and laughing while I ate. “You know what? I like you, I think I’m gonna keep you..” Lily says with a laugh. I smile. It's weird. I’ve never had many friends that were girls, we were never into the same things, and the few girls that actually hang out with me, were usually just there so they could be closer to Marc and Liam. So, for the most part, I kept to myself, or just hung out with the guys and their friends, when I was allowed, that is.. 

“I like you too..” I laugh back at her. Lily is smart, edgy and fun. She seems like the type that doesn’t take any bull from anybody. She told me that she has attended classes at the college for about a year, which means she’s about a year older than me. But she works here at the diner almost full time, which her mom owns and runs. The business classes she is taking are because she someday will take over managing this place, she has so many fun ideas for the place. “It’s decided then.. we will become best friends and rule the world together..” She’s only half joking, I think. It’s actually nice to talk to a girl that doesn’t know me or who my brother is. Back in high school, Marc, Liam and their friend group were the popular guys, the football stars. Luckily, they were also nice guys, not the cruel kind like you always see in the teen movies. Just some way, being put on pedestals by the other students. So, of course, there were cliques and stuff, but again, not really like in the movies. Everybody just went with their own “kind”, not really bothering each other, and there was very little drama of any kind. Some drama, of course, but then again, when isn’t there just a little drama when it comes to teenagers with a lot of hormones?

I notice a sign further down the counter that reads ‘Help wanted’. “You guys hiring?” I ask, pointing to the sign. Lily looks around at the sign. “Not anymore if you’re interested?” She smiles back at me, then sends me a wink while adding “I have an in with the owner, you know..”. I think about it for a moment. Right now I’m not in need of a job or money, with all the money I’ve saved up over the years of working, helping out at other farms in my spare time, I’m set for a while. But then again, it would be nice to have something to do besides school, and also I would get to hang out more with Lily. “Would the schedule work with me going to school?” I ask with a smile. “Yeah! It’s a part time position, with evening shifts and some weekend shifts..” She beams at me looking hopeful. “Okay then, if your mom will have me, I’ll take it.” I smile back at her. Lily gets off the stool and jumps up and down squealing. “Just give me a sec, I’ll go call her right now!” She squeals, moving out back quickly. A moment later, she’s back. “The job’s yours! You can start tomorrow, if you’re free?” “What??” I deadpan… “She doesn’t want to meet me first or anything?” I ask, shocked. “No, it’s fine, she’ll meet you tomorrow.. Also, she said, if I like you, then you must be a great fit.. Apparently I’m hard to please.” She says the last part with an eye roll still with a smile on her face, making me giggle. “Okay, what time do you want me here tomorrow, and should I wear anything specific?” “We open at seven, so could you be here then? Then you can follow me around for the morning rush, and when it’s over with and we’re not as busy, I can show you how it’s done properly. And we’ll provide you with a uniform just like mine, all you have to provide yourself, are shoes that you are comfortable in.” She smiles and gestures to her uniform, which consists of a tight black t-shirt and a flowy skirt that goes just beneath her knees in the same light blue color as the interior of the diner. I don’t usually wear anything other than jeans and big sweatshirts, but I guess I’ll cope. “Sounds good! I’ll be here at seven.” I say, already looking forward to tomorrow. “I should really get back to the apartment and get on with the unpacking.” I sigh. “If you want, I can come by and help after my shift in 3 hours. I can even bring dinner from here.. Just give me your phone so I can put my number in, and you can text me the address.” I hand Lily my phone, and text her the address right away, say bye and head home.

*****

I just got off the phone with my dad, telling him about Lily, the diner and the job. He said he was happy for me, and that he was already enjoying the peace and quiet. I know that’s not completely true, but I just laughed with him, and then we made plans to talk tomorrow after my first shift at the diner, when the voice box at the door rings telling me that someone wants me to buzz them into the building. I go over to push the button. “yeah?” “Hey girl.. It’s me Lily, gonna let me in?” I smile, I knew it was her, I mean who else would it be. “Come on in.” I say buzzing her in, and turning the lock on my door and opening it waiting for her to come up the stairs. “Hi” I smile as soon as I see her, letting her into my apartment. “Welcome to my humble home..” reaching out my hand gesturing around the apartment, It’s not much, the small kitchen is connected to the living room, which is a fine size of room, there’s more than enough room for both my small round dinner table that sits four people by the kitchen side and for my couch, tv and record player on the other side of the room without it being crowded, then to the left of the kitchen side there’s a door leading to my bedroom and through there is the bathroom. “Nice digs you have here..” Lily states.. “I brought food, and also I snagged a bottle of white wine from my mom.. You like white wine, right?” “Sure. I like wine” I smile. I haven’t tried drinking very much. Dad has allowed me a little glass of wine from time to time at events after I got older, and I haven’t really been to a lot of parties, not my scene, I guess. I get plates and glasses and we go sit on the couch with the food and wine, Lily settling in on the soft rug in front of the couch starting to unpack the food, and opening the wine. She looks around the room. “Looks like you’re almost done with the unpacking..” her eyes falling on the 3 boxes that are left untouched. “Yeah, I got a lot done after I got home.. The only things left are my records and movies, but in my defense, I kind of have a lot of both..” I laugh at the last part. We eat our food and after that we unpack the last boxes. We both agreed that the best way to sort both movies and records was by genre. It took us a little over an hour to get it done, we laugh and have a lot of fun while getting it done.

Lily slumps down on the couch letting out a big breath afterwards. “Damn girl, that was some work..” I smile at her exhaustion, she pats the couch cushion beside her “Come sit down.. Let’s talk and finish the rest of the wine before I leave, so we won’t be too tired for the morning shift tomorrow..” I do as she says, and she turns so she’s facing me, with her one leg folded under her on the couch, holding her head in her hand, resting her elbow on the back of the couch. “Sooo, what’s the deal, you have a boyfriend?” I almost snort out a laugh at her question. “No! no way. No boyfriend.” I quickly answer. “ Oh, sorry. Girlfriend then?” she asks, raising her eyebrows and smiling, making me laugh again “No, no girlfriend either. I am into guys, I just don’t have a boyfriend.” I say.. “What about you?” I counter. “Well, neither for me either. I wouldn’t be totally opposed to the girl thing.. At least I don’t think so..” she laughs “But mostly I’m into guys. I’m not really interested in a relationship right now, I am in no place to be pinned down right now, I just want to enjoy my life, without having to hold myself back or answer to anyone.” I can understand that, I kind of admire her for being so free and confident in what she wants. “I’ve actually hooked up with a guy from this building a couple of times.” she covers her mouth while giggling. I almost choke on the sip of wine I just took. “What? in this building?” I get out in between coughs. “Yes, in the apartment right across the hall from yours actually.” she giggles…