Mentally in love

Chapter eighteen - She is not ok

Dean's POV:

Lately, Lesley hasn't been good. She stopped eating and didn't want to go out or do anything. Someone will say that this is her everyday mood. It's not like that. Somehow, I always managed to convince her to do whatever I said. Now, this is not working anymore. I have no idea what happened to her. I called Brianna to ask her for advice. She told me to stay with my friend so I could be sure she wouldn't do anything to herself. Also, to keep talking to her. At least she is listening to me. No matter that she doesn't do anything. I don't understand how she could leave herself like that. There are so many things she could do. I get it that she is tired, but this is not an excuse. The sad part is that I was doing all this. It feels like she is copying everything with the difference that it's not on purpose. I don't know how she ended up like that. Maybe it is because of me. If I hadn't left her, things could've been different. That's why I didn't want her to have a friend like me. I was a lost case back then. Luckily, things have changed. This is thanks to the people who cared for me these five years. Now, I have to do the same for Lesley. I'm trying to do it alone, but maybe I should ask her parents for advice. The problem is that she might get mad at me for that. I don't want to lose her. It's enough that I had to be five years away from her. She is my friend, and I want to keep her for as long as possible. I have to say that she is not helping me. I still think about what she said at the hospital that day. I knew things were serious, but I didn't expect that. There must be a way I can help her get better. It won't happen for a day, but I can't leave her like that. She deserves to live like everybody else. I'll make sure she knows this. I hope that things won't get worse.

Two days ago, I got a job interview. It was for a coffee shop. I don't have a degree from university. I can't expect to have a well-paid job. Honestly, this is more than enough. I will still have some income. I won't be able to move out soon, but it's ok. I'm glad that my parents take care of me every day. It's not like I'm not old enough to do it myself. I think I know why my mom is doing it. She is worried that something might happen again. That was before. I won't do such a thing again.

I woke up and went to get ready. The man who interviewed me said he would call me when he decided about the position. I'm still waiting for that. When I was ready, I went to eat. The breakfast will be an experiment. I made an omelet and out whatever I found in the fridge. It turned out well. Well, what matters is the taste. I need to experiment more often. This thing is delicious. I did a good job. As I was eating, I got a phone call.

- Hello.

- Dean Harris?

- Yes, it's me.

- I'm mister Wilson from the coffee shop.

- Oh, hi. How are you today?

- I'm good, thanks. I'm calling you to tell you that you got the job.

- Really?

- Boy, it's not hard to work in a coffee shop.

- Thank you so much.

- Can you come after an hour?

- Yes, sir. I'll be there.

- Thanks.

- Ok, see you soon. - he said and ended the call

Finally, I found a job. The salary is not that big, but it's better than nothing. That is a good start for me. I will call it a win. I went to take a shower and change my clothes. Later, I walked out. On the way, I decided to text my mom. She was nervous about this as if this would be for her. Honestly, I'm glad that she cares.

Mom, I got the job. You can calm down already. :D

Really? That's amazing. I will come to order something from you on my lunch break.

I don't know if I will start today. The man only wants to see me.

I want to see you too. After all, you are my son.

Ok, I have to go now. I'll see you later. I love you.

I love you too, honey. Take care.

Thanks.

There is one thing about my mom that no one else has. It doesn't matter if I win or fail. She is always happy for me. That's why I share everything with her. She is the first to know. Soon, I arrived at the coffee shop. I walked in, and the man came from the staff room. He smiled and made me sit down.

- Thank you for giving me the job.

- Boy, I will be honest. You were the only candidate.

- But you could've said no.

- True. Here is what you have to do. I will teach you how to work with the machines. Try to do orders quickly enough. That way, you don't piss off the customers. Some of them might be in a rush. Of course, be careful not to spill anything. Otherwise, you have to start from the beginning. Make sure you have prepared the drink the customers want. One of my old employees always gave them the wrong order. He was mixing them up. Hopefully, you won't do that.

- I will try my best to do everything correctly.

- Mia will come soon. She can help you too. Of course, I will be here. I have to make sure you won't mess up.

- You can trust me, sir.

- It's good to know.

- So when do I start?

- Now.

- Really?

- Yes. I'll give you an apron. Next time, don't come with a white shirt.

- I'll start taking notes. - I said, and he laughed

- Sometimes, things might get messy.

- I get it.

- Come with me.

For about half an hour, mister Wilson explained everything I had to do. It doesn't seem that complicated, but it's not easy. Hopefully, I will do well. After all, it's my first day here. I can't disappoint him. Mia came as well. After twenty minutes, the first customer was here. She left me to take the order.

- Hi, what can I prepare for you?

- I want a large Frappuccino with whipped cream and caramel.

- What flavor do you want it to be?

- How about a banana?

- That's an excellent choice.

- I haven't seen you here before.

- It's my first day.

- Nice. You will like Mia. She is amazing. Daren wasn't a good employee.

- Why?

- He always gave me the wrong order.

- Yes, the boss told me about someone. He was mixing up orders.

- He prepares everything correctly but doesn't give it to the right people.

- I understand. Here you go. Have a nice day.

- Thank you.

- You forgot your exchange.

- Take it as a tip. Bye.

- Bye, and thanks.

I put the money in the cash register and cleaned the blender. Soon, Mia showed up and looked at me. I don't know what is happening. Neither the reason why she is looking at me like that.

- What?

- It's your first day here, and you already have a tip. That's not fair. - she said, chuckling

- I'm sorry. The woman was good to me.

- That was Carla. She is a regular customer. She was nice to everyone except for Daren.

- Yes, she told me about him.

- That's why he lost his job. The customers got pissed. I don't know how he remembered the orders, but not to who he had to give them. That will always be a mystery for me.

- Hopefully, I won't be like him.

- You did great.

Until the lunch break, we had seven customers. Mia let me take most of them. Of course, she was helping me. After all, two people work faster than one. I have to say that so far, I like this job. I don't do much, but I like the company. Soon, one boy came. He didn't look happy to see me. Maybe he is another regular customer.

- Hello, what can I prepare for you?

- Where is Mia? - the boy asked

- In the staff room. Do you want me to call her?

- That would be nice.

- Oh, hey. What are you doing here? - Mia asked

- I came to see you.

- That's nice. Thank you.

- I see you have a new boy around.

- Yes. This is Dean. It's his first day here.

- I hope you are not like Daren.

- It looks like no one liked him. - I said

- He was a great person but a terrible employee.

- I see. Do you want a drink?

- Well, since I am here.

- It's on me this time. - Mia said

- Why? I have money.

- I'm in a good mood today. Don't expect this to happen all the time.

- In that case, I'll take the bonus.

- Good for you.

- Why did you decide to work here?

- Because I wanted a job. No matter what it is.

- Desperate?

- Something like that. - I said, and we laughed

- You are lucky that I like you.

- Thanks, I guess.

The boy spent some time with us. It turned out that he was Mia's boyfriend. It wasn't hard to guess. The way he was looking at her said it all. I went to the staff room to get more products. I will leave Mia to spend some time with him. Also, there is no one now. I came back when I saw someone coming. I thought it was a customer until I saw the face.

- Lesley? What are you doing here? You are supposed to be at school.

- Can you stop talking that loud?

- I'm sorry. What happened? Also, how do you know I am here? I didn't tell you.

- I went to your house, but you weren't there. Since you didn't answer my calls or messages, I called your mom. She told me I could find you here.

- Now I understand. You didn't escape from school, did you?

- Now, the principal let us go early. He has to prepare the teachers for something. I don't know.

- Are you ok?

- I don't know.

- You used them again, didn't you?

- No, I forgot. I didn't even take proper care this morning. I only went to the toilet and left for school.

- What about breakfast?

- Skip.

- Lunch?

- Skip.

- Lesley. We have talked about this. Do you want a drink? I don't have food here.

- No, I don't want anything.

- When was the last time you ate something?

- On dinner yesterday. Why?

- Because you look pale and tired. As if you haven't slept for three days. What is going on? You can tell me.

- I don't know. For a whole week, I was like that.

- I know. That's why I asked.

- You won't let me do it, will you?

- No, I won't. You are not going anywhere.

- But it will make things better.

- Yes, only for you. Think about all the people who care about you.

- It's not worth it.

- It is. I will make you something, and I want you to drink all of it.

- I have twenty dollars.

- It's on me.

- Ok, fine. Everything else, but not strawberries.

- I got you.

I made Lesley a smoothie and made her drink it. I don't know what to do with her anymore. She keeps talking about the same thing. I can't let her do it. This shouldn't end like that. There is a solution to her problems. I know it. The thing is that she doesn't want to fight for anything. She let herself drown. I told her to go home and take a nap. I will go to see her after work. I should stop thinking about her so much, but I can't. Who knows what she can do to herself? I have to be there to keep her safe from herself. I have no idea if I will be able to do that.

- Your girlfriend is pretty. - Mia said

- I don't have one.

- Then who was that girl?

- She is my friend. One lost and confused friend.

- Is she ok?

- No.

- Can't you help her?

- I'm trying my best. Things quickly got complicated.

- No offense, but she looked skinny.

- Because she is not eating. One meal a day is not enough.

- Have you thought about therapy? Maybe she needs it.

- Once, I tried to bring her there. That didn't help. It made things worse.

- I see. Why don't you try to do her favorite things for her? I think it might make her feel better.

- I haven't thought of that.

- I can't guarantee it will work, but it's worth a try.

- Yes, it is. I will do it. Thank you.

- You're welcome. This customer is yours.

- Thanks.

Mia and I were exchanging customers the whole afternoon. The coffee shop closed at 6 pm. I texted my mom that I would go and see Lesley before I went home. Mom didn't have time to come today. I hope that my friend feels better. Sleeping won't solve the problem, but it will help her forget it for some time. I arrived in half an hour. Her mom opened the door. She told me that Lesley had been in her room the whole afternoon. I can see that she is worried for her. I don't know what to say to make her feel better. I went upstairs to check on my friend. She was lying on the bed. Things don't look good at all.

- Hey, how are you?

- Not better. The sleep is not helping.

- What is that?

- A magnet bracelet. Someone gave me this as a kid. It's supposed to bring luck.

- Why don't you wear it?

- Because I don't wear bracelets. Well, it's fun to play with the magnets.

- How was your nap?

- Nothing special.

- Did you even take one?

- Yes, I did. The drink you made me was good. You have skills.

- For sure, I have. Seriously, it's not that hard. All I have to do is not to mess up.

- I'm sure you can do it.

- Kind of. Feel free to visit me whenever you want.

- How will you work?

- I can multitask. I mean, I can talk with you while I make orders.

- Thanks, but I don't want you to get kicked out because of me.

- That won't happen.

- Let's say that I believe you.

I stayed with Lesley for a while. I had to make sure she would eat something for dinner. After all, she didn't eat anything the whole day. I didn't tell her parents because they would get worried and lecture her. I see she is not in the mood for that. Well, I won't do this all the time. I don't know what to tell them, but we should talk. Lesley is not good. I have no idea what is going on, but she needs help. Things are getting worse every day. I can't wait until she does something to herself. I won't allow it. That's why we have to help her. She can't end everything like that. I hope that she won't do anything stupid.