Chapter 7
Seven
Jaclyn
Time has been moving slow for the past few days. I have seen Natalia here and there and she makes sure to message me everyday to apologize for Hayden’s actions.
It might have seemed petty to just leave but I won’t sit at a table with someone who continues to throw insults in my face. I don’t even know why Hayden hates me so much. We were teenagers when he made that unforgettable promise. We’re adults now and he needs to know how to fucking act like one.
I should have known he was going to still be that cruel boy I met four years ago. He is still set to make his promise true. He wants me to be completely at his mercy but he has no clue that I can ruin him just as much if he dares to try and step on me again .
That night was just a hiccup and I forgot who the fuck I was for a second.
It’s been a few days since the night at the club and I still can’t get his words out of my head.
Whore .
I tried hard to run away from that word that’s burned into my memory that my father created.
And the way Hayden’s gaze darkened when I mentioned mommy and daddy issues he might have. I didn’t think that insult was bad but to him I may have just said that I wished death on his puppy or something.
Right after I left, Natalia called me and apologized on her brother’s behalf. I told her, just because her brother is an asshole doesn’t mean I don’t want to be friends with her.
The door opens making me lift my head to see who walked in the diner. A guy with brown hair walks through the door with a book in his hand.
“Hi, welcome,” I say with a smile and he smiles back before choosing a table to sit at. I look at Andy. “Do you want to take him or me?”
“You can. I took the last one.”
Today, Andy and I are rotating tables instead of doing sections. She told me Wednesday nights are not busy and we only ever do sections if it gets super busy.
I grab my notepad and walk up to his table. “Hi, I’m Jaclyn. I will be your server today. Can I get you anything to drink while you look over the menu?”
“I’ll just get some water for now, thank you.” The guy smiles at me before I leave. I grab his water before making my way back to him. It’s very dead in the diner tonight. There are only four people in here. I have two tables and Andy also has two tables. She is managing today because it’s Lisa’s day off. Franky is in the back working the kitchen by himself while singing whatever song is on his mind. “Here is that water for you. And are we ready to order or do we need some more time?”
“I think I'm ready. I’ll have the classic burger. I know you guys usually cook it medium but can I get it medium rare?”
I nod while writing his order down. “Everyone loves that burger. I think since I started working here I have had most of my customers order that.”
“When did you start working here?”
“About two weeks ago.”
“I was wondering why you looked unfamiliar. I know everyone here but that’s because I come here almost everyday.”
“We have a lot of regulars I’m noticing.”
He laughs and nods his head. “I’m Lucas. I guess I’m not just another regular you know now.”
“I guess so.” I smile. “Do you go to the college nearby? ”
“Yea, I’m a business major and marketing minor.”
“Journalism major and psychology minor.”
“Nice. Are you liking it here?” Lucas asks as I put my weight on one foot.
“Yes! I thought I would have trouble trying to find my way around here but it’s not that big of a town. I also am lucky to have made at least one friend so that makes things easier with trying to fit in.”
“Well if you ever need another friend let me know.” Lucas gives me another genuine smile and I smile before nodding my head lightly and leaving his table.
I get behind the counter and call out his food before putting in his order.
“I see you met Lucas.”
“You seem to know everyone who walks through those doors don’t you?” I look at Andy and give her a teasing smile.
“I’ve been working here since I was eighteen. It’s hard not to know everyone.”
“So what’s the deal with him then?” I ask before looking at Lucas.
“Nothing. He sometimes comes in with his friend or by himself to do homework. He always orders the classic burger or the fried chicken tenders. He is one of the normal ones who comes here.”
“So you’re saying I should give him a chance then?” I look at Andy with a raised eyebrow which makes her laugh.
“I swear I’m not trying to set you up with anyone. I’m just saying there is a lot of potential for a relationship here. Arizona has some cute guys.” Andy shrugs.
My mind goes back to that psychic I saw before moving here. It’s hard not to think about the things she said. Especially since she mentioned things I am trying to avoid.
___
Natalia invited me to a house party. It’s Friday and I’m not working tonight so Natalia said that she wants me to go to this house party with her and the guys. She then reassured me that Hayden will not be around us and will probably be with some girl at the party which made my nerves calm down. After that incident with him at the club I’ve been trying to avoid him because I don’t want to have any issues with him.
Right now we are at her house hanging out and choosing outfits to wear to the party. She told me that she wants to get ready together and we can drive there together because why not.
I should be at home doing homework but I am already pretty caught up with all of my assignments and I haven’t been to a party in a while so, why not? I think it could be fun, especially with Natalia to hangout with.
“I’m thinking you can wear another dress?”
I shake my head while trying not to laugh. This girl and her dresses. I swear she has so many dresses in her closet that she barely has any jeans or shirts. Just dresses.
“I think what I’m wearing now is okay enough for a party?”
Right now I am just wearing a black crop tank top and blue jeans. My hair is down and I straightened it because I always love my hair when it’s straightened. It makes me feel pretty and feminine. I think my hair is the thing I love most about myself. I never have a bad hair day and if one day my hair looks horrible or greasy I always pull my hair into a tight sleek ponytail or low bun.
I always wished I could grow out my hair when I was in high school because every year my mom wanted me to cut my hair so that I could have a “new look” for school and I hated it. I hated how my hair was short and I would wear a hoodie to cover my hair everyday because I hated it so much.
Since I turned eighteen, I started to grow out my hair because there is only so much she can control in my life.
“I mean it’s not bad but what about a dress?” Natalia says before pulling out another black mini dress.
I shake my head. “No but I think that dress would look very pretty on you. Chris will love it. ”
“Chris isn’t coming. His little sister is in the hospital.” Natalia puts the dress back in her closet.
“Why? Is everything okay?’
“Yea, she is doing better now. She has type 1 diabetes so she got high blood sugar and ended up throwing up. So she had to stay there for observation.”
“DKA,” I say while nodding my head. “I have diabetes and would always go into the hospital for that.”
“I know you have diabetes. I noticed the Dexcom on your arm. Chris’s little sister has one but it’s pink instead. I didn’t want to mention it because I know people are weird about their medical conditions.”
She isn’t wrong about that.
I’ve always been insecure about my diabetes. I hate talking about, thinking about it, and just it, in general. Having diabetes makes me feel so uncomfortable and I have mostly my dad to thank for that because he would always talk to me about trying to get rid of it even though it’s almost impossible to get rid of diabetes.
I have gotten better with mentioning I have diabetes, but I still don’t like it when people ask me what I have on my arm which is why I try to cover it sometimes and why I love it when it’s the winter time.
“Yea. I sometimes get like that.”
“If you need me to ever look out for you just let me know. I want to make sure you’re all good and everything. Especially when we go out. ”
At that I smile because I’ve never had a friend who has looked out for me the way she just did now. It’s something as simple as that, that could make me smile and feel so happy and lucky to have her by my side.
“Okay. Thank you, Nat.”
She smiles at me. “Of course. You’re going to end up being my best friend. I want to make sure you know I got you and care for you.” She winks. “Now let’s stop being sappy and you can help me pick an outfit.”