Page 8 of Infinity Chronicles 1
As I near they all look up. I flush from the attention.
Maggie backs away so I place the glasses in front of them. “Can I take your order, or…?” I look at Maggie, wondering if she wants to take it herself, feeling uncertain. She hasn't watched me this much since I started yesterday. She took me at my word that I knew what I was doing.
“You go ahead Laura, these boys won't give you any more trouble,” she answers, understanding my question all too easily.
I'm back to rolling napkins and frequently checking their drinks to make sure they don't get too low when Gus, the guy from the grill in the back, hits the bell unnecessarily. There are only a few people here, so I could tell right away when an order was up.
I grab a ketchup bottle from under the counter and stuff it in my apron before grabbing the tray.
Their table quiets as I approach. “Anything else?” I ask while placing the ketchup on the table. They both utter a quick denial before I turn to check on my other two tables.
* * *
I wavea quick goodbye to Maggie while she locks the door behind me. The front lot is empty as I cross the gravel heading toward the street. The sun is gone for the day, leaving the road back to the Turtle Park Resort dark. Thankfully I won't have a far walk home.
Mom is asleep on the couch when I get in. Her stringy hair half covering her face and her arm hangs low to the floor.
I sigh, tired from my long day but relieved she's sleeping again, that's easier than if she was awake and waiting for me.
I quietly gather my bath kit and make the short walk to the camp showers. Thankfully it's not too grungy and I feel cleaner after getting out, that doesn't always happen at these places.
With nothing else to do I grab my transfer sheet and practice a few different eye shapes. I'm definitely not an artist but with all the steps set out for each piece of face, I feel a sense of accomplishment with what I've got done and capable of turning in something that isn't horrible.
I roll over and hit the light switch next to the built in lamp.
The room falls dark quickly. I can hear Mom’s soft snores from the couch. I'm a little concerned with how much she seems to be sleeping lately, but figure she's still catching up after her last manic episode when she barely slept at all.With these thoughts on my mind, I drift off to sleep.
I jolt awake, my heart pounding out a heavy rhythm. Gasping for breath I realize that I was dreaming, but can't for the life of me remember what it was that had me so frightened.
A quick glance at the alarm clock shows me it's almost time to get up anyway. I throw myself back onto the mattress and let my heart rate slow down while letting myself wake up properly.
Four
Ican't wait for this day to be over.
Instead of everyone forgetting about me, and the new girl curiously wearing off, I've becomethatgirl.
You know, the one all the other girls make a target of. The one they say nasty things about, just loud enough for you to hear. Well, it's not all the girls, obviously. It's only the girls I would consider in the popular groups.
I'm also pretty sure I have cheer girl to thank for my newfound notoriety.
Just as I'm rounding the corner I feel a slight shove on my back. With my head down and my book bag clutched to my chest, it's just enough to send me sprawling onto the floor. My knees and palms take the brunt of the fall but they don't hurt nearly as bad my pride does.
Giggles fill the surrounding space while I gather my backpack and the few things that came out of it. My trace paper for art being one of them.
“Oh, look!” I hear conspiratorially. “She must be Special Ed or maybe she's just an idiot.”
Louder giggles. “Yeah and a mute too,” another voice chimes in.
I'm just about to stand when I feel a hand slide under my arm. With an electric jolt, I jerk my shoulder forward, pulling away and wondering what that was, and what they're planning next.
But the hand stays with me and someone comes up from behind.
“Stand up,” he all but snarls while lifting me from the floor. I look up at his face, but he's staring at the three girls that were surrounding me. Then his eyes scan the hall, which is filled with onlookers.
His jaw tightens and so does his grip on my upper arm. I wince, lifting my shoulder, hoping he'll release the pressure so the strange static feeling will abate.
His tawny eyes immediately find mine, and then he lets go with a jerking motion. He takes one menacing step toward the girls right as the bell rings. Everyone scatters.
