Chapter 2

Meeting Gale

I groaned when my alarm clock started to ring, my body yearned for more sleep.

But I had an 8:00 a.m. class that I couldn’t bear to miss.

I sat up, looking at the clock and realized I had little time left.

Running into the bathroom, I slipped off my clothes and stepped into shower.

I wasn’t sure if I was clean enough but there’s one thing for sure, I would miss my class if I stayed here for another minute, so I wrapped the towel around my body and walked back into my room.

I wore a pair of baggy pants and a green hoodie, it somehow resembled my eyes.

Pulling my hair up into a bun, I got my bag off the floor and my Keys.

Putting on my worn out flat, I ran out of the room locking the door behind.

My stomach grumbled because of hunger. I hadn’t eaten since yesterday’s breakfast.

I decided I will figure out something when I reach the diner later, maybe some left — over food but as usual I was worried Maggie wouldn’t let me.

I galloped down the streets fast, my whole body system seemed weaker than usual and I felt a bit dizzy.

The college buildings came into view and I urged my body to go faster.

As I was swerving into the school compound, I ran into someone and fell back with a scream landing on butt and a car stopped a few inches from me.

Oh thank God, I sighed and my heart drummed faster.

I lifted my eyes to the jerk who wasn’t watching where he was going and scoffed in realization.

I wondered, of all people in this world, why it had to be the same guy that pulled me into the alley last night.

He gave me a hand which was ignored.

I looked away and helped myself up, my butt hurt so badly.

I also stepped out of the way for an excuse of a driver that almost ran me over.

While he was yelling at every single thing when it’s not even my mistake.

Talking about mistakes, my emerald eyes lifted back up at the guy in front of me who had a huge smile on like mother frost was giving out some candy.

I sighed… After all the trouble I went through am so for professor Ben’s class and it was his fault.

Turning away, I escaped to the building, into the class hall.

The professor eyed me with hidden emotions that I didn’t bother to read into.

I found a seat at the back and took it.

Grabbing my notebook, I sighed and paid attention.

After two long hours, he briefed us about the coming final exams, then he let us go.

Packing up my things and walking down the halls avoiding crashing into anyone until I was outside.

I strode down the street to Maggie’s diner where I worked, the bell above dinged at my presence.

I saw Patricia serving a family and Maggie behind the counter, her eyes on me.

The place was so crowded with College students, I knew I would be so tired to walk by the end of the day.

Maggie’s cold eyes pinned on me, strands of her white hair fell down her face and her round glasses sat on the prick of her nose.

She urged me to go inside and I nodded, moving around the counter to the back through the kitchen, to the locker room.

I changed into a cream long sleeved shirt and a black pencil skirt that screamed too perfect for a middle class diner but never tell Maggie that, or she will have your head on a silver platter.

With a black apron tied around my waist, I got my unruly black curls out of the bun allowing them to fall over my shoulders.

I looked at myself to make sure it was all okay.

I stepped out of the room coming face to face with very angry Maggie.

She stormed my way, her green gray eyes burning into me.

“You’re sixteen minutes late, young lady...”

“Sorry...”

“Excuses… go and wash the dishes.” And I answered her with a smile before rushing off into the kitchen, the chefs seemed busy to notice my presence.

Moving to the sink which was full of plates, I wondered if I could pack up some leftovers.

I also wondered if Maggie would say yes when I asked!

My stomach had begun to hurt, I felt like I couldn’t stand upright but what am I to do except being patient as usual.

I had to wait just a little more, I felt an acidic taste in my mouth and a huge headache rising.

I beat on my bottom lip and started clearing the plates and continued to wash them even though my hands felt so weak to lift anything.

I just hoped I didn't drop any or Maggie would kill me.

The smell of food was mocking me crazily. My thoughts traveled back to the orphanage,

I remembered the porridge we used to have for breakfast, supper and the potatoes we hated so much but at least we had something to eat in time even if it wasn’t that much.

When I left I had nowhere to go, yet I wanted the scholarship.

I remember sleeping on the streets for days, searching for a place to sleep when it’s night.

I remembered the day I walked in here to ask for a job, the girl I found at the counter tried to throw me out thinking I was a beggar wanting free food. She wasn’t giving me a chance to explain myself until Maggie interfered.

Yes, I was starving at that time but that wasn’t what I wanted, so I asked for a job.

No, I practically begged. I didn’t care if I was to clean every customer’s shoe as long as I was earning that would have been enough.

Maggie took pity on me, that’s how I became a waitress here but I did some kitchen jobs too like washing the dishes.

With my first tips I managed to rent an apartment, finally getting off the streets even before school began.

From then every single cent that I received always went to my scholastic materials, I decided to give my education all I have with high hopes for the future.

After drying the plates and cutlery, I stepped out of the kitchen. I picked up a notepad from the counter.

Giving Maggie and Patricia a smile, I walked over to the new customer that had come in earlier.

“The name is Amelia, and I will be your waitress for today, anything I can get you for starters?”

I wrote down a few words to mark the table number, not bothering to look up which seemed a bit far rude compared to the softness of my voice.

“So, your name is Amelia?” That voice made my head snap up immediately and I frowned.

It was this damn boy again.

“Are you stalking me?” I questioned bitterly through gritted teeth.

I saw his lips form that mischievous smile that he had on earlier this morning when I ran into him.

His coffee brown eyes were staring at me with… I’m not sure, but I think it was amusing.

I wondered what dirty game fate is really playing, why did it have to keep bringing this same guy in front of me.

If it really expected us to fall in love then, it was joking.

I wasn’t feeling anything, no anger, my heart beat didn’t stop or I should just avoid the romantic novel, cause I was starting to think like a lunatic.

Pulling myself together, I gave him one of my fake smiles.

“What can I get for you, sir?”

I saw something flicker in his eyes and it disappeared fast like it wasn’t even here.

He gave me another one of those smiles that make me want to cringe and finally ordered his lunch in a deep beautiful voice.

I didn’t talk to many people, even those that tried to be my friends, I would ignore them and push them away.

So you see, I didn’t have many encounters with people but, I know a beautiful voice when I hear one.

“Amelia?” he called out to me as I turned to take the order to the kitchen.

“I’m Gale.”

I fully turned to look at him, my face laced with confusion, why the hell was he telling me his name when I didn’t ask.

That guy was really something else.

***

“And that’s how I met Gale,” I said to Brenda who looked at me with interest.

“So, what happened next?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. You have to rest, right?” she added, and I chuckled at her curiosity and childishness though I ended up coughing hard.

I grabbed my handkerchief from my lap and placed it over my mouth but failed to reach for the water.

Brenda stood up and helped me.

At first, whenever I would see the blood I coughed out, it would scare me but now I was getting used to it because it was becoming more frequent.

I gulped the whole glass of water, I smiled at Brenda who seemed worried though my chest hurt and my throat was itching badly.

“I think you should try chemotherapy,” she said softly as if afraid of my reaction towards her.

I just shook my head as a reply, I didn’t feel ready yet or I hoped.

“Do you still want to continue the story or rest? I can leave if you want me too,” she added and again I shook my head.

“Now, I would love to just continue,” I said, and she nodded, moving back to her chair and taking her seat.

I leaned against the pillow and closed my eyes trying to remember and narrate every detail clearer.