"I need you to go somewhere with me this Wednesday! For some business" Tigress states.
"Where?" I ask.
"I can't say. But you'll be like an escort" she says.
"Would you go?" She adds
"OK! I will go but you need to pick me up"I say.
" sure! No prob"Tigress says and we go back to eating our meals.
After eating, we exit the restaurant. We are now on our way. Tigress gets me home and I say goodbye to her and enter the house. My parents and Trina are not back. I go straight to my room and put on the television. I wanted to watch a movie. I finally settled on Everything, Everything and watched it whiles munching on some popcorn.
My phone rings and I look at the caller ID. It was Troy. I pick up
"Hey Troy!"
"Nikki! How are you?" Troy says at the other end in a cheerful tone.
"Am okay!" I reply
"Its lunch time here at school. Am here with Kimberly, Danny and Aaron in the cafeteria" Troy spits and I hear him munch on something.
"Oh okay! Then bon appetite!" I reply.
Troy chuckles.
"We just wanted to find out how you are doing" Troy says
I smile."Thanks"I say.
"Tigress will be meeting us this weekend! At your club house"
"Really? Its a long time I've seen her! I will tell the others." Troy states.
"Yeah"
"Oh and I almost forgot. There's a newbie in the school" Troy says.
"Really? A boy or girl?" I ask
"A boy. He has blond hair and crystal grey eyes. He's quite tall and has tattoos on his neck and arms. He's been in most of my classes today! But unfortunately I don't remember his name. Kate is all over him! I think she likes him"
The description of the guy is like Jake but I can't put my ginger on it that its him? Maybe its someone else.
"Kate is a real slut! She couldn't wait! She began pestering the guy like some pest!" I state.
"Exactly Nicole! I even feel pity for the guy!" Troy states.
"But wait! Why is Kate in school? Isn't she supposed to be at home?" I ask quite surprised.
"I'm surprised as well Nikki! I think her parents bribed the principal" Troy states
"She has a white collar around her neck and a leg band around her leg. I think she had some fractured bones there" Troy says.
I shrug.
"Serves her right for bursting my bubble"
Troy chuckles. I hear the bell ring behind.
"Its time for class! I gotta go"he says and hangs up.
I slouch my bed. I must admit I miss school. The crowded hallways, the familiar smell of textbooks, the slamming of lockers, the annoying sound of the bell, the noisy cafeteria! Everything! I sigh.
Jake POV:
I thought first day of school was going to be awkward but so far its nice here. Everyone is sweet and the teachers are interesting. I sigh. Kentwood High.
I must admit I was hoping to see my new friend Nikki here but it seems she doesn't attend this school. I check my class schedule and I have literature. I don't even know the way to the class! I search around. There's no student around here! They are all gone and I think am a few minutes late.
I ruffle my hair up quite nervous. What am I going to do now?
I hear someone cough behind me and I turn to see a guy. He was quite broader than me but was the same height as me with dark brown hair and green eyes.
He was holding a few textbooks in his hands along with his phone. He sees me and he's surprised.
" errr.....Hi!"I say nervously
He nods.
"I'm a newbie here! Please can you show me the way to literature class?" I ask him
He smiles and brushes the hair out of his face. I notice he has lots of tattoos on his right hand.
"Sure! I'm also going to the same class!" He says.
"Okay! Let's go then" I reply and he walks alongside me taking powerful strides.
We enter an elevator and I see him punch a button. Then it opens again and we come out. We strut down the hallway together.
Finally, we appear in front of a class with a few students. I was glad the girl with the pink hair wasn't here! The guy files in and I follow.
He walks straight to his seat but the teacher calls him and that's when I got to know his name.... Aaron.
"You are late again Aaron!" The teacher says.
Aaron looks at her with a dull expression.
"And who's he?" She asks him referring to me.
"He's a newbie! He couldn't find his way to class that's why he's late" Aaron explains on my behalf.
"Oh!" The teacher says and everyone in the class have their eyes on me especially the girls. They were admiring me and some were gossiping.
"Well then take a seat! And I wouldn't tolerate your lateness again Aaron!" The teacher scolds.
Aaron takes me to the back and we sit down. The girls still have their eyes on me.
"So what's your name Newbie?" The teacher asks me in a sweet tone.
I clear my throat.
"My name is Jake Winters ma'am" I reply and she shakes my hand.
"You're welcome to Kentwood high! I hope you enjoy your stay here!" She says and I smile back.
She goes back to her desk and continues teaching.
"Your name is Jake?" Aaron asks me and I nod.
"Why? Any problem?" I ask him.
"No! Nothing!" Aaron says and goes back to listening to the teacher.
Finally school came to an end and I was glad I survived my first day of school. Everyone was leaving and I didn't know whether to leave Aaron behind or wait for him. I decide to wait for him
"You waiting for me?" Aaron asks
"Yeah" I simply answer and stand there.
"Hey Aaron! How'd it go?" I hear someone say and I turn to see an afro American with dark hair and lots of tattoos with another tall guy with dark hair and blue eyes. They had bright smiles on their faces.
When they see me, confusion becomes apparent on their features.
"Hello" the guy with dark hair and blue eyes said to me.
"Hey guys! Where's Kimberly?" Aaron says to them.
"She said she's got something important to do at home! So she left really early" the Afro American guy answered.
"Well alright! I've got to go for soccer practice" Aaron states.
"Well Troy and I will be going somewhere" The afro American guy states.
"Okay! Good luck" Aaron says.
"Who's he Aaron?" The blue eyed guy asks.
"Oh! My bad! This is Jake! Jake, these are my friends,Troy and Danny" Aaron introduces.
I hug the two of them.
"Nice to meet you Jake" Danny says
"Yeah! You're welcome to Kentwood high" Troy follows.
"Thanks" I answer.
"We better get going! I'm running late for practice" Aaron says and we all rush out of the classroom.
We got to the parking lot. Aaron went to the park and Danny and Troy sat in s Bentley
They offered to give me a ride but I told them I was okay. They left. I got into my Range Rover and sped home.
I got to my apartment at exactly 5:09pm. I got some water from the fridge and drank it. I dropped my satchel on the couch in the medium sized hall. My apartment wasn't too big but it was manageable and I liked it.
I went to the kitchen and prepared myself some ravioli. I sat down to eat. I lived all alone in this apartment. Its always the same everyday but I try to keep it spic and span all the time.
I think about yesterday when Nikki and I were at the park. I laugh at the memory. I remember her scared face when the dog was charging towards her. I'm glad I saved her from it. I always like to see that dimple on her cheeks whenever she smiles and I would love to stare at her crystal blue eyes all day!
I remember the conversation I had with her about my mom and Jessica.
"So have you heard from them since you got here?" Nikki asks me.
"Yeah! I heard from them last two months but I haven't heard from them this month! I would have to send them the money I've earned so far and call them"I reply.
I pick up my phone and dial our house's landline number and call.
It rings and I hear Jessica's voice at the other end.
" hey Jess! How are you doing?"I ask her.
"Fine! How's life over there?" She asks me.
"Its tough but I'm trying" I reply.
"Okay! I can't wait for you to come back! Mom and I miss you already"
"Relax Jess! I'll be back soon! Where's mom?"
"She's in her room. She's quite angry at me" Jessica grumbles.
"What did you do this time Jessica?" I ask her.
"I just! Well she saw a love letter in my room and she said I've been you know" Jessica states.
I laugh.
"Oh Jess! You know how mom is! She'll get over it" I say.
"I hope! I'm praying her blood pressure doesn't rise like the way it did this weekend" Jessica says and I stop eating.
"Her blood pressure rose this weekend?" I ask losing my appetite.
"Ummm.....yeah but she's OK Jake!" She says.
"Why didn't you call me? I would have come right away!" I state completely disappointed in Jessica for her actions.
"It didn't cross my mind Jake! But our neighbours helped me get her to the hospital and she was stabilized there" Jessica states.
"Next time call me Jess!" I scold
"I promise" she says.
"Can you please go to her room and check on her? I'm concerned" I tell her.
"Jessica! Who are you talking to? I hope its not one of your lovers!" I hear mom yell at the background and I snigger. Her tone was laced with venom and anger. Poor Jessica!
"Relax mom! Its Jake calling to find out how we are doing" Jessica states.
"Gimme the phone" mom yells.
"Jake?" Mom says
"Yeah mom its me!" I reply happy to hear her sweet voice.
"Oh honey I miss you so much!" Mom says with sadness laced in her tone
"I miss you too mom"
"I can't wait for you to come back! Am sick and tired of your little sister" mom states and I laugh.
"Mom! Jessica is a good girl! She isn't doing anything" I defend.
"If only she could explain the love letter in her room" mom grumbles.
"Its a love letter from a guy who likes her mom! Nothing else" I say.
"I hope so" mom snorts.
"So how are you?" Mom asks
"I'm great mom! Just coping with my new environment" I reply.
"Please don't get into bad company like the way you did here and got those hideous tattoos" mom spits venomously.
"I promise mom" I reply.
"I'll deal with Jessica and find out the truth about that love letter" mom states.
"And I'll send you the money I've earned so far" I say.
"Oh thank you so much son! For you solidarity" mom says close to tears.
"Don't cry mom! Promise me something!"
"What?"
"That you'll take good care of yourself"
"I promise son"
I smile"thanks mom! Let me speak to Jessica"
"Jake?" Jessica says.
"Jess! I need you to take good care of mom till I come back! Don't get her angry! You need to make sure her blood pressure doesn't rise again"
"Sure Jake! I'll make sure to do that"
"Thanks. I'll call you another time! Bye!!" I say and hang up.
I take a glimpse of the time on the wall clock. It was 6:30pm. My shift starts at 7:00pm. I quickly finish with my ravioli and wash the plate. Then I go take a shower and get ready for my shift.
I drove to the restaurant. I was a chef here. I love to cook and I found it best to work here. I earn a $100 every hour I spend here. That's what has sustained me so far. As for the rent for that apartment, my scholarship covers it together with my feeding. So I get enough to send to my mom and Jessica.
I sigh and get down. I look at the time on my watch and its 6:45pm. I was really early. I always go to work early. Its a routine. Because I'll be going to school in the morning, my boss considered me and made my shift end at 12pm instead of working till morning.
People really liked this restaurant. Almost everyday this place is filled with people even at night! And there was also a spot for drinks and music was played to entertain the customers.
I entered and the place was filled alright! People were busy eating their meals.
At the far corner I spot Danny and Troy. I look closer and its them alright! I can't let them see me! I quickly run into the kitchen.
"Hello Jake! You're in early!" My fellow chef greets me. His shift is about to end.
"Yes! What am I cooking tonight?" I ask him.
"The boss said tonight you'll be cooking chicken potpie and cheeseburgers only"he says
" Whoah! Today am cooking very little"I say surprised.
"Yes! That's because some of the foods remained except those two! So we need you to prepare them delicious" he says and I laugh. Wow! Tonight's my lucky night!
"Alright! I will."I say
" I'm signing out! My shift has ended! See you later buddy"he says and leaves after tapping my back.
I get dressed in my chef attire and get ready to cook my chicken potpie and cheeseburgers. I look through the small window in the kitchen spying on Danny and Troy. Gosh! They eat so slow! They talk for like an hour before taking a bite of their food. I grumble under my breath and continue cooking. The aroma of the food fills the kitchen and I smile.
The waiters and waitresses come for the foods and go and serve. Soon I was done with most of the chicken potpie and turned to the cheeseburgers. I cooked them and made sure they were really spicy and tasty.
When it was 8:00 pm, there were many chicken potpie and cheeseburgers around me. The waiters came for them and served them. I spied in the window and more customers file in. I watch as Danny and Troy finally leave with two brunettes and I smile satisfied. They are finally gone!
I get more chicken potpie done because they were almost finished. Then I go to the washroom and ease myself.
I get back and all the cheeseburgers are gone! What?! There were a few chicken potpie left.
"Where did all the cheeseburgers go?" I asked one of the waiters.
"A customer came and ordered all for a party" he simply replied.
"Shit! I need to prepare another batch" I grumble.
"Well sorry dude but the customer is still around! He said he needs fifty more to complete the set. He's waiting impatiently in the eating area" the waiter replies and points to a man dressed in a business suit sitting at a table alone taking coffee. I recognised him. My dad!
I am shocked and speechless. My dad is actually here! After years of abandoning us! He showed up at a restaurant am working in. I see my boss go to him and they shake hands and hug each other whiles laughing. I think they know each other.
My boss sits at the other side of the table and they begin a hearty conversation. I think they are good friends.
"I've gotta go serve a customer with these fries. " the dude says and leaves.
I continue to look at my dad. This can't be happening! I can't believe my dad is right in front of me. His dark hair is now grey but he's still handsome.
"Jake! The boss wants you to hurry up with the fifty cheeseburgers the man ordered" my friend tells me. She was a waitress
"Sure!" I say remembering the task ahead of me.
I grab all the ingredients and begin to work on them. As I work, I look at my dad. He's still chatting with my boss. Tears roll down my cheeks. Why did you leave us dad? I hate you!!!
After 2 hours, the fifty cheeseburgers were done. The waiters came for them and packaged them. I watched in the window as they took it to my dad. He directs them outside and tips them. Surprisingly he came back and shook hands with my boss. He counted an amount and gave it to my boss . Then he leaves. My boss walks towards the kitchen and I busy myself so that he wouldn't know I was spying on them.
"Jake my boy!" My boss announces the moment he enters.
"Sir" I reply.
"Thanks for making me earn much this night with your delicious food" he rattles and I chuckle.
"Its my pleasure sir!" I reply
"But you also earned something! The customer who ordered for a hundred and fifty cheeseburgers told me to give you this tip" my boss says and brings out a bundle of cash.
"Its $60." He says and hands it to me.
"Err thanks" I say.
My boss smiles.
"Keep up your good work" he says and leaves.