Savior

The Girl That Bakes

“One more thing, Harold.”

I try as hard as I possibly can to suppress the annoyed groan clawing up my throat, but it bubbles to the surface anyway as I turn around to face my boss. Harold isn’t even my name and he knows it –he just loves to annoy me. Plus, today felt like a trip in hell.

I punched in just five minutes late and then got a ten minute lecture about punctuality, the car I fixed up last week was brought back in because I missed something in the transmission –again, another lecture, and my greasy boss made me stay an hour later to clean up. On top of that, my mum’s hospital payment is due next week and I barely have enough money to pay for half.

So, now thoroughly annoyed and covered in engine grease all I want is to clean up a bit and get to the café. For coffee – not for a certain red-head. Coffee.

“Yes, Rick?”

“Be on time tomorrow or don’t come in at all.” He licks his lips as a smirk lights up his face, his buggy eyes daring me to talk back. The guy looks like a lizard.

I smile at my own joke before sending Rick a curt nod and getting the hell out of there. Every muscle of mine is begging to be soothed with a bath and sleep, but for some reason I find myself needing to go by the café.

I haven’t been in the last few days because Rick has been hounding me to work extra shifts since I took a week off. So, I’ve been at the shop with Niall constantly and haven’t even caught a glimpse of Layla since I embarrassed myself thoroughly while helping her carry in groceries.

Even though that was only four days ago, I find myself itching to see her, even for just a minute. I can’t explain it really, but I feel as though if I don’t make sure she’s still there she might disappear right before my eyes.

It’s just blind intuition, but even so, I find myself heading in the direction of the café as soon as I wash my face and pull my greasy hair up.

An idiotic grin stretches on my face at the prospect of seeing the mousy girl and I wonder if she will talk to me today or continue to pretend I don’t exist. Even though we had our first real conversation a few days ago, I’m afraid that she will just shrink back into the bubble she has formed.

Her skittish behavior, apprehension in the presence of other people, and her distrust towards everyone all make it very clear that she has some deep-seated fear of human interaction for a reason still unknown.

Maybe I could find that out one day, maybe she could open up to me, maybe she could learn to trust me, maybe she could-

My irrational thoughts are interrupted by my cell phone ringing just as I am a block from the café. The second I see who’s calling my already annoyed mood plummets, which only makes me more irritated at myself.

“Hey, babe.”

“Harry!” I cringe slightly at the volume of Jaime’s voice, but find myself smiling at her eagerness. Still quite annoyed, though, “Let’s do something tonight!”

“Jaime, I just got off an eight hour shift. I really just need to go home and sleep.” I sigh, avoiding the fact that I’m stopping to get coffee first.

The line is silent for a while and I know I’ve disappointed her. The thought makes my stomach twist in guilt, but I stand my ground. I really am tired and knowing her, she’ll want to do something all night.

Her bubbly attitude is the trait that drew me to her the most, but can also be extremely exhausting at times. I don’t think I can handle her cheerfulness after this shitty day.

“Harry, you haven’t taken me on a date in almost two weeks.”

“What, we just watched a movie at your place last week.”