True Love or Unrequited Love

A Happy Family

The moment was bittersweet, needing to get over her but at the same time not wanting to. I turned back to Camila who had a confused look on her face the whole time.

“Long story.” I say.

“Oh.” Is all she says.We stand there in silence till it seems like she remembered where she was. “I should be getting back to my table, my sister is waiting for me.”

“Right, it was nice meeting you.”

“You too.” She returned to her seat. I went back to the booth and began to gather my things when the cashier called my name.

“Lauren.” I walk over to him and give him a smile.

“Hey Harry.”

“Hey, you ok? I saw what happened and I know its not how you wanted it to turn out.” Harry was actually my best friend. I would tell him anything and he was the first person I came out to. I had told him about my crush on Ally, and he was the one who told me to get over her. I knew he was right but I always refused to listen.

“Yeah, I am. Its a step forward towards getting over her.”

“Hey at least you didn’t embarrass yourself, so thats a step.”

“I guess, but I feel like this would have been a good time to tell her, I mean the worse that would have happen is she would say no.”

“Thats true, but there are always consequences.” He was right, just like he had been the first time I had thought to tell her how I felt. Junior year, we were together in math class except she sat in front of me. I looked at her,  and a sudden impulse to tell the world how I felt about her came over me. I had been determined to do it the next day. I had hardly slept thinking of what I was going to say. I was going to do it when my friends began to tell me it was a mistake to do it. That I should be thinking more of the consequences and they had probably been right. I hadn’t thought things true and I was only going to hurt myself when she said no. I had wanted to act on an impulse which was unlike me completely. I was never an impulsive person and I like to think everything I do through. She was always the one that made me act differently, the one who made me ignore everything I thought was good in a relationship to what would make her happy. It was never a healthy thing for me.

“Yeah, you’re always right. Now I better get home.”

“Well actually I called you over here because Jennifer had to leave work early because of a family emergency. You’re the only other waitress we can reach, plus you’re already here, so do you mind taking a shift.”

“Sure, who else am I working with?”

“No one, you’re the only waitress today.”

“What the hell.”

“Too late you said you’d take it.”

“Fuck you.”

“Now thats no way to talk to the assistant manager.”

“What are you going to do fire me?”

“If I have to.”

“Good luck then, bye.” I said turning around pretending to leave.

“No wait.” He called out. I turned around with a smirk on my face.

“Just go to work.”

“Got it boss.” I say laughing. I go to the back and grab a uniform before heading back to the front and beginning to take orders or should I say ask if they want the usual  because not many new people come in here, we usually have the same people. They all ask me how I’m doing since it’s been a while since I had worked this shift. It then comes time to take Camila’s order. She’s looking into the menu intently.

“What may I get you.” She looked up and was immediately surprise.

“Please tell me that you’re not just pretending to be a waitress to talk to me." I couldn’t help but chuckle at her suggestion.

“No, I actually work her. It was my day off but things happen.” I told her. “So again, what can I get you two tonight?” I ask again.

“I’ll take the spaghetti alfredo.” Sofi answered first.

“And to drink?” I asked.

“Lemonade would be fine.” She says.

“I’ll have the same.” Camila answers when I look at her.

“Ok coming right up.” I say leaving the table. I deliver the orders and fill the drinks as they came. I pass them out respectively and sit on a stool in the front waiting to be called or another order to be ready. I heard the front door open and I couldn’t help but smile at the family that came in. They sat down at their usual booth and I almost ran over to them.

“So my favorite family is here again.” I say when I reach their booth.

“Mommy its Lauren.” The six year old shouts. I smile at them, and look they all seemed to be happier than the last time I had seen them. I looked at Phil, Alexis and the little girl Rebecca. The family seemed different. It had been almost a month since I had taken the last Friday shift. It was almost two years since I had met the family and I babysat free for them some days when Alexis had to go to chemotherapy.  Last year Alexis had been diagnosed with breast cancer and every time I had seen them afterwards they weren’t the same happy family I had know. Alexis had began to wear her beanie, which I loved and always jokes about her giving it to me. We had even made a deal that when she didn’t need it anymore she would give it to me. I took it in the sense of her recovering but she might have taken it as her death and said she would write it in her will which had worried me and I had never mentioned it again, fearing the possibility.

“Hey. Its great to see you muchkin. Long time no see.” I say as I gave her a high five.

“Mommy can I tell her.” Rebecca said looking up at her mom. I gave her a confused look and she smiled.

“I actually want to tell her this myself.” She said getting out of the booth. She took of her beanie and put it on my head. I couldn’t help the look of horror that washed over my face realizing what this meant. She smiled and I felt a tear roll down my eye but thats when I noticed the little hairs growing on her head. She gave me a small smile and I realized that she was now a survivor.

“This calls for a celebration!” I yell. The customers turned to look at me. They all knew Alexis because they were all used to seeing each other here. “Free drinks tonight.” I say. Everyone cheers because this was another one of our old conversations where we said that when she recuperated, the drinks would be on the house well technically out of my paycheck but it was really worth it after hearing the news.. Everyone of the usual customers knew this and would always kid around with Alexis, telling her to get better so they wouldn’t pay for their drinks the next week. Reasons like this was the reason I loved working here. I loved being so close to the people that came here, and getting to know them so well.

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So I think most this story is going to be in Lauren's POV, to theres that. You'll learn more about Lauren's life in the next few chapters and yeah. -S