heartthrobs of insanity

A basket for your bike

You were excited about your new job but the alarm was not a pleasant way to wake up. You stubbed your toe on the way to the bathroom. Seems like you still need to get adjusted to the new layout. Getting ready for the day had given you time to think. The motions came easy to you. Different places but the same routine. Wash, dress, eat, brush, and more. You were cautiously optimistic. Today could be good for you. A new job in a new place where you could relax and write your first draft. Sounds good. You didn’t know how to feel about the three balls of flames printed across your shoulder.

The ride on your bike to the diner didn’t take too long. You left early enough so you didn’t have to rush and get super sweaty. The ride was nice. Leaves were starting to turn yellow-green and the winds were picking up. Before long you were putting your bike in the rack outside and checking in with Jewel White (the diner owner). You officially met your co-worker, Jonah Moore. Regardless of your age difference Jewel wouldn’t let you call her by her last name. She told Jonah to show you around the diner before your training started.

“This is our kitchen set up, until you get your feet under you Jewel wants you to work the floor,” Jonah spoke as if he chugged three pots of coffee before work. How was he so energetic all the time?

“Alright, thank you. Mind showing me how to work the milkshake machine?”

“Sure!” he replied joyfully. Maybe this move was the fresh start you needed. Your luck was turning up!

After an hour or so you had a good rhythm going. Jonah took trips between the kitchen and tables while you worked the bar and vice versa. You recognized the cashier you ran into at the grocery store yesterday. You got a good view of her name tag this time. Her name was Leslie. She smiled as you came over to her spot at the bar.

“Hi, I don’t think I’ve introduced myself. I’m Leslie,” She said. You decided that you liked her disposition.

“What can I get for you, Leslie? I’m YN, by the way,” You spoke as you whipped out your notepad, pen at the ready. She ordered and you fetched it soon after. The two of you small talked whenever you would fill her drink or otherwise attend to her. She left soon after and gave you a friendly wave on her way out.

“Let’s talk again soon!” Leslie said cheerily. The customers bled into each other after that. Not many residents of Derry seemed as friendly as the people you had met so far. Maybe they would warm up to you eventually? You slipped into something resembling a routine.

Then something broke the monotony of diner life. That something walked in smoothly with long legs. Ginger hair brushed along her shoulders. You absentmindedly scratched at the mark on your shoulder. She slid onto the barstool directly in front of you. Before you could embarrass yourself with further staring, Jonah swung by and relieved you of your position. Saved by the break.
You took your break in the ‘break room’. It was a backroom with a couch, slightly beat up mini-fridge, countertop, and snack cupboard. You checked your phone and sent a few messages. Work seemed to fly by after that. The girl you had spotted (stared at) was gone when you went back to work. Nothing else noteworthy happened. Unless you counted cleaning the milkshake machine as ‘noteworthy’. You put your uniform in a bag and hung it onto the handlebar of your bike. It might be a good idea to get that basket added on.

The ride to the bike shop took longer than you had thought it would. It was probably from the lingering soreness from work. Hopefully, your body would become adjusted to the new schedule quickly. It was swift work after you arrived. The worker you had met previously was not in but you still left the store with a new bike addition. After all of that serving and pedaling you felt like a break was in order. You grabbed a snack and drink at a beaten up vending machine and plopped onto a park bench. It was convenient for the shops to be around the park.
You remained seated even after finishing your snack and drink. The day was pleasant. Kids ran after one another as if it would prolong summer. It made you feel nostalgic. Oh to be so free of financial obligations. You were so wrapped up in your thoughts that you almost didn’t notice the presence next to you. The girl from before was there. You felt embarrassed. Had she noticed you were staring earlier?