2 Chapter 1: He'll kill me!

I quickly entered the restaurant. I can't believe I'm late again. If the manager finds out about this,I might just loose my job. School breaks not only give me a break from school,but it's an opportunity to work as a part-time waitress at 'Tyrone's' restaurant. Which is a good thing considering that I basically fend for myself. And I feel at peace the most when I'm at work. No 'disappointed' mother to nag and lecture me,and no sadistic classmates to torture me.

In quick strides,I made my way to the kitchen,before I bump into the manager. He isn't exactly the most understanding person in the world,and I try as best as I can to avoid him.

I bumped into Meredith. She is a freshman at college,and my only friend.She helped me adjust to things around here,showed me everything I needed to know.

"You're late again Sarah!" she stated,and I could sense that she cared about me. I've only known Meredith for a few weeks but I feel like I can trust her. So I tell her everything...okay,almost everything.

Nobody outside our school knows what really happens in there. And those that I've tried to tell,all thought I was crazy. Nobody believes me. And the teachers always take Casey's side just because his uncle is the mayor. So long story short,I'm basically all I have.It's just me,myself and I.

"Sorry Mer. I kinda slept in,"

"Another family drama?"she asked with concern evident in her eyes.

"I really don't want to talk about it,"

"Okay,I guess that's okay. But I'm here when you need me,"

"Thanks," I gave her a small smile.

"Sure,"she returned the gesture," And also,can you like do me a huge favor? Do you think you can handle booth seven for me? The guys there were really making me nervous. Can you take care of it?"

"No problem." I put on my apron and headed outside the kitchen towards booth seven. Having worked here for weeks, I've managed to memorize where every booth is even without looking ahead.

"Hi. Welcome to Tyrone's Restaurant. My name is Sarah.I'll be your waitress for the day. What can I get you today?" I said my rehearsed line,smiling like I was taught to. Taking out my pen and open a new page on the notebook . I looked up at the customers awaiting their orders...only to be met by some all too familiar faces.

"Oh my gosh! Sarah?" an excited Connie exclaimed,standing up to give me a huge hug. I guess that hasn't changed about her.

Connie is Casey's cousin. YES!she is the mayor's daughter. But make no mistake about it, Connie is a great person. She isn't the slightest bit like her cousin.She's always been sweet and caring.

"It has been so long!Three years? I've missed you! What have you been up to lately? And why don't you visit us anymore?"she finally broke the hug. I seriously doubt Connie has any knowledge of her cousin bullying me. And if she does,then she's just really great at playing dumb.

"Do you work here?"she asked with a smile still plastered on her face.

I can't remember a time when Connie wasn't cheerful. She's always smiling,choosing to see the positive side of things,and people. She is simply a kind,pure soul. Unlike her devil cousin ,who was giving me death glare. As if daring me...threatening me to tell Connie everything. He was really making me nervous,he always does.

It was then that I noticed the other figures at the table. There was Brian and Jake,his jerk friends. And his other friend Mike who was looking at me like he wanted to eat me. I also recognized Tessa,a cheerleader from school. The only cheerleader who hasn't pushed me in mud,or tripped me at gym class,or poured food on me at lunch. She's okay I guess. She doesn't defend me or anything,but she doesn't contribute to making my life a living hell. But I don't blame her. If I were her,I wouldn't save me either.

She has never really hang out with Casey or his friends. So if I was to guess,I'd say she and Connie met at cheer camp. They have a lot in common. I think they'd understand each other perfectly.I can tell that they are already great friends.

"Why don't you join us for lunch?" Connie asked,making me turn her attention to her.

Join them for lunch?She wants me to have lunch with the same people who torment me at school? Not happening. I have to come up with an excuse...and fast!

"I...I really can't. My boss wouldn't allow it,"

"I'll talk to him,"

"Connie,I've just arrived. I'm like an hour late. I don't think my boss will allow me to___"

"You can never know until you try Sarah! Come on,just call him and I'll talk to him. I'm pretty sure I can convince him with my 'charming' personality," she smiled.

"I really don't want to be a bother,"

"Nonsense! You're our friend.You can never be a bother,"

"She has work Connie. You're going to get the poor girl fired." Casey finally spoke,staring deep into my eyes,and I could tell that he was trying his best to not insult me in front of his cousin,"Just let her do her job.I bet she has a lot of work to do,right Vance?"he looked at me. Casey is the only person who calls me by my second name. He's made me hate that name.

"Y-Yeah. I uh...I have a lot of work to___"

"I can help then!"

"N-No.That wouldn't be necessary. I don't think you'll be able to___"

"Wash dishes? Serve tables? Cook? Just so you know,I'm a very fast learner,"she grinned at me.

"But___"

"Now you're just looking for every excuse to not be around me. Did I like do something wrong?"

"No! Of course not!" I felt guilty for making her feel guilty. If only she knew the truth. It wasn't her I was avoiding,it was the company she was hanging out with. But of course I couldn't tell her that.

"If you won't have lunch with us,then tell me you'll come over for dinner?"

"She doesn't want to come Connie. Don't force her,"Casey said.

"Keep quiet Casey!"she sent death glares at Casey and he raised his hands in surrender.

"Will you come? Or will you stay for lunch,"she asked again.

"I'll just go and ask for permission from my boss for an early break,"

"No need,"she waved he hand in the air," Excuse me,"she called out. I looked back to who she was calling.And I saw the manager walking towards us in long majestic strides.

"Is there anything I can help with?"he asked once he was at the table,standing beside me.

"Jameson,"she squinted her eyes,reading the tag on the manager's coat,"I have a major issue with your employee here,"

"What has she done?"

"Sarah here,has totally refused to to have lunch with us.And I thought that maybe,you would be able to convince her,"

"Sorry,I didn't quite catch your name miss___"

"Larson,"she smiled,offering her hand to Jameson to shake it.

"Larson? It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance,"he shook her hand.

"Yes yes same here. But back to the main topic,"

"Sarah can join you for lunch any day of the week...under one condition of course,"

"What is it?"

"That you will bring your family here one day,"

"Of course.I'm sure my father will enjoy the Mexican food here,"

"He surely will. Can I take your orders now?" Jameson asked smiling. I couldn't tell if it was a fake smile or a genuine smile. Jameson is one of those people who threaten you while smiling,so telling when he's genuine is a complicated task.

"Are you sure? We can simply___"

"No! Trust me. I insist. I'll gladly be your waiter! After all,it's not everyday that the mayor's daughter graces our restaurant with her presence," he pulled the chair beside Tessa,welcoming Connie to sit down,and doing the same for me.

I never knew that Jameson could be a gentleman. He's always so moody and grouchy. For all I know,he could only be pretending,so he could get on Connie's good side.

I really can't believe this is happening. I'm sitting at the same with the people who do their best to ruin my life. I kept my eyes glued on the floor,not wanting to look into the eyes of any of them,especially Casey.

With Tessa on my left,Connie on my right and Casey and his friends right opposite me,I was just hoping that this lunch date would end. Cause I don't think I can act all friendly and sweet to Casey after everything he's done. But if I give him away to Connie,it will ruin their relationship. And if that happens,Casey is literally going to kill me!