C5. Tolen’s Diner

Jossie's POV:

     I spent the afternoon shopping for essentials and clothing at a nearby superstore. Then took Jered's advice and parked at the place he recomended for a good apple pie. It was Tolen's Diner. A restaurant serving between the hours of seven in the morning until seven at night. It would be a good place to work at. I could tell as I entered the place and sat down in a corner booth by a window in clear view of the truck. I'd ask for an application after I checked out the food here. The restaurant was color coded in navy blue and bold yellows. It felt warm and inviting to be in. It had a class of family generations to it and I could tell from the pictures hanging on the walls.

     A Filipino woman with caramel colored skin greeted me when I sat myself. She looked to be in her early twenties. With chocolate colored eyes and brown hair that was toned on the ends. She had shoulder length hair. It was straight with bangs grown just slightly out to brow length. 'Nathalie' was wearing a white crop shirt with her nametag on the right side just above her A-cup chest. She also had on a pair of bleached blue boyfriend-cut jeans that were high-rise. She had a sleeve tattoo of red roses running up her dominant left arm.

     "I'm Nathalie, I'll be your waitress. What can I get you started off with?" She asked as she held out a menu for me to take. I took it and quickly eyed it over. I forgot how hungry I would be.

     "I'll take a water," I told her in my sweetest accent. I was always nice towards any food server I encountered.

     "I'll give you a minute to look over the menu," she told me as she must've noticed I was new here. She walked away suddenly to go towards the back of the restaurant. I calmly eyed over the menu to try to get a feel of the place. Maybe... I could spoil myself and have dessert after my meal? The apple pie is calling my name. The menu was your regular burger style ordeal with a healthy option on the back. I wouldn't go with a salad though. The burgers were calling my name until I noticed their special was a venison burger. I decided to go with fries on the side to keep it simple.

     Nathalie came back with a glass of ice water and sat it down in front of me before distributing silverware wrapped in a cloth and a straw. "Did you decide on anything?" She asked me as she looked ready to help me decide if I didn't.

     "Yes, can I get the special with fries?" I asked. She nodded politely and gave a huge smile.

     "And, will that be all for you?" She asked me as she gestured for the menu. I handed it over and shook my head.

     "For now. Someone told me you have good apple pies. I might leave room for dessert." She nodded quickly.

     "I make the apple pies here. I hope you'll try it." She gave me a wink.

     "Then I'll have to," I decided.

     Nathalie giggled before leaving my table to take away the menu and put my order in. I took the alone time to sip on my water casually. I kept an eye outside as a constant dred of paranoia echoed in my subconscious mind. At the same time I watched Nathalie work around the restaurant. It wasn't busy, there were only seven other tables including mine... But, Nathalie was the only waitress. She seemed annoyed every time she came back from the kitchen and it made me wonder... who was the head chef and what were their converstations like? She must've been annoyed with him. It didn't take long before Nathalie came back with my order. She sat it down in front of me and sat a new glass of water down beside my old one.

     "Everything okay, doll?" She asked me as she took the old glass from me. I nodded in satisfaction.

     "Just perfect, thank you."

     "I wasn't talking about the food," she suddenly commented as she gave a sheepish smile.

     "Actually..." I trailed off nervously. "I'm staying across the street. Jered recommended I put an application in here. I was wondering if I could see one?" I asked and blushed.

     "How old are you?" She asked me as she sat down across from me suddenly.

     "I'm eighteen." I lied.

     Whoa... is she the owner or something? I didn't realize... I thought she was just working here... not actually able to hire someone.

     "Do you want it under the table?" She asked and winked. I thought about her question. Did she mean work-wise? I nodded slowly to answer her. "Well you're very pretty. You'd make some good tips here." She told me sweetly. "Come in tomorrow morning at six for training." She gave a small smile like she was realizing something. "What's your name?"

     "Jossie," I told her softly.

     "You're staying at Jered's?" She asked and looked out the window. "Just be careful over there and keep the door locked." She bit her bottom lip gently. "I'd hate to see something happen to a pretty girl like you. Jered is a kind man but he lets all sorts of low-lifes live there."

     "Thanks for worrying about me," I whispered. I never had someone care outside of my dad. It was sort of nice feeling. "But- I think I can handle staying there. Just until I can find somewhere of my own. Oh... I'm working at Jered's part time on the weekends."

     "I can work you around that scheduel," she told me before getting up. "Alright. We'll handle everything in the morning. I'll be back around soon to see if you still have room for that apple pie."

     "Wait... are you the owner?" I asked curiously.

     "Proud of it. It was my husband's establishment before he died and left me the burden of upkeep." She didn't sound like running this place was sa burden. It sounded like a joke. She looked happy as she walked away in thought.

     Now that I had a second alone... I moaned at the scent of the food in front of me. I felt thrilled. I got a job, a place to call home, and now a delicious meal. Everything was working out to my shitty planning. I ate the burger and fries. By the time my water was half empty, Nathalie came back around to give me a refill. She took my empty plate and offered a slice of apple pie that I couldn't pass up. I waited patiently for her to come back around with it. She sat it down right in front of me. She looked like she had something to say but a lady at another table called out her name. She took off to the table to see what could be helped.

     The apple pie from Tolen's Diner lived up to expectations. It was topped with a scoop of caramel swirl and vanilla icecream. It was divine to say the least and every bite I ate was sweet. The crust was crunchy and the apples were just sour enough to compliment the sweet treat.

'The truck.'

     A voice alerted me. I looked outside at dad's truck. The hairs on my neck seemed to stand up as I saw someone standing next to it looking in at the driver's side. He wasn't snooping... but he was looking at it like he recognized the truck. I didn't know who he was though. He was hiding behind a white hoodie that was over his head. The angle was wrong and I couldn't see his face. He was tall. He had to be just over six feet in height. He had on gym shorts that made me believe he was a werewolf. His outfit was too casual. Something I knew werewolves dressed in. They didn't dress in fancy clothes incase they had to shift. Well... except for a few of them... the ones that cared about their appearance at all times. Like Juliette. I couldn't tell... would he be some bounty hunter? A cop maybe? Detective? I felt uneasy as he suddenly looked at the building.

     Our eyes met. His being a sea foam green that shined through the shadow of the hood. I could make out some of his facial features and he was handsome. Maybe my age? He was young looking. There was no way he was after me specifically. He's not a cop. That would be impossible. I could tell from his age alone. He wouldn't be qualified to have such a role. So, who was he?

'A rogue?'

     There was that voice again. But, I didn't feel like the answer to my question was correct. It was too fast to be certain. 'He's definitely a wolf.' I gulped and shushed my thoughts. He smiled my way before walking towards the restaurant's door.

HE'S COMING IN HERE?!

     Now it was too much suspicious. The apple pie didn't seem as delicious. I felt a sudden loss of an appetite. I waited in slight fear. This stranger waved at me like he knew me. He approached with a gentle smile. He removed the hood when he was close enough. He had dark brown hair that almost seemed black in the lighting. He was handsome like a model. He was almost too good to be true as I searched for any hidden qualities that would scare me away from him.

"Is that your truck?" He asked me. He looked out the window and pointed at my father's truck. "I love an s10," his voice said in an admirable tone. He looked back at me and waited for an answer.

"Yes," I answered honestly. I didn't see any reason to lie. He did catch me looking at him.

"I'm Casimir," he said as he suddenly held out a hand towards me. He looked eager to shake mine.

'WOLF.'

     I felt the tingling sensation of hairs standing up across my body. I breathed in the air for what seemed like the first time as I caught a wave of different emotions and scents flood into my airway. I almost choked up on it as I grabbed the glass of water and sucked down half the glass. I reached out and shook his hand. It was so awkward as he eyed me down. I was breathing in. Circling the aroma of food from my airway as I breathed in his scent. It was different. It was new. I never caught onto a scent before like I caught his. He smelled like the deep forest. The different scents I picked up while I had smoked wolfsbane the previous night. He had scents like the earth attached. It attacked my air flow. Father taught me the simple aromas of a wolf. These were like the ones he described to me once.

     "J-Jossie," I told him shyly. "I'm Jossie."

     Casimir's hand was firm in my grip as he seemed to shake it longer than necessary. He let me go as he gestured towards the booth. He must have caught on how weird he was being... That's what I thought until he opened his mouth to ask me another question.

    "Is this side taken?" He asked me.

    "Yes," I hissed harshly. It was a lie of course but he was creeping me out. Despite his charming good looks. He was still a wolf... and he obviously wanted something from me. He stared me down for a second. His brows twitched like he was irritated.

     "Liar," he said as he caught me on my lie. Now he'd call me out on it. "Why did you lie to me?"

     I felt dumbfounded. I never been called out... not like this. I didn't know what to say. He sat down suddenly without permission. He leaned slightly across the table and our eyes locked. He made me blush as he wouldn't break eye contact. "You're a werewolf," he spoke quietly to me. I was a dorment wolf. I was sure I was... But, as of late... I keep wondering if I will shift at any moment. I never picked up on a scent before. Not like his. If he can smell I'm a wolf... then I'm sure I will be changing soon. I don't have to let him know any of this.

     "A-am I?" I asked softly. I wasn't sure how to reply to him. What if... what if this is his territory? I didn't consider that before he came in here! I gulped as I started to suck down the glass of water. I felt nervous as he relaxed in his seat. He put an arm over the back of the booth and let me finish my water. I sat it down in shame as I emptied it. Now I would be without a distraction. He let us sit in silence. I couldn't stand it as I broke the silence between us. "I will leave," I promised. He seemed shocked as he widened his eyes in surprise.

     "No, don't!" He shouted. The restaurant turned our way and I sunk in embarassment. I watched as they looked annoyed and broke eye contact with the table. I was back to being invisible... for the most part. I stared at Casimir nervously. He on the other hand looked worried about something. "What I mean is... you don't have to." I don't have to leave? I relaxed altogether as I felt the threat disappearing.

     "I'm truly sorry I crossed into your territory," I began my apology. I wanted to get it out to him and erase any ill feelings he may have for me. I didn't want to be known as a dangerous rogue. "I just don't have anywhere to go home to." He smiled as he heard my plea. He shrugged slightly as he looked to be thinking.

     "You don't have to apologize to me. I understand things can be tough sometimes." He tapped his fingers gently on the table. "I'd actually like to help you. In any way I can."

     "Really?" I asked in pure joy. This was good news for me. I could plea my case with him and see if he'll hook me up with the local pack's alpha. Perhaps this could be my new pack. And, when my time comes to turn... they'll be here for me.

    "Jossie is this guy bothering you?" I heard Nathalie's voice disturb us. She walked up to the table and eyed down Casimir with a harsh look. It was almost like she was being protective over me. It was adorable. She glared dagger's into Casimir as they shared eye contact. "Beat it punk," she hissed through her teeth. "Before I call the cops." I gulped at the thought of cops being called. I couldn't be around for that. Casimir stood up and slithered his body around hers.

     "I'll talk to you later," he said over her head as he directed it at me.

     "I said beat it," Nathalie sneared out. She took a step his way and he fell over an empty chair that was in the way.

     "Nathalie," I called out and reached out to take her wrist. I wanted to calm her down. She was hot to the touch. Casimir left the restaurant without another word said. Nathalie stayed locked to my wrist. Her body cooled off as she turned to face me again. She gave me a fake smile. "Really..." I trailed off in confusion. "He wasn't bothering me." I mean... he was at first...

    "He looked like he was," she said stubbornly. "You have to watch out for his kind. I don't want to see you get hurt, Jossie. Go back home and I'll see you at six." She looked out the window then and crawled over the seat to look for Casimir but he was already walking down the street. She huffed out a, "good riddance." She looked back at me. "I'll put your tab up in the back and at the end of two weeks any tab you've got up you're responsible for paying." She gave me a gentle look. She really was caring for me. I nodded slowly towards her. I needed to go home anyway and sort out my new belongings. Thank god for this tab system.

    "Thanks Nathalie," I told her softly and got to my feet. She yanked me into a friendly hug.

    "Take care," she ordered me.

     I giggled as I realized I made my first friend. As weird and straightforward as she was... I found myself attracted to those qualities about her. She cared a lot. She was very helpful. I left for my truck then to drive it back over to the motel. I would have to let Jered know his recomendation was right. It was a good apple pie.