Blending In

Soul food turned out to be a famous diner and it was true, their food was amazing. I was siting by the bar watching people sing karaoke, it was fun to watch. Most of them were drunk, some were even crying, it made me laugh. "We need a closer. The lady by the counter, can you grace us with a song?", i was busy looking at my glass of jack and coke to notice that the guy was talking to me. The bartender tapped the table in front of me making me look up. "He is talking to you Princess", she said with a wink then suddenly a mic was in front of me. "Which song do want to sing darling?", he asked from the stage. "The Climb by Miley Cyrus please", i replied and yes i was tipsy but i didn't care, i had been through shit and i needed to sing my hurt away, it always calmed me so why not. It was as if the words were meant for me and for some reason i started feeling pumped, like i could do anything. I sang my heart out and by the time i was done the whole diner cheered for me. It was crazy, i even got a free drink. "That was incredible", i guy told me from behind the bar, he did not look like a bartender, too smart and formal for it. "Thank you", i said focusing on my drink. I was reliving the feeling of freedom that i felt when i was singing and i wanted to feel it again. "My name is Todd, i own this place. Haven't seen you here before", he said his smile getting wider. "Am new here, just moved in the apartment a few blocks from here", i explained watching him smile. "Aah... i bet the old lady told you to come here for the best food in town?", he said giving me another glass of my mixture. "Yes she did", i agreed. "Well did we make the cut or what?", he asked curiously. I smiled, "Yes you have", "That's good to hear". I was about to leave when i saw a paper glued to the door, 'Help wanted', i removed it then rushed back to Todd. He was talking to some girls who were clearly drunk and throwing themselves at him. He stopped giving them attention then turned to me. "Need company to get back to the apartment?", "Sadly no, i need a job", i replied showing him the paper i found. "What can you do?", "I have worked in a diner before as both an assistant chef and a waiter. Does that count?", "Of course baby girl. But to get a job i at least need to know the name of the person am employing don't you think?", he said with a smile. I rolled my eyes at him making him chuckle. "Fine, i am Zebrine Collson. Can i have the job now?", "Sure, come with me", he gestured for me to follow him and i did. He introduced me to the rest of the staff and gave me my work sheet and uniform. I was the night shift waitress. I was thankful that the uniforms weren't slutty because that was not going to be good for me considering my body shape.

"Hi there, am Tracy, follow me, let me show you to your locker", she was a blonde girl that looked like a cheerleader. "Hello ladies", Todd said walking in clearly checking me out. The uniform was just black jeans and branded t-shirts and he still couldn't keep his eyes to himself, i turned to complain to Tracy and she was ogling over him, she clearly had feelings for him. "Hello Boss", i said cheerfully making him roll his eyes while passing us, heading to his office. "You like him don't you?", i asked and watched her blush. "Shut up! People will hear you", she said urging me to remain quiet which made me laugh. "Fine but you owe me an explanation", i said as we went to start our shift. It was busy night and for my first day, it was quite confusing but i managed to coupe. By the end of the shift i was exhausted.

I waited for Tracy because she was living in the same building as me, we walked back together. Tracy was quiet but good company, i enjoyed having her around. Since it was just the two of us, i decided it was time to poke the bear. "So are you going to tell him how you feel or wait until he notices you?", i asked as we walked home. "I prefer admiring him from a distance, a man like him will never be with someone like me", she said sadly. "What do you mean?", i asked. "He is rich, handsome and like someone from a sex magazine. Am just a girl who serves people at his diner so that i can send money to my parents every once in a while. If i tell him the truth, he will think am a gold digger. I don't want that. I'd rather just be in his presence", she said. There was something in the way she said it, she didn't see what i saw. All i could see was a beautiful woman with so much love to give. I wondered why she did not see how beautiful she was. "Tracy, you do know that you are the most beautiful woman i have ever come across? I don't understand how you would think you're not beautiful enough to get his attention. Have you looked at yourself?", i asked making her blush even deeper. "Stop it Zeb, you are just being weird. I know i am cute but not Todd's lever cute, trust me you should have seen his ex girlfriend", she said with a longing smile. "You literally just said 'Ex' meaning it didn't work out, meaning she was not right for him. He just needs a wake up call", i said seeing that she just needed a little self love. "Zeb, you make a good shrink", she said the moment we entered the building. "Good evening Miss Rose", we greeted our land lady as soon as the doors opened. "Good evening my girls, how was your crazy day?", "As usual, it was hectic", i said earning a laugh from her. "Am happy that you are blending it Zebrine", "Just Zeb, Miss Rose", i said and she nod her head as we went up the stairs. Tracy was on the second floor so she said goodbye proceeding up the stairs as i opened my door. I was so tired, fell asleep as soon as my body hit the bed.