back to speaking to each other. I can hear how concerned they sound. It's almost like they've forgotten I'm standing here.
The whomp of the swinging door leading to the kitchen grabs my attention. I bite the corner of my lip, I haven't even managed to take their drink orders. If these guys offer to help Maggie out, I'm more than likely going to lose my job.
“Hey boys,” she greets them affectionately.
“Gran,” dark haired boy greets.
“Ollie, you and Milo better not be giving Laura a hard time.” Both of them react to her saying my name. Glancing up at me quickly.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I ask again, hoping they answer so I can walk away.
“Coke,” they both say at the same time.
I turn without writing it down and shove my notepad in my apron. By the time I return, Maggie is leaning her hip on the booth’s high-backed seat. She and the guys carried on a quiet conversation for a few seconds.
As I near they all look up. I flush from the attention.
Maggie backs away so I place the glasses in front of them. “Can I take your order, or…?” I look at Maggie, wondering if she wants to take it herself, feeling uncertain. She hasn't watched me this much since I started yesterday. She took me at my word that I knew what I was doing.
“You go ahead Laura, these boys won't give you any more trouble,” she answers, understanding my question all too easily.
I'm back to rolling napkins and frequently checking their drinks to make sure they don't get too low when Gus, the guy from the grill in the back, hits the bell unnecessarily. There are only a few people here, so I could tell right away when an order was up.
I grab a ketchup bottle from under the counter and stuff it in my apron before grabbing the tray.
Their table quiets as I approach. “Anything else?” I ask while placing the ketchup on the table. They both utter a quick denial before I turn to check on my other two tables.
I wave a quick goodbye to Maggie while she locks the door behind me. The front lot is empty as I cross the gravel heading toward the street. The sun is gone for the day, leaving the road back to the Turtle Park Resort dark. Thankfully I won't have a far walk home.
Mom is asleep on the couch when I get in. Her stringy hair half covering her face and her arm hangs low to the floor.
I sigh, tired from my long day but relieved she's sleeping again, that's easier than if she was awake and waiting for me.
I quietly gather my bath kit and make the short walk to the camp showers. Thankfully it's not too grungy and I feel cleaner after getting out, that doesn't always happen at these places.
With nothing else to do I grab my transfer sheet and practice a few different eye shapes. I'm definitely not an artist but with all the steps set out for each piece of face, I feel a sense of accomplishment with what I've got done and capable of turning in something that isn't horrible.
I roll over and hit the light switch next to the built in lamp.
The room falls dark quickly. I can hear Mom’s soft snores from the couch. I'm a little concerned with how much she seems to be sleeping lately, but figure she's still catching up after her last manic episode when she barely slept at all. With these thoughts on my mind, I drift off to sleep.
I jolt awake, my heart pounding out a heavy rhythm. Gasping for breath I realize that I was dreaming, but can't for the life of me remember what it was that had me so frightened.
A quick glance at the alarm clock shows me it's almost time to get up anyway. I throw myself back onto the mattress and let my heart rate slow down while letting myself wake up properly.
Four
I can't wait for this day to be over.
Instead of everyone forgetting about me, and the new girl curiously wearing off, I've become that girl.
You know, the one all the other girls make a target of. The one they say nasty things about, just loud enough for you to hear. Well, it's not all the girls, obviously. It's only the girls I would consider in the popular groups.
I'm also pretty sure I have cheer girl to thank for my newfound notoriety.