2

The day at college seemed to drag, what made it worse was the fact that Kaleen had to go straight to work from college, to the job that she hated so much and a boss she couldn’t stand and always complained of her bad time keeping. She got on with Marvin he was a laugh even with the demanding job that he had, and Kam she was cool too she was a skinny dark haired, dark skinned sixteen year old who worked there on the weekends but was doing a shift there tonight at least she’d have someone to talk to. Kaleen arrived at work about five thirty grabbing a bite to eat on the way.

‘Hi.’ Kam said, bright and cheerful as usual a beaming smile spread across her face.

‘Hi.’ Kaleen replied.

‘Mack’s in a spack tonight don’t get up his nose.’

‘What’s new he’s always in a spack.’

Kam giggled a pathetic school girl giggle which made everyone stop and stare.

‘What’s so funny?’ a voice snapped

‘Nothing.’Kam shouted.

‘Is that no good hoper here yet?’

‘I’m here Mack.’

Mack went silent. ‘Get to work we’re open in half an hour.’

Kaleen and Kam worked frantically wiping down tables, and setting out the cutlery before opening time.

The rush hour started at six as everyone left work and many of them went into the pizza palace for quickness. Half seven came rather quick and the rush had slowed Kaleen and Kam were pottering around. Kaleen was wiping down the last few empty tables, she came to the last table in the corner of the pizza palace as a hand appeared grabbing her hand.

‘Shit!’ Kaleen said jumping half way out of her skin.

‘Sorry. Did I scare you?’

Kaleen looked at the man sitting there his hair sandy, blue eyes. ‘Just a little.’

‘Sorry daint mean too.’

‘Haven’t I seen you before?’

‘In the club.Kaleen right!’

‘Yeah, how did you find me?’

‘I saw you, so I thought I’d come and say hi.’

‘Oh right.’

‘You told me your name I forgot to give you mine. Sandman.’

‘That’s a weird name.’

‘It’s my nickname my name’s Justin Hearshaw my friends call me Sandman.’

‘Why?’ Kaleen asked curiously.

‘Cause I’m hot like the desert sun.’ He replied laughing and smiling at the same time. ‘Have you got a break?’

Kaleen looked at her watch ‘8:30’. ‘Yeah, but only five minutes if Mack sees me talking to a customer he’ll have a spack.’

‘Sit.’

Kaleen sat down opposite the Sandman.

‘So tell me what do you do apart from working here?’

‘I go to college.’

‘What are you studying?’

‘Business Admin, then I’m going to UNI to get a business degree.’ Kaleen explained not realising she was staring straight into his big blue eyes. ‘You?’

‘This and that, working down the club on the weekends.’

Mack’s voice echoed across the pizza palace ‘What are you doing? Get back to work stop canudeling with the customers. You’re here to take orders not to chat with the customers.’

‘Yes Mack.’ She shouted. ‘Sorry I’ve got to go.’ She said pulling herself up.

‘Are you going to take my order?’

‘Yeah, sorry what would you like?’

‘I’ll have the pizza special and a diet coke.’

‘Sure.’ Kaleen said scribbling down his order on her pad.

She walked away, handed the order to Marvin then continued taking orders. She placed the order on the table. ‘Enjoy.’

As he went to speak to her she’d gone, Kaleen rushed round not having a chance to speak to him.

‘Can I have the bill please?’

‘Yeah sure.’ Kaleen replied. ‘I’ll bring it over.’

He smiled as she walked away.

She returned with the bill ‘Here you go.’ Handing it to him.

‘Cheers.’ He said taking it off her.

It was closing and Kaleen hadn’t had time to talk to Sandman, she went over to the table where he sat only to find he’d gone leaving the money, a grain of sand, and a note. Kaleen picked up the money, and then opened the note. A smiley was on it, and a message. ‘Meet me Friday 7:30 outside The Dock xx.’ She scrunched it up into her pocket.

The mall was silent as Kaleen walked through it and outside was dark she hated the mall at night all of the shadows beaming off the street lights.

Kaleen jumped turning quickly to see a car pull up a widow wound down.

‘Shit Mark you scared me.’ Kaleen said breathless.

‘Sorry. Hop in I’ll give you a lift back home.’

‘Sure.’ Kaleen replied.

Mark opened the car door, Kaleen jumped in closing the door behind her. Pulling the belt over her.

‘Ready?’

‘Yeah.’

Mark sped off down the road. ‘So what are we doing Friday? The guys are having a major piss up at Downey’s do you fancy going?’

‘I can’t. Sorry. We’re going to the mall Friday to get some stuff.’ Kaleen lied hiding the truth.

‘Okay.’ Mark said not knowing whether or not to believe her or not.

‘Well I’ll see you at college Monday shall I?’

‘Yeah got a lot of stuff on this weekend got to study for the exam on Monday.’

Mark leaned forward placing his lips on hers softly kissing her passionately.

‘Why am I going on a date with someone I don’t even know when I’ve got Mark? Will he even turn up?’ She thought as she returned the kiss. ‘That was such a pathetic excuse I can’t believe he brought it.’

Mark moved away. ‘Well I’ll see you Monday then.’

‘Monday.’ Kaleen replied as she shut the car door behind her.

He put his hand up and smiled, she returned the gesture and walked away, wondering whether she should meet up with the Sandman or not!