Going back to work

Liam's Pov:

***

It had been busy in the office today.

People were running around so they wouldn't get scolded by Liam because he seemed angry today.

He was still upset about the fact that he couldn't find Alice.

He was blaming himself for not being there for her.

He thought, " If I had found her just a little bit earlier, I could have helped through her hard time. I could have lessened her burdens."

But if he just knew what was coming his way.

***

Alice's Pov:

***

It had been two weeks since my father died.

It was a hard time for me, but my friends were there for me. I couldn't have done it without them.

I am going to start working today. Although Mia and Ryan kept telling me to rest more, I said to them I needed distraction. If I keep sitting in the house, then I will just be thinking about everything that happened.

After that, they agreed with me. It took me a while, though.

They were worried about me, but I assured them that I would be fine.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" asks Mia coming into my room.

Yeah, and don't worry. I promise you I will be fine.

I have an idea. You can come with me, and I will introduce you to Nathan.

He is a sweet and kind guy.

"I can deal with that. Anyways I am not doing anything in the house. Since I have taken leave from work and University is closed, I don't have anything to do. Being alone at home all the time is quite exhausting as well.

Ryan goes to work, and Anne is doing her work."

I have contacted Nathan, and he told me that I could come in, so we have to hurry up. Get dressed up and meet me outside.

Mia knocks her head and runs to her room to get dressed up.

After a while, they both go down and make their way to work.

By work:

*****

"Hey, how are you doing? You asked for a leave without telling us the reason, so we have been worried about you," says Nathan.

We?? says, Alice confused.

"Oke, I guess it was just me," Nathan says awkwardly.

Mia and Alice look at each other and then laugh.

Nathan shyly looks at Mia.

Oh! Dum me. I Slap my forehead.

This is Mia. My best friends!

"Hi! My name is Mia,"

"Oh... Hey. I am Nathan," he says while stuttering.

I brought Mia with me because she wanted to explore where I work.

Is that ok, do you think?

"It should be fine. As long as you just work hard, then the manager won't say anything," says Nathan while still looking at Mia, so shy.

You have a break. Right?

Could you please show her around?

"Uhh, sure."

****

Mia's Pov:

****

"Where would you like to go first?" asks Nathan.

Anywhere is fine with me, I smile at him.

"Come with me," he says.

While Nathan was showing me around, I noticed that the bar was basic in design, yet, it was friendly.

Waiters were walking around. Some had a big smile on them while some you could see that they were tired.

Mia looked at a girl that just pashed her that was wearing heels.

Without knowing that she said it out loud, she says.

"How could you walk in that?"

The girl looks back and gives her a dirty look.

Mia notices what she did and puts her hand on her mouth.

Ian laughs, thinking that she was cute.

"Why do you care whether I wear heels or not?" asks the girl.

I am sorry. I didn't mean to say that. I am just impressed that you can wear that. It just looks so impossible to walk in.

"Keep your stupid thoughts to yourself," she says while walking away.

I just asked her a question.

Why is she acting like I killed someone?

"Let her be. She is always like that," says Nathan while smiling at her.

Do you know her?

"Yeah. Samantha has been working for like two months now.

She thinks highly of herself, which is not a bad thing. It is just sometimes she goes too far. While she is only thinking about herself, she may not know that she is hurting other people," says Nathan.

You seem to know her, says Mia.

"No, I don't really. Two girls already quit because of her."

Oh! Why? What did she do?

"Let's not talk about her. So, do you work as well?" asks Nathan.

Yeah, I have a part-time job. I do happen to work at a bar as well. I say while smiling at him.

Nathan looks away.

"How do you know Alice?"

We know each other since high school. Since then, we have never been apart. Honestly, at first, I didn't know how to be friends with her.

I was so shy while she was the opposite of me.

She was so outgoing and friendly to everyone.

Everyone knew her.

I would ask myself why she would be friends with me.

I was that shy-nerdy girl, so no one really liked me, but whenever someone would make fun of me, she would come up for me.

She would stand by my side, saying to not mess with me, or they messed with her.

She would ask me why I am not coming up for myself.

I would say that I didn't care. I just didn't want to do anything with anyone, but weird enough, Alice knew how much I was hurting.

She knew I cared.

Mia laughs softly.

Although I pushed her away many times, she never gave up.

The next day she would just come no matter what I said to her.

"You seem to care about her a lot."

I do.

She was there for me through my hard times.

Whenever I fell, she was the one that picked me up again.

I am really grateful to have her in my life. Mia says while smiling brightly.

"You are lucky. Not everyone is lucky enough to meet someone like that. Mia, you should hold tightly on to her. You would be at a loss for losing her."

I know.

***

Alice's Pov:

***

I see Mia and Nathan talking and being the curious ones. I go to them.

What are you guys talking about now?

Upon the question, I can see Mia jumping up a little.

"Nothing. I was just explaining my shifts to Mia," says Nathan looking at Mia.

I didn't believe him, but I thought they didn't want to answer, so I didn't want to ask any more questions.

So, what do you think? I ask Mia.

"Ohh. Ummm. It is quite a nice place except for that girl that just made a whole thing out of nothing," says Mia while looking at someone.

I look at the way she is looking and see that it is Samantha.

Oh, that is Samantha. She is like that.

Don't think about it.

There are a lot of customers, do you want to help around?

We really need your help.

"I don't mind. I have nothing to do anyway."

Do we have a spare uniform? I ask Nathan.

"Yeah, Let me just get it," he says and walks away.

After a few minutes, he comes back with a new uniform.

"I am sorry. I could only find these. I hope it will fit. Looking at your height, it looks like the skirt will be short," says Nathan with guilt in his eyes.

Alice smiles from inside.

Why does this guy always blame himself for things he didn't do?

"Why don't I go try it on first, and then I will see what to do," Mia says while looking at Nathan and Alice.

Yeah, go try it on. The changing room is that way.

"Oke, just give me a minute. I will be quick," She says and goes towards the changing room.

"Hey, is everything ok? You still didn't tell me why you didn't come to work," Nathan asks me.

Oh. I had a hard time. Do you mind if I tell you another time?

"Of course. You don't have to force yourself."

No, I don't mean that. It is still hard for me to talk about it.

It was a hard time for me, and without friends, I wouldn't be here today.

I want to be strong and let them see that their hard work is not in vain, I say to Ian while smiling lightly.

He smiles back at me and hugs me while saying.

"Sometimes things happen so that we can see how much we are blessed," says Nathan.

I guess so.

After a while, we see Mia walking uncomfortably towards us.

The skirt is really short.

Why don't you go and change?

"No, it is ok. It is a little short, but I think I can handle it," Mia says while looking at me.

Are you sure? If you are uncomfortable, you really don't have to do this.

She smiles at me and comes near.

"Is there ever a thing that Mia can't do?" she asks teasingly.

I roll my eyes.

Of course! My best friend can do everything.

"Can we have two bottles of beer here?" says one of the customers.

"I will go," says Mia, a little bit nervous.

"Here are your two bottles of beer. I hope you enjoy it!" Mia says with a big smile and then walks away.