Chapter One

I sighed as I clocked in and made my way towards the locker room. I had to drink nearly two pots of coffee to be able to even come here without falling asleep.

I stayed up all night, unable to sleep or relax, and it was the second day in a row that this had happened since I moved here.

You would think after being here a month I would be completely comfortable but no, I was still looking over my shoulder every five minutes.

"You look like shit." I looked up and rolled my eyes as my coworker, Sam.

I opened my locker and took out my apron and tied it around my waist and grabbed my notebook and pen.

"You know it's rude to ignore people," Sam said, clicking her tongue.

"Hi, Sam." I sighed out as I walked out of the locker room with her following behind me.

"So why do you look like trash? Not that you don't any other day but today it's more than usual." She was practically up my ass by how close she was.

"Thank you for letting me know that Sam," I flatly responded as I made my way to the host stand to find out where my section was.

"You're so welcome!" She said sarcastically as she jumped in front of me with an annoyed look on her face.

I braced myself for what was coming as I looked at her with a bored expression as she started talking.

"Listen, and listen well. Today might be your independent training day but any tips go to me because let's be honest, I deserve them more than some pathetic looking boy who Mr. Von decided to take pity on. Oh, and if you tell him then I'll complain of sexual harassment and you'll be fired before you even finish your last day of training tomorrow." She made a look of disgust and then walked away with a bounce to her step as she went to the host stand.

I kept my face blank and took a moment to calm myself down and keep in the tears that wanted to fall. I told myself to suck it up and shake it off because I refused to turn back into the person I was prior to here.

If I was being honest I wasn't really that much different but I was determined to fake it until I actually was. Therefore with that in mind, I walked over to the host on duty and gave a short smile and asked for my section and was a bit shocked to find out that I was on the other side of the restaurant, away from Sam, and I had 3 whole tables to myself.

I gave myself a pep talk as I got my tables ready, seeing as this area was closed in the morning. I made sure to have everything perfect and so when the people started filling in I was completely ready to tackle it.

~~~~~~

I sighed as I dropped my face into my hands and let myself relax for just a minute. It was a little past midnight, the restaurant was closed, and I had no more tables for the night. I managed to do well today and even collected over 200 dollars in tips. I would say that was pretty good seeing as it was my first day flying solo without help.

"Hey, ugly." I tensed up and schooled my features as I looked up at Sam. She had a wicked smile on her face as she leaned against the locker room door, staring at me sitting on the bench.

"Pay up," She walked over and held her hand out to me with the other one on her hip.

I ignored her and stood up and put my stuff up in my locker before grabbing my bus pass and my jacket. I slipped my jacket on and turned around only to find Sam glaring at me and only inches away.

I moved to walk past her and she blocked my way and pushed me back, making me stumbled just a bit. I felt the familiar flash of fear run through my body but I ignored it as I glared back at her.

"Fuck off." I snapped at her and she looked taken back because up until now I hadn't ever said anything back to her to defend myself.

Her face turned red, "You fucking dumb, dirty, pathetic, piece of-"

"I don't like that type of language." I looked over and saw Mr. Von standing in the doorway with a glowering glare directed at Sam that made my blood run cold and my hands to shake.

"Mr. Von! He tried to-"

He held his hand up to stop her, "I want to see you in my office."

She nodded her head and scurried off past him to head towards his office but not without throwing a glare my way. I stayed where I was and kept my head down and stared at the tiled floor as I tried to hide my shaking hands and keep my breathing under control.

"I want you to come in early tomorrow so we can plan out your schedule officially. That way I know when to start your training as a cook." I nodded my head and waited for him to leave.

I listened to the sound of his footsteps walk away before I slid down my locker, letting out a deep breath as tears slide down my face. I hit my head back against the locker and let the tears fall as my body shook.

It took me twenty minutes to get it together before I pulled my hood up and left the restaurant. I walked in the cool air as I made my way towards the late bus stop. I sat down and waited as I kept looking around anxiously.

As I was waiting a car sped by and splashed water on me soaking me in cold dirty water. I stood up in shock as I stared down at myself covered in water. I tightened my jacket around me like it would do any good, seeing as it was also soaked.

"Hey, I'm so sorry!" A deep voice said and I snapped my head up and stared at the man who was shouting out his passenger window.

I just stared at him in surprise and fear as I stepped back a bit. He looked at me with a frown before he got out of his car and walked over towards me, making me walk back a few steps.

"Hey, I come in peace. How about I give you a ride home?" I shook my head at him because my words weren't coming out.

"Come on, it's nearly one in the morning." He tried to reach his hand out to touch me and I flinch back, making him step away from me a bit.

"Okay, okay, I'll call a cab and leave the money here so you get home and to make up for soaking your clothes." I didn't respond but watched as he went back to his car and talked on his phone before he walked closer to me and sat something on the ground and then got back in his car and drove away.

I let out a sigh of relief as I saw the car get farther away from me and I bent down to see what he put down and sucked in a breath as the amount of money I was holding. This had to be about 200 dollars and I was holding it.

"You ordered a Taxi!?" I jumped and looked up from the money to see a woman sitting in the cab car looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

I nodded my head as I made my way inside the car and told the lady where to take me. I relaxed more and more the closer I got to my apartment building. It took fifteen minutes until I was there and I gave the lady a 50 and then scurried inside the building to my apartment.

Once I got inside I slammed and locked the door before slid down the back of the door as I let out a tired breath. I felt myself growing very tired as I sat there and I found myself not being able to get up, so I just closed my eyes and relaxed.

I feel asleep.