Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
For the next few weeks, Allie steered clear from the lovey dovey couple. Every so often she would steal a glance at Sunny but only to be blocked by Josie who seemed extra jealous when Allie looked at him.
She soon lost her courteous nature with the customers, she even snapped at a guy when he told her for the third time that his order was wrong "Sir, you ordered this!" she raised her voice.
He shook his head at her "I want to see the manager." crossing his arms as he dared her to raise her voice again.
"He's not here." she snapped.
She wasn't lying either, Sunny took the day off and by chance Josie had taken the day off too. If Nick did not drop by to see the business, he would have never guessed that Allie would be in a foul mood. "What's the problem?" he asked with a bright smile.
Amy was standing close behind as she observed the situation. The man continued to argue "Are you the manager?" he asked Nick in a heated voice.
Nick nodded "I am co-owner. What can I do for you?"
"This waitress has gotten my order wrong three times and she was curt and very rude. I want her to apologize." he said firmly.
Allie crossed her arms stubbornly "I will not. I did not do anything wrong."
Amy saw her chance to jump in and help "I'm sorry, sir. She's new here, I promise it won't happen again. Now what did you order? It's on the house." Amy gave Nick a wink to get Allie out of there.
He lipped out the words "Thank you" as he dragged Allie into the special room that he well claimed months before. "Allie, what is the matter with you?" it was the first time he raised his voice at her.
She sighs as she looks away, not wanting to answer his confrontation "I'm sorry, it won't happen again."
Nick shook his head "I've never seen you like this." he took a seat and pointed to the empty chair next to him. She paused but eventually sat down next to him. "Now tell me, what is bothering my favorite employee?"
Allie's heartbeat seemed to slow down at his soft voice "I don't know. I've been feeling very tired and grumpy. I don't know why." she lied.
Nick studied her face carefully but she would avoid only his eyes. "You like Sunny." he said flatly.
She looked up from the gaze at the table "What?"
He smiled slowly "You do like him."
She turned away "I don't Nick. I have a boyfriend, it's Josh." she insisted as she began to get up only to be pulled down by Nick.
"I'm not Sunny, you don't have to run away from me." he pointed out. She knew he was right "Look, I don't want you to be comfortable working here. Maybe you should take some vacation."
"No!" she said quickly, her eyes almost fearful "I mean, I like working. I don't want to go anywhere." she said more calmly.
Nick smiled "Well you have to stop scaring off the customers."
She nodded slowly "I know. I'll be more in control of my feelings." he nodded for her to leave. She got up and smiled down at him "Thanks, Nick. Also..." she was too embarrassed to bring up the question.
"My lips are sealed." he made a zipper motion on his lips.
She nodded gratefully "Thanks."
***************
Later that night, Josie and Sunny returned from a day at the amusement park. It was her idea for her friend to forget about Allie for one day. He was too worked up with the whole thing. She landed on his couch with a thump "Gosh that was fun."
He smiled while sitting down with a sigh "Glad someone had fun."
She quickly sat up "Everyone has fun with me!" She exclaimed hurtfully.
Sunny rolled his eyes "Okay, it was really fun. The best time I've had in YEARS!" he said with obvious exaggeration.
"That's better!" Josie nodded happily.
He looked at his friend strangely "You know, sometimes I wonder about you."
She tilted her head with a crooked grin "Whatever do you mean?" she asked sweetly.
He sat up "I mean you know I was being sarcastic, how could you still be happy? And then there are times when you can't take it from me? What makes that little brain of yours tick?"
Josie wrinkled her lips as she tapped her index finger on her chin "That's a tough one. Do I have to answer it now?" she kidded. He gave her one of those brotherly looks and she let out a little laugh "Okay, I'll tell you. I really don't care if a person is being sarcastic, mean or even lying to my face, as long as they say what I want to hear, I don't really care. I mean life is about being happy isn't it? You hear what you want to hear...come on Mr. Fate, you were the one that taught me that."
He sighed "Maybe I lost that part of me?" he asked himself. Sunny got up abruptly "I need a walk." he left without saying goodbye to Josie.
**************
That night at the restaurant Josh came by to pick up Allie after work. He made a habit of making sure she was home safely every night. They were walking hand in hand down the street since she did not feel like going home yet. Her usually upbeat nature was replaced with a quiet and more melancholy Allie.
Josh was quick to notice "Anything wrong?" he asked gently.
She looked up with a shake of the head "Nothing."
He stopped as he pulled her back and placed his hands on her shoulders "You know you can tell me anything, Allie."
She smiled with reassurement "I know. But nothing is wrong." she took his hand as she led him further down the crowded street. Her eyes moved slowly up and it caught another pair of eyes looking back at her. She quickly let go of Josh's hand unconsciously. He gave her a strange look but followed her eyes and noticed Sunny standing a few feet away from the.
Josh nodded politely at Sunny, who acknowledge the couple before him with confidence. His hands in his pocket as he walked over to them "How are you two doing?" Sunny asked.
Josh smiled as he wrapped an arm around Allie protectively "Good, we're just taking a little walk."
Allie squirmed slightly at his touch "Yeah." she looked away while Sunny continued to look at her with the same intense eyes that made her blush.
"Well, have fun. Don't stay out too late." Sunny said with a tease in the tone of his voice.
Josh smiled as he led Allie away. She broke lose from his arm and quickened her pace, she ran to the nearest cart food on the street. She turned to Josh who had to jog to catch up with her, waving her hand as she called to him "Hurry, these are the best." she turned to the owner "Four sticks of fish balls please."
The elder man smiled as he placed her order in a brown paper bag and took the money she handed to him "Thank you." he nodded at them.
Allie began walking away as she muched on one of the fresh and hot sticks "Try some." she held it up to Josh's face.
He seemed uncomfortable but took a bite from the stick, afterall it was the first time she showed any sign of affection towards him. "It's good." he nodded when she gave him a questioning look.
"I know. I grew up eating this stuff. I know it's not good for you, but once in a while, it's like a treat." She giggled like a little girl as she started another stick. They eventually came upon the harbor as the two stopped at the edge of the bar that separated land from sea. Allie finished the last of the fish balls.
Josh was staring intently at her with a frozen grin, she looked so adorable chewing the balls, her cheeks were blown up. She was chomping away when she looked up at him with a smile "You look so cute when you eat." he commented.
Allie covered her mouth as she answered "You being funny?"
He laughed "You've got some stuff on your lip." he pointed to the edge of the left side to her lip. Josh reached over and wiped it with his thumb.
She swallowed the last bite and smiled at him "Thanks." her smiled faded when she realized he was leaning in for a kiss. She quickly turned away "Sorry..."
He took a step back "That must be the tenth time that you've done that. You tell me that nothing is wrong but you always dodge me when I show any sign of affection. Why?" he was demanding for an answer.
"I'm sorry...I'm just not ready." she said without much feeling.
"If you don't want to be with me, all you-"
She quickly cut him off "No! I don't mean it that way. It's just that I've never had a boyfriend before. I...I'm just nervous when it comes to intimate stuff..." she said shyly.
Josh sighed with relief "Is that all?" he laughed "I'm glad, I was beginning to think it has something to do with Sunny."
She laughed nervously "Of course not." she let out a small yawn "Maybe I should go home now. I have to work the early shift tomorrow."
He nodded "Okay."