Different pt1

I've never been the type of person who tries their hardest in school. Yes, people tells me I have potential and I'm smart. But what of it? If I don't try hard enough, what's the point?

“Andrew!”

I turned around to face my best friend. Well, my only friend.

“Lillian, how's it going?” I asked.

“It's going just peachy. We have a new student today. The teacher was introducing--” I didn't really bother listening to the rest of what she had to say. I know what you're thinking. I can't help it. I've had a five years crush on her okay?

“--and he's really funny! He--” I cut her off.

“Wait, the new student is a he?” 'This is bad' I thought.

“Yeah. Haven't you've been listening to a word I've been saying Andrew?” she asked. I pursed my lips.

“Do I really need to answer that?” Lillian laughed and rolled her big brown eyes.

“Lillian, my mom asked if you wanted to come over. She wanted me to take care of Ariel,” I explained. Ariel is my little sister. She's only five years old but is quite mature...okay well she's not that mature. She's just an average little girl who asks annoying questions to their older brother.

“I'd love to watch Ariel with you! She's such a sweetheart,” Lillian replied happily.

I laughed, “there must be something wrong with you Lillian. No one's lived to tell the tale after they've watched over Ariel.”

“Please, she's such a cutie though.”

“Yeah, if you think being asked annoying and embarrassing questions every single time is cute...” we both laughed.

It was already after school and all. I told Lillian to come by the house at six, since that is when my parents goes out for their romantic anniversary. Obviously they haven't heard of take-out before.

I rode my bike to work. I work at a fast food restaurant just around the corner of Maple and Yew street. Don't ask me why the streets names are named after wood, I'm not the mayor of the city. Nor will I ever want to be.

I locked my bike at the back and entered from the back doors. I headed to the change rooms to put on my uniform.

“Knock knock.” I turned around to face my manager.

“Oh, hello Mister Green,” I responded.

“Well, my daughter's coming here for the day. It's take your child to work day actually. So I was thinking, since I'm going to do an errand at the far end of the city, would you mind looking after her? You know, showing her what's done around here?”

“Sure. You're daughter's in grade...?”

“She's in grade nine,” replied Mister Green.

“Ah, so she's three years younger than me...” I muttered.

“That's right. Thank you so much Andrew. I'll stay around until she—” Mister Green took out his cellphone.

“Hello? Hello dear. Yes, one of my co-workers will show you everything. No sweetie, I have to do an important errand on the other side of the city. Yes, behave your self while I'm gone. I'm at the changing rooms. Okay. Love you.”

Must have been his daughter. Sounds like one of those spoiled princesses who throws tantrum when they don't get anything they want or have it their way.

“She'll be coming here in a few...here she is! Come here darling and meet the employee who will be taking my place for your little field trip,” said Mister Green.

The girl stepped into the change room. No doubt she had Mister Green's green eyes. She also had straight brown hair with bangs parted to the middle, tucked behind her pink ears. She was like an average princess in fairy tales you'd read. I'd say her fairy tale mother would probably be Bella and Snow White.

“Andrew, this is Kat.”

I smiled and put out my hand. She looked down at it with her big round eyes. It seems to me that she's never seen a hand shake before. Weird child. Kat slowly lifts her hand up and grabs a hold onto mine. We exchanged glances and she smiled brightly.

Okay, so maybe she isn't one of those spoiled brats.

Mister Green looked down at his watch, “oh dear, I have to go now. Bye sweetie. Thank you again Andrew.” Mister Green kissed Kat's head and left the restaurant.

“So...what do you like to do for a living?” I asked, trying to break the uncomfortable wall between us.

“I um...I like to...re...” I could barely hear anything she's saying.

“I'm sorry, can you speak up?”

“I like to...read...” Oh. She likes reading.

“That's cool. I like to read as well. What books do you enjoy reading?” I hope she speaks louder this time. She's so shy. Reminds me of Lillian back in elementary school. Wait, did Mister Green say that his daughter is in grade nine?

“I like to read...Ha...Po...and...American...lit...” I think I can make out the first book she likes to read.

“So you like to read Harry Potter and American Literature, is that right?” she nodded.

“That's cool. I have a dream to publish my stories actually. Though I never got around to finish writing them,” I explained. Looks like she's warming up to me.

I decided it's time to do the thing Mister Green told me about. I showed her the kitchen...looks twice as messy as ever, but who's complaining?

Next I showed her where we lounge around and eat lunch.

“So, how do you like it so far Kat?” I asked, trying to strike up a conversation.

“I like it. What do you do as a job?” she asked. She sure does have a nice voice. I wonder if she sings.

“I work the cash register, but I mostly stay in the back and do some inventory. Come to think of it, I have a lot of stuff to do. Want to help me out?”

Kat smiled greatly and nodded. Few strands of her chestnut brown hair floating up in the air like there is no gravitational force pulling onto them.

We headed to the back of the restaurant and she pulled up a chair.

“Let's start with the hamburgers. I'll count the items on this shelf while you count the items on that shelf, deal?”

“Okay,” she replied.

It's been about forty minutes and we've gone through almost half of the items in total. It's great to have someone else helping you out you know.

“Well if you look at the time. We should take a break. Do you want anything to drink Kat?”

“I want to have ice tea please.”

I laughed, “okay. One ice tea coming up.” I walked out of the room and into the kitchen. I got one bottle of water and Kat's ice tea. I placed my money in the cash register and walked back into the room.

“Here's your drink,” I gave Kat her nice cold ice tea. I sat down on the ground and drank my bottled water. She sipped her drink and gave a sigh of relief.

“Good isn't it?” I asked her. She looked up at me and smiled. She sure has her father's goofy smile, that's for sure.

“Andrew, you have a visitor.” It was another co-worker. I told Kat I'd be right back. I walked out and the worker lead me to my visitor. It was Lillian.