Still Learning

Liam's P.O.V.:I watched the family leave through the front door as I began to clean the table. Theirs kids had been pretty loud the entire night, but when I picked up the generous tip they had left for me my irritation disappeared. The poor mum kept trying to get them to quiet down without much success and their dad didn't really try to help seeing his attention was on a red haired waitress instead of his family. Sam walked over to me and I shoved the money in her face, showing off my new earnings. She stuck out her tongue and moved my arms away from her face.
"I hope they come back," I said as I shoved the tip in my pocket, "I'm saving for a pair of sneakers."
"Maybe if you're lucky your next table will be just as generous. I think they know you, they specifically asked for you to be their waiter."
"Really?" I asked with confusion,"That's a bit odd. What table are they at?"
"Table eight. I gotta head back to the front to go sit a family down. Good luck with your mystery group."
Sam walked away and I started towards table eight. Who would ask for me out of the entire staff? I weaved around the tables of customers and busy waiters trying to deliever food. The music playing throughout the restuaraunt only added to the noise of chatter, chewing mouths, and the clinking of silverwear. When table eight came into view I smiled, seeing a few of my friends sitting at it, waiting for me to come. Harry, Louis, Perrie, Jade, and Niall all greeted me as I stood in front of them, a small notepad in my hands.
"What are all of you doing here?" I asked curiously.
"We got bored and hungry so we decided to visit you," Niall answered while scrolling through his phone.
"Thanks for making me feel special, mate," I said sarcastically, making a little chuckle come from his mouth. "Alright, what do you lot want to drink?"
They all gave me their orders and I quickly headed to the kitchen to get their drinks. Thanks to the experience, I didn't spill any of their drinks on the journey back, and handed them each their refreshments. Only the girls thanked me, typical. Before I could take their orders Sam walked over to me.
"Hey Liam, before you leave Evan wanted me to tell you he's holding another staff meeting after we close up so don't sprint out the door the second your shift is done."
"Not another one," I groaned in annoyance, "that's the third one this month."
"He just likes to hear himself talk," Sam said with a playful grin before walking back to her post.
While she walked away I noticed Louis' blue eyes were fixed upon her backside which was displayed quite nicely thanks to her short black skirt; it was part of the uniform. I had also seen him scanning her face and chest during our quick chat. That was just like Louis, always looking around.
Sam was a cute girl, I had even had a small crush on her when I first started working as a waiter. Her green eyes sparkled with radiance and her short, choppy hair was black as ink. I liked how it barely grazed her shoulders and how it hid a tiny part of her eye. Sam wasn't just looks though, she was kind, sweet, funny, bubbly, intelligent. A smile was always on her face when she was talking to customers and she knew how to make me laugh when work was shit. Sometimes I'd catch her reading while on her break or she'd just be goofing off somewhere, making the people around her beam with amusement. She wasn't just a co-worker, she was my friend.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Louis," I advised with a smile.
"Uh oh, is she off limits because someone fancies her?" Louis teased. "No need to worry Liam, I'm simply just looking, no touching."
I rolled my eyes and began to take everyone's order. I didn't have a problem with anyone flirting with Sam or anything, I just didn't like the way Louis was looking at her. His eyes were dark with lust and by the way I saw him lick his lips as she walked away I knew he wanted her. And what Louis wants, Louis gets. Louis is my mate, one of my best mates, it's just him and Sam were so different; a little too different. He was a bit too dangerous for her and I just didn't want to see anyone get hurt. He wasn't the first guy to have a liking for Sam, I had seen loads of guys try to hit on her, but she either ignored their hints or acted oblivious to it. Boys just weren't on her mind as much as girls were on Louis' mind.
***
Sam's P.O.V.:My hand rubbed my tired eyes as I enteredmy house, closing the door behind me. After I took off my shoes and hung up my coat I trudged up the stairs and quietly walked down the hall to Jack's bedroom. The lights were off except for the moon night light that gave off a faint blue glow. He was asleep in his crib and a gentle smile spread across my face as I looked down at him, admiring his tranquility. His round cheeks and the chestnut brown hair that barely covered his head and everything else about him was perfect. I could stare at him for ages. As quietly as I could, I left the room and slowly closed the door. Rachel was sitting in front of television watching X-Factor and I joined her, gladly getting off my feet.
"Say yes to him, he's fit!" Rachel encouraged the TV before turning to me. "How was work?"
"Exhausting," I moaned as I threw my head back into the couch. "Thanks for putting Jack to bed, he isn't usually asleep when I get home."
"No problem," Rachel said causually, pausing for a minute before speaking again. "But since you're now in my debt, can you take me to the park tomorrow around noon? My friends and I are having a picnic."
"A picnic?" I scoffed. "What are you, five? Yeah, I'll take you to the park. I can bring Jack so he can play. We'll have to leave by six though because tomorrow is my boss' birthday party. We're gonna try to get him drunk," I snickered, imagining an intoxicated Evan dancing around Liam's house.
"It'll be over before six."
Just then Jack began to cry and I jumped from the couch to get him. When I opened his door I saw him standing up, his pudgy little hands tightly held the edge of the crib as tears ran down his red, scrunched up face. His sobs were extremely loud and sounded agonizing. I quickly picked him up and began bouncing him, his tears wetting my white, button down blouse. His small head was nestled in the crook of my neck and I could feel his hot breath on my skin. He was shaking as he continued to scream, but as I began to comfort him with words he settled down.
"Shh, it's okay," I encouraged gently. "Did you have a nightmare, baby? Everything is fine, I'm here. Don't cry sweetheart."
When he calmed down I gently put him back in the crib and closed the door as I left to go to my room. I undid my black tie and threw it on my bed. My fingers unbuttoned my blouse one at a time and I shimmied out of my skirt. After throwing my uniform in my hamper I grabbed a pair of pajama shorts out of my dresser and pulled them up my legs. A t-shirt was pulled over my head and then I flopped onto my bed.
Ideas of what to do roamed around in my head, trying to find something to occupy my time with. Finally I decided to read until I fell asleep so I rolled off my bed and walked over to the cabinet that held a couple of my books. I couldn't have all of my books in just one place, it felt too organized. The tip of my index finger skimmed down the spine of half of the books before I chose one. I grabbed it and jumped onto my bed. My eyes began to scan the tiny black print as I laid on my side, my head resting in my hand. As time went on keeping my eyelids open became difficult and I gave myself up to my exhaustion.
***
Warm sun radiated my bare skin with heat as I carried Jack to the slide. I could see Rachel far off, sitting under a tree with her friends. A few other kids were at the playground, three little blonde girls were playing tag and I saw an older boy pushing two babies on the infant swings. He looked up at me, his eyes as bright as the cloudless sky above our heads. His kind smile made me blush and I shly smiled back before continuing to make my way to the slides. As Jack and I went down the slides together I kept glancing over at the mysterious boy. His messy, light brown hair looked natural like he just woke up and it happened to be perfectly swept to the side and sticking up in the right places. The little scruffy beard he was supporting made him look mature, but had a little rebelliousness in him. Sometimes I'd catch him looking at me, but the funny thing was when I caught him staring he wouldn't look away, he'd keep his eyes fixed on me.
"Want to go down one more time Jack?" I asked after we had gone down the slide for the ninth time.
"Yes!" he gushed with excitement.
He began to bounce up and down on my lap, the thrill of going down the slide once again giving him energy. I giggled and climbed up the playground with his tiny hand in mine. After I sat down I pulled him onto my lap and I nudged us forward until we began to go down the slide. Shrieks of joy came from his smiling mouth all the way down until my feet hit the molch. I turned him around so he was facing me, his smile was so contagious that it made me smile. His pudgy little fingers grabbed one of mine as he lead me to the merry-go-round. We sat down on the edge of it, Jack in my lap and my fingers gripped around one of the metal poles. With my legs I began to spin us as fast as I could. Jack immediately started to laugh and we did this for another minute before I lifted my legs up to let it naturally slow down. Dizziness consumed me and I sat for a moment to compose myself before getting up. Jack ran to the sand box and I decided to sit down on a bench to observe. My phone began to ring and I picked it up, my eyes still on Jack.
"Hello?"
"Sam, it's Liam. I just wanted to make sure you were coming over tonight."
"Yeah, of course. Make sure there's loads of alcohol for Evan," I added mischieviously.
"Don't worry about it," Liam chuckled, "I'm all set. I'll see you tonight."
"Bye Liam," I said before hunging up the phone and slipping it into my pocket.
"We're done," said a high, familiar voice.
I jumped, not knowing Rachel had been standing behind me. She laughed and walked around to sit next to me, a smug grin on her face.
"That wasn't too long, it was barely an hour and a half."
"It might've been longer if Lottie hadn't spilled the lemonade everywhere. Oh well, ready to go home now?"
"You don't want to go hang out with your mates anymore?" I questioned.
"No, Mum says I have to do homework tonight if I want to go to the movies with Dylan tomorrow."
I could see her blush at the sound of Dylan's name. She began to play with her blonde hair nervously, probably thinking about their date tomorrow. Dylan was her new boyfriend and they were in puppy love. Fifteen and in love can bring many memories, especially now that summer was getting closer and closer.
"Alright, go in the car and I'll meet you there once I get Jack."
She headed towards the car as I headed towards the sandbox. Jack smiled up at me as I reached down and picked him up. Sand fell from his hands, into my shoes, adding to the amount I had already collected by stepping inside the sandbox in the first place. His tiny mouth turned into a frown as he grew further from the playground. Rachel could be seen through the window and after I buckled Jack up in his car seat I turned around because I could feel someone staring at me. The boy with the bright blue eyes was intently watching me, starting to make me feel uncomfortable as if he were undressing me with his eyes. I quickly got into the driver's seat and sped away, unable to get his face out of my head.

Notes

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