Don't

My eyes reluctantly open. I am laying across Kelsey's couch, my head rolled onto my shoulder and my feet rested on her lap. The tv is on the Netflix menu and I can hear light snoring. I reach into my jeans pocket, extract my phone, and check the time. My eyes widen. I reach over and shake Kelsey.

"Kels! Kels! Wake up, it's 10:46!" I shout in a panic.

"No, it's midnight," she replies, her voice conveying an agitated groan.

She yawns loudly as I jump off of her couch.

"What are you in such a hurry for?" she questions, rubbing the sleep from her tired grey eyes.

"I didn't mean to stay the night! I have work in 45 minutes! I'm going to be late!"

I dart for the hallway, but just as I reach the door, I hear,

"Why don't I drive you home?"

"How long will it take you to get ready?"

"We can go now. I just need to grab my keys."

"Hurry please," I call out to her.

"Yeah yeah yeah."

When she reappears from her room, we leave her house in a hurry. She unlocks her dark blue Toyota, allowing me to crawl in and sit in the passenger's seat. She hops in, automatically fastening her seat belt and forcing the key into the ignition. After fumbling with it for a moment, she finally gets it in and the engine roars to life. She turns her body around to face the road and cautiously backs out of her driveway. I commence tapping my foot anxiously as we drive.

With her quick driving, it isn't long before we reach my house. Kelsey stops her car across the street, allowing me to get out.

"Hey, do you need me to drive you to work too?" she offers.

"Please, I'll love you forever."

She sighs, then flashes me a half smile.

"Hurry then."

"Thank you thank you thank you," I tell her before slamming the door shut and running across the street.

I crouch down in front of my doorstep, lifting up the mud brown 'welcome' mat. Underneath lies a silver, shining key. I snatch it up and stand upright. I unlock the door, then place they key back, covering it once more with the atrocious coloured door mat. When I cross the threshold, I hear a faint clatter as if something was dropped in another room.

"Mum?" I hesitantly ask.

I find it eerie when silence greets me rather than an answer.

"Mum? Are you home early from you trip?"

When there is still no response, I shake my head. I convince myself that I am clearly imagining things. I sigh, then jog my way up the stairs to the second floor. I dart into my room, aiming straight for my closet. I begin thrashing through my clothes until I find my black button-up blouse and my black pants.

I tear off my white t-shirt from last night, discarding it to the floor and putting on my work shirt. I then do the same with my bathroom, slipping on my uniform bottoms. I quickly make my way into my bathroom, slipping on my black flats I'd left in the corner next to the bin. I hurriedly scrub my teeth to get rid of my wretched morning breath.

I dash back down the stairs, feeling myself tiring out from my running around. My heart is pumping rapidly like it's about to burst and my breathing is short and hollow. I swing the door open, locking it behind me and slowing my pace as I casually stroll through the walkway.

Out of my peripheral vision, I see something black dart behind a few trees. I glance over but see nothing. I look from Kelsey's car to the trees several times before cautiously nearing the oddity.

As I draw closer, I swear I hear deep, quiet breathing. A shock of fear runs through my whole body, but even with that, I continue onward. I place my hand on the cold, rough bark, contemplating whether or not inspecting the source of the noise would be an ideal option. A loud honk causes me to jump out of my skin. I spin around to find Kelsey waiting for me, tapping her index finger on the steering wheel. I peer back a moment before bolting to her.

"The hell? You don't have time to play around in your yard!" she scolds as I buckle in.

"Sorry, I thought saw something."

"Saw something," she laughs dryly.

****

I stagger into the restaurant attempting to pull my light brown hair tightly into a ponytail as I go.

"Good, you're here! Table six need two waters stat. Here's your pad," Matthew rattles off as he holds out my notepad.

"Okay. Got it. Wait! My apron!"

He stops abruptly, running a hand through his ruffled brown hair.

"Errrrmmmm......Didn't you leave it in the podium?"

"Oh! Right! Thank you!"

"Also, table four needs you."

"Okay, I'll be right on it," I assure him as I move behind the dark wood podium.

I place the notepad on top of it, then reach for the bottom shelf. I snatch up a short, black apron from it and stand up straight. I tie it around my waist before grabbing the notepad back.

I speed walk into the kitchen, finding Matt had already set out cups. I grasp the pitcher of water and fill them up. I place them onto a serving tray and take them out to a couple who are dressed up nicely. The woman is in a red dress and the man in a grey suit. I place the drinks carefully on the table in front of them.

"Hello, my name is Dahlia. I will be your server today. Are you two ready to order?"

Both simultaneously smile at me.

"Yes, I think we are," the man says, "I'll take the ravioli and she'll take the garden salad."

I scribble the order down, casually looking up at the woman as I put down her's. She is quite skinny. I roll my eyes slightly at her, wondering if she could get any more stereotypical with her meal. I flash a smile before informing them,

"Okay, if you need anything, just call for me."

The girl nods; I spin around and straight for the kitchen.

"Sarah?"

"She's out sick today."

I turn the corner and find a tall boy with black hair preparing food hastily, not looking as I appear.

"Gerard! Hey! I have another order for you," I explain as I tear off the paper and place it on a serving tray.

"Ugh," he responds, throwing his head back, "Why does it have to be so busy today?"

"I don't know, but hey, good business day."

He pauses, turning his head to glare at me.

"Easy for you to say."

I giggle awkwardly,

"Sorry."

"And we're so short-staffed today! Can we make this any more difficult?"

I place my hand on his shoulder and sigh.

"It probably will now that you say that. Great. Thanks for jinxing us."

He lets out a small laugh.

"You are so weird."

"As long as I can help make this shift feel less like Hell, I'm fine with that."

He smirks, then continues working.

"Go do your job."

I push open the door, a smile still covering my face. Out of the corner of my eye, I see something black standing in front of the glass door. I shift my eyes to identify what it is. A cold chill runs up my spine. A boy in a black t-shirt and black skinny jeans is staring at me from the other side. He has dark brown curls that seem all too familiar. When he realizes I see him, he grins. Dimples form deep in his cheeks, petrifying me.

I attempt to convince myself it can't be the same stranger from last night, but simultaneously convincing myself he has to be. He begins to walk away and before I can yield myself, I find my legs carrying me out as quickly as they could. I violently shove through the door; my eyes rapidly survey the area, only to come to one conclusion: he had vanished.

" I missed him!" I mutter.

It was then that I see a black car speed off, it's engine revving loudly.

"What the hell?" I blurt out.

"Dahl, we're packed and you're just going to take off on us?!"

I turn to find Matt hovering over me, a look of anger present on his face and his hands placed firmly on his hips.

"I-I'm sorry. I just thought......"

"Thought what?" he asks impatiently, awaiting my answer.

"Nothing. I'll get back to work," I reply as I dart back in.

Notes