Honestly I don't know what causes me to ask him what's wrong, in the few months I've worked here I have never really talked to the customers. I have other things and people that I needed to concern myself with, plus the less people I know, the better.
When I first ask, he doesn't respond so I ask again. He responds with an okay and asks for another drink, I give it to him and continue to work. It is late Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, depending on how you look at it, and it is just me the cook ,the waitress and a janitor. We are all tired and as I watch the cook say his goodbyes I yawn, oh what I wouldn't give to go to sleep on a nice warm bed.
After about half an hour he is still here and I hear him say something to me. "My girlfriend and I broke up."
I am surprised for a bit seeing as how I was not expecting him to speak to me. He probably needs someone to talk to, plus the amount of alcohol he's had may have had that effect.
"Oh well I'm sorry...you know sometimes things need to fall to make way for better things. Maybe what you thought was there between you two wasn't strong enough to hold. Does that make sense?" Personally I've never had experience with relationships,but I'm not clueless with these types of things,at least I don't think I am.
He seems to be thinking about my words, he's got a sort of angry look on his face before turning towards me and gives me a grin.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right, I'm Dick by the way," I stared at his hand and shake it as I introduce myself. He is really quite handsome, and hey I have to admire that.
"I'm Korina, but I prefer Kori, it's nice to meet you," he answeres with a likewise before he asks me about what I had just said.
"Has that ever happened to you, has something for you ever fallen to make way for something better? " I guess in a way I can say yes to that, but I wouldn't say it was for the better. No, what happened to me and my brother...it's like we are paying for something we didn't do, one day everything just took a turn for the worse.
"You could say that but everything happens for a reason right, whether it be good or bad it just happens." Right?
I'm cleaning the counter and glance at my watch, my shift ends at 1 a.m.
I have about 10 minutes left. Thank goodness.
He's silent once more and I continue working and observe him from the corner of my eye. He has short pitch black hair, it's messy from him constantly running his strong hands through it, and his eyes are a brilliant blue that can rival the ocean's color. I believe if I had the chance to look at them, I would be sucked in into the beautiful color they were. He's wearing a black jacket with a red t-shirt under it and build was that of a model and I wonder if that's what he does. He's the best looking guy I have seen in awhile.
"I can see that you like observing people, is that what you do after you give them advice?" He looks at me and I look down at my hands and turn away so he doesn't see me blush. I can't let him think I'm a weird creepy bartender, but wait since when do I care?
"Normally I don't give out advice you just happen to look like someone who needed it. What happened to you, I know it sucks."
"You seem to know what you're saying, one would think that someone like you wouldn't know exactly what they're talking about." As he says that he looks me up and down, and I'm not sure if it's a good sign.
I raise an eyebrow towards him, offended by this statement although not fully understanding what he means by it, and yet he continues. "You know, like someone young and pretty like you and who works at a bar, although I hear some bartenders happen to be really good psychologists." I relax, slightly chuckle and smile at his words. Okay now I understand what he meant,and I like him again.
I look at my watch again I can finally leave.I really want to get some sleep before I have to wake up for my 7 a.m. shift at the café.
"If I'm a psychologist now than I guess I have to charge you for my services," I say as he gets up from the stool and places both what he owes and more on the counter.
"I was kidding, take your money," I don't ever accept money from people no matter what,I'm not a charity case. I'm not, I can't be.
"No way. I'll see you around Korina" I don't know what bothers me more the fact that he refused to take the money back or when he said my full name. I shake off the thought as I place part of the money in the register and the rest in my apron I would find a way to give it back to him later. Right now I just want to go home.
I don't live far from the bar although walking at this time isn't very smart, but there are still some taxis available. On the way there my head is filled with random memories of my family and the way life could have turned out instead.
When I get home I notice that Jenn and Ryan were asleep on the floor I placed my stuff on the couch and wake up Jenn.
"Mhmm leave me alone," I roll my eyes, typical. She then goes back to sleep and I carry Ryan to his room and tuck him in. He's light, and I look at him for a bit as I gently brush his short hair away from his face. He looks so peaceful but I know otherwise. Inside he isn't doing so well, and I wonder if I can save what's left of the family I have.
I go back to the living room and try to wake up my friend, try being the key word.
"Come on Jenn you don't have to go home, but at least go to sleep on the bed," she looks up at me with tired dreary eyes. Her hair's a mess, and her clothes are wrinkled yet she still looks great.
"I'm fine here you go to sleep it's your house and I'm the guest I'll be fine." Yeah, this was not a house, it's barely an apartment.
"Get up and sleep in my bed, I'll stay with Ryan and don't you dare say no because I promise you I will drag you there myself." Either my threat is great or she's just really tired.
"Alright fine," she gets up reluctantly and walks to my room. I shake my head as I lock everything up and go to sleep with my brother. I quickly get ready for bed and as soon as my head hits the pillow I am asleep.
When I wake up it's around 6:30 and I have just enough time to get ready for work. I finish taking a shower and get ready. I walk to the kitchen where Jenn's eating cereal.
"Hey if it's not too much to ask can you take Ryan and drop him off at Rachel's apartment, please," Rachel has been taking care of Ryan for a good two years now and I'm forever grateful for her doing that. She is my rock and my constant support, I can always count on her. She is like a sister to me.
"Yeah sure, are you coming for the early shift tonight?" She says with her mouth full.
Jenn works with me at the bar, she's the one who helped me get the job. She's 23, has short brown hair with pink streaks and hazel eyes with a nice tan to match. She has a body to kill for, she's tall, has curves, and has done a few modeling jobs before but wants to become a designer.
"Yeah hopefully I'll get more sleep tonight before another long night," I see her nod, as I grab my things and turn to leave, but not before I slip some money into her bag. No matter who's taking care of Ryan or no matter the circumstances I always manage to give them at least something in return. I know they're my friends but at times I do realize that I can burden them with how much they help me.
Once I arrive at the cafe I see Wally, he's 22, he has red hair and green eyes with light skin,he wears glasses and he's taller than me but still on the short side. We've been friends for a while now and he's like my overprotective brother, but he's wonderful. Another thing I should mention, he's crazy fast, like it is insane how quick he is with everything, especially with how he handles food, whoa. He's been the manager here for about a year, he's working to pay for his school so he can become an engineer.
"Hey Kori how's Ryan?" He asks as I make my way to the back.
"He's fine, he wants to hang out with you soon though," my job here is simple I manage the cash register and occasionally work in the kitchen. This was my first job, and I have gained plenty of experience here, as well as friendships.
"Oh well that's great, tell him that we will, did um Jenn take care of him last night?"
Wally has had a crush on Jenn for about a few months now but let's just say she doesn't return the same feelings, not yet anyways. I know they don't seem alike and it's not my business but I can see how they can be great together. It's because of his crush that I managed to meet Jenn and get the job, plus I gained a wonderful new friend.
"Yes she did and before you ask she didn't say anything about you,I'm sorry." I hear him sigh before he continues working. I felt bad, but I know he will eventually get to her, Wally is one of the best guys I know.
The day goes by uneventful but it's during these days that so many thoughts and memories fill my head, as usual. Eventually I leave the cafe and go to pick up Ryan from school.
It's the beginning of December and it's cold but soon he comes out the front gate. He runs towards me and I hug him, it's been a few days since I picked him up. I know I surprised him with my arrival. I love my brother and he means the world to me, all we had was each other and I would do anything for him. He has short red wavy hair, and dark green blue eyes, he's honestly just a male version of my mother. He's small and slim but he's still my very adorable and handsome brother.
"Are you ready to go to Rachel's or do you need something from the apartment?" We live in a small apartment with 2 rooms, a bathroom, small kitchen and a small living room it's not much but it's liveable I suppose. The area is not great and I often find myself getting him to stay with Rachel or Wally, I was asked by both at times to move in with them but I can't. I can take of my brother, I can support him and raise him, I think I'm trying to prove that to myself more than I am to others.
"No we can just go to Rachel's, I think I have clothes over there " I nod and we walk to the bus stop and wait for the bus, I know that I have many things to worry over but I have to be grateful for what I have, like my beautiful brother.
"Kor am I staying with Rachel tonight?"
"Yes is that okay,do you not want to?"
"No it's fine I was just wondering,"
Rachel lives in a 3 bedroom apartment with 2 bathrooms a good sized kitchen and the same goes for the living room and it's a two floor. She lives in the decent part of the city of Gotham, although it's safe to say that she has that place because of her father. She lived with her mother, until she passed away because of cancer when she was 12. Since then she moved with her dad who owns a restaurant chain which so happens to bring in a lot of money making them pretty rich.
We talk the rest of the way about our days and it's great, we used to do that all the time before I worked all the time. When we get there I knock before using the key Rachel gave me.
"Hey Rachel," Rachel is really pretty she has straight blue black hair with violet like eyes. I've always been envious of her looks and her realistic attitude, she's nice and smart and she is wonderful when you get to know her. She has a tough exterior that one has to get through, but once you do, she is the best friend anyone could ever ask for. We used to just tolerate each other before we got to see that despite our differences we also had things in common. She's studying to be an author and she wants to be a professor in literature.
"Hey, Kori how long is the shift tonight?" She looks up from the book she's reading.
"Well, I'll be back before eleven tonight but-"
"You won't be here for dinner?" I look at Ryan who's sitting in the living room; this would be the fifth night I haven't had dinner with him, not that it was uncommon.
"No, sorry sweetie but I promise I'll drop you off tomorrow at school."
"And you'll be here for dinner tomorrow?" I look at Rachel before turning to look at him and then tell him that I would take him to dinner. He smiles but I can tell by the look in his eyes he doesn't completely believe me. I don't want him to think badly of me, I love him, and everything I do is for him.
I sigh before I hug him, "I promise, and I will go through with this one,"I feel him nod and I kiss him goodbye and leave. He's the only thing I have left I can't let him down.
-
"Well if it isn't the famous psychologist," I see Dick sit down across from me, today he wears a fancy black suit with a navy blue tie, which is quite a change from the last time.
"Wow I almost didn't recognize you with a suit on, you wouldn't happen to be a spy or secret agent would you?" I hear him give a small laugh and I take the opportunity to grab the money from last night and place it in his hand.
His laughing had subsided now, as he stares at the money then he gives it back to me, "Here it's yours take it," I roll my eyes, it's obvious he's quite stubborn. It's nice that he wants to let me have it but it's too much.
"No it's your money I don't take money from people, let alone people I just met and literally know nothing about."
I see him smirk before he starts speaking, "Well let me fix that the. My favorite color is red,I'm a lawyer, and my father is Bruce Wayne. I have two annoying younger brothers, I know a lot of people although I just have a few really good friends. I'm allergic to carrots,I'm also not a fan of drinking. My ex-girlfriend cheated on me but surprisingly you helped me with that. Sooo,any comments or anything you want to add? Was that enough to get us to not be strangers?"
I'm left speechless because it was a lot of information to take in and I was not expecting it. As I'm about to respond Jenn comes running from the kitchen holding the bar phone, looking really worried,"Kori it's Rachel she said it's urgent." I take the phone from her and I hear Rachel's voice.
"Kori you need to come to Leanne hospital now. Ryan is unconscious, I don't know what happened." I quickly tell her I'm on my way, Jenn said she'll cover for me, so I grab my stuff and I run out the door, paying no attention to anything or anyone. I'm in such a rush that I don't see Dick come after me.
"Kori please let me give you a ride," I have completely forgotten about him, I reluctantly agree thinking that this could be a faster way to get there. We get into his car, and he seems to know I'm in a hurry so he drives quickly. I really hope my brother's fine, I know he's strong but I don't know what I would do if- no. I won't lose him to.
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