Here is the first chapter of Taking Chances! Woohoo! Feel free to leave any suggestions or comments! Thanks! Bella xx
CHAPTER ONE
"Tris! Wake up!" I hear my best friend of 10 years, Christina, yell from our kitchen. "It's your first day, you can't be late!" Sighing, I roll out of bed, before making my way into the kitchen and pouring myself a cup of coffee. I take a large sip from the mug, the hot liquid scolding the inside of my throat. I glance at the clock on the microwave and realise I only have half an hour to be ready and out the door.
I scull the rest of the coffee, before dashing back into my bedroom to get ready for the day. I quickly strip out of my pyjamas and throw on a pair of black skinny jeans and a loose white tee. I hurriedly brush my hair and pull it back into a low ponytail. I apply minimal makeup, grab my black converse and head back into the kitchen.
"Chris! Why didn't you wake me up earlier? I'm going to be late!" I joke.
Christina and I have lived together ever since we graduated high school 2 years ago. We live in a small, two-bedroom apartment in central Chicago, a five minute walk from the University of Chicago, were Chris and I are both currently studying.
"I would have, if you weren't so bloody stubborn! I'd been trying for at least 10 minutes." She laughs, loading the dishwasher with our coffee cups and the plate's from last night's dinner. I laugh along, before taking a seat on the couch and putting on my shoes.
"Are you nervous?" Christina asks. I recently got a job as a waitress at a restaurant down the road. It's nothing serious, just a few shifts a week to help cover costs.
"Not really," I reply. "Nothing I haven't done before." She smiles at me, taking a sip from her mug before placing it back down on the counter.
"Thats my girl." She winks. Reading my mind, she grabs my water bottle from the fridge and throws it to me.
"Thanks, Chris." She smiles and turns the dishwasher. She has a quick look at the clock.
"You better go if you want to be there on time." I give her a small smile, and she wishes me luck once more, before finally I make my way outside and begin the small walk to Tori's.
Tori's is the largest (and the best) restaurant in the loop, and is one of those places where the staff know everyone individually. I've known Tori, the manager, ever since I was 18, and she has always offered me a part-time position, but I've only just accepted it.
As I open the door, I'm met with the familiar sounds of my friends laughter, allowing a small smile to grace my lips. I see Marlene, Uriah, Zeke and Shauna. Will would usually be here as well, but he'd probably be the awkward 5th wheel without Christina there. I'm the only single person in our friendship circle, but it's always been that way. The girls are always trying to fine me someone, sending me on numerous blind (and disastrous) dates, but I'm simply not interested. I've never really believed in the whole 'love' thing anyway.
I look in direction of the front counter, where I see Tori talking to Mr and Mrs Robinson, and old couple that come here every day for breakfast. I wait until she finishes with them before I walk towards her. She notices me almost immediately.
"Tris! How are you going girl? Right on time, just as I expected!" She laughs. Her long, black hair is tied into a low pony tail, and she's dressed in her usual ripped black skinny jeans with matching a matching black singlet, her Tori's apron tied loosely around her hips. We talk casually for a few minutes before she tells me to put my things out the back and to 'suit up', meaning to put on my apron.
She meets me back at the front counter, and starts showing me how to use the till.
"Okay, so you click this button if someone wants to order a..."
The clock strikes 5pm before I finally call it a day. I'm absolutely exhausted, and my feet are killing me. Tori congratulates me on a great first shift before I return out the back to collect my things. I say goodbye and thank the rest of the staff before I clock off and head out the door.
The cool Chicago air hits me suddenly and I curse myself for not thinking to bring a jacket. Hugging myself, I begin the short walk home.
15 minutes later, I'm home and waiting for Christina let me in.
"Christina, I swear if you don't open the god damn door in the next 10 seconds I'm going to kill you!" I hear her laugh from inside, followed by the familiar sounds of the locks clicking open. She opens the door and I hurry inside, the warmth considered a blessing.
"Tris! You idiot! Didn't you take a jacket?" Christina scolds. "I'll make us some Coffee and then you can tell me all about your day." I thank her and head into my room to get changed. I throw on a singlet and some pyjama boxer shorts, before removing the little makeup I had on and taking out my ponytail. I put it back up in a top knot, and head back into the kitchen.
Christina is sitting down on one of our couches, two steaming mugs on the coffee table in front of her. I sit on the couch opposite her and grab the coffee.
"Thanks, Chris."
"All good. Now how was your first day?" She asks.
"It was good. Not too hard. She had me on till for the most part. Other than that, just basic things...cleaning and waiting. Nothing exciting."
"That's good...and the staff? How were they?" I think back to everyone I met today.
First theres Laura. She's worked there forever, I've known her for years. She was fine. Then theres Ace, Max and Josh. They're the chefs who work out the back. I didn't speak to them too much, but they seem like nice enough guys. There were a few more who's names I can't remember, but there was one more that really stood out. His name is Al, and I've never seem him before, despite the fact that I'm at Tori's almost every day. He's much larger than the rest of us, yet has innocent eyes and is very intriguing.
"They were fine."
"Fine? Any cute boys?" She jokes. Of course she'd ask something like that. Typical Christina.
"No." I laugh. "But I did see Will. He was with the others, looked a little lonely without you."
"Oh, shut up." She says, standing up. She walks towards the kitchen and opens the fridge. "How does chicken pasta sound?"
"Sounds perfect."