I'm standing behind the counter of mine and my mom's coffee shop. It's Friday morning and I have just opened up. I've got no lessons today at the so called 'Prestigious Prescott School'. Or, as I call it 'The Pretentious School of Pricks'.
I used to live in Arcadia Bay until I was 13 and I was then moved away to Seattle with my Mother, Father and little Brother Alex.
I will always consider myself to be an Arcadian. This is where I was born, where all my friends are, and where all my fondest memories were made. It's not like I didn't like Seattle, I just never considered it my home. I missed my friends, especially my best friend Dana Ward.
Dana and I had been best friends since... well, I can't think of a time when I hadn't known the self proclaimed 'Hot as shit cheerleader', as Dana would say.
Dana and I would do absolutely everything together. In fact, most people thought we were sisters. If you saw one of us, the other wouldn't be far behind. Dana was the kind of person everyone was happy to be around and wanted to be friends with. She never thought anything of it. She was just the most bubbliest, kindest, caring and fun person you could meet.
Did I mention she was gorgeous too? I mean yes, I might sound like I'm fan-girling, but you have to understand that myself compared to her, I always felt so insecure and introverted, the complete opposite to her. But Dana never made fun of or made me feel that way. She would just encourage me and give me strength to come out of my shell, to pick me up when I fall, which I would do a lot - figuratively and metaphorically. I am very clumsy at times!
When I had to move away it was so sad. I didn't want to go and Dana didn't want me to leave either. But we stayed in touch all the time and every day we would call, write, email and sleep over whenever we got the chance. And now I'm back, and we are stronger than ever!
A month and a half has passed since being back and working in my shop. Ha! Still so weird saying that! And yes, it's mum's too but I own the majority and she is still living in Seattle and she said that I am the Boss! PMSL! - BOSS MAX, MAX BOSS! Yeah... Still getting used to that!
I'm not the most authoritative person around and I am pretty chilled and laid back about most things. But I do have a limit to stuff and will stand up for myself and those I care for and love.
I've had some hard knocks in my life, but I think it has just made me stronger. That and good people around me. Oh, the Thai Kick Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts comes in handy too!
"Ever since... no, I won't keep going down that road" I say out loud.
I feel my eyes start to burn a bit and swallow hard. I haven't allowed myself to cry in such a long time and I refuse to start now. It's too painful to think about.
"Fuck... I could really use a smoke right now!" I mutter under my breath.
I shouldn't have told the others they could come in at 08:30am.
I snort and say "Hmmm... Max the pushover".
Only a couple of customers in at the moment, I think to myself. Maybe I could step out for a few minutes. Or I could wait the 16 minutes before Jay gets here. Dana's not coming until 09:00am so that's out.
"Uhh... decisions, decisions... to leave or not to leave... that is the question...".
Hah.. I snicker to myself at how insane I must look talking to myself.
The customers keep giving me weird looks so I just smile and nod and they go back to talking, drinking and eating.
Or Max you could just stay here procrastinating and talking to yourself!
"11 minutes left".
Fuck it! I will go out the front so I can see the till and I will see if someone comes in.
There! Decision made! Wasn't so hard was it?! Only took you what, 13 minutes to decide!
Wow, Max the decision maker! Meh... quicker then usual!