So I got this idea a while back and have been dying to get it posted. Anyway, just because Nick is a pastor doesn't mean this is a religious story. In fact, I'm planning to keep religion out other than Nick being nice to Miley. I know this first chapter is lame but it will get better, I promise.
With a Little Faith
Chapter 1- First Impressions
Laptop open, Bible open, notepad flipped to a clear page, tapping his pencil furiously while waiting for the right words to pop into his head. His coffee cup had been filled several times in the past two hours. Young pastor, Nick Gray, was clearly frustrated.
The sounds of the diner didn't help either. The clanging of forks and knives, the scraping of spoons against the bottom of bowls and plates, the voices that filled the small restaurant, it all proved to be annoying and distracting. He had finished a plate of food an hour ago.
He had the thought to give up and go somewhere else but it was late and no one else would be open. In fact, there really weren't that many people in the diner. Just a couple of older gentlemen, a family that looked to be traveling, a couple of rugged looking twenty year olds, and of course, the staff was present.
A young, about his age, beautiful auburn hair waitress walked up holding a coffee pot. She wore a short, pink waitress dress and a short white apron. "Sir? May I pour you more coffee?" her southern accent filled his ears.
He looked at her nametag. Miley. His eyes met hers. For some reason, he found them comforting and beautiful. "Um, no, that's ok, I'm fine. Can you just get me my check?" he stuttered.
"Sure" she smiled and walked back to the counter.
He turned his focus back to his work. Still hoping the words would come to him, he sighed and tapped his pencil some more. Why was this so complicated?
His mind was too distracted to focus. For one, the sounds of the diner. Plus, he couldn't get his mind off the attractive young waitress. But a new sound filled the small restaurant. The waitress that had just asked him if he wanted coffee and had gone to get his check was now in an argument with one of the rugged looking twenty year olds.
"Hey! You didn't pay!" she called after them.
One of the guys looked at the other and mumbled something. The other one nodded. Then, he (the one who mumbled) walked out. The other one stepped forward. "I'm sorry Miss. We left our money in our car which is parked only a block away. Please wait till my brother gets back with it?"
"Nice try!" she spat. "I know you two are known for not paying and stealing! Your posters are all over the downtown area!"
"Look Miss," he began again. "We're on parole. We're telling the truth this time!"
"Fine" she huffed with an attitude. "Sit over there" she pointed to the table in the back corner. "You can sit right over there until your friend comes back with the money."
He sat down as told. But from his facial expressions, it was doubtful he would stay there. He was mad already that this southern sweetheart had drawn so much attention to him. But after about five minutes, the rest of the costumers had gone back to what they were doing.
The curly brunette walked over to Nick and handed him a slip of paper, or more commonly known, his bill. "Thanks" he told her.
"No problem" she smiled and walked back to the counter, leaving him to pack up.
Not even ten minutes later, Nick heard the man in the corner mumble something. "Man, this is stupid!" he stood up and began to walk out. But the southern waitress attempted to stop him, again.
"Hey! I told you to wait until your friend came back with the money!" she yelled after him from the counter. He ignored her and kept heading towards the door. She groaned and walked around the corner. "Yo! You! Big head! You gotta pay or I'll call the cops!"
He turned around to face her. When he saw the look of fury in her eyes he gave a deep chuckle. "Big head? Really? That's the biggest insult you could come up with?" he laughed. "You're a lame whore!"
She gasped. "That's it! I'm calling the cops!"
"They can't catch me!" he boasted. "They never have. I lied to you about paroll."
"Uh duh, I kind of noticed the minute you said so" she barked. "Sit down, now!" she growled.
"Forget it" he scoffed. He turned around to continue to his destination, the door. Nick watched the waitress hesitate but think fast. She threw a napkin dispenser at him. It hit his back. He turned around. "What was that (AN: Enter name of your choice here)?"
"Well at least I got you to turn around" she stated with attitude. Nick couldn't help but ask himself: where the heck was the manager at this time?
The man was furious. "That's it!" he roared and walked towards her. But she stood proud and tall, not a hint of fear in her eyes. "I've had enough of you!" he raised his hand a slapped her.
The room, which was already silent, looked at the girl in shock. She held her cheek and looked back at the man. "Is that all you've got?" she growled through gritted teeth.
A plump bald man rushed forward from the behind the counter. "What's going on here?"
"You're waitress accused me of not paying!" the attacker lied. Nick, being raised in a Christian home, felt the urge to stand up for the truth.
"No, you didn't pay and then tried to get out of it" his own voice startled him.
The older, round man, who Nick assumed to be the manager, looked at him. "Is this true?" he asked. Nick nodded. The manager looked at the young brunette. "Miley, why don't you take the night off? It seems your shift has been," he paused, "eventful."
Miley nodded and walked back to the counter. The manager called the police. Nick grabbed his things and walked up to pay. As she sat there adding up his total, he began to talk to her.
"You've got a lot of nerve, huh?" he asked.
"You have to have a lot of nerve to survive where I come from" she answered. "Your total is twenty-two dollars and fifty cents."
He handed her the money. "Look, obviously you've been through a lot. I'm a pastor. If you ever need anything, please stop by the church." He handed her his business card.
She took it. "Sorry sir," she apologized. "But I'm doing all right by myself. I have a two year old daughter who needs me and I just don't think church is right for us. Maybe if she were older."
"We have a nursery" he informed.
She looked at the card again. "I still don't know" she hesitated.
"That's fine" he told her. "But if you ever need anything, give me call." He started making his way out, leaving her at the counter with his business card.
"Maybe we'll visit" she called after him. He turned around and smiled.
So, review, please?
Random Question: Who watched the royal wedding? Didn't Kate look beautiful? I loved her dress.
Random Fact- My fortune cookie said be a couch potato this weekend. No joke!
Anyway, please, pretty please, review!