A/N: Gonna keep it short and sweet. Thank you! I don't own anything! Enjoy!

Chapter Four: I Need an Extra-Curricular Activity

Isaac's P.O.V.

"It's literally been four days since you've left this place,"

I ignored Artie and dropped down on the couch, digging into the me-shaped groove. He threw a pillow at my head but I blocked it with my hand.

"Seriously Isaac. You need to get out. Your bistro people are extremely concerned," Artie remarked. "They miss you. Every time I go in it's 'Where's Isaac?' 'Tell Snails if he wants his food he needs to come down here,' etc etc blah blah blah."

I miss them too. They welcomed me with open arms when I butchered the hell out of their menu. Plus it's always nice to have someone tease you about you monotonous food choice. But I can't leave until this feeling's gone. Scott called and I blew him off. That has never happened. The one time he called and I freaked. And I feel like the biggest ass in the world.

"Nobody blames you for blowing that kid in California off," Artie commented. "Chris didn't at least. Told me the gist of what happened there. I'm not going to lie. You guys put up with a lot more shit than most would in their entire lives. And you're only seventeen. That's a lot at such a young age."

Ugh. He's actually making me some semblance of better. But that little nagging voice won't go away no matter what anyone says. Simple as that. I'm pretty sure it won't ever go away until I do talk to Scott. But luckily for me, there is something I do to take my mind of this.

"C'mon Artie," I said, getting off the couch. "I'm hungry."

"Isaac!"

Never has stepping into this restaurant felt more at home. Like slipping on that worn-in pair of sweatpants. Even better. There's only two other people in here besides Amelie, some other waitress, and Francis. Amelie bounced over to me with an extra vigor. She threw her arms around me, in a big hug.

"Oh it is so good to see you!" she exclaimed. "Where have you been? Because Monsieur Argent's gone doesn't mean you can skip out on seeing us."

I chuckled and hugged her back. We pulled away and she looked behind me to look at Artie.

"Thanks for dragging him out of the house," Amelie told him.

"No problem," he responded.

He said something else in French and caused Amelie to laugh. She led us to the usual table and sat menus down.

"Amelie! What have I told you about wasting my menus on that boy?!"

I snickered as the redhead rolled her eyes. She smiled and ruffled my hair.

"Welcome back Isaac," she whispered.

A warm bubbly feeling burst in my chest. Yep. It's good to be back.

"See? Over the moon,"

I laughed. Amelie came back over to get drink orders and food orders but she passed them off to the other waitress (I think her name was Helene) and slid in the seat beside me.

"So what's new with you?" Amelie asked. "Since you avoided us for a few days and all."

"Yes Isaac," Artie added, ganging up on me. "Do tell."

I did some awkward half shrug scoff thing. How do you say 'I spent all the time away cultivating a horrible imprint of my butt on the couch because I'm a confused mass of flesh' into a way that doesn't make me sound like a complete loser?

"I wasn't feeling too well,"

Nailed it. Amelie looked like she believed it.

"Well you look like you haven't been getting much sleep," she examined. "Explains why you're in here so late. It's dinner time."

Yeah. Let's go with that.

"But enough about me. How have you been Ammy?"

Amelie smiled.

"Well I've been great," Amelie responded. "My daughters on the other hand are dying to meet you. They just love my stories of the cute American boy who comes in the bistro,"

I grinned. Really? Well I'm flattered. I'm Cute American Boy in the Bistro. Sounds like those cool corny romantic comedies.

"Well you can tell them that cute American boy would love to meet them," I told her. "I've heard plenty of good stories about them too. Is Cecile still carrying around that pink elephant?"

Amelie let out a breath and shook her head.

"That girl I swear. You'd think the thing is surgically attached to her hand. I curse my father for giving it to her. She won't even bathe without it,"

"Yeah. I can imagine,"

Francis was standing above us, placing our food on the table. Amelie laughed and glanced at her watch.

"Well it is time for me to depart," she stated, standing up. "Bye Artie. Isaac."

She shook Artie's hand and patted my head.

"Don't be a stranger now Isaac," she told me. "I would hate for Cecile and Margot to be disappointed tomorrow."

I grasped her hand and placed a small kiss on it.

"I wouldn't dare dream of it,"

"Well that was just delicious,"

Artie groaned and patted his stomach. I was stuffed too. Francis was always a fantastic chef. Speaking of fantastic. I looked over at the man. He was hunched over a table, scribbling away on some forms.

"Be right back,"

Moving up from my table, I strolled over to Francis and took the seat across from him. He glanced up, a confused expression on his face.

"Snails? What's the matter?"

Hoping you don't tell me no.

"Um. So Mr. Argent's gone back to the states and-erm I have really nobody here-well I kinda do. A babysitter essentially. It's Artie-"

"Isaac!"

Crap. Did he just call me Isaac? He never calls me that. Oh no. He's pissed.

"Now I'm pretty sure you had something else to tell me besides that,"

He wasn't mad. Actually had a bemused look.

"Unless this was what wanted to say?"

I scratched my head nervously. Nope definitely not.

"It wasn't," I chuckled awkwardly. "I actually wanted to ask you for a job."

I heard Artie cough. Francis's eyebrows rose. Then he laughed.

"You want a job? Doing what exactly?"

I shrugged. Didn't really think that far ahead. Came up with the idea on the way from the table. Francis sighed and sat his pen down. He's definitely about to drop the bomb on me. 'Sorry. Can't give you anything.'.

"Alright. Here's the deal,"

Please give me a job.

I'll give you a job,"

Yes.

"As a busboy,"

It's a job. Not the most glamorous one in the bunch but I don't care. Job's a job.

"I accept."

Francis grunted a response. Then stood up and went around to the counter. He pulled a folder out and came back to drop it in front of me.

"Usually I hire French speakers but you won't need it," Francis said.

Cool.

"But I still want you to learn,"

Crap. Better go invest in Rosetta Stone.

"Done,"

After a few more instructions and a time to report for work in the morning, Artie and I left. I'm so ready for tomorrow. Hopefully everything goes right for me. I really want to make a good impression. Can't exactly lose this job before I even really get it.

Chapter End.

Keeping it short down here too. Thanks again! Review! See you next chapter!