Author's Note: Sorry for the huge delay, been having computer problems. But here's chap 7.

After paying the bill, bidding Ellie goodbye, and giving Spinner one last look of bitter hatred, Craig was out the diner; Marco following behind.

"Alright, so what's the game plan?" Marco asked as he Craig made there way down the narrow sidewalk away from the restaurant.

"Uh…plan?" Craig made a face.

"You and Ellie tonight, what are you planning on doing?"

"I guess we'd just chill and watch a few movies; I didn't really think that far ahead."

"Well if you're gonna set up something like this you've gotta have structure; or at least an idea of how you want the evening to go." Marco said.

"Um, I could order Chinese?"

"Lame." Marco giggled. "Take her out somewhere. Tell her me and Jimmy couldn't make it and you figured the two of you would spend a night out on the town. She'd like that."

"Wh- You sure?"

"I am the very definition of sure. Believe me, I know Ellie Nash."

"Wow." Ellie sighed, making her way back to the bar after cleaning up another table. "How many tables has it been since I was promoted?"

"Hmm, I wanna say eleven, but you've been doing such a great job you might've covered an extra two while I wasn't looking."

"Eleven? Hmm,"

"Yup," Spinner nodded.

"You spying on me boss?"

"Nah, just admiring from a far." Spinner joked.

"Well, I don't know how many times I can thank you for helping me get this job; so if admiring is what you wanna do, be my guest. Admire my kick ass waitress skills."

"I will," Spinner assured her. He gave her a little wink as she walked off to one of her waiting tables.

He didn't expect to get much of a response from his wink, but he was glad she kept a smile on her face until she reached her table. Maybe that meant she wasn't completely turned off by him. Maybe Zoe was right.

After serving a few more tables, it seemed as if the day had come and gone. Pretty soon it was 6:15, the sun was setting and fewer people were showing up for meals. Charlene had given everyone clean up duties.

"Hey, you did a great today." Zoe complemented as she and Ellie cleaned the deserted tables. Henry was waiting on the few customers that were still hanging around.

"Thanks. I never thought I'd have waitress as a job description."

"Well I've learned that usually the stuff you can't see yourself doing, is the stuff you're probably most good at...in some cases." Zoe sniggered.

"Hmm, then maybe I should apply for that Dip Stick Girl job at the mall part-time." Ellie said.

"Uh…please don't."

"Don't worry, only joking." Ellie giggled. "But what exactly is a Dip Stick Girl?"

"I worked there for like a month; let's just say lots and lots of corndogs and skin-tight booty shorts are involved."

"Oh…ew."

"Yeah." Zoe and Ellie shared a look of disgust. "Besides, I think you'd disappoint Spinner a bit if you weren't working here full time."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Um…nothing…oh." Zoe spotted some dirty dishes on one of the booth tables. Hoping they were her ticket out of an awkward situation, she picked them up. "Lemme run these to the back." She scurried way.

"Okay?" Ellie made a face.

"Seven-thirty." A relieved Ellie announced to Spinner. He stood behind the bar; she sat on a stool on the opposite end.

"Yep, your first day is officially over. Congrads."

"I'd thank you but I'm too sleepy and deprived of food to speak." Ellie sighed, restlessly brushing her hands through her hair.

"You're welcome," Spinner smiled.

"Did everyone leave already?" Ellie asked, noticing the lights in the diner were actually dimmed and it wasn't her foggy eye sight.

"Yeah, Henry was the last to check-out."

"Huh. I guess I should get going then; get some sleep before school. Food, I will have to do with out."

"Why?"

"My mom and I agreed to cut back on the groceries. She meant to go to the store today, but we saw the bills and… you know."

"Well, I could help with that."

"You're gonna go grocery shopping for us?" Ellie joked.

"No, I mean I would if I could but… I'm not the richest guy either."

"I understand."

"But I was about to make something for myself in the back; eat it here. I could fix whatever you want for you and your mom and you could take it home?"

"Really? You don't have homework or anything?"

"Nope. Get a menu, tell me what you want."

"Okay," Ellie took one of the menus from the place holders on bar and skimmed through it for a moment. "I guess my mom would have the grilled chicken sandwich and fries; I'll take some onion rings and a turkey burger."

"Coming right up," Spinner nodded. He started to the kitchen.

"Hey Spinner," Ellie called. He stopped and turned back to face her.

"Yep."

"You're eating here right?"

"Mm hmm."

"Uh…make that turkey burger for here, then. Not to-go."

"Um…okay." Spinner started back to the kitchen, a wide smile sprung across his face. He wanted to jump and cheer, but that would've been a little too obvious.

Just as Spinner reached the kitchen, he remembered something. There was something specific about eight 'o clock; something one of them was supposed to do. He started to ask Ellie, but then he realized what that something was.

Craig popped into his mind. Ellie was supposed meet the band for practice at eight. She must've forgotten.

"Hey Ellie," he called through the chef's window. She remained at the bar.

"Yeah?"

He stared at her, contemplating whether or not to say anything. The good thing to do would be to remind her, she was part of the band and they probably needed her. But then again, when would he ever get a chance to be alone with her like this?

And it'd be great payback against Craig.

"Uh…Never mind."