Occupation : Waitress (Sick on the Side), Chapter Seven
Out of breath and sweaty, I walked towards the woman's changing room with difficulty so I could change back into my uniform and out of my drenched karateka. Today, Garp-sensei had been particularly harsh for our karate class, especially on Luffy. I pitied him, to have a grandfather like that.. I opened the door and got in. I hurried and changed my clothes as fast as lighting. I get out of the room while drinking a mouthful of water from my bottle, and I noticed my straw-hat friend just changed like I did. For once, he seemed out of breath and strength. When our eyes crossed, he offered me a smile full of compassion.
"Training wasn't too hard on you?"
He only grunted as a response. I put my head my hand on his shoulder to try to comfort him and we went over the dojo's exit. The dojo was on a separate building than the main school building (just like the Kendo one), thus we had to go across the schoolyard to get to our locker. However, it was raining bullets for two days straight, which forced us to run under the heavy rain if we didn't want to get wet like ducks once inside. Luffy and I exchanged a desperate glance. We were hot, and every muscle in our body hurt like hell. I'm gonna feel it tomorrow morning…
We both agreed to run as fast as we could under the beating rain. Even if we got wet, we bursted out laughing. Once in a safe place, we tried to get our breath back, completely out of it, but a smile played on our lips. We slowly walked towards our locker.
"Ah man, I totally forgot my umbrella at home!" Suddenly exclaimed Luffy while putting his hands on his head in a dramatic way.
I shook my head, amused. He turned towards me and gave me puppy eyes. I tried to resist, but my will was not strong enough. I sighed.
"You want to share mine?" I proposed.
He furiously nodded when we got to our locker. I did the password on the padlock and opened the door. I took my bag and got out of the way to let my friend do the same. He took at the same time my umbrella, then closed the locker's door and we made our way back to the school's entrance. On one of the bulletin board, a particular paper caught my attention. It talked about being independent by finding a job, among other things. The ad interested me. Aside for my essential needs, my parents only send me little money to spend. Therefore, I had to save money if I wanted to buy something I wanted. And no way was I asking Law for cash. I'll rather die.
"Hey Luffy, do you know a place where they're hiring?" I asked him without a warning.
He was surprise by my question, but he still thought for a second. He finally clap his hands together when he remembered something.
"Sanji told me they are searching for a waitress at the Baratie, and they accept beginners.
Waitress uh… I was kind of shy, but I believe I could do it. I had a good memory and I wasn't too clumsy.
"Do they still hire?"
Luffy nodded. Suddenly, I saw said blond crossing the front door, followed by a certain green-haired. As always, they were fighting, just like an old couple. Can someone tell why the hell they were always together if they could not get out of each other's hair? I shook my head and started running towards the two young men.
"Sanji!"
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I buttoned up my white shirt while I gazed at myself in the girl's changing room. The old Zeff accepted to hire me and see how I would do (thanks a certain blond gentleman's recommendation, who wanted to be loved by the opposite sex (even though with me, it was so he could help a friend)) . After school, I directly went to the restaurant and they showed me where to change after giving me my working uniform. I put on my pale blue tie with the edge white and I tried to tie it properly. It seemed so easy when I saw Law do it all the time, but when I tried to do it, it looked like someone was trying to strangle me. I had trouble breathing. Frustrated, I lost my patience and I madly grunted. Just then, someone knocked at the door, which made me jump.
"Cerys?" I heard the muffled voice of Sanji on the other side. Everything okay in there?"
I crossed the room and violently opened the door to answer. He only had the time to back off so the wood wouldn't collide with his nose. I looked down to show him my problem.
"Can you help me?" I implored him, piteously.
He slowly laughed and approached his hands. His fingers operated their magic and before I could say thank you, he retrieved his hands and left behind him a perfect knot. A pout appeared on my lips upon seeing his work. How come he did it so easily and I couldn't even do it?
"Are you ready?" He gently asked me.
I showed him my index finger to tell him to wait and I came back inside the room. I took my dark blue sleeveless jacket and quickly buttoned it up. I went over the mirror and inspected my appearance. I straighten my jacket, smoothed my skirt to get rid of wrinkles and I put a rebellious hair behind my ear that refused to get inside my ponytail. I smiled at my reflection. Perfect. I returned to Sanji and he explained the restaurant's rules while we walked towards the dining room. I said hello to the employees we came upon, since I already knew the majority.
We finally came upon swing doors, where we could hear a loud hubbub on the other side. Sanji went in first and kept the door open so I could pass. I smiled at him to thank him and he guided me around the counter where the drinks, a door leading to the kitchen, the cash register and the computer to take orders were. He quickly explained how everything worked. Then, he stayed silent. I breathed deeply to calm myself down. The time had come. Just then, a couple entered the restaurant and waited for someone to come to them to assign their place. Sanji smiled at me to encourage me and patted my shoulder before returning to the kitchen. I clenched my fists and let go, took a deep breath, and displayed my most beautiful smile. I then went over the couple with determined steps.
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"Haaa, I'm so tired.." I lazily complained.
I stretched with difficulty and looked at the clock on the wall. 8h15 in the afternoon. I only had 45 minutes to work, and I could go home. It only had been 3h15 I worked, but it felt like I did double. I started at dinner time, and I never noticed how much the Baratie was busy around that hour. I now had Jell-O legs and I dreamt of one thing: a long hot bath and a soft bed. Fortunately, I could relax at this hour, the place was almost empty.
For my first day, I thought that I did not do so bad. I didn't drop anything heavy, I didn't mix my orders either, and the customers said I had a very good energy and a nice smile. Luck was on my side for once. I smiled at the thought. I hoped with all my heart the old Zeff would hire me. It was a nice job, and the wage wasn't something to spit at.
While I got lost in my thoughts, the front door opened and a little "Cling!" announced the arrival of a customer. I left my thoughts for another time and put on a shining smile. That quickly faded. Law just got inside the restaurant and offered me a mischievous smirk. Why was he here! I didn't even told him I worked here! How did he.. Maybe he heard the conversation I had with Sanji last night, when he confirmed the old Zeff decided to test me. Inside, I was boiling, but outside, I kept my calm and smiled again. For once, I wouldn't let him ruin my day! I slowly walked towards him.
"Welcome sir!" I feigned cheerfulness. "Are you alone?"
He didn't answer, just continued with his creepy smirk while staring at me. My eye twitched, irritated, but I kept a professional smile on.
"You can follow me." I simply said.
I walked over a table in the back, that way I could easily talk to him without anyone eavesdropping. He obediently followed me, and I could feel his piercing eyes on the back of my head. I felt goosebumps all over my body. We finally arrived at destination and Law silently sat down.
"Do you need a menu?"
He stared, his gaze almost angry.
"I'll just take the dessert menu. Someone was already gone, so I had to do lunch." He accused, emphasizing on the someone part.
I ignored his last comment and turned tail. I took the dessert menu behind the counter and came back towards the last person on Earth I wanted to see right about now. I put down the object in front of him, with a little bit too much force than necessary, and I returned behind the counter. I let a sigh escape me.
What difference did it make if I didn't cook tonight? I wasn't his slave for god's sake! He was a mature and vacined man, he could take care of his own self! I let my anger loose and I burned inside. By the time I treated him of every insult I could find, he decided what he wanted to have and he close the dessert menu to put it in front of him. I sighed a few seconds and I prepared myself mentally of the conversation to come. My fake smile came back and I reluctantly made my way towards the devil himself.
"You've made a choice?" I asked him politely.
"A maple and cheese cake and a coffee."
I took back the menu while carefully avoiding his touch.
"I'll get it right away."
I put his order in the cash register and while I waited, I put his coffee in a mug. I heard the little "Ting!" resonated. I took the small saucer in the hole separating the kitchen from the other room, where cooks gave us our orders, took his mug in my other hand and returned to Law. I put down his food in front of him.
"What are you doing here?" I furiously said.
He shrugged while fixing his plate.
"I was hungry."
I rolled my eyes. It was not the only reason, I could bet my life on it!
"And the real reason?" I asked, irritated.
He finally gazed up to look in my eyes.
"Guess." He said, mischievous.
He took his fork, cut a piece and picked the food to bring it to his lips. They opened slightly and I could see his tongue, barely visible. The sweet treat touched it gently before he closed his lips on the cake. His eyes were still on me and he saw how I observed him. A smirk appeared on his lips while he chewed. I quickly turned my back to him and almost ran to the counter. I could sense my burning cheeks (Red from shyness? Embarrassment? Anger? I did not know.) and I looked back at the clock. Let's just hope this last hour will run us by…
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I sighed while taking my waitress uniform off to put on my school one. Law stayed till the last minute of my shift. And his only purpose was to torture me, I was certain of it! Actually, I know the reason of his visit was to bother me even outside of school and home. Can't he just leave me alone for a couple of hours?
I furiously closed my locker behind me, put on my coat and my bag on my back, and got out the changing room. I passed through the hallway and arrived at the back door, which lead outside. I opened it, and a humid and cold wind ran through me. Fall was now getting comfortable and to make matters worst, rain fell since Monday and we were now Thursday. I closed my coat around me, put on my hood and got out. The air was fresh, but at least, there wasn't much wind. But rain wasn't leaving any openings. I stepped on the sidewalk and walked quietly.
I advanced like that for about thirty seconds, until a car pulled over to the left of me. I didn't pay it much attention, at least not until the side window slowly rolled down.
"Do you need a lift?" Asked the driver.
I lowered my head and saw Law inside. What did he want now?
"Is there a trick to it?"
He laughed and shook his head. I had a hard time believing it. It wasn't in his habits to give a helping hand out of the goodness of his heart. Unless…
"You're gonna give me a lift so I owe you something, is that it?" I said, suspicious.
His smirk vanished.
"You can't believe I can help you, just like that, without asking for something in return?" He asked seriously.
I answered without a second thought.
"No."
I saw his face change and become hard, and I did not understand why.
"I see." He simply said.
He closed his window and left in a hurry. His sudden acceleration provoked a precipitation of water that was next to the sidewalk to jump in the air. And where did it fell? On my head. I was now wet from head to toe. My mouth opened wide, astounded. I wanted to scream my hatred for this man, but instead, I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists.
Trafalgar Law, I loath you!
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My head against my locker, I found happiness in the fact that it was cold. I had the impression of being on fire.
"Heu, Cerys?"
I turned my head towards Usopp, a common friend of Luffy and myself, who was next to the said brown-hair boy, who was searching through our locker to find his material for our last course.
"You sure you're alright?" He said, worried. "You seem kind of pale."
I tried to smile so I could reassure him, but a poor grimace took its place.
"I'm okay" I said, myself not believing a word I said. "I'm just hot, and my head spins a little, but I'm alright."
He raised his eyebrows, more and more concerned. Luffy, who had listen to our conversation, suddenly put his hand on my forehead. It was cold. Haa, this is nice… He removed it to fast to my linking while screaming. His reaction brought stares from students around.
"You're burning!" He exclamed while blowing on his hand, like it was on fire.
I shook my head, but as a result, it just spun even more around me. I leaned on the locker to support myself.
"You should go to the infirmary." Finally said Usopp.
I looked his way, exasperated.
"I'm telling you, I'm fine!" I insisted. "Anyway, there's just one class left for the day, I will survive!"
The two of them stared intensely at me. I raised my eyes to the ceiling.
"Alright, Alright! I'll go…" I finally complied.
The bell rang as I said that. Usopp offered me an encouraging smile, Luffy a smack on my back, before they disappeared in the busy crowd that was students. I sighed, took my back with all my personal effects in, just in case I had to go home, and I closed the locker and the padlock. I slowly made my way towards the infirmary while trying not to get in anyone's way. I finally arrived at my destination and I timidly knocked on the door. A muffled Come in came from the other side and I turned the handled so I could get in. I closed the door behind me and I turned around. Doctor Chopper sat on a chair, and Robin, a history teacher, was right next to him.
"What can I do for you today, miss Cerys?"
I nervously played with my fingers.
"I don't feel so well today…"
He got up and invited me to sit down. Once done, he put the back of his hand on my forehead, and decided it was necessary to take my temperature. He pulled out a thermometer, carefully disinfected it and asked me to open my mouth, which I did.
While he waited for the results, I observed more closely our school's doctor. He had short brown hair and big round grey eyes. He was quite cute, if I may say so myself. At only 16 year old, he already had his degree and was a qualified doctor. He graduated high school at only 11 year old and obtained his doctor degree in less than 3 years. A real genius. I heard that his grand-mother was a grand doctor, world-renowned at that. He must have studied medicine from a very young age.
A Bip rang out and the young man slowly took out the object from my mouth before checking its result. He put it down on the round table by his side and took a brown stick in his doctor material. He indicated me to open my mouth and to say aaah the longest I could. I did as told and he gently set down the object on my tongue. Man, I can never get used to that taste.. He got it out seconds later and threw it in the trash can. I closed and opened my mouth. A wince made its way on my face. Gosh, I had a coated tongue now…
"It seems you cough the flu. Nothing serious, but you still need to rest. Take some cough syrup, acetaminophen caplets like it's written on the package, get some sleep and you'll be able to come back to school next week, all fresh and prepared. You can go home now."
I nodded and took my bag on the ground while getting up. Robin did the same.
"I'll take you home." She simply said.
I was about to protest, say that I could go home by myself, that rain stopped falling this morning anyway, but her stare shut me up. I said goodbye to doctor Chopper and followed the teacher. These two already knew about my "secret", so there was no need to worry about them finding out about it if they brought me home. The ride was made in a comfortable silence, and Robin dropped me at Law's house. I thanked her, which she answered with a smile. I climbed the stairs, unlocked the door and entered the apartment.
"I'm home!"
It was more than a reflex than anything. I knew nobody was here at the moment. Well, except for Bepo. As soon as he heard the front door open, he ran here and happily robbed his face against my legs. When I returned his gesture, he went back the way he came, satisfied. I pulled out my shoes, put my bag in the entrance and made my way to the bathroom. I searched for pills in the cabinet, took said the caplets and swallowed them in one go. I then took a glass of water. After drinking, I searched for the cough syrup, but didn't find any. I made a mental note to ask Law for it later. I got out and walked towards my bedroom to get some shut eyes. However, I stopped at Law's door. His door was ajar. Too curious, I sneaked inside. When was the last time Law was absent while I was home? I knew he would kill me if he heard about me sneaking around and looking through his things, but the need to know all the little secrets he was (probably) hidling was bigger than my survive instincts.
I began with his commode's drawers. I opened one and found his boxers. I considered it for a second, curious if I would found one with little hearts on it, but I closed quickly closed the drawer. I wouldn't find his shameful secrets by searching through his underwear!
…And I didn't want to sound like a complete pervert.
I changed my target and went to his wardrobe. Some shirts and ties were hanging. Boxes were neatly put on a shelf on the top corner. I tried to reach them, but with my small height, only 5'1, it was a lost cause. I sighed and got on my knees. There were some other boxes on the ground. I took the first one that made contact with my hand. I opened it.
Many baubles were inside. A particularly ugly DIY, a pair of broken scissors, a small blue pencil. I realised something.
The DIY was a gift I gave him when I was 8 year old and he turned 15. The scissors were the ones I believed I lost when I was 9 year old. That pencil was the one my sister lent to Law one day when we came to play at his house. He kept all of them?
The more I searched, the more I discovered items from my childhood, some I had totally forgotten about. Then, in the bottom, there were many pictures. I took and analysed them. One where I was crying and covered in mud, thanks to Law, another one where Law and I were scratched all over, because we fell from our bike onto the gravel, one where we went camping, and I was forcing down a piece of bread down Law's throat since he made a particularly unpleasant joke to me. Then, came the last picture. It was at his old house, when he was leaving for school in another city. Law was on my right, his arm around my shoulders, and he was roughly rubbing my scalp with his joints. Leïla was on my left and put her hand over my head to give me rabbit's ears. And myself, in the middle, trying to get out Law's grip, tears to my eyes. From pain? Or sadness? I didn't know.
I gently put down the pictures on the bottom of the box, the other items on top, and I closed the lid so I could put back the object right where I found it. Who would believe that Trafalgar Law was a sentimental…
I took the box next to it and opened it. This time, no pictures. Just some articles. It talked about economy, accidents, murders. The subjects were vast, but one name seemed to pop up every time. Doflamingo. An article in particular caught my attention. On the top of it, there was a picture of a couple around 30 year old. They were Law's parents. He told me about them once and showed me their picture a long time ago, but I could still remember their faces. His parents died in a car accident. So then why was this article talking about money debt that turned sour?
I didn't have the time to discover more because I heard the front door open.