"Hey Gwen... whatcha doin' after work tonight?"
Tabby jumped a bit to avoid the hand headed towards her backside, nearly spilling some of the coffee left in the pot she was holding. She bit back a glare and snide comment and turned to smile sweetly at the man.
"Oh I'm sorry, Earl, but I've got some homework to do for school. You know, high school."
"I don't care how young ya are, Gwen. S'not like I'll be hangin' 'round here much longer. Just got a new job and I'm headin' out on the road tomorrow."
"Oh, well that's just too bad! I'm sure we'll all miss you around here."
Tabby grimaced. The sooner this guy left, the sooner she'd be able to concentrate on work rather than avoiding his groping hands. She was sure he was one of the ones who'd left her that penny for a tip to show he'd thought her service had been bad. Earl grinned at her, his teeth yellow from the tobacco he liked to chew.
"Well since ya'll miss me so much, how 'bout ya come home with me tonight? I'll show you the time of yer life, sweetie."
He winked at her. Tabitha sighed heavily. "Earl, don't you have a wife and kid at home?"
Earl laughed loudly, a slight wheeze hidden behind the sound. "Nah, she left me last week! Took the baby too! She said she knew I was cheatin' on her or some bullshit like that. I know she's just after half 'a my stuff, the bitch. So what you say we give her a reason ta hate me, eh Gwenie?"
"'Fraid I can't. Like I said, I've got work to do later. Sorry." Tabby quickly retreated to the back kitchen before anyone else could try and grab her, rolling her eyes as she passed through the doorway. Hillary looked over and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, hon. He's the worst of them, and he'll be gone soon."
Tabitha started gathering up some of the finished orders to take out, smiling back at Hillary. "Doesn't make me want to punch him in the face any less, though."
The two giggled as they heard the bell on the door signal a new customer. Tabitha was headed out of the kitchen when she looked over to see a familiar figure enter. Tall, short brown hair, familiar red sunglasses...
"Oh shit!"
She turned and went back into the kitchen, ducking behind the doorway as Scott Summers took a seat in one of the booths near the window. Hillary looked out at him, then back at Tabitha.
"Tabby, what's wrong? Who is that guy?"
"No one, Hill. Just do me a favor and cover for me, would you?" She pushed the plates into the other girl's arms, silently panicking over what to do.
"No problem, hon..."
As Hillary exited to deliver the food, Tabitha watched Scott from the kitchen. She couldn't let him see her working here. She'd never be able to show her face back at school if word got out that she was one of the sleazy waitresses at Harvey's Diner. Her reputation may not be the cleanest one in Bayville, but something like this would make classes almost unbearable. Even if Scott didn't tell anyone, she knew he'd pity her at the very least. She just couldn't deal with that.
How am I going to get out of this one?
------------------------------------------
Scott had made it to the outskirts of Bayville, walking along route six while shivering slightly from the cold. He hadn't realized how cold it got at night. The mansion was always kept at just the right temperature for all the students to remain comfortable. The professor would know if someone wasn't as comfortable as possible and make the correct adjustments accordingly. Scott zipped up his jacket, shoving his hands into his pockets. That was when he spotted a light on in one of the truck stops up ahead. It was nearly midnight, but he supposed that those sort of places were open all night. He'd never been in one himself, but he decided that since he'd flown off the handle so much already he might as well give it a try.
After all, you only live once, so why not?
A bell on the door rang as he walked inside, the heat from the cramped and probably filthy kitchen already warming him up. Some of the men sitting up at the counter gave him odd looks. He guessed that he must look rather odd wearing his sunglasses in the middle of the night, but no one said anything to him. He did, however, hear some snickering behind him as he walked over to one of the booths and sat down, facing away from the other patrons. The table wasn't very clean, so he chose to touch it as little as possible. Looking up he saw a woman with brown hair, slightly disheveled and pulled back into a ponytail, carrying several plates out to the customers. She was wearing a small pink dress and apron that he assumed was the uniform for this establishment, as it was far too impractical to be worn on a day as cold as today. The men all cheered as she approached, saying some rather inappropriate things about how fast she should move her backside. Scott frowned at this.
How could any woman lower herself to working at a job like this? She must really be desperate, the poor thing.
Deciding that he's leave a large tip for her, he signaled to the waitress. She looked at him nervously, calling out to him.
"Uh, I'll be with you in a sec, hon! Just hold on, I've got a few more orders to deliver."
Scott nodded, turning his head to look out the window at the deserted road outside. He heard the faint sounds of some old Motown music in the background. The momentary piece was suddenly shattered as a yell erupted from the kitchen.
"Girl, what do you think you're doing back here? Get out there and help Janet out! Don't make me tell you twice or so help me I'll kick that little ass of yours out the door myself!"
This was immediately echoed by jeers from what he assumed were the more regular patrons.
"Oooh, is Gwen in trouble?"
"Come on out here, Gwen! Don't be shy!"
"Gwen, I want some more coffee and I want it now!"
Scott winced, trying not to look as this Gwen girl slowly shuffled out of the kitchen, probably to fill up the coffee cups. He wouldn't stay here long. How could anyone in their right mind stand it?
"Girl, leave those boys to Janet! Go take care of the new guy!"
He heard the girl slowly approaching the table, the sound of shoes dragging along the dirty tiles announcing her presence. She cleared her throat and spoke softly to him.
"Um... could I take your order, Sir?"
Scott turned slowly around, speaking in an equally soft voice. "I'll just have a cup of coffee if you wouldn't mind... wait, Tabitha?"
Scott's jaw almost hit the table as he saw Tabby standing there in one of those short pink dresses and aprons that were entirely too short to be decent. Her hair was a mess and pulled back into two hasty pigtails. There were coffee stains on her hands, both which nervously fidgeted with the menu she held in front of her protectively. Her eyes were down turned, staring at her shoes in shame. Scott didn't know what to say. Tabby looked up and gave him a weak smile.
"Coffee it is then. Just a moment, Sir."
Tabitha was in such a flustered state that she didn't notice Earl's arm out as she headed back to the counter to get the coffee pot. With one quick motion he managed to scoop her small body up and into his lap, pinning her between his drooping, overhanging belly and the side of the counter. She gasped in surprise and was about to take a swing at him when he leaned forward and held a penny in front of her.
"Now, now, Gwenie. Remember, the customer's always right. Don't make a fuss or this'll be your tip. And we all heard what happens to you if you get one more penny tip..."
Tabitha froze, suddenly uncertain as to what to do. Every instinct told her to knock this guy out, but she couldn't lose her job here. She could wait and hope that Harvey stepped in, but what would happen before then? Earl's breath stunk of the greasy onion rings she'd served him earlier. He was leaning in for a kiss when something stopped him.
That thing was Scott's fist connecting with Earl's face.
Earl fell backwards out of his seat, releasing Tabitha. She backed away from the two men, staring at Scott in surprise. She definitely hadn't expected that from him. Maybe a stern speech to the guy or a lecture to her about working in a place like this, but definitely not Scott punching the guy. Scott was glaring at Earl, who was pushing himself back to his feet again while leaning on the chair. Earl did not look happy at all. Luckily, it didn't seem that the other truckers were going to back Earl up. They were probably sick of his boasting.
"You little shit. What the hell do ya think yer doin'? Why'd you interrupt me and my girl here?"
Scott had one hand on the stem of his glasses, his other curled into a fist, trembling with rage.
"She's not your girl."
"What the hell's goin' on out here? Girl, this your fault?!"
Harvey came waddling out of the kitchen, about ready to pitch a fit. He eyed the two men as well as the distraught looking Tabitha, putting two and two together.
"Girl, that was your last chance! Can't have ya botherin' the customers anymore! Yer out!"
Tabitha was about to say something, to plead for him not to fire her, but Scott stepped in.
"That's fine. She's coming home now, anyways. Tabitha, get your things. We're leaving."
Her mouth opened and closed several times without any noise coming from her lips before she sighed and headed back to grab her keys and wallet. She shoved the night's tips into her wallet as she headed back to Scott, half expecting Harvey to try and attack her on the way out. Earl stared at her, still stunned that someone had put him in his place. Scott fastened a hand firmly around her wrist, leading her out of the diner in silence. No one tried to stop them, but as the door closed shut behind them Tabby could have sworn she heard Hillary cheering.
Tabby jumped a bit to avoid the hand headed towards her backside, nearly spilling some of the coffee left in the pot she was holding. She bit back a glare and snide comment and turned to smile sweetly at the man.
"Oh I'm sorry, Earl, but I've got some homework to do for school. You know, high school."
"I don't care how young ya are, Gwen. S'not like I'll be hangin' 'round here much longer. Just got a new job and I'm headin' out on the road tomorrow."
"Oh, well that's just too bad! I'm sure we'll all miss you around here."
Tabby grimaced. The sooner this guy left, the sooner she'd be able to concentrate on work rather than avoiding his groping hands. She was sure he was one of the ones who'd left her that penny for a tip to show he'd thought her service had been bad. Earl grinned at her, his teeth yellow from the tobacco he liked to chew.
"Well since ya'll miss me so much, how 'bout ya come home with me tonight? I'll show you the time of yer life, sweetie."
He winked at her. Tabitha sighed heavily. "Earl, don't you have a wife and kid at home?"
Earl laughed loudly, a slight wheeze hidden behind the sound. "Nah, she left me last week! Took the baby too! She said she knew I was cheatin' on her or some bullshit like that. I know she's just after half 'a my stuff, the bitch. So what you say we give her a reason ta hate me, eh Gwenie?"
"'Fraid I can't. Like I said, I've got work to do later. Sorry." Tabby quickly retreated to the back kitchen before anyone else could try and grab her, rolling her eyes as she passed through the doorway. Hillary looked over and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, hon. He's the worst of them, and he'll be gone soon."
Tabitha started gathering up some of the finished orders to take out, smiling back at Hillary. "Doesn't make me want to punch him in the face any less, though."
The two giggled as they heard the bell on the door signal a new customer. Tabitha was headed out of the kitchen when she looked over to see a familiar figure enter. Tall, short brown hair, familiar red sunglasses...
"Oh shit!"
She turned and went back into the kitchen, ducking behind the doorway as Scott Summers took a seat in one of the booths near the window. Hillary looked out at him, then back at Tabitha.
"Tabby, what's wrong? Who is that guy?"
"No one, Hill. Just do me a favor and cover for me, would you?" She pushed the plates into the other girl's arms, silently panicking over what to do.
"No problem, hon..."
As Hillary exited to deliver the food, Tabitha watched Scott from the kitchen. She couldn't let him see her working here. She'd never be able to show her face back at school if word got out that she was one of the sleazy waitresses at Harvey's Diner. Her reputation may not be the cleanest one in Bayville, but something like this would make classes almost unbearable. Even if Scott didn't tell anyone, she knew he'd pity her at the very least. She just couldn't deal with that.
How am I going to get out of this one?
------------------------------------------
Scott had made it to the outskirts of Bayville, walking along route six while shivering slightly from the cold. He hadn't realized how cold it got at night. The mansion was always kept at just the right temperature for all the students to remain comfortable. The professor would know if someone wasn't as comfortable as possible and make the correct adjustments accordingly. Scott zipped up his jacket, shoving his hands into his pockets. That was when he spotted a light on in one of the truck stops up ahead. It was nearly midnight, but he supposed that those sort of places were open all night. He'd never been in one himself, but he decided that since he'd flown off the handle so much already he might as well give it a try.
After all, you only live once, so why not?
A bell on the door rang as he walked inside, the heat from the cramped and probably filthy kitchen already warming him up. Some of the men sitting up at the counter gave him odd looks. He guessed that he must look rather odd wearing his sunglasses in the middle of the night, but no one said anything to him. He did, however, hear some snickering behind him as he walked over to one of the booths and sat down, facing away from the other patrons. The table wasn't very clean, so he chose to touch it as little as possible. Looking up he saw a woman with brown hair, slightly disheveled and pulled back into a ponytail, carrying several plates out to the customers. She was wearing a small pink dress and apron that he assumed was the uniform for this establishment, as it was far too impractical to be worn on a day as cold as today. The men all cheered as she approached, saying some rather inappropriate things about how fast she should move her backside. Scott frowned at this.
How could any woman lower herself to working at a job like this? She must really be desperate, the poor thing.
Deciding that he's leave a large tip for her, he signaled to the waitress. She looked at him nervously, calling out to him.
"Uh, I'll be with you in a sec, hon! Just hold on, I've got a few more orders to deliver."
Scott nodded, turning his head to look out the window at the deserted road outside. He heard the faint sounds of some old Motown music in the background. The momentary piece was suddenly shattered as a yell erupted from the kitchen.
"Girl, what do you think you're doing back here? Get out there and help Janet out! Don't make me tell you twice or so help me I'll kick that little ass of yours out the door myself!"
This was immediately echoed by jeers from what he assumed were the more regular patrons.
"Oooh, is Gwen in trouble?"
"Come on out here, Gwen! Don't be shy!"
"Gwen, I want some more coffee and I want it now!"
Scott winced, trying not to look as this Gwen girl slowly shuffled out of the kitchen, probably to fill up the coffee cups. He wouldn't stay here long. How could anyone in their right mind stand it?
"Girl, leave those boys to Janet! Go take care of the new guy!"
He heard the girl slowly approaching the table, the sound of shoes dragging along the dirty tiles announcing her presence. She cleared her throat and spoke softly to him.
"Um... could I take your order, Sir?"
Scott turned slowly around, speaking in an equally soft voice. "I'll just have a cup of coffee if you wouldn't mind... wait, Tabitha?"
Scott's jaw almost hit the table as he saw Tabby standing there in one of those short pink dresses and aprons that were entirely too short to be decent. Her hair was a mess and pulled back into two hasty pigtails. There were coffee stains on her hands, both which nervously fidgeted with the menu she held in front of her protectively. Her eyes were down turned, staring at her shoes in shame. Scott didn't know what to say. Tabby looked up and gave him a weak smile.
"Coffee it is then. Just a moment, Sir."
Tabitha was in such a flustered state that she didn't notice Earl's arm out as she headed back to the counter to get the coffee pot. With one quick motion he managed to scoop her small body up and into his lap, pinning her between his drooping, overhanging belly and the side of the counter. She gasped in surprise and was about to take a swing at him when he leaned forward and held a penny in front of her.
"Now, now, Gwenie. Remember, the customer's always right. Don't make a fuss or this'll be your tip. And we all heard what happens to you if you get one more penny tip..."
Tabitha froze, suddenly uncertain as to what to do. Every instinct told her to knock this guy out, but she couldn't lose her job here. She could wait and hope that Harvey stepped in, but what would happen before then? Earl's breath stunk of the greasy onion rings she'd served him earlier. He was leaning in for a kiss when something stopped him.
That thing was Scott's fist connecting with Earl's face.
Earl fell backwards out of his seat, releasing Tabitha. She backed away from the two men, staring at Scott in surprise. She definitely hadn't expected that from him. Maybe a stern speech to the guy or a lecture to her about working in a place like this, but definitely not Scott punching the guy. Scott was glaring at Earl, who was pushing himself back to his feet again while leaning on the chair. Earl did not look happy at all. Luckily, it didn't seem that the other truckers were going to back Earl up. They were probably sick of his boasting.
"You little shit. What the hell do ya think yer doin'? Why'd you interrupt me and my girl here?"
Scott had one hand on the stem of his glasses, his other curled into a fist, trembling with rage.
"She's not your girl."
"What the hell's goin' on out here? Girl, this your fault?!"
Harvey came waddling out of the kitchen, about ready to pitch a fit. He eyed the two men as well as the distraught looking Tabitha, putting two and two together.
"Girl, that was your last chance! Can't have ya botherin' the customers anymore! Yer out!"
Tabitha was about to say something, to plead for him not to fire her, but Scott stepped in.
"That's fine. She's coming home now, anyways. Tabitha, get your things. We're leaving."
Her mouth opened and closed several times without any noise coming from her lips before she sighed and headed back to grab her keys and wallet. She shoved the night's tips into her wallet as she headed back to Scott, half expecting Harvey to try and attack her on the way out. Earl stared at her, still stunned that someone had put him in his place. Scott fastened a hand firmly around her wrist, leading her out of the diner in silence. No one tried to stop them, but as the door closed shut behind them Tabby could have sworn she heard Hillary cheering.