Elfbrat18: Oh gosh, I hate to say this readers, but as I'm writing this it's...(checks watch)...already after 2 o'clock in the morning. (yawns)
Whistler: (yawns) Quit yawning.
Elfbrat18: Too bad. Anyway, what I was going to say was that this chapter will have to be cut short so I can get a few hours of sleep. If I can find time, I'll add an extra chapter just cause I love ya.
Whistler: You're forgetting something.
Elfbrat18: What? Oh...yeah. My monitor screwed up almost a week ago, and I'm borrowing my neighbors' so that I can get all of my stuff off. So that's going to make updating any of these fics harder...but that doesn't meant that I ain't gonna try to type some during the time I spend at my neighbors' doing some office help for them.
Whistler: Do you have any idea how long that's gonna take?
Elfbrat18: Lemme put it this way: I just bought about 20 floppy disks at Wal-Mart and I got about another 10 at home. What does that tell you?
Whistler: You ain't planning on sleeping much, are you?
Elfbrat18: Nope. But once I get a new laptop and get Internet access, I'll be able to update more frequently. I think my sugar rush has worn off...(pouts)...(starts laughing)
Whistler: What's so funny? Oh... If you want something funny to watch, rent or buy the Robin Williams: Live At Broadway dvd, but it's rated MA, though, but it's for a good reason...
Elfbrat18: (still laughing)
Whistler: (yawns) Ignore her. Lack of sleep does things to you. Oh and to animeaddict99, I decided to drop the rating to PG-13. I had a reason for it being rated R at first, but then the idea seemed to clash with the storyline. If at some point that I do decide to go with the idea, I'll post it somewhere else as a chapter on it's own. So youcan add it to your C2 if you want. Oh, and thanks for filling us in. I can figure out how to destroy a harddrive but be clueless about what a C2 is. That's right, people, I've deleted my harddrive. Wiped it clean off the map.
Sun, Sweat, and Paychecks
Tea barely got to sleep that night. Granted her body craved rest, but her mind still lingered on about what her mother had told her earlier. She began to regret the decision that she made, and the pain and saddness in her heart left her to cry herself to sleep.
The next morning, when she walked into the bathroom, one look in the mirror brought back an image of her going on a Ben and Jerry's benge. After splashing her face with some cold water, she put on a white skirt and a red shirt with a white jacket over it and went downstairs.
"Morning! Did ya sleep well?" Willow asked, mixing some batter as she waited for the waffle iron to warm up.
"Somewhat." was all she said as she sat down at the bar beside Rebecca.
Rebecca snorted at the comment as she closed her laptop. "I find that hard to believe. I could hear you crying yourself to sleep."
"Still upset over the breakup?" Willow asked.
Tea shook her head. Willow and Rebecca exchanged a quick glance. They knew from that gesture as to why she was upset.
"Well cheer up Tea. You'll get through this, and we're here for you." Rebecca said, Getting up and pouring three glasses of orange juice, handing one to Tea.
"Thanks."
"Hey now here this: no more tears, okay?" Willow stated, waving the batter-covered spoon inches from Tea's nose. "Besides," she added, "Grandpa's got a friend that owns his own restaraunt, and he can get us part-time jobs there. Actually, me and 'Becca here have worked there for a couple of years, but it pays good. You wanna check it out?"
"Sure! I can't sit around here all day and wallow in self-pity."
"That's the spirit!" Rebecca and Willow shouted at once, nearly causing Tea to fall off the stool she sat on.
The bright sun beamed down on the streets of Miami, making the apshalt and concrete hot, and the sandy beaches even hotter. In the midst of the movement of tourists and locals was a somewhat fairly good-sized restaraunt. What made it unlike most of the restaraunts around was that it wasn't completely inddors. In fact, the only part of the building that was indoors was the back room where the food was prepared, the counter, and the restrooms. The dining area was outside, but was covered by a canopy supported by a few palm trees; their leaves adding shade to the tropical umbrellas that shielded customers from the blinding sun.
"Hey Bill! Bill! Where are ya?" Wlllow shouted as the three approached the counter.
A heavy set man wearing a Hawaiian shirt and baggy khakis came from the back. "Willow! Rebecca! It's good to see my two favorite girls again! And I see you've brought a friend." He smiled, nodding to each of them.
"Yes," Rebecca said, pushing Tea forward. "This is Tea Gardner."
"We were wondering if you could give Tea a job? She's going to be here for the summer and she needs a part-time job." Willow added.
Bill gave Tea a once over. "Pleased to meet you, Tea. My name is Bill Urban." he said, shaking her hand. "So tell me, do you have any experience in waitressing?"
"Yes I do, actually. A few years back I worked at a place in Domino called Burger World."
"Good, good. That's what you'll be doing with "Becca and 'Low. They can show you the ropes. Now as far as uniforms go, all that I require you to wear is this," he said, handing Tea a bag that ties around the waist to hole change, tips, etc. "But I would like you girls to wear something similar, just to give a sense of unity. So a t-shirt and jeans is fine unless I tell you otherwise. I think there's a festival or something coming up next month...but anyway, you have free reign over dress. You'll make 8.75 an hour, and you'll be working from 11 am to 5 pm, though it may change, depending on the crowds. Are there any questions?"
"I can't think of any." Tea said.
"That's good. Can I expect to see you girls today at 11?"
Willow moaned. "Can't we come in at 2 o clock? It's going on 9:30 as it is, and Tea needs to go clothes shopping."
"Huh? Why?' Tea asked. "What's wrong with my clothes?"
"Nothing but maybe you'd feel more comfortable in jeans than a skirt. Do you even own a pair of jeans! Cause everytime that I've seen yoy Tea I have never seen you in jeans!" Rebecca asked.
Tea was silent. Maybe they were right. After all, it would be interesting to have a change of fashion. What could possibly go wrong? "Yeah," she finally answered, fingering the hem of her skirt, "I guess it is time for a change."
Bill looked at the hopeful faces of Willow and Rebecca as they silently pleaded to come in at a later time so they could give Tea's wardrobe a makeover. Finally he sighed and said, "Alright. Come in at 2 o clock, no later. And you'll have to make up for the three hours you'll miss this evening."
"Deal! You won't regret this!" They said, dragging Tea out and down the street, stopping every so often to disappear into a store.
As Bill watched them take the poor girl by force into a bustling city she knew nothing of, he walked into the sun and stared at the sky.
"I hope I won't regret this." he said to no one in particular, watching the seaguls soar above the ocean.
Elfbrat18: Tell us what ya think!
Whislter: We'll try to keep up with the stories regardless if we have a computer or not.
Elfbrat18: I realize that we've forgotten about our favorite bishonen, but never fear, they'll be back reall soon!
Whislter: And what about Tea's makeover? We've got some ideas, but we'd like to know yours too! Tell us what you want to see!