Crashed CHAPTER 3
I opted to fly to work today, since my wings needed the exercise, and I still prefer not to drive. Besides, the weather was really nice this morning.
While the bugs and wind up here wasn't ideal, being this high up with a clear view of my surroundings was worth it.
After a while my wings started to kill me. I guess they weren't ready for this long of a ride just yet.
I land on the sidewalk. I'm glad I left way early, or I would've ended up late today.
I clutch my purse, trying to stay grounded. The cars zipping by still worry me a little, and I jump whenever a loud one passes by. Being in an accident like the one I went through can do some dumb shit to your head. I'm trying my best not to let it bother me too much though.
It had rained hard last night, and the streets were still slightly flooded due to our shitty sewer system. The damp air clung to me, and my hair was starting to frizz. At this moment, I definitely missed the wind.
When I looked up, I noticed I was at the stoplight where the accident happened. Great for me, right? These stupid wings couldn't have taken me any further?
And to make it better, a car speeds around the corner, splashing dirty water all over me.
"Oh my god! Watch what you're doing you fucking retard!" I picked up the first rock I saw and flung it at the car, missing by a long shot.
I looked to my right, and there was a man sitting on the curb, staring at me. I held his gaze for a moment, and he raised his eyebrow. "What are you looking at?" I spit. I can tell today won't be my day.
This man, a black hedgehog with the brightest crimson eyes I've ever seen, opened said eyes so wide I thought they were gonna pop out of his skull. "A-are you talking to me?"
"Yeah, dumbass. You're the only other person here, and you keep staring at me." I crossed my arms over my chest.
"I'm sorry." He pushed himself up, and I noticed the red streaks on his quills. "But it's not every day you see someone get splashed by a car, then proceed to throw a rock at them, and hilariously miss."
"Okay, I get it. I'm a sorry sight right now. But now I gotta get to work even earlier now so I can clean up." I stared down at myself, examining the soiled pink-and-white striped mini dress I was wearing. I sighed, trying to brush the flecks of dirt from the fabric.
"Good luck. I doubt anyone would enjoy such a hostile waitress." The hedgehog smirked, crossing his arms and leaning on the base of the street light.
"How did you—"
"I know that uniform. I used to visit that place all the time. Really liked the coffee." He stated simply.
"Okay dude. But I gotta go now." I motioned at the sign across the crosswalk, now showing the walking symbol. "Hopefully I won't see you later."
"What the hell got up your ass this morning?" He called after me.
"Apparently the dick of whoever decided to make it rain last night." I sped up. Jeez, this is a long crosswalk.
"Slutting around with Father Nature, are we?" I glanced back at the ebony hedgehog.
Instead of coming up with a sarcastic retort, I gave him the middle finger, and continued to walk off.
…
"Oh dear, Rouge, what happened!?" My coworker, a tan rabbit by the name of Cream, rushed over as soon as I entered the café.
Cream immediately grabbed a handful of napkins and started dabbing the large stain on the front of my uniform. "Are you okay? Did you fall?"
"I'm fine, don't worry. Some asshole just sped past me earlier and splashed water all over me." And I met a second asshole, who had eyes all over me. Best not mention him.
"First day back at work, and you're already a mess." Cream grabbed my hand. "Let's go to the bathroom while no one's in here."
I immediately unbuttoned the buttons running down the front of my dress, and peeled it off. "I promise I'll bring this one back tomorrow," I sighed, tugging on the new dress (one size too small, mind you) Cream gave me. "Hopefully my boobs won't bust the buttons before the day is over."
Cream gave a slight giggle, helping me with the small frilly white apron. "It's just for a day. You're lucky I had a few extras in the back. I'm terribly sorry they weren't your size, though."
I laughed, tugging the dress down to cover my ass. The dress, however, did not want to agree with me, and kept riding up anyway. "Hopefully I'll get through it without someone grabbing my ass."
"Look at it this way; Vector says sexual appeal is the reason why we get so many customers. You're here for that reason, and I'm just here to look cute." She fluttered her eyes, giving the best cute giggle she could.
Vector is the perverted crocodile who owns this place. He's the reason our uniforms aren't exactly… the most comfortable.
Vector was big on presentation. He thought making us sexy in all pink and white was great for business. After his father died and he inherited the place, he had changed the uniforms from pink polos and white shorts (which, I have been told, actually were supposed to cover your ass) to the little dresses we know and love today.
Okay, well, love was definitely not the word I'd like to use.
But getting a job here was pretty easy, mostly because of the shape of my body. I don't think Vector took an eye off my boobs throughout the entire interview.
But Cream was right, I was here for the sex appeal, while she attracted the customers more into cute things. She was adorable, whether she tried to be or not.
I pulled my hair up into a ponytail, which was how we were supposed to wear it at work. "Thanks for your help, Cream. Better get out there before the crazy customers kill us."
I pushed past the heavy bathroom door, and once again entered the overly girly café. With its pink topped tables, striped wallpaper, garden windows surrounded by white curtains, and pink counter top accompanied by striped stools, this place looked like an old fashioned Victoria's Secret threw up all over it.
I was greeted with a familiar smiling face. Tails, the two-tailed fox who has stolen Cream's heart. Only, she won't tell him. The two just kinda flirt whenever he's here, and it never goes past that.
"I was wondering where you two were." Tails smiled, waving at us. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you guys went missing."
"The usual?" I asked him, already getting his expresso ready.
"Of course, Rouge. You guys know me so well." His tails swished in the air while he gazed at Cream, leaning his chin on the palm of his hand.
"Well, you're kinda here almost every morning." Cream blushed.
"Gotta get my coffee before work! And I need to see my favorite ladies as well." His eyes remained on Cream, whose blush intensified.
Tails works as a car mechanic in the shop a few stores down. The best in the business, so I've heard.
"So how's work, Tails?" Cream asked, leaning on the counter in front of him.
"Tiring, but I never get anything I can't fix."
I handed him the expresso, eyeing the door when a customer I've never seen before walks in.
A red echidna with violet eyes sits at the bar, in the seat directly in front of me. His face shows confidence.
"Pardon me, but I'm new in town. A guy I met yesterday recommended I come here." The echidna extends his hand to Tails. "Name's Knuckles."
"Hi, um, Knuckles. I'm Tails, I work at Miles Mechanics a few shops down." Tails wore a nervous smile.
"That guy was right though, the girls here are cute. And I don't mean that in any kind of perverted way, I just—"
"It's alright," I chuckle. "We get that a lot, it's kinda the point."
"Oh, alright then. So, Tails, what's good here?" Knuckles looks up at the limited menu above our heads. It contains bakery items and different types of coffee and tea.
"W-well, I really like the expresso they make for me, I like sugar and—"
"Just give me what he gets." Knuckles nods towards Tails. "Sounds good."
Tails takes his coffee, and rises from his seat. "I'm sorry ladies, but I must get to work now." He holds up the cup and points at it with his other hand, "thanks for this." And he leaves us with a smile.
Cream's expression showed her sadness, but she tried to hide it.
"So, what's to see around here?" Knuckles crossed his arms and laid them on the table. "Besides you?" His gaze seemed to surround me, and he hinted flirtation.
"Oh, well, um… There's a really nice park down the street." Cream stuttered, placing his cup in front of him.
"Sweet. Might check it out." Knuckles' eyes glanced around the establishment, examining the surroundings. "Are you guys normally this dead?"
"It normally picks up around 10:00. But it is strangely empty today." We open at 7:00 every morning, and Cream is usually here alone until I get here at 8:00. Between 9:00 and 10:00, the place starts to boom with customers.
"You got a job around here yet?" I ask.
"Oh, yeah, I start tomorrow at the pizza place next door." He smiled at me, a sweet smile. As much as I normally hate flirty customers, this guy just has an odd charm about him. One I could maybe get used to. I guess I'm going to be seeing a lot more of him from now on.
"But, I still know nothing else about this town. I moved here because… my girlfriend left me. I just needed a new start, and I know someone out here." His eyes held mine. "I don't mean to come across as desperate or anything like that, but, are you free tonight? I'd appreciate someone showing me around."
"Well, not really but… I don't have a car, and I can't exactly carry you around everywhere." I unleashed my wings, showing him what I meant.
"Oh, that's fine. How about I drive, and you just tell me where to go?"
Sure, this was a stupid idea. Agreeing to spend a night with a guy you just met? For all I know, he could be a rapist, or some crazy murderer! But then again... what the hell have I got to lose? "Or, you could just let me drive." There. I'll have more control that way.
"Great! That'd be awesome. What time do you get off?"
I just couldn't say no to the hope in his eyes. Against my better judgement, I told him: "I get outta here at 7:00."
"So, it's a date?"
"Sure, why not?" I flashed him a smile.
Hopefully I won't get killed tonight.