Temper, Temper

Chapter One

A/N: Hey guys, here's the second chapter. I didn't exactly get the number of reviews that I had been hoping for on the first chapter, but I finished this one today and wanted to get it out before I forgot about it. I'm experiencing some health issues right now and writing is a good way to get my mind off of things. But, don't expect the next chapter out anytime soon. I'm also taking care of my elderly grandpa and therefore don't have a lot of free time on my hands. Eheh.

As always, please review!

-ZH

Life hates me.

I think I should get that on a t-shirt or something, because it was most definitely true. Everywhere I went to look for a job had said pretty much the same thing, "I'm sorry, but we aren't looking for anyone right now." Which meant I was three hours into looking and was almost sure that I had looked absolutely everywhere by now. Sighing as I climbed into the SUV, I gave up. It was pretty obvious that I would just have to go jobless for a little bit longer, until someplace opened up or a fucking miracle happened.

As I drove past a small diner that had an 'Open' sign flashing in the window, I decided to pull over and get something to eat. Pulling in, I immediately noticed that there were almost no empty parking spaces. "Great, they must be busy," I muttered to myself as I slammed the door and locked the vehicle behind me. "Means more waiting." In a decently bad mood as I walked in, I ignored everyone around me and went straight for the closest empty seat at the little bar.

Resting my head in my hands, looking pretty defeated, I was startled when a menu was set in front of me. I heard soft, feminine laughter as I jumped and my head shot up. "Sorry, dear," an elderly, but by no means old, woman said as she smiled at me. She was beautiful, with copper skin, black hair that was just starting to grey, and deep brown eyes that looked as if they could see through to your soul. Smiling back slightly, I sighed again.

"It's alright, ma'am." I picked up the menu as I reached in my bag to see how much cash I had on me. Sure, I still had my brother's card, but I didn't like to make him spend any money on me if it could be prevented.

"Wow, pretty and you have manners!" she said with a grin. Blushing slightly, I bowed my head, choosing not to comment. "What'll it be, dear?" she asked. I opened my wallet, only to find a measly three dollars in it. Shit.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath before looking up at the waitress, who's nametag I noticed read Sue. "Uhh…Just a coffee, please," I said quietly as I handed her the menu. Shooting me a sad look, she nodded and took the menu from me. I hated being broke. When Sue came back with a standard white coffee mug and a steaming carafe of the bitter, caffeinated drink, I greeted her with a grim smile.

"Any milk or sugar?" she asked me, her hand hovering under the counter, over what I presumed was where said additives were located. Shaking my head, I brought the steaming black coffee up to my lips and took a hesitant sip. Not to sound superior or anything, but I was a bit of a coffee snob. As in, I drank it multiple times a day, every day, and could tell if it was good quality or shitty, and whether or not it had been brewed correctly. As soon as the bitter liquid hit my tongue, I knew that I would be frequenting the small diner a hell of a lot more often. Their coffee was absolutely perfect.

"Oh my god…" I muttered as I clutched the hot mug between my hands. Sue raised her eyebrows at me.

"Anything wrong with it?" she asked. I immediately shook my head furiously, almost spilling the coffee all down my shirt.

"Absolutely not!" I exclaimed. "This shit is perfect!" After realizing what words I had used, my face flushed slightly. Sure, I had the mouth of a sailor, but I usually tried to rein it in around elders. Respect, and all that jazz. "Err…sorry," I said sheepishly. She just laughed, her brown eyes shining with mirth and creating small crow's feet. At the sound of her laughter, my face only flushed more. I was pretty sure that I resembled a fucking tomato at that point.

"Oh, sweetheart, don't worry about watching your language around me. I have a teenage boy, who has quite a few youthful friends. I've heard it all," she told me, the crinkles by her eyes still prominent. I gave her a sheepish grin.

"Okay," I replied. "I'll keep that in mind."

"So, what brings you to my little establishment?" she asked. "I don't believe I've ever seen you around before, and not to sound pompous but almost everyone has come in here at least once!"

"Yeah," I nodded. "My brother and I just moved here. I was actually out and about job hunting," I explained, becoming morose once more. "Unfortunately, it appears that in a town this small everyplace already has all of the help that they need." I huffed, taking a large swig of coffee. Sue got a thoughtful look on her face, her hand coming up to rest on her chin in a thinking gesture. "Hence why I just ordered coffee, too. I have exactly three dollars in my wallet," I admitted. She got a shocked look on her face.

"Now, that just won't do!" she exclaimed. "I need a cheeseburger and fries, please!" she called out to the cook that was frying away in the kitchen.

"W-wait a minute! What are you doing?" I asked frantically. Sue had the audacity to wink at me.

"Well, you didn't think that I would let you go hungry, would you?!"

"W-well, I mean, I don't have any money! Won't the owner be mad or something?" I inquired. She laughed.

"Honey, I am the owner." Ignoring my incredulous look, she continued, "Now, hush up and eat!" she said, spinning around at the sound of a bell ringing and grabbed the plate which had a decently sized burger and a huge helping of fries on it. Setting it down in front of me, she scurried away before I could complain. Scowling to myself, I dug into my burger viciously. I had to admit, it was one of the best damn burgers I had eaten in my life. Which was saying something, seeing as how my brother and I had travelled cross country and ate at pretty much nothing but fast food joints. Sitting back, I watched as Sue flitted around the diner, making sure that her customers had everything that they needed. After her rounds were done, she came back to talk to me.

"Thank you," I said sincerely, gesturing to the food which I had practically inhaled. She grinned smugly at me.

"Not a problem dear. Now, I never got your name?"

"Oh, my name's Nik, Nik Underwood." I extended my hand after wiping it inconspicuously on my pants to get the grease off. "It's nice to meet you."

"I'm Sue Clearwater, and I have a proposition for you." Oh god. Now, I was getting kind of worried. At my raised eyebrow, she went on. "I'd like to offer you a job."

"W-what?!" I exclaimed, attracting the attention of a few people that were close by. Shooting them a look that clearly said 'Mind your own business', I turned back to Sue. "Why would you do that? I mean, you don't even know me." She shrugged.

"I can see that you'd be a hard worker and are intelligent, and that's pretty much all I need. Now, it'd be a waitressing position. Do you have any experience with that?" she asked.

"Uh, yeah," I answered. "Briefly, though. It was only for a few months, and then we had to move." At my explanation, she nodded.

"Okay. Here, let me get you an application," she said, turning around and practically bouncing into a back room which I assumed was her office. She quickly came back with a sheet of paper in her hand. "Fill this out so that we can do this legally, and just give it back to me whenever you can, okay?"

"Uh huh," I said quietly, still a little bit shocked at what had just happened. "Of course." Smiling at me, Sue patted my hand and walked away, having more customers to attend to.

I shoved the application into my bag after folding it up so that it wouldn't get too wrinkled while simultaneously digging my car keys out. Jumping off of the bar stool that I had been sitting on, I waved and called out a goodbye to a busy Sue as I exited the diner.

Well damn. That had been easier than I thought. Now, if only I could remember the way back to the house…

A/N: Pleasseeeeee review. At least tell me if you like it? I'm still not sure...

-ZH.