The diner. Belle threw her bag inside the small locker under the table and quickly changed her clothes.
As usual the customer kept coming and missing the diner dearly. After a week the diner was back on business. They are obsessed with Frank's special cooking skills.
Belle tied the apron on her back, and started to take the order. "Clean the table no.3".
"Hurry up! move it!"
"Order is up!"
Belle, Coco and another waitress almost bumped into each other but they laughed at that. Belle ran toward table no.5 to take another order.
"Two sets of French Fries with double Cheese Burger. One set Filet Fish with side dish lots of lots of Onion Rings and Coke is that it?"
"Yes. Can I have an extra sweet onion on top of the onion rings".
"That will do". Belle, running to the counter, clips the order then to another table. "Right choice".
"Careful!"
"Moved!"
"Out of the way!"
"Frank special order!"
"Thank you".
"Enjoyed".
"I need water here!"
"Clean the table!"
Ten-fifteen at night. There a couple of customer remains stay behind before the diner closes. The crew let the sigh out loud. Frank breathed heavily as he took a seat.
Belle sits in silence, and another waitress is chatting. They all gathered around the counter.
Minutes past. Belle walked to the table no. 6 with the receipt. "It's $12.50 cents sir."
A late old man slipped his hand inside the pocket. He pulled the money out from his wallet then handed it to Belle with a smile.
"You know, Belle. You are too young to have a job like this. Are you still in school?" ask the old man. Belle nod yes.
The old man lost his wife last year. Cancer. He loves his wife very much, with four kids and grandchildren.
He used to take his wife to this diner and his wife's favorite is pancakes with syrup specially made by Frank. She was so in love with Frank's pancake.
And now she is gone. The diner missed her dearly.
"I love working and I can use my own money to pay for my own stuff, college or university and everything I need. I don't like to burden my parents".
"I admire you, Belle. You are strong. Kids nowadays never think about having a job like you. They like fun and wasting their parents' money for nothing. You like my granddaughter Tonia. I like you. You could be an example for other teenagers out there".
Belle nods and smiles. "Thank you sir. I'll do my best".
"You have a pure heart, Belle. I wish you good luck for your future".
The old man left Belle a tip. Before he could reach the door, he spoke back.
"Your parents must be proud of you my dear". he nodded and then left the diner.
"Thank you. Have a nice day".
Frank rested his elbow on the counter. After cleaning the station, he made some omelet for the crew and garlic bread for late night supper.
The crew takes a rest as they wait for a few customers to leave the diner. One by one each customer left the diner after paying.
Only one left behind.
"The Colonel was right". said Frank. He stares at Belle. "You need a man beside you who can take care of you".
"You mean boys?" said Coco. "Probably". she wink at Belle.
Belle reaches for the bread and eats it. "I don't need a boy, Frank. That is such a waste. I am a teenager and young. I can work. I can walk. I don't need a boyfriend or boyfriend to help me with everything I need in my life".
"One day you will Belle. I'm just saying, when you grow up you will know what it is like to be an adult, it turns you into the perfect woman where the men desire having you in your arms".
Coco touched Belle's shoulder. "You don't need to be a perfect woman Belle. And you don't have to wait to be one. You are who you are, Belle. You've got what you desired for.. beauty".
"She's right Belle. You're perfect".
Midnight past. Belle climbs out from the truck and waves at Frank whom he sends Belle home safely tonight.
She kept looking at Gibson's house, not because she was missing him. That is out of the question, she is just curious about it all. There was no light turning on inside his house, if truly he moved out why the truck is still in here.
Belle shrugged and didn't care what he was trying to do. It's best if he moves out from this neighborhood.
After a minute admiring Gibson house, Belle then gets inside the house for good.
The next morning. Another no show of Gibson. His truck still parks at his house. Emma rushed toward her.
"What?"
Emma breathed. "It happens so fast".
"About what?" Belle's eyes are wider. "Don't scare me Emma!" eyes met. "What?!"
Emma cleared her throat. "There is news I just got this morning".
"You're pregnant?"
"Well thank you. NO! It's about Him. Your Mr. Gibson".
"Is he dead?" Belle smirking. Oh she loved to hear if he was dead. "Where was his body and where did they bury him? I should buy flowers". giggling. "Where is he?"
Emma slapped her forehead. "He's not dead! He's getting married, you bitch!"
"What did it have to do with me? good news right. What the problem then".
"You really hate that man Belle. Okay. He is married to his childhood sweetheart friend. Apparently the person he loves the most is still alive and it was his grandma".
Belle nods understandable. She could hear around her weeping about the news. Especially the girls. They cannot accept that their beloved Victor Gibson is about to get married with his loved one. She shakes her head.
"This is so bullshit!"
"Well that's reality. He's off the market now. Lucky she is to be with him".
Belle rolled her eyes up. "Whatever! Now what? they are crying over him, such a waste of time". She and Emma walk inside the building. As they entered inside, the whole school was weeping, not including the boys. The boys are curious and what the hell is going on.
"Why are you two not crying?" ask one of the boys when Belle and Emma reach their locker. "The whole school is crazy about this man. What so special about this Mr. Gibson anyway". Belle and Emma shrug. The boy spoke back. "I don't think it will stop just like that".
"Oh Logan come one. They just..."
"This is not his funeral and he is not even dead! This is nature.. marriage that he deserves to be. Let him be (Logan stare) oh because you two are here I would like to invite you two tonight at the party. Everything it's on me".
Emma smiles widely. "Everything?" Logan nods. "Well in that case I can't. If Belle doesn't go I won't too". He turns to Belle.
"Belle come on. Will you?"
"Okay. Just I need to celebrate how happy I am".
"About Mr. Gibson getting married?" Belle shake head yes, finally he won't bother her anymore. "All right. At my house tonight".
Moments later. Belle hides herself inside the library. Whenever she goes even inside the toilet the girls are still crying over Gibson. In the library Mrs Gomez slowly approaches Belle, she pushes the glasses on top of crooked nose, then smiles.
"My dear won't you be upset by the news?" she asks, take a seat. "Everyone is weeping today".
"Should I? (chuckle) Of course not. I won't cry over someone who is about to end his single life and end up married. I'm not that kind of type. We are happy for him and finally he made it".
Mrs Gomez nodded. "Of course". She turned and looked around the library. "There are students crying over there". She walked. "I'm gonna kill them". Belle smiled after she said that, after that Belle went to the toilet and found Makeela crying inside.
"Oh my God not you too". Belle growled as she walked toward the sink, Makeela looked up at her. "Seriously?"
"I don't care if we fight over him Belle but this.. (wipe tears) married? all of a sudden. What the f*cked is he thinking". Makeela wipes her tears again. After washing a hand Belle walks inside the cubicle for her business. "I'd just don't get it Belle".
Belle walks out from the cubicle, washing her hand again. "I don't get it all of you. Why even bother if he wants to get married. He has grown up and can decide what to do in his life".
"All of us had a crush on him Belle!"
"Not for me neither Emma. All of you are crazy about him (wipe her hand) see you in class".
Decker's house. Night. Belle is ready to go, grab her cellphone and money then she goes downstairs where her parents are. She is standing. "Hey, guys, can I go to a party now?"
"Come on, Belle. Not tonight. I cook everything". said Belle's mom. "And beside whose party is that?"
"It's Abel's house. Logan Abel? His house is not far from here. Please? Everyone's going".
Belle's dad said. "Who's everyone?"
"Friends from school. Come on dad you know. It's not a big thing, just a party".
"Hmm.." he turned to his wife, who absolutely forbade Belle to go. He nodded. "Okay. You're free to go". Belle's mom is shocked, Belle is happy hugging her dad, she bolts from the house where Emma had been waiting for her outside the house. "Let her go, Marianne. She knows what she is doing".
He smiled. "All right shall we eat now".