"SERIOUSLY ?! Who the f- is disrupting my sleep?"

"Is that anyway to greet your best bud you punkass?!"

Damn Dylan. If I didn't miss him so much I would have hung up.

"Ah, sorry Dyl, I've been pulling multiple shifts at the diner, I'm a little sleep deprived", I apologized while I got up and sat with my legs over the side of my bed. I yawned as Dylan replied, "Nah, it's cool, I've known you my whole life bro, I'm used to your moods by now".

Dylan left to go to college. We both graduated from Winseka High but leaving was only an option for one of us and Dyl would've been the biggest idiot in this town if he didn't take that scholarship. I ended up working at the only diner in this town, called Momma's Kitchen. It definitely lives up to its name and so does the owner, seriously, we literally call her Momma. 

Wait. Shi-.

"Oh no no no no", I took the phone away from my ear while Dylan was speaking about the size of the campus. I saw the time read 8:45.

"Hey Dyl, sorry man, I just realized I'm late for work but thanks for waking me. Uhm enjoy classes and things, bye, I'll call you later," I didn't wait for a reply and just hung up. I quickly opened my cupboard, got out my jeans, a plain black T-shirt and a pair of sneakers. I ran to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and ran downstairs. I quickly checked for bed hair in the mirror, hanging with other portraits and pictures along the stairs. I grabbed my keys and helmet and ran out the door. I quickly sent Elaine a message that I'm on my way and then got on my bike and left.

I rushed into the parking space next to a car. Through my helmet I saw a man get out of the car that I've never seen before and I've met everyone in this town. Unfortunately, my pay is more important than my curiosity, so I quickly went around the back of the diner to clock in and hopefully avoid Momma's wrath. I got through the door to the lockers, got out my blue half apron and put my helmet in my locker. Just as I was about leave, Elaine came in. She immediatly started rambling, like she always did. I didn't mind it though, I lacked social skills and she made up for that during our interactions.

"Where were you? Oh did you finally make a move on Lola and are currently doing a walk of shame? Or did you do too much drugs? Ooooor you overslept because you never listen to your best friend and continue to take on multiple shifts even though it's killing you? hmmmmmm? So which is it? Huh? Huh? Hu-", fortunately the opening of the door cut her off before she could add another 'huh' but sadly, standing at the entrance to the locker room was Momma.

"Elaine, could you maybe get to work? You know grilling Mason about being late is technically my job, you know, as the owner," she said as she slowly walked towards me. Momma was about 45 years old and she took over the diner from her father. She was short, as in she reached up until my shoulder but she was intimidating. It wasn't because people feared her but because when she scold you, you felt like you were disappointing your Momma. Like I said, she lives up to her name. Elaine left and gave me a thumbs up for good luck. I braced myself for a lengthy scolding because I knew I deserved it but instead I felt two stubby arms wrap around my torso.

"Oh no, are you going to crush my ribs?", I asked with my face scrunched up. There was a few seconds of silence before I opened my eyes and looked down at Momma, she was just staring at me with a face I can only describe as 'What in the hell?'. She shook her head, sighed and leaned against one of the lockers. She had another one of her many navy blue dresses on, this one had white spots all over, it was ankle length and the colour always suited her caramel skin so nicely. Her silence was scaring me more than her disappointment would and I was beginning to become restless since I needed to start working. Then she suddenly spoke but she was looking at the ground which was very rare for Momma.

"I don't care that you were almost 30 minutes late, I can just deduct that from your pay but you never show up late for work, so I thought you-", and just there, I realised why she had hugged me instead of yelling at me. Shi-. I immediately crouched on to my knees and hugged her back for the one she gave me.

"I'm sorry, I'm all good, I promise and nothing's going to stop me from getting out of here, you know that." I couldn't believe how selfish I've been.

She cupped my face and tilted it to look at hers, I saw tears that didn't dare fall down, almost as if she were forcing them to stay.

"We'll talk later, just get to work alright. Oh and I'm limiting you to 4 multiple shifts for a month which means you can do it once a week." I really needed more than that, but seeing her face right now..... I didn't wanna be selfish anymore. I got up, made myself decent and left Momma in the locker room, she said she needed a minute. I tied my half apron behind my back and immediately got to work by getting people's orders to them.

Just as I brought out my first tray I heard the bell at the door signal for the entry of a customer. I looked up and found it to be none other than Satan's spawn. Agh, it's Kevin.

....