Opal collected her stuff and moved. Lessons were over, she approached her locker and left some books inside while taking her coat out. For the last week nobody was pestering her and that was a new pleasant situation. She didn’t believe in a sudden change of heart so there must be something going on in the background. She will know sooner or later no need to bother herself about it. 

Opal buttoned her coat and rushed towards Mabel’s restaurant. She worked there part time, three times a week for five hours. The work wasn’t hard or demanding, Opal only cleaned the tables, washed the dishes and helped out in the kitchen. She never worked as a waitress or bartender that could put the customers off as Mabel explained her, but watching Opal doing the cleaning didn’t bother anyone. So the Omega was happy about working there, she received the money every week and sometimes even a little food. Mabel was the only one who agreed to take the risk of hiring her, so Opal was really grateful.

The restaurant wasn’t very modern; it had a long bar with high chairs and five restaurant booths for 6 people, as well as four tables with four seats each. The red leather seats have seen some better days as the leather was peeling in a few places but it was clean and the food tasted really good. On the white walls there were some old photos of Mabel with her clients and her restaurant as it has changed during 20 years of its existence. Some artificial plants stood proudly gathering a bit of dust on the windowsills along with a few lamps adding not much to the excellence of this place. Just a typical family restaurant however quite popular among citizens of Grayshill. Opal used the back door. She made a few steps along a narrow corridor and took the first door left. The staff room wasn’t big with six lockers, a small table and two chairs nothing more fitted there. Opal changed into a white T- Shirt with the restaurant's logo, an apron and ugly white hat. She put on rubber gloves and went straight to the kitchen.

“Oh, Opal you are here – a plump woman in her 50s greeted her – There are only a few dishes so go and clean some tables first” She pointed in the direction of the restaurant’s main room.

“Sure Mrs Mable” – Opal took the tray with a kitchen towel on it and went out. There weren’t many guests. A family with two children, one young woman and three men in the corner in the box. The middle table was a mess full of dishes. Opal collected them and wiped some spilled juice and crumbles off the table. She was about to go back to the kitchen when a familiar scent reached her nose. No actually more than one. She looked at the booth with some men in it. One of them stood up and moved in the direction of the toilet but stopped noticing her.

“Hi Opal – the blonde Alpha waved and approached her with a bright smile – I didn’t know you work here”.

“Have to make my living, how’s your injury?” She looked down at his leg.

“Fine actually, it’s almost healed thanks to your quick reaction. I wanted to thank you for the help back than” he smiled again and his pheromones became thicker. He smelled a little bit like pine with a hint of lemon. Nice fresh scent.

“Glad I could help.” Opal replied, lifting the tray. She knew the quick recovery was mostly due to his Alpha traits. “I need to go back to work”.

“Yes, sure. Hmm maybe we could have a drink or something when you are free?” a bright smile never leaving his face. Opal blushed. Was he just asking her out? Like a normal date? She stood there with a shock in her eyes clenching her fingers on a tray.

“You are asking me out?” Opal frowned.

“Well, yes I do.” he nervously combed his hand through his curly blond hair. “So, hmm would you like to?“

Opal’s heart was beating like crazy. Someone was asking her out. Like for real. What to do? What should she do?

“OK, fine we can meet sometime.” The words just left her mouth. She shrugged her shoulders in an attempt to remain cool.

“How about tomorrow? There is a nice film on, at 7 pm. I will pick you up at 6, we could grab something to eat and then watch a movie. How’s that?” He was quick not giving her time to overthink it.

Opal for a minute thought that everyone in this room could hear her heart panting. Her knuckles become white.

“Sure tomorrow is fine” She smiled a bit too, the Alphas smile was contagious.

“Great, I will pick you up at quarter to six. Can we exchange numbers?” - He already reached for his phone.

“I don’t have one.” The tray was getting heavier. Opal made a step back. “I really need to go back to work”

“I understand, see you tomorrow than”

“Yeah, ….. hmm there is one more thing, what’s your name?”Opal asked, still feeling tense and flushed.

“My name’s Bran”.

“So see you tomorrow Bran '' Opal was turning back to head for the kitchen when she felt an intense gaze burning hole in her face. It was the school asshole. Standing next to the booth and watching her talking with Bran. Opal sent him a fierce look and finally carried the tray back to the kitchen. Washing the dishes she kept thinking about Bran. She was anxious, she has never been on a date. It would have been nice to have someone to talk about it but it was not on her plate. She kept thinking about Bran’s blonde curls and his smile. He had those sparkles in his blue eyes. And then it hit her, maybe he was just making fun of her and he won’t show up tomorrow?