7. Craves (The past)

This very day just happened to be the one day she felt worry free, it was one of those days in Ann’s life. Having such day for once in forever, she decided to let go of her worries and enjoy a little in her boring and old life.

“ I will worry about what tomorrow will bring tomorrow but for now, let me pretend to be a normal teenager for once. Just for today, I’m going to be a normal teenager”, she whispered to herself in self encouragement. She looked out the window and closed her eyes, the feeling of the cold wind against her skin was refreshing. The drove was a fun one, the two friends drove to the fair in Judith’s van whilst singing off key to music play in the car. The music playing was loud but they were equally singing the songs at the top of their voices. Their off key singing earned them a lot of weird and annoyed looks from the cars and people they passed during their journey. They didn’t care, for the first time in a long while Judith saw Ann get lose and let her self go. Ann was clearly enjoying the moment and it brought some warmth to her heart. It was a very very rare sight for Ann to be this happy and she was all too happy to encourage it. She loved it for her. After a few more minutes drive, they got to the fair in one piece. The fair was in full spin and was already more than half full. Looking around, the teenagers were everywhere, couples were making out, hugging or simply just holding each other, children were running after each other and playing whilst the adults and elderly busily playing their games.

The over all atmosphere was joyful and happy one, blending perfectly with the energy of the two best friend standing side by side, looking around with deep excitement.

Ann smiled happily and took in a lung full of air,”let me take in the breathe of happiness in the atmosphere. This is amazing! but Jud, I think all the students in Andreville are here. I can’t even count them, they are every where!”, Ann exclaimed anxiously.

Judith laughed,”forget them and let’s have fun! Today is all about us!”, Judith reassured.

The two friends, hand in hand went into the crowd like the warriors they were. Together, they played bingo with some of the elderly couples and were defected shamefully. They played the ballon and dart games, got a ride on the ferris wheel, ate ice cream and cotton candy. They did everything together, even got dancing lessons from strangers, sung the karaoke and eat pizza for lunch. They did a lot, saw a lot and had their fun.

By 5pm in the evening, Judith dropped the equally tired Ann off at her old apartment building with a lot of effort, she was exhausted. After a series of a tired hugs, a few yawns and a wave, Ann went into her apartment to take a nap before work.

In the apartment, she dragged herself to take a bath and went to bed without any persuasion. She didn’t need help settling in bed either, this time she slept peacefully and soundly. The restlessness of the previous night, long forgotten. She slept soundly in bed, probably due to the exhaustion, the fun or the pure happiness she felt today at the fair. She slept, snoring softly throughout her free time till it was almost time for her to report to her shift.

She woke up with a startle when the alarm woke her up with it’s loud tone. She got dressed and hurried made her way to catch the bus before she missed it.

“ Fuck! I really hope to make it just In time for my shift, else Manager Lee would have scolded me again with his peep talk.” She stated to herself.

Lucky, she got to work just in time and avoided confrontation with her boss.

After changing to her uniform, she reported to Manager Lee for her asigned tables for the night.

Manager Lee gave a soft whistle when he saw her,

“Oh! Oh! Oh! what a miracle? My little Ann made it on time today, I think I will give you a soda to celebrate”. He teased her with a smirk.

Ann rolled her eyes playfully and she glanced at him. Peter Lee often known as Manager Lee is a man in his middle twenties, he took her under this wings when she was still very young and needed a job, he protected and sheltered her from every Dan including herself. He’s the only one that had the most knowledge of her past, because he knew the darkness surrounding her, he treated her like a little sister and made the owner hire Ann even when she wasn’t old enough to start working. He had to because little Ann insisted on earning her keep.

Craves Restrurant was a 7star Restrurant that served any food in this continent, their services were very expensive and was only afforded by the rich and the famous. The more reason why she’s been able to pay her bills and still have enough to save for a rainy day. Working in the Craves Restrurant has been her major blessing, when she eventually run away from home, from her foster care, she came here. She had no where to go then but thankfully I meant Manager Lee at the entrance of this restaurant. She was tired, hungry and emotional exhausted. Just glance at her and he knew something was wrong, he wanted her to follow him home after feeding her but the stubborn girl refused. She told him, she wanted to earn her keep and all she wanted was a job, she couldn’t trust that gender again, she couldn’t trust a stranger. He made her sleep in the ladies changes room that evening and called the owner of the restaurant, he pleaded and promised to take responsibility for any problems in the future. He did all he could begged until she was given the job.

Till this very moment, he had no knowledge she eavesdropped on his conversation that day. He acts all tough and hard but he’s actually a sweet heart and a teddy bear.

Ann rolled her eyes dramatically at him and gave him a small smile,”Manager Lee, please just give me my asighed tables so I can start working before my Manager scolds me”. She muttered with fake anxiety.

Peter Lee gave a snort and patted her head like a dog making her frown, she pushed him away slightly,”you are just a bully, you know? You know I hate this but you’d do it anyway, just to show off your muscles and height”. Ann uttered with displeasure.

Peter Lee laughter out loud,”I know shorty, you have table number 23, 33, 16 and 5. And oh! Just look at that, your first consumer just arrived! Hmmm table sixteen’s booked appointment just came in”. He informed her.

He gave a sarcastic smile and walked away happily making Ann roll her eyes at the grown man having fun at her expenses. She approached the table and began working. After working for a while, a colleague came rushing towards her like a tornado. She eyed Diana but otherwise decided to ignore her. She was currently resting and not in the mood to tolerate any bully or insult from any of her coworkers because of how good Peter treated her. She knew almost all of them have been crushing on the msn but gave them no attention at all and it wasn’t her fault either.

She gave her a side glance and continued to ignore the beauty standing beside her nervously until she spoke up,”mmmhhmm Ann? I’m in the VIP section and this young man won’t let any one but you serve him”. Diana muttered nervously.

She stopped the soda she was drinking and turned to girl with a raised eye brow,”what?? Why? Who is he? And how does that concern me? The VIP room isn’t part of my assigned tables today. Figure it out yourself.” She stated with a shrug.

Diana nodded to hide her disappointed sigh, “ what a life! I wanted the VIP tables so badly. Mainly because of him but he wanted only the outcast to attend to him instead. How unlucky my star is!”, Diana whispered lowly to herself. She’s fuming but has to control her temper.

Ann shrugged carelessly I don’t care, that is not my table, go and attend to your tables any how you can and if......”, she heard her whisper and answered her accordingly. Apparently, the whisper wasn’t really a whisper.

Ann noticed Peter all sweaty and nervous approaching her and instantly became alert, you hardly see Peter this nervous,”Ann?! Annie? Please-please do it for me, go and see the young man in VIP room Gold, he won’t let anyone else serve him but you. And he even know your full name Annie”