The Movies Make It Look Easy

Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Shannon’s P.O.V:

Adrian and Katie decided to spend their last day in the city doing typical touristy things and had headed off early in the morning with a map and strict instructions to buy me something nice. I wasn’t going to hold my breath, but a girl can dream.

While they were off sightseeing, I was going to be stuck in work all day. Actually, my shift wasn’t too bad – Rick was still treating me like I might collapse if someone looked at me the wrong way – but I’d much rather be making the most of my brother’s visit. Who knew when any of my family members would be able to make the trip again. Of course, I’d see them all over summer, but it was also nice to be able to show them around London, let them see a glimpse into my life.

Oh well, I still had Adrian’s wedding to look forward to. Honestly, I thought they were a bit crazy to have it only three months from now. I’d never planned a wedding before, but I hear there’s a lot that needs to be done. If that’s what they wanted, though, I wasn’t about to complain – as long as Katie chose nice bridesmaids dresses, of course.

I felt a smile blossom on my face as I slowly walked down the street, dragging out the journey to work as much as was possible without actually just lying down on the ground and refusing to get up.

I was truly honoured that Katie had asked me to be a part of the wedding party. Yes, I’d always felt like we’d been close, but it never would have crossed my mind that she liked me that much.

An old man turned to stare as I started to giggle to myself, slightly uncontrollably. Guess I was just in a good mood. If I was in a Disney movie, there would be birds flying around my head, chirping out a sickeningly sweet, and yet catchy tune. Hell, there’d probably be some fawns following me for good measure, too.

Resisting the sudden urge to covertly check behind me to make sure I had no unwanted stalkers, I pushed open the door to the Café.

As I approached the counter, I waved to a few regulars, making sure to smile brightly at each and every one of them. I needed as many tips as I could get. Getting to know some of the customers, I’d found, was an unexpected perk of working in a fairly small establishment. It made the atmosphere in the Café far more relaxed.

Since I’d come back from my short trip home for the funeral, I hadn’t had as many shifts as I would have liked. Rick gave me just enough hours that I wasn’t short of money, but part of what I liked about working was the purpose it gave me. It got me out of the apartment, and kept my social skills up to par. Without the necessity of needing money and needing to get an education, my friends and I would have long ago turned into very large, very stagnant vegetables. So the fact that I wasn’t working as much caused me some anxiety that I’d never admit to anyone.

Add that to the anxiety caused by all the other problems in my life, and some mornings I felt like I was going stir crazy. I didn’t know how to broach the situation with Rick. He was just as alternately adorable and cranky as he’d always been, but sometimes I saw such pity in his eyes when he thought I didn’t notice him looking at me, that I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. So in true procrastination fashion, I put it on the long finger. It was right up there with broaching the subject of summer.

Because I was going home for the whole summer, I obviously couldn’t keep my job. I needed to find out if I’d be able to pick it back up next year…or if I even wanted to. Sure I loved my job, but how long did I want to stay working at the Café? I didn’t want to get stuck in a rut.

Decisions, decisions.

I always found it ironic that a good portion of everyone’s childhood is spent wishing you’re older, but once you reach adulthood, you long to be young and carefree again.