Scarlett
(Past)
I strolled down the monstrous hill. As much as I hated moving to this stupid island the views were decent so I guessed I could deal with that. I had a job at least, that meant my own money. I didn't know what I could do with it. There was barely anything to do here. At least I had a summer away from Mom and Simon. The 'newlyweds'.
The hill that lead into town reminded me of that old saying my dad used to say about walking in the snow to school up hill both ways. Even though that was impossible, it was my dad and his weird sense of humor. I missed that. Simon didn't have that. Simon hated everything I did. He would even lie to mom about me. I was just thankful I was going off to college at the end of the summer, I knew he was going to kick me out when I turned eighteen, and my mom was going to let him. He did the same thing to my brother and he didn't even go to college. He had to move in with friends back in Georgia. Crappy friends at that.
That was why I needed to have a job. I thought about moving out before that happened.I decided that I needed to save up. I finally got to the restaurant, sucked in a heavy salt laced breath, and prepared myself t act like a social butterfly, even though I didn't feel it. My stomach turned thinking about seeing my boss again. Something about him made my hair stand up and my heart race, and either way, I needed to avoid those feelings like I needed to avoid him. Not that he seemed like a bad guy, he was just too touchy for my taste. The personal space line was crossed and I didn't say anything, I wondered if I should have. I would have hated to have to worry about sexual harassment. Though I didn't get that vibe, I could never be too sure.
"Hey girl." I looked up to find my neighbor a cheerful blond, that liked to talk...mostly about herself. But she was a friend none the less and I had her to thank for getting me a job, as well as something to do for the summer. She had come out from behind the bar with a over-sized T-shirt with a small name white tag on it. I took it and studied my name. "Scar." Just like he'd promised. I ran my fingers over the the divots in the small plastic badge that spelled my name.
"You can go in the bathroom to change, she pointed toward the other side of the room, "And hurry up, we're about to open."
I nodded. Wondering if she was a shift manager or something, because she already seemed to be bossing me around.I guess it didn't matter, she was probably going to train me, which was even better. The less close I had to work with my 'hands on boss' the better.
I studied myself in the mirror. I tied the side of my shirt because it was just too big. I was hoping it was in dress code to do that, but then again, the boss had on a pair of cargo shorts and tank top. He was also covered in tattoos. It could have been just me, but I had noticed a hole in his lip. Where a lip ring should have been as well as a few holes in his ears. I couldn't help but wonder what else was pierced. He was the type of guy that held his gaze a little to long. Like to the point of awkwardness and I couldn't figure out what else to say. I mean his eyes were like staring into an endless ocean. It was like a sea shell for the eyes. His eyes were the exact shade of blue as the calm shallow ocean, and the way they looked under his hooded eyes made them sparkle like the waves before sunset.
I shook it off. I needed to focus on my summer job, and staying off his and everybody else's radar until college started in the fall. That was my goal.
I blew out a breath and headed out the door. That was when I noticed a tall busty blond sitting at the bar. Her hair was platinum hanging down her back, and her breast were literally busting out of her shirt. She stared at her bright red fingers. Her ridiculously long lashes hung over her cheeks.
Brittany put on my apron which again made me nervous. The personal space, apparently people on the island didn't know too much about it. I tried not to make a big deal. We had a couple waiting at the table and a few other groups.
I showed and elderly couple to a table snatching out a notebook and pen from my apron. Ready to take their drink orders.
"Aren't you a pretty girl." The old lady said to her husband, "You must be Vanessa's daughter."
Opened my mouth to respond.
"Vanessa left two years ago, Agatha." The old man said shifting his thick brimmed glasses.
"Actually, I'm new here."
"Who are your parents?" She asked out of the blue. I wanted to tell her I lived on my own, or just that it was none of their business.
I looked up at Brittany who had a sympathetic look on her face. I guessed she was used to it.
"What can I get you to drink?"
"You know she looks a lot like Vanessa. Who is your father?" The lady asked.
"He's dead." I said. "What do you want to drink?"
"I have a grandson. He's single and about your age."
I wanted to pull my hair out, as I went into the night I got many evasive questions. Everyone recognized me as the new girl. I just wanted to move.
I finally got sick of it and decided to hide out in the back of the building for a while. I decided to lie and say I was feeling sick or something. I second guessed moving here, and working here. I guessed it was a good thing I was just staying for the summer.
"I swear, you're unimaginable." I heard a deep male voice.
I peaked in and got a slight back view of the platinum blond lady from the bar with her hands on her hips. "I've never been called that before."
"I wrote a check to his peewee league last month. What the hell happen to that huh?"
"That was for his uniform, damn he needs other shit too for camp."
"Like?" I saw troy come into view in the woman's face.
"Fuck! I don't know I just know what his coach said."
"Why the fuck doesn't his coach call me? I'm the one whose paying for everything." He said.
"Well, you want to get your tired ass off this island and talk to his coach be my guest."
"I'm going to call him Leona, and if I fucking find out you've been spending my money on anything other than my son." He huffed, "I could coach him my damn self. Why can't he just spend the summer out here with me?"
"What so he can learn how to be a has been, and blow a football scholarship, so he can open up a whole in the wall and because he's two scared to leave this fucking island."
"You forgot hot and sexy." He cooed.
"Probably the only thing your ass still has going for you, and even that has been full of disappointments."
"You weren't disappointed last week."
"I was drunk, Troy. I would have slept with anyone."
"That I can't argue with that. Not that you ever had to be drunk to sleep with...anyone."
"Are you done?"
"Well that depends." He said with his sex-laced voiced.
"You are so full of it. You can't afford me anymore."
"Sweetheart, if this is what I'm buying, it's not worth the cost of admission. I just want to take care of my son, and live in peace."
"Why do I have to deal with that mouth every time I come here?"
"You never complained about my mouth before."
I watched the platinum blond turn and leave the room, moving out of view so she didn't see me. I was like watching a reality show without a TV.
I decided it was time for me to get back to work. I didn't want to lose my job my first day of work.
"New girl."
My stomach dropped. I was caught.
"What are you doing back here?" I turned to meet his gaze again, "Taking a smoke break?"
I shook my head. Trying to think of a good enough lie. "Um...I was looking for some condiments...for the tables." My words trailed off.
His eyebrow quirked. "Um...that would be in the kitchen..." He mocked me. His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
I slid by him. "So how'd you enjoy the show?"
I swallowed. "Um...I didn't mean to eavesdrop." I bit my lip. I knew I was fired. "I'm sorry."
He blew out a breath and scratched his forehead. "Just stop roaming the back rooms, okay? That's the last thing I need."
"You're girl friend seems nice." I tried to lighten the moment.
"Yeah, if you like gold-digging bitches." He nudged my back into the dining room, making me catch a whiff of his cologne. The thick musk was left my stomach fluttering. I just took a deep breath and muscled my way though the breakfast shift.
At least the staff was pretty sympathetic, especially a red headed girl named Tiffany. I liked her better than, Brit. She seemed more down to earth, but she had lived on the island from birth, but she was soft spoken, like me and just genuinely kind.
The chef Nick was an older guy, but he had a great sense of humor and knew everything about everything and everyone. I knew he was going to be my go to guy about everything. Then there was Zeke, Brit's boy friend. I had met him the day before and it didn't surprise me that he was Troy's brother.
Especially how he hugged Brit while staring at me or probably what ever other girl was around. Then there was Rachael, she was always arguing with usually one of the girls for taking her tables. Usually, it was Brit. I made it a point to steer clear from her till the end of the summer.
Then there was Eddie. Eddie was your classic long haired Zach Efron look a-like. He was Zeke's best friend and polar opposite. I say that because it was clear that he was in love with Tiffany. He came in and twirled her around and stayed through the breakfast shift until Tiffany got off. I had to admit I was a little envious. I had never had a long term boyfriend, and no man had ever looked at me the way that Eddie looked at Tiff.
All and all by the time my shift was over, I had a crash course of how my summer was going to be. I knew who to avoid, and how to deal with everyone. I wanted to stay all day, but I didn't want to ask Troy, and no one invited me to hang out, so I had to make the lonely hike home to deal with the parental units.