Chapter 1
I walked into the exclusive cafeteria, my ponytail swinging behind me as I pushed the broom across the floor. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a harsh glow on the empty tables I was tasked with cleaning. My pale skin felt clammy, and I could feel the sweat beading on my forehead. I was quite happy to have found that job and also a little nervous, as I started to wipe down the tables. It wasn’t a great job, definitely not, but it was my chance to get my life together again. To pick up the pieces, get my act together and start new. I had had a really bad time.
I had been homeless not too long ago, sleeping in an abandoned building, and the contrast between that cold, empty space and this bright, posh café was jarring. I could still feel the ache in my bones from those nights.
But it was all over! I was back on my feet, and this job would help me get back, if I could just manage to keep it.
I heard the first students filtering in after their classes had ended, their laughter and chatter filling the room. I kept my head down, focusing on my work, but I could feel their eyes on me, judging me. I was just a poor girl from the wrong side of town, and they all knew it. This was a prestigious college that mostly rich kids attended. And they knew it. All their designer clothes, all their makeup, their tans, their jewellery. They had no problem displaying their parents’ wealth. And I was the total opposite.
I mean, to be honest, nobody was probably paying attention to me. I was a nothing to them, and I was fine by it. I didn’t envy them, I didn’t have any opinion, really.
Well, it almost worked:
“Hey!”
At first I didn’t really thought this was addressed to me.
“Hey, you, waitress!”
I looked up, and there was this young girl looking at me. She was barely 18, blonde, wore these fancy clothes and looked at me with a pinch of disgust.
“Yes?”, I asked and looked at her.
“Yes? Really? Just yes? Don’t you have any manners? It should be at least Yes, Miss.,
I was so surprised by the way she talked to me. I didn’t really expect this attitude.
“I’m sorry, Miss, what can I do for you?”
“You should be! ... sorry, I mean!”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Come here!”
hesitated for a moment, then approached her, keeping my eyes cast downwards. She was sitting at a table with a group of her friends, all of them watching me with amused smirks. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, but I kept my expression neutral, trying to hide my nervousness.
“What’s your name?” she asked, her voice laced with a sense of entitlement.
“Kelly,” I replied softly.
“Kelly what?”
“Just Kelly,” I said, not wanting to give her my last name and give her any more ammunition.
She rolled her eyes. “Fine, Kelly. I want a coffee. Make it a latte. And make sure it’s not too hot. I don’t want to burn my tongue.”
“Okay, I’ll get that for you,” I said, turning to leave.
“Wait,” she commanded. “You didn’t ask how I take my coffee.”
I paused, taking a deep breath. “How do you take your coffee, Miss?”
She smirked. “Better. I take it with almond milk and extra foam. And make sure it’s perfect, or you’ll have to remake it.”
I nodded and hurried off to the counter, feeling their eyes on me the whole time. My hands were shaking as I prepared her drink. I took a deep breath, to get back some control.
When I returned with her latte, she took one look at it and scoffed. “This is cold. I said not too hot, not freezing. Take it back and make it again.”
I took the cup back without a word and returned to the counter, my cheeks burning with humiliation. I remade the drink, making sure it was just the right temperature this time. When I brought it back, she took a sip and finally nodded in approval.
“There, that’s not so hard, is it?” she said, her friends giggling behind their hands.
I just stood there, waiting to see if she needed anything else.
“You are new here, right?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“You look like a stray dog! I mean, disgusting. This place is seriously lacking class if they hire people like you!”
I didn’t know how to respond.
What had I done to deserve this?
What had I done to make her so mad at me.”
All I could say, was:
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, you are… a sorry person. That is what you are!”
I didn’t know what to say.
“I’m really sorry.”
“Well, go on then,” she said, shooing me away with her hand. “I don’t have all day to waste on you.”
I turned and walked away.
This was bad. I was not used to be treated like that. So mean.
I had to swallow, and my eyes were welling up, stinging with unshed tears. I could feel her eyes on me, as I made my way back to the counter. I kept my head down, focusing on my work, trying to block out what had just happened. I was determined to keep this job, no matter what. I would not let her see her words have an effect on me.
But at the same time, I had to work, and I couldn’t stay in the shelter of the kitchen forever, so eventually I went out again.
I had hoped that she had left, but she was still there.
“Come here!”
I approached her table again, my steps heavy with dread. She looked up at me, her eyes cold and calculating.
“You’re not very good at your job, are you, Kelly?” she said, emphasizing my name as if it tasted bad on her tongue.
“I’m sorry, Miss. I’ll try to do better,” I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.
She smirked. “You should be sorry. You know, my father is a very influential man. He’s on the board of this college, and he owns half the businesses in this town. If I tell him you’re not fit for this job, you’ll be out on your ear before you can say ‘please.’”
I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead. “Please, Miss, I really need this job. I won’t let you down again, I promise.”
She raised an eyebrow. “We’ll see about that. Now, tell me, when does your shift end?”
I hesitated before answering, “In two hours, Miss.”
She nodded, a slow, cruel smile spreading across her face. “Good. I’ll be back then. Understood?”
I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. “Yes, Miss. I understand.”
I turned to leave, but she called out to me again. “And Kelly? One more thing. If you want to stay employed here, you’ll have to learn your place. You’re the help, nothing more. Don’t forget it! I don’t like your attitude!”
I didn’t respond, just hurried back to the counter, my mind racing. I had to keep my job, no matter what. I couldn’t go back to the streets, not after everything I’d been through. I took a deep breath and set to work, determined to make sure every surface in that café sparkled. I would not give her any more reasons to complain.
