Her long red hair trails down her back in loose waves. We look exactly alike except for our hair. She also has a few more wrinkles than I do since she is the one that gave birth to me after all.
The tables are filled with people, and I realize that my dad downplayed just how busy they were. A few customers in line look like they are ready to leave. I just love it when people are impatient.
I step up next to mom and whisper into her ear, "Hey, what can I do to help?"
She turns to me with a surprised look on her face but doesn't question why I am here. She nods and then says, "If you want to start filling orders while I ring everyone's total up, that would be good."
"Okay, consider it done." I move along the top of the display and open the drawer to begin filling orders. She has most of them written out on tickets. I also pull things from the shelves behind the counter for requests and make drinks. After doing this easy task for about an hour, things seem to slow down. I take that moment to step around the counter to do some spot sweeping and cleaning out on the floor.
Once the last person waiting at the register has been helped, and several of the seated people have left, I allow myself to hug my mom finally.
Wrapping my arms around her, I say, "well, that was a fun little rush! How are you this morning, mom?"
She smiles, pulling back from the hug to look at me. "I am okay. Aren't you supposed to be studying or something, though?'
"I already had this talk with dad, we do not need to revisit it, mom. How has he been with his new diet by the way? Has he been following the doctor's recommendations?"
My mom frowns slightly. "He has been trying to. He argues with me about it though at times. I know it is important for him to monitor his blood sugar and eat better, but he does not like it. This new diabetic diet is rough on him."
"I bet it is, but it will help him have more energy and feel better."
"That it would, but he is stubborn. It is where your stubborn streak comes from." My mom winks at me with that statement, and I laugh.
"Anyway, enough about that, how has your first week been? Have you made any new friends?"
"It has been okay. I was not expecting to have work on the first day like they gave us. My roommate and I seem to be hitting it off decently well so far." I end my statement with a small frown but try to cover it up before my mom sees it. She can always see right through me.
"Don't act like I didn't see that. What happened? She seemed nice when we met her on the move in day." She crosses her arms, waiting for me to speak.
"Well, she texted me yesterday about going to a party. We were supposed to meet up at the party and she never showed. She didn't even text me, and this morning she still wasn't back, so I don't know." I lean into the display case behind me, trying to come up with a logical reason for her behavior. I stare at the ceiling as if it will give me the answers, I seek
"Do you think she may have gotten there earlier and got wasted or something? I know college parties are pretty crazy sometimes."
"Well, I guess so, but you would think she would text me back even in a drunken stupor, right?"
"Well, sometimes people forget where their phone is like that. Don't shut out that friendship just yet. When she comes back to the dorm just sit and talk with her. Did you stay at the party long then?"
I hesitate before I answer her question for a second but finally respond, "yeah, I met a guy there that was pretty nice."
"Oh, really? A nice shifter male, I hope. What animal is he? I was really hoping you would work things out with Theo but if you find another strong male with a good background and blood, I am okay with that. I just want my little girl to be taken care of despite your crazy whims." She says, breaking out into a huge grin.
I don't have the heart to tell her that Alex is, in fact, not a shifter, so I focus on the latter half of her statements regarding Theo and roll my eyes.
"Mom, the thing between Theo and me is over. We have been over this. It is just not going to work out, and we are never getting back together."
"Oh, honey, don't say that. That boy loves you like no other. I swear you both are fated mates. Plus, you could give him adorable half brown wolf half arctic wolf babies. He is going to have such an amazing career so you could do what any female shifter is meant to do and focus on your family. I know your dad, and I couldn't make that work for us, but you can."
And here we go. The never-ending female shifters are supposed to be family-oriented only, not holding jobs, and staying in the home with kids, talk. This is a new age, and female beings are free to do what they want. We have more independence. I don't know how many times I have had this conversation with my parents, but it never ends well.
"Mom, please just drop it." I look around and spot the clock on the wall. It is late but I wanted to decorate those cupcakes dad had earlier. "Oh, you know what I forgot about the cupcakes dad made earlier. He said I could decorate them. I better go get started on them!"
I smile and quickly leave the front where mom is turning to face a new customer that has entered through the door, saved by the bell.
Back in the kitchen, I see dad and Stan sitting at the countertop, sipping waters, and munching on sandwiches. I head in their direction with a huge grin on my face.
"Hey dad, is it okay if I get started on those cupcakes now? You didn't do them, already did you?"
He raises an eyebrow at me as if understanding I am avoiding something with mom but goes along with it.
"No, they are still on the cooling rack. I got all the ingredients for frosting out already though, well at least most of them." He brushes crumbs off his mouth as I turn toward the back of the kitchen to see a pile of items next to several bowls.
I turn my head and say over my shoulder, "thanks, I am just going to get started on these."
Stan laughs as I make it to the table, sensing what I am doing. He is always the quiet, observant one. He has been around my family and I for too long and knows how I handle things.
Looking over the various ingredients, I begin to make the frosting. I go over several ideas in my head to come up with a theme for the cupcakes. I love giving them themes because it makes them more eye-catching to customers.
Deciding on an outer space theme, I mix up the proper colors of frosting, grab some fondant, and get started. I use my creativity and skills to create little stars, planets, spaceships, and aliens. I spend a little over an hour working on all the cupcakes before I am satisfied with them.
I step back to admire my work and pull out my phone. If I take a picture and share it on social media, maybe that will encourage new customers to stop in. I quickly pull up the camera app and take a few shots. As I am thumbing through the pictures, I get a message from Alex.
Alex: Hey, Natalie, I hope you are having a good day! I had a break at work and thought I would say hi.
I smile and try not to dance around. I do not want to draw attention from my dad having suffered the conversation with mom earlier about Theo. So not happening again.
Me: Hey, it has been good thus far. How is work for you? Where do you work?
I don't get anything back from him immediately, so I finish my task of putting pictures up on social media. My stomach growls loudly as my photos finish loading. I don't want to stick around much longer, though, so I give my parents a quick goodbye hug and head out the door. I plan on picking something up on my way back to the dorm. Hopefully, Addy will be back.
Several minutes later, I enter the room with a bag of food in one arm and my drink. As I cross the room to set it on my desk, I notice a pile of blankets and clothes move on Addy's bed. I watch as my roommate sits up wearing nothing but her bra and a pair of shorts. Her blonde hair is sticking out all over the place, and she has giant black circles around her purple eyes. She looks like a hot mess, so she must have had one crazy night.
"Hey, you are back! I was worried about you." I cross the room and hug her. She hugs me back.
Following a big yawn, she begins
to stretch. After a moment of seeming to wake up, she says, "sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I thought I texted you back last night, but I was pretty out of it. Pot and liquor are not a good mix for me. I woke up passed out on the bed in one of the guys upstairs rooms. There were several people in the room, but thankfully I still had my clothes on."
"Oh jeez, that sounds interesting. You don't think someone attempted to do something do you?"
"I honestly don't know. I don't feel like I did anything, but even though I still had my clothes on, it still doesn't mean anything. I just know I won't be doing that again." She shivers and then stands.
"Well, I am glad you are back. What are your plans for this afternoon?" I ask, moving back to my desk where my lunch sits.
Addy moves to her closet as she speaks, "well, I am going to shower for starters. I have a bit of homework and studying I need to do after that. What about you?"
Having just taken a bite of my burger that I ordered, I take a few seconds to chew and swallow before answering. "I am going to do the same and maybe some laundry. I went and helped out at my parents this morning."
"Oh yeah," she says, digging around some more in her closet for clothes. "How are they this morning? I forgot that you mentioned they own a bakery."
"They are good. I was hoping to get away without a conversation about my ex, but it did not happen."
"That sucks. I remember you mentioning him earlier this week. Mr. Douchebag McGee. Why aren't they passed the fact you are not getting back with him yet?"
I laugh, causing her to stop what she is looking for and turn to stare at me with a confused expression.
"I have been asking myself that same question for several months now. I think he is still stopping by to charm them or something. They are dead set on me marrying a well-off shifter of high status."
She sighs and rolls her eyes turning back to her closet to finish gathering her toiletries. Turning around, she seems to contemplate her next words before speaking.
"I don't know how you feel about shifter traditions but, I think if you found a nice man of a different species with those qualities, you would be better off. I know our people are big about not going outside of specific beings, but what if you come across someone who is your mate that is not a shifter?"
I stare at her for a second, a bit shocked at her honesty. "I feel pretty much the same as you do on that. My parents are just super traditional about it though. I have a date tomorrow with a mage that I did not mention this morning."
She raises her eyebrows at me. "Really? Did you meet him last night?"
I spend the next few minutes filling her in about Alex and how we have plans to meet tomorrow. She stands listening and smiling the entire time, seeming to forget that she was headed to shower.
"Well, I am excited for you to go on this date. If you need a cover or something with your parents at any time just holla at me. I have your back."
I laugh, "I don't want to lie to them forever, but I am not ready to tell them that I am okay seeing other beings besides shifters. If things work out between Alex and me, I will have to tell them, though."
"Either way, I support you. Now I am going to let you finish your lunch and head down to the shower. I think my pores are seeping pot from all that I smoked last night. See you in a bit!"
I watch as she turns to head out the door and down the hall. I feel happy that we have similar beliefs regarding traditional mating for shifters. With a new sense of happiness, I turn back to my desk and pull out my accounting book to study while I eat.
4. Alex
The morning seemed to pass by in a blur. Even though I was out late at that party last night, my opening shift did not change. I was required to be at work at six-thirty a.m. Selene, the owner of Claribell’s, runs a tight ship and holds her managers to high standards. That is a great way to run a business if you ask my opinion.
I texted Natalie to see how her day was going, following the lunch rush. I have been continuously running all morning tending to customers. We had one customer after another, and then a manager that was supposed to come in at the shift change called in. This made me the only person on hand to cover their shift. I ended up working a double, and now as I walk out the doors to my vehicle, I feel the exhaustion set in.
I sigh and turn to look at the front of Claribell’s. The restaurant is in a small building with a drive-through on the right side. It is made of dark brick and has white trim. There is a small built-in porch with tables for customers to sit on. The tables are made of wrought iron and thankfully are still a dark black color.
The inside of the building is decorated in shades of black, reds, and whites. The floor is a bright red tile with black tables scattered throughout. The pictures adorning the walls are of various places in France, all depicting the Eiffel Tower in the background. It is quaint and cozy.
Turning from the building, I stare at my red Chevy pickup truck and hit the key fob to unlock it. I slide in and relax back into the soft leather seats. It is an older model, so it lacks some of the fancy bells and whistles of newer cars, but it is reliable. It gets me from point A to point B easily, and it is paid off.
Shaking myself so as not to get too comfortable, I pull out my phone before heading home. I smile as I read Natalie's text and prepare a response.
Me: Hey, sorry, I didn't respond earlier. I had to work a double. I work at Claribell’s. Have you heard of it?
I get an immediate response, surprisingly.
Natalie: I figured as much when you didn't text back. Yes! I love their grilled cheese sandwiches! How was working a double shift?
Me: It was exhausting, but I made good in tips, so there is a plus. Did you have a good day?
Natalie: It was okay. I helped out at my parent's bakery for a bit, and now I am studying. Accounting may be the death of me.
Me: Oh, yeah? Who is your prof? Maybe I can help.
Natalie: Prof Powell. She is a tough cookie. You think so?
Me: Oh yeah, I had her for Accounting 1 and 2. She kicked my butt. I learned a lot, though. You could bring your stuff tomorrow if you have questions on our date. I wouldn't mind helping you with it then. I would offer tonight, but I am beat.
Natalie: I may just do that. I will see how far I get on it, though, before I make that decision.
I set my phone down in the passenger's seat before starting my truck. If I don't take a break from messaging her now, I may never make it home. I might end up falling asleep here, and that would freak out my boss.
I spend the next couple of minutes driving to the house before looking at my phone. After losing one of my friends who was texting and driving a year ago, I try to avoid the habit. He was texting, not paying attention, and drove his truck into the back of a logging truck. It messed me up bad for a little bit because we had been friends since elementary school. It affected his little sister more than anyone, though.
Pulling my head from those sad thoughts, I decide to swing by a fast-food drive-thru before reaching the house. I love that the girls frequently cook for us, but at the same time, I don't always like what they serve. I don't want to risk it tonight and choose instead to go with my comfort food of a burger and fries.
Making it home, I enter the house with my food in hand. Lainee smirks at me as I enter the kitchen headed in the direction of our table. She is standing at the oven with a giant pan of what looks like stir fry cooking. It kind of smells like stir fry anyway.
"What is that?" She asks, crossing her arms across her chest with the spatula still in her right hand.
"My dinner," I say, sitting down at the long oak table we have and sliding into a chair. I hear her scoff as I pull out my burger and fries. I immediately dig in.
"Are you tired of home-cooked food then?" She asks, finally.
Swallowing loudly, I say, "no, just wanted something different. Stop giving me the cold shoulder and let me eat woman. I have had a long day."
She bursts out laughing and turns back to the stove. Tha
nkfully she lets me eat in peace, and I slip out once I'm finished. I just want to shower and sleep. None of them had to work today, so I am sure they all slept in.
Making my way down the hall to my room, I enter to gather up my shower stuff. I dig around in my chest of drawers to find my favorite pair of sweatpants before heading back out to the bathroom.
Entering the white-tiled bathroom, I feel the moisture still in the air and smell lavender. I roll my eyes as I realize Stevie must have been the last one to use the shower. She is the only one that uses lavender scented products. Each of the girls has a specific scent of products that they use. Lainee uses rosemary mint, which doesn't smell too bad. Lavender makes me want to pass out, though, because it instantly relaxes me.
I have to focus not to fall asleep as I shower and quickly move through my basic hygiene practices. With the smell of lavender and the warm water relaxing my muscles, I crash instantaneously as soon as I hit my pillow. I don't even check my phone before I do but somehow manage to get it connected to the charger before becoming dead to the world.
5.Natalie
The next morning, I wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I am excited to see Alex tonight, and I am also pleased that I figured out everything I need to for my accounting work. That means no studying during date time tonight. I have a couple of things to do for my other classes as well as laundry, though, before tonight. It seems a bit daunting, but I know it needs to be done.
I spend the day doing these tasks and cleaning what needs to be done around the dorm room. Addy and I also spend some more time chatting and learning more about each other.
She shares with me that she has six siblings and that she is the baby of the bunch. She also shares more information about the school she used to attend and the sports she played there. I share with her that I didn't play any sports but that I sang in the choir. We then move into telling different stories and experiences we have had over the years.
Breaking Traditions- the Shifter and the Mage Page 3
