Belle leaned her body quietly on a chair. The place is very stressful for her. screaming and laughing. She was invited by her childhood best friend. attending her birthday party.
She never likes a birthday party. She sit four tables away from that happiness. she wishes to be over right now but no. The party still continues.
Minute later. The birthday girl ran toward her with two slices of cake in her hand. She dragged the chair, taking a seat silently beside Belle. she said.
"Happy birthday to me." She smiled. laid the plate on the table. "I know you hate birthday parties but - you must come. because it's my birthday and you are my special delight."
Belle stares at her. "Yes. Happy birthday, Emma." her eyes on her. "Thank you for knowing what I hated. I never like birthday parties."
"I know. but thank you for the cake even if you don't like it. here -" she pushed the plate. "It's good. you know what my favorite is.'' She smiled. cutting the cake for Belle with a spoon. "So, where are you heading after this?"
Belle shrugged. continue. "I can't invite everyone except for one person without social networking evidence inflicting more pain on that person than was intended. and I'm not a monster."
"I'm bit tired last night."
Emma snorted. "Because you're working at a restaurant full of people inside and you're working late at night. We are just sixteen years old, Belle. our body is still an infant stuck inside this teenage body. That's what we are. you should have fun and boys beside working."
"I don't like having fun but thanks." She took a bite of cake. "Wow, I've never known this cake will taste like this."
Belle looked up. She knows that she already hurt the birthday girl's feelings. She reached Emma's arm with a smile.
"After this. we're going shopping. I called the taxi, uber then let's get our ass out of here before I start working tonight."
Later in the evening. Belle pushed the door. As she walked inside she stopped, her eyes looking around. The restaurant is fully packed with people. the kids running around. crying. the adult, talking, laughing, loud and the floor - ? ewww ... disgusting.
"BELLE..!!"
She looks around as she hears someone screaming out her name through the crowd. her eyes found a girl waving at her. she waved. she saw someone jumping up and to make sure she noticed.
"I can't throw it ..!"
"USED THE BACK DOOR ..!"
She bolted out. running toward the back door. The same girl opened the door for her. They two chuckled for no reason.
"Gladly you made it. oh my gosh today is like a crazy day."
"Too crowded. what just happened. did he launch a new menu."
"I think not. There's nothing special on the menu today nor other days. oh, well. Come meet the others."
Belle blinked. She stopped walking. but the girl kept pushing her inside the kitchen. "Jonah hired more workers this morning."
She kept urging her and - "Listen up, guys." she clapped. Everyone is paying attention to her. "This is Belle. and Belle is our new member."
Belle says hello to them. The new members greet her with a smile. "You better get changed now. it's going wild."
Midnight. 12.10am. The restaurant finally closed for good. the members. sank their bodies on the chair. tried. exhaling and heavy breathing. inside the restaurant lights are dim. They were totally tired. Belle closed her eyes. as her mind thinks, how will she wake up for the next morning. tomorrow is school day.
"I cannot open up my eyes like seriously I cannot." said one of the members.
"Me neither. How can I drive? my feet barely cooperate with me. my whole body is killing me."
They started to share their feelings. "One family serves ten or twenty of each food they order. what are they .. a monster."
Grunting the elderly chef name, Frank. he been serving this restaurant for fifteen years. he likes his job. but today .. he kindly loses his hope for no reason. He sighs out loud.
"I think I'll sleep in here."
As the time shows 1.30 in morning. Belle walked upstairs, quickly taking her shower then jumped on the bed. breathing. her face pacing up the ceiling. her mind is blowing.
"What a night." she said before her eyes slowly closing till - "What the hell was that ..?"
She muttered. eyes wide open. She is trying to sleep in here. what kind of disturbing sound she hears beside the house. she grunted. jumped off the bed as the noise still could be heard. She walked toward her window room. sliding the curtains open, she saw one of the rooms on the second floor still on light.
She remembers the house is empty as the previous neighbor moving to europe. and also she hears new neighbors are moving in. Maybe the new neighbor is here and making such an annoying noise while she is trying to sleep.
"Ughhh.!"
She jumped on the bed again. and trying to get sleep but - THUD! her eyes widened again.
"What the hell ..!"
Loud thud could be heard next door. She jumped off the bed again then stood in front of the window. in anger and wrinkled face she looked around. There's a man just walking past, to the house , back to the car , then back to the house. What the heck is he doing? pacing around..?
Her eyes on that man. even under the dimp light. She can see the shadows in this man. tougher. masculine. broad shoulder, taller man and whatsoever. the last.. maybe he's handsome and single. pfftt.. who cares.
He was wearing his pajamas. She barely sees his face at night. whatever she thought. Finally he entered the house. straight to the second floor whereas the same room lights on.
Belle watches him behind the curtain. afraid he will notice her. claiming her new neighbor is a stalker. She hated that tittle. he hasn't switched the light off. though he's gonna sleep but no. something he does late tonight. don't he ever sleep? Please take a nap and no more noise.
She said in her mind. forgetting what happened in front of her eyes. She looked at the window again. damn. He saw her standing in front of his window staring straight through her. He noticed her.
Luckily she stood behind the curtain and shields her. slowly she backed away from the window. then jumped on bed again. Now she can sleep in peace. no more sound or movements happen. she didn't know he was smiling at her. even he too doesn't see her face.
Who cares? at least no more sound heard from the next door again. He is probably a married man, a father. renovation perhaps, for his kids room before the family came. who cares.
Now she must sleep. if she hasn't. tomorrow is gonna be a sleepy day for Belle in the classroom.