Emerald's POV
Breakfast rush was busy for the first couple hours, but once ten o'clock rolled around it was like a ghost town in the diner. Mr. Charlie Frank was one of the only people still here and he sat in the same seat he always did at the counter.
"Need a refill Charlie?" I asked from behind the counter.
He nodded his wrinkly face at me and smiled before handing over the empty mug. I grabbed it and refilled it and made sure to leave it black like he likes it. I sat it back in front of him and went to set the coffee pot back.
I didn't make very much money working here, but I did like having something to do. I would get to see my regulars like Charlie and sometimes my friends or Keith would come in and eat so I could still hangout with them. I had plenty of friends or at least I would call them my friends. I never shared anything intimate with them and none of them really knew about my past or where I was from.
There was one friend in particular that I am close with. Jody. I liked him a lot and used to have a crush on him, but Jody definitely didn't have a crush on me back. Me and him became close fast and he was like my new Kacey. Still though, he didn't know me like Kacey did.
The only thing they knew was Helen adopted me and brought me from another pack.
It was hard at first when I moved here because I was still angry with August. In the beginning I wouldn't even interact with the other kids, but once I started school it was impossible to avoid them so I did what any other kid would and found some people I didn't mind listening to talk. I was still friends with Kacey and we talked regularly. She was someone I had no doubt about being my real friend.
We would talk about school and she called me the day she got her wolf and kept me updated about what was going on back there. She would even tell me about August even though I never asked about him. It wasn't that I was still upset with him or anything. Maybe at first, but I realized a long time ago that it would've been ridiculous for me to have stayed with him.
Once I got a real understanding about parents and kids and their relationship towards one another I felt so embarrassed for throwing a fit like I did towards him. When I realized he was only doing what he thought was best for me I felt even more embarrassed for not ever taking his calls or going with Helen to visit. After years I figured it was way too late to ever go back or see him anymore, so I didn't.
I thought about him more then anyone else that I had met from there. Even though he wasn't anything to me and I was just some orphaned kid he found in the woods, I still missed him. I remember our talks clearly and I still remember the way he would try and help me walk or get me to try normal food. It's funny because all the kids thought he was this big scary guy. All because of that little scratch on his face, but to me he was gentle and kind. He's my savior in a way.
Kacey would even tell me every once in a while about how he still hadn't found his mate. Even though I didn't believe in the mate thing and didn't see it as a big deal. I knew he did and I felt bad that he had been looking all this time for her and still hadn't. If their was a moon goddess surely she would've made sure that someone like August would have a mate. He was a good Alpha and I knew how much he cared for his pack and if anyone deserved a mate it was him.
I knew I would probably never see him again and a part of me knew that was my fault for not keeping in contact with him. All of that seemed like a million years ago though and I knew he had probably forgotten all about me by now. I knew Helen still talked to him every once in a while, but this past year he hadn't called and I assumed life just had him busy.
I stayed behind the counter a little longer incase people started to walk in, but I could see through the windows that the parking lot was empty, so I told Charlie I'd be back and snuck into the kitchen. Bobby was back here doing prep work and getting ready for lunch. He was tall bulky man with dark skin and black dread locks down to his shoulders. He was the strong silent type and I secretly found him quite attractive because of his large build and that dominate feeling he radiated.
There are many unmated males and females in my pack and because of this dating people who aren't your mates was more accepted compared to other packs. But just like Helen many of the people here held strong beliefs about the moon goddess and are loyal to their mates even though they hadn't even met them. It was like a trait they all seemed to share, but thankfully Keith wasn't as closed minded and even though I had a boyfriend I still figured it was okay to just look.
"Hey Bobby I'm gonna get some fresh air for a minute, you mind?" I asked while holding my hands behind my back and fluttering my eyelashes up at him.
He glanced back down at me only for a second before going back to his prep work. I saw a small smirk come to his lips before he changed his expression back to serious.
"Fine, but take that trash out with you. It stinks." He said in his deep gruff voice.
"Sure thing." I said and went over and tied the trash bag up before carrying it through the back door and outside.
It was vacant back here and besides the wooden fence and the blue dumpster that sat up next to it, it was completely private. I went over to the dumpster and tossed the bag inside before dusting my hands off and looking around to make sure I was the only one out here.
I grinned and then began snapping my fingers. It took a couple tries, but eventually I snapped again and a small green flame started to rise from my finger tips. My smile went wide as I stared down at the green flame and then tried to focus on making it bigger.
I opened my palm and soon the baby flame grew into a glowing green ball of heat and fire. I let out a sigh of relief when seeing it and then turned around to face the dumpster. I took in a deep breath and then closed my fist around the ball of fire before throwing my arm back. I threw the ball of flames at the dumpster and opened my fist to release it.
I imagined it was the same feeling someone got when they did drugs. It gave me that same dopamine rush and made my mind feel so clear. I felt like all the things that I had tried to forget finally disappeared with that ball of flames and that I was invincible.
The ball zoomed through the air and when it connected with the side of the dumpster it exploded and small green flames went flying everywhere, including into the open lid that I forgot to close.
The tiny flames that hit the ground went out, but the ones that landed inside the blue metal box of trash grew immediately.
"Shit. Shit. Shit."
I ran to the dumpster and tried to put my hands out towards the flames to make them grow slower, but once they catch on something they spread fast and it's almost impossible to control them afterwards.
'Stupid girl. Focus!' Alana scolded.
Suddenly I heard the back door swing open from the diner and I immediately slammed the lid of the dumpster down and turned back to see who it was. It was Bobby and I let out a sigh of relief and started slowly walking away from the trash to meet him.
"What are you doing out here?" He asked accusingly with one dark eyebrow raised.
I flashed him my white teeth and shrugged my shoulders before twisting one of my curls with my finger at him. He narrowed his eyes at me and then crossed his large biceps over his broad chest.
"That doesn't work all the time. What is it that you do when you sneak off?" He asked obviously not caring about the looks I was giving him.
I rolled my eyes and let go of the curl I had been twirling.
"I don't do anything. I just wanted to to take a minute and clear my head. Helen.. it's just got me distracted that's all." I said feeling all types of guilty and ashamed that I was pulling the sick mom card to cover my tracks.
Bobby softened his face at me and dropped his arms from his chest. He nodded his head and didn't say anything and we both went back inside to the kitchen. I tried to ignore the fact that everything inside the dumpster was getting burnt to a crisp, but I hoped it just didn't actually melt the damn thing down.
I started washing my hands and then took some paper towels down to dry them, so they wouldn't smell so much like fire. Kinda pointless though, since I'm always being told I smell like smoke. It wasn't a very pleasant smell or at least I didn't think it was, people probably thought I smoked cigarettes like crazy.
I heard Charlie through the window say something and I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or to someone else. I went to peak out the small window and when I did I could see a large man sitting with his back to me in one of the booths. His white shirt hugged his arms tight and even though he had grey hair and was probably older. I could tell he was still in shape and probably good looking.
"Charlie, why didn't you tell me someone was here ? You're making me look bad." I said making my old friend look up at me from the counter and smile.
"Oh don't you worry none about that. Nothing could make you look bad." He said with a wink.
I smiled, but pointed my finger at him from behind the window.
"Watch it or next time I'll spit in your coffee."
Charlie was a flirt, but he was so old and really he was just bored and didn't mean anything by it. I considered him my friend and he would hangout here most of the time and chat with me.
He bellowed a hard laugh and slammed his hand on the counter top making some of his coffee spill from his mug and onto the counter.
"That'd only make it sweeter and you know I only take mine black." He said to me.
I walked through the door and grabbed a rag that was under the counter and started cleaning up the spilt coffee and picked his mug up to clean underneath it.
"Charlie, if you don't stop flirting with me you're going to have the whole town talking about us." I said playfully, but kept holding his mug because I knew he was going to slam his hand back on the counter like he always does.
"Let' em talk!" He said and I shook my head and placed the mug back down in front of him.
I wiped my hands on the back of my pants and grabbed a menu before walking over to the man sitting at the booth. Of course he like every other man had no scent to him, but I could tell that my scent was making him uncomfortable. I placed a menu down on the table and he leaned his head over to look down at it and never up at me.
"Sorry for the wait. Can I get you started with some coffee?" I asked trying to sound apologetic.
He nodded his head, but didn't look up. I walked away from him and back behind the counter and quickly filled a mug up before bringing it back to him. I sat the mug down and took a step back incase my scent was still bothering him and he continued looking over the menu.
It wasn't very big and there were only so many choices. Technically it was still breakfast, but I gave him a little bit longer to look. I could still tell though that he was just moving his nose and smelling my ashy scent and I tried to help him order, so I could just walk away.
"I recommend the loaded omelette. It's really good and filling." I lied straight through my teeth.
Eggs were the devil's food.
He didn't look up, but he did finally say something.
"Alright." His voice was deep and held no emotion in it.
I stepped closer to take the menu when he picked it up, but I moved too fast and accidentally grabbed his fingers when taking it. He looked up at me and when I finally seen his face I froze. He looked exactly how I remembered him with his strong chin and defined cheekbones. His hair was the only thing that had changed, but I kinda liked the way it made his left white eye look lighter.
He still had that scar that ran over it, but to me it wasn't as bad as people made it out to be. I liked that he had two different colored eyes like me. He was the only other person who I had met who had them and when I was younger.. I used to think that meant something.
He was handsome. Very handsome actually and the little bit of stubble that was on his face was the only thing that made him look a bit older. It wasn't the same type of boy look that Keith had. He held himself in a way that told you he was experienced in life and the way he was looking at me made me feel weak in the knees suddenly.
I felt Anala begin to scratch and yip.
'Zeb!' She said excitedly.
What was he doing here? Did he know I worked here ? I could feel every molecule in my body heat up and when I realized I was still practically holding his hand I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.
I snatched the menu back, not to be mean, but to get as far away from this situation as possible and ran back into the kitchen like a dumb ass. I wrapped my arms around the menu and held it to my chest while I took in some deep breaths. My heart was pounding and I felt like I was high on an adrenaline rush.
Bobby looked over at me and gave me a weird look. I let out a shaky breath and just said.
"Loaded omelette."
He nodded his head slowly when looking at me and then turned around to the grill and started to prepare the eggs.
'What the hell is he doing here ?' I asked Anala.
'Probably because his aunt is sick.' She said back in a dull tone.
I rolled my eyes at myself. Of course that's why he's here what else would he come here for ?
Well, that was real stupid of me to just run away like a scared little kid would. Ugh, how embarrassing. I was still holding the menu and when I heard the bell by the window ding I jumped.
Bobby looked over at me and furrowed his eyebrows before taking a step away from the window.
"What's wrong?" He asked sounding genuinely concerned.
"Look, I need a favor." I said and placed the menu I was holding down on one of the tables and walked to the small office area where my keys and helmet were.
I came back into the kitchen and Bobby looked to my helmet and then to my keys.
"Oh what ? now your ditching work?" He said with an annoyed tone.
"Please Bobby? it's a personal thing, but I really don't want to talk to the guy that's out there." I said in a whisper voice incase August could hear us.
He raised an eyebrow at me and then crossed his arms over his chest while still holding the spatula.
"Why? Who is he?" He asked and lowered his voice as well.
I let out a breath and shook my head.
"Somebody I knew a long time ago. Could you help me out?" I asked before popping my lip out and batting my lashes again.
He rolled his eyes and then looked back at me and sighed.
"Go on then. Ill cover your shift."
I smiled at him and wrapped my arms around his large waist. He didn't hug me back, but I knew he enjoyed me always gushing over him. I snuck out the back door and when I came around to the front, I made sure August couldn't see me and then quickly jumped on my bike and slipped my helmet on.
I cranked the engine and started to slowly back out and then cut the wheels hard and spun out of the parking lot and away from the diner without looking back.