Shit. What is he doing here? Does he know I work here? Would he even be here if he knew I work here? How long has he been sitting there? All these questions cross my mind before anyone spots me. I debate on turning around and calling in sick, but my mother has my damn car. Shit.

I see Abel behind the counter and a huge smile appears on her face. She's about to greet me by name like she usually does, but I wave my hands in the air and bring a finger to my lip telling her to shush. Her smile turns into a confused look and I decide to enter the kitchen, which is behind the counter, instead of going straight to my station.

All the cooks look confused but they greet me anyways. "Hey Cam, whatcha doin back here," Ryder, the cook who always walks me to my car, asks. He's pretty young, only two years older than me. He graduated last year and it was a sad time because he was the only guy who was ever nice to me. He's handsome too, blonde hair and blue eyes. He resembles the surfer stereotype, but in reality he's just as uncoordinated as I am.

"Um, I thought I'd just say hi. Hi," I smile, nervously. I mentally face palm myself for my stupid reply.

"Hi," he laughs. One of the other cooks calls him to help and he's gone. I look through the small window where the food is served and I'm able to see Colton. He's holding a cup of what I assume is coffee in both his hands. He's just starring into the cup, into space.

"Girl, what are you doin' back there?" Abel asks, stepping into the kitchen.

"Shhh! C'mere," I whisper, motioning her to get closer. She takes a few steps towards me and puts her hand on her hip and raises her brow. "Okay, you see that boy over there?" I ask, pointing to Colton.

"Mhmmm, he's a cutie," she says, looking back at him.

"Yeah well that cutie hates me, I can't work counter today, please let me stay back here," I beg.

"Oh nuh-uh, girl this is your job, now what did you do to make that fine thing hate you?" she asks. I can't help but laugh, but then my faces goes serious again.

"It's a long story, please Abel?" I am literally begging her.

"You know what you're going to do? You're going to walk out this kitchen, keep you head held high and say 'Would you like s'more coffee?', then walk away after he says no," she explains.

"How do you know he'll say no?" I ask her.

"Well he's just been staring at his first cup for the past three hours, hasn't even took a sip," she says. He's been here since he left school. "Now get out there." Abel starts pushing me out from behind and I try to protest but to my surprise, she's quite strong.

Colton still hasn't looked up from his cup and I try to turn back to the kitchen, but there's Abel mouthing 'ask him!'. In my head, I am banging my head against the counter top.

I step up in front of Colton and he still doesn't look up. He looks like he's in some sort of trance. I clear my throat and ask, "Would you like more coffee?" I could see that I got his attention by the way his hands grip his cup tighter. His eyes slowly move up my body to meet my eyes. I swallow hard, but keep a straight face.

He puts his cup of coffee down, covers his face with his large hands and lets out a loud frustrated sigh. I look back at Abel and she walks towards me. She doesn't stop, she just passes and whispers, "damn." Yeah Abel, damn. Why did she make me do this? I should probably move away from Colton before he throws his cup at the wall or something.

Just as I'm about to walk away, Colton removes his hands from his face and stands up. He reaches into his back pocket and asks, "how much for the coffee?"

"One dollar," I say and my voice cracks. He looks up at me, and then back at his wallet. Screw my voice for failing me.

He sets three dollars on the counter and I pick them up and hand them to Abel. He gives me a weird look as he puts his wallet back into his pocket. Just as he's about to leave, the door opens and the diner is immediately filled with annoying laughter. We both look towards the door to see Nova and her pack a followers entering the diner.

Great, I'm going from one uncomfortable encounter to another. Abel stands next to me and says, "Looks like the Starbucks closed early this evening." I laugh and realize Colton hasn't moved. He's still standing there. As the girls approach the counter and sit, Colton gets back in his seat and takes his cup between his hands again.

The girls notice him and Nova cheers, "Colton!" as she scoots to the stool next to him. He says nothing. She looks up and sees me and her smile fades. I fake a smile at her and that makes her angry. "I didn't know you worked here, if I did, we wouldn't have come," she huffs.

Before I have the chance to say something, Colton speaks first. "Well the door's right over there," he says, nodding his head toward the entrance. Nova shoots him a look and I can't help but giggle. She lets out a small nervous laugh and turns to talk to her friends, who have now moved right next to her.

Colton looks to me and just nods, then stares back at his cup. The front door swings open again and in walks Dan. He's slowly making his way to his seat, huddled over his cane. His brown jacket and grey hat are soaked from the rain.

"This weather is depressing, no wonder suicide rates go up this time of year," Dan huffs to no one in particular. I laugh at his grumpy attitude. He's just a grumpy old grandpa.

"Hey Dan," I smile as he finally reaches his seat.

"Hello there gorgeous." Colton looks up and looks over the old man. "May I please have one cup of coffee?"

"Of course," I say, placing a cup in front of him. I grab a pot of original coffee and fill his cup. "Do you, um want anymore?" I ask Colton.

"Actually, can I just get some creamer for this cup?" he asks. I'm shocked by his calm normal words and I nod. Next to Colton, Dan scoffs loudly, and I laugh. "May I ask what's the problem, old man?" Colton turns to Dan. Dan sits up straight and faces Colton.

"Creamer is for the weak," he grumbles and I laugh again. Colton looks to me and lets out a soft chuckle, then he turns back to Dan.

"Alright old man," he says raising his cup in the air. Dan touches his cup to Colton's and Colton says, "You're on." Both the men chug their coffee and I'm surprised Dan isn't phased by the heat of his drink. Then again, he'd probably say 'only the weak get burned'. Colton finishes his drink a little before Dan and they both slam their cups on the counter. I applaud their accomplishments.

"I like you," Dan laughs, patting Colton on the back. He just laughs and shakes his other hand. "Whelp, since I finished my coffee early, I best be going now," he says, standing up from his seat. He pulls out his pocket and drops a five on the counter.

"Thanks, Dan. Have a nice night," I call out and he waves good-bye. As soon as he's out the door, Colton makes a face as if he's just eaten something sour. "Too bitter?" I ask.

"And too cold," he says, smacking his lips together.

"Do you want another cup, with creamer this time? Promise I won't tell Dan," I suggest.

"No, actually I'm good," he smiles his beautiful smile. For a moment I forgot that he was even mad at me. He stares into my eyes as if he's searching for something, but we're interrupted.

"Ugh, what does it take to get some help around here?" That groan comes from Nova. I roll my eyes and turn my head to her.

"What would you like?" I ask.

"Well, what do you have?"

"If only there was a laminated piece of paper that held that information," I say to her. Colton laughs, but tries to cover it up with a cough. Nova gives me a disgusted look, but then turns to look over the menu. Her followers do like her and they all order a salad and an ice tea.

I gave the order to Ryder and stepped back to the counter and overheard what one of the girls was saying. "Yeah Jackie's totally pissed, she completely flipped out in the parking lot," says a clone. Jackie, where do I know a Jackie? Oh yea she's the bitch who called me a freak in anatomy today.

"Well does security know who did it?" another asks.

"Nope, the cameras were off and there were no witnesses. Looks like Jackie's daddy will just have to replace her car mirror with his own money," the first clone laughs. My eyes go wide and I look at Colton. He watches me intensely and gives the slightest smile. Did he know it was Jackie's car when he punched it? Or did he do it purposely? Colton looks away once Ryder rings a bell, signaling the food is ready.

As I'm serving them, I notice Colton watching me again. It makes me nervous and I almost spill one of the clone's ice tea.

"Watch it!" she yells. Geez, it's not like I actually dropped it. Abel reminds me to refill the napkin holders and as I'm doing so, I can hear the clone speaking, "As I was saying, Nova you didn't tell me it would hurt that bad."

"Obviously it was going to hurt, Sage, it was your first time," Nova says, stuffing her mouth with lettuce.

Sage scrunches her face and says, "It didn't even feel good."

"Well maybe it's because Joey's an idiot and doesn't know what he's doing," Nova sounds annoyed. "My first time was with Bobby, no, Brian, I get them mixed up, and after the pain was gone, it was amazing." I gag at the mental images forming in my head. "What was that Camryn?" Shit, I gagged out loud.

I look up and say, "Nothing."

"No, no, Camryn, why don't you tell us about your first time. Oh wait, you're a virgin," she says with a smile. Her followers burst into laughter and I set the napkins down, and I can feel my cheeks turning red.

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Colton speaks up. God, I couldn't be more thankful for this boy. Nova turns to him with her jaw dropped but then you can literally see her Bitch Mode turn on.

"Well, we are juniors now so it is a little embarrassing to still be a virgin," she says. She can't be serious. "But we can't blame Camryn for the fact that nobody wants her, not even her own parents," she says with a sadistic smile. I never noticed them before but the horns on her head are very prominent this evening. Colton and I are both in shock by her words, we say nothing.

"Get out of my diner, all of you. Now!" Abel comes to the rescue. All the girls scramble in their purses. "I don't want your money, now get out," she spits. The girls hurry out the door and Abel turns to me. "Don't listen to them baby girl, you hear me?" She pulls me in for a hug.

I hug her back tightly and say, "I know." I sneak a look at Colton over her shoulder and he looks tense, staring blankly at his cup again.

"Cam, take the rest of the night off, go home sweetie," Abel says. I pull away from our hug.

"It's barely 7:30," I protest, "my shift isn't over until 10."

"That's why I'm telling you to go home now, get some rest okay. No buts, now go," she says. I give her a thankful smile and turn back to Colton. His expression is still blank.

"Are you alright?" he asks, not looking me in the face.

"Yeah I'm fine, she just caught me off guard," I tell him, "but Abel's making me go home early, so imma get going," I tell him. He gets up from his seat and pulls out his wallet. He pulls out a five and hands it to me. "Oh, no you already paid for your coffee, remember?"

"Yeah but you gave it to Abel, this is for you," he says, still holding out the money.

"But you only gave me three last time," I say.

"What, you think I'm gonna let that old man out tip me?" he says with a smile. I thank him and take the money. His five and Dan's four dollar tip is the only money I made today. So I'm thankful.

Ryder comes from out of the kitchen and asks, "need me to walk you out?"

I open my mouth to speak, but Colton beats me, "she's good man, I got her."

I'm surprised by his gesture and I can't help but smile. I lift up a part of the counter to meet Colton on the other side. He walks ahead of me and when we get outside he stops to pull his jacket over his head because of the rain. I untie my apron and do the same. He turns around and says, "See you later," and starts to walk away.

Once I step onto the street I remember I don't have my damn car. "Shit!" I say out loud while standing in the rain. I step back to stand under the diner's shelter and pull my phone out of my pocket. Okay I have two choices: ruin my parents' first date they had in years, or go back inside and get back to work. I know Abel will send me back outside before I even have the chance to say I don't have a ride.

I decide to go with option one and I scroll through my phone to find my moms contact. "What happened?" someone above me asks. I look up to a drenched Colton.

"I forgot I don't have my car, I have to call my mom," I say, looking back to my phone. He must've heard me curse.

He throws his head back and groans, "C'mon, I'll give you a ride."

I can tell he doesn't want to so I say, "I'm fine, you don't have to do that."

"Yeah well now I feel like I have to so can we hurry up and get home and out of this fucking rain," he says sharply. Really, we're back at this? Cruel tones and foul language?

"You know you wouldn't feel like you have to if you would've just left as soon as I got here like you were going to," I spit back at him. I feel a little more bold at the moment, it must be from the damn cold weather.

"Yeah right, and leave you alone with those bitches?" he says, turning away. He takes a few steps onto the street and then turns back to face me. So that's why he stayed, so I wouldn't have to deal with Nova and her clones alone. That's actually quite nice of him, but I'm not willing to admit it right now.

"Well you didn't have to do that either, I'm fine on my own," I say, crossing my arms.

"I know I didn't have to..." he's pacing back and fourth now, "you're just so frustrating!" He says, running his fingers through his hair.

"Then leave!" I yell back at him.

"No, not unless you come with me," he's says, watching me as he paces. he's getting completely soaked and I feel a little bad, but unfortunately, I'm a little stubborn.

"No way, not after the way you're talking to me." I bring my phone back to my face and pull up my moms contact. I can see that he's stopped pacing.

"Fine," he says. I expect him to leave, but he does the opposite. He stands directly in front of me and takes my phone from my hands. "Camryn, whatever the hell your last name is, will you please just let me give you a fucking ride home?" Despite his foul language, his voice is soft.

I laugh at the way he curses so easily and agree, "fine." He half smiles and gives me back my phone. He walks ahead of me in the parking lot and I say, "It's Sutter." He turns around with his eyebrows raised.

"What is?" he asks.

"My last name, it's Sutter."

"Camryn Sutter? Hmmm," he hums, and turns around and continues walking.

The rain is pouring harder and all I have is this damn apron above my head. We get to his ride and I completely forgot that it's a motorcycle. "Oh, I actually don't know about this," I say nervously.

"What?" he asks, pulling an extra helmet out of under the seat.

"It's just... these are very dangerous."

"Not if you know how to ride them," he tells me. He can tell that I'm still uneasy and he sighs. The cold is starting to make me shiver and Colton walks over to me. "If I give you my jacket, will you get on?" he asks.

"What? No, your jacket has nothing to do with this," I say. I honestly don't want his jacket because then he'd be cold and that's not fair, he prepared for the rain.

"Well I'm going to give it to you, and you gonna get on anyway," he says, shaking his jacket off of his arms. He swings it around my back and hold it there until I insert my arms. I'm then consumed by his sweet minty scent and it makes me feel warm inside. His shirt is immediately soaked so I wrap my apron around his shoulders. He looks at the apron and then back at me and I just shrug. He turns around and gets on the bike.

Okay, now it's my turn to hold up my end of the deal I never agreed to. He turns to look at me and I approach the bike. I swing my leg over behind him and rest my hands at the bottom of his waist. He hands me the spare helmet and before putting it on I say, "To be completely honest with you, I'm pretty terrified."

He looks back at me and says, "Here, put that on." I do as he says and put on the helmet. He reaches behind him and grabs my wrists, wrapping them around his torso. "Lay your head on my back and close your eyes. We'll be home in no time, promise."

I follow his instructions and rest my head on his back. I can feel his muscles against my torso and it's comforting. It makes me feel safer. I close my eyes and he starts the bike. As soon as we start moving, I hold him tighter and I can feel him laugh.

I try not to focus on the fact that I'm riding through traffic on a motorcycle in the rain. I just want to focus on him.

The way he smells.

The way his body feels against mine.

The way he tenses up each time I squeeze him tighter.

The way he makes me feel safe.