Saturday hits like a breath of fresh air. The kitchen is entirely set up a by Friday, so Graves promises we can start actually learning the following Monday.

I have a restful sleep for once, and am up for my morning jog before the lingering summer sun can roast me to death. August was on it's way out, signified by some of the leaves turning from a vibrant green to warmer orange tones. Still, Missouri weather still found a way for it to be eighty degrees, real feel--- The Devil's asshole.

As I return home, I hear my name. When I look, I see the last member of the Sinclair family-- Their mother.

She waves at me, beckoning me over. I approach rather apprehensively.

"Hi! You're KJ right?" she shakes my hand, only belatedly realizing they're covered in dirt, as she was gardening right before.

"Yes ma'am and I'm assuming you're---"

"You can call me 'Cassie'," her smile is very warm. Like her children, she's on the shorter side, causing me to almost tower over her. Her very short, blond,hair is hidden under a head scarf, and she seems aged-- not in the way of being older, but in the way of how life just ages you, "I've heard a lot about you."

I panic a bit, "Good things, I hope?"

She laughs like I'm playing, "Of course!"

I laugh, still not completely at ease. As I am quickly learning, anything involving Layne is a toss up.

"It was nice to meet you Ms. Cassie," I mock a bow.

She laughs, "You too, KJ. I'll see you around."

I head back to my house, showering off my jog before getting ready for work.

***

Day shifts at my job at cool if you love upset white soccer moms yelling at you for dumb shit.

"EXCUSE ME!" one of them snaps at me, even though I'm clearly tending to another table. I continue getting the current tables drink orders. They hurriedly tell me, shooting dirty looks at the lady shouting for my attention.

"EXCUSE ME!" I attempt to keep up appearances as I get the orders and then turn to get the order of Ms. Rude Ass Bitch.

"How may I help you?" I keep my voice level.

One of her kids tries to kick me from under the table and I skillfully dodge it. "Um yes, we were wondering what was taking our food so long?"

"I'll have to ask the kitchen about that," I reply. Instead of wasting my time discussing this with you.

"Well what do we get?"

These hands.

"For what?"

"For waiting so long? Shouldn't we get something complimentary?" I glance around the crowded dining room. Two other employees were on shift today and I could see Chess through the bar window struggling to keep up with orders.

"Let me get my manager," I resist the urge to roll my eyes and hope that she doesn't notice my name-tag-- which identifies me as a manager, "My name is KJ, by the way."

You snapping your fingers lookin' ass can't see I'm with a client ass had three kids by three men from three marriages but can't stand black ghetto baby mamas hypocritical ass bitch.

"CHESS!" He pokes his head up from the kitchen.

"What!"

"Table 5 wants a manager!" I get put in drink and food orders, and hurry to get them out.

We're so busy that I end up working two hours later. When I'm finally off shift I quickly lose my uniform and change into the leggings and t-shirt concealed under it. Chess gets me a complimentary meal, which I proceed to bash as I hadn't eaten all day and six o'clock was quickly approaching.

"Hey!" Layne and Dil appear behind me, causing me to almost choke to death on the half chewed burger I was enjoying.

"Christ," I turn to them, "Yes? Can I help you?"

"That isn't very nice of you. Aren't all JOINT employees suppose to greet customers with a smile?"

"I'm on break," I turn back to my food and without invitation, the Sinclairs sit on either side of me.

Another server takes their orders and they talk to me about anything and everything.

"I heard you met our mom?" Dil mentions.

"Yeah she's very sweet," I reply, "Unlike her daughter."

Layne sticks her tongue out at me and I turn back to Dil, "Well she was having a back to school BBQ next Saturday for our friends and the neighborhood kids if you wanted to go," he leans in closer, "And you're Layne's only friend around here so I'd mean a lot if you could."

I turn to Layne, "Since when did we become friends?"

"Since you won't let me be your lover," she whispers in my ear, which makes me feel some type of way.

Honestly, I should've expected some bullshit like that from her.

"Well, if I can get off from work...."

Chess hands them their food over the bar, "You don't have to come in next Saturday."

"Great," I shoot a look at Chess and he shrugs as if to say 'sorry'. Nah, it's cool Chess. Just lock me into something I wanted to avoid. It's cool, Chess it's cool.

"I guess I'll be there."

"Cool I'll tell her," Dil sends off a quick text, confirming my attendance and locking me into an afternoon with Layne.

I finish my cheeseburger and stand up, "I'd say this was nice, but it wasn't."

I head out to my truck, checking my phone for the first time today.

Three text messages.

Four missed calls.

One voicemail.

I see that their all from either Beck or Nat, and take my chances calling Nat first.

"Oh look who decided to pick up?" she answers.

"I'm sorry work was crazy," I respond, "Are you guys still---?"

There's a bang on my window and I jump, turning to see Layne.

"Nat hol'up," I roll down my window, "What do you want?"

"Who are you talking to?" she asks.

"Is that her?" Nat asks in my other ear.

I hang up the phone. "Layne why can't you leave me alone?"

She reaches for the car door, but I'm smart enough to have locked it this time, "Try again."

She pouts, "I just want to meet your friends."

My phone rings again and I answer it, "Did you just hang up on me bitch?"

I groan in frustration before unlocking the door, "Get in."

She squeals with delight, hopping into the cab.

She invites herself to use my aux cord and we listen to her music while I drive us to Beck's apartment.

"Don't be on that gay shit when we get in here, aight?" I warn her, parking.

"Me? Never," she smiles at me and I feel instantly threatened.

"God," I mumble in annoyance, grabbing my duffel from the back seat and heading into the building, Layne in toe.

I enter the apartment, and Tex jumps from Beck's arms, rushing over to me.

"Hey, buddy," I ruffle his hair as my friends stand up to greet me.

"Look who made it!" Nat snarks, before noticing Layne awkwardly behind me, "Who's this?"

"Nat this is my neighbor, Layne. Layne, this is my lover Nat."

"Stop introducing me like that," Nat hisses, "Hey."

"Hey," Layne glances at Nat than at me and I wink.

"Hi, Layne," Beck smiles, having already met her at the park.

"Hi," she turns shy all of a sudden, and I stand again, "So what are we watching?"

I drop my stuff by the door and we collapse on the couch, me on the edge, followed by Beck, Nat, and Layne on the other end.

"You guys kept watching without me?" I realize we're way past the episode limit.

"You didn't answer your phone," they both shrug.

"I was at work! Making money!"

"And you should've been here! Making memories!" Beck responds, "Anyways--- Pizza or Burgers?"

Before I can answer, my phone buzzes in my pocket and I take the call to the kitchen. "Yes sir?"

"Hey, baby girl," my father's voice comes out on the speaker, "Are you off work yet?"

"Yes sir I'm at Nat's spending the night," I lie. It'll end the call faster this way.

"Oh, okay," he questions, "Just make sure you're at service tomorrow."

"Yes sir," I monotone.

"I love you."

I hang up the phone without saying it back. As I turn to head back into the living room, I jump, finding Nat directly behind me.

I curse under my breath, "What?"

"Is that napkin girl?" she whispers.

"Yes," I reply nonchalantly, "We go to NCT together."

"You didn't mention you knew her though. And definitely not that she lived next door," Nat gives me a knowing smile, "What other secrets do you have?"

"It wasn't a secret," I reply, "It just never came up."

"Nope. Not good enough. You always tell me everything-- Even if it never comes up."

She has a point. Has best friends, we told each other everything. Always.

"Maybe it wasn't important enough," I shrug, wedging past her.

An hour later, everyone is seated at Beck's kitchen table, sharing two large pies.

"So Layne--- How is it going to NCT with KJ?"

"It's fun," she says, "It's even funner being alone with her though."

I choke on my slice of pizza, and my friends laugh.

"Interesting..." Beck smirks and I kick him under the table. If I have to fight my two best friends with my last dying breath, so be it.

"She's kidding," I gasp, taking a drink of my soda.

"I'm not," she corrects me, giving me a flirtatious smile.My neck heats and I glare at my best friends, unable to look at her any longer.

When the sun starts to set I offer to walk Layne home, as she's the only one not spending the night.

"I like your friends," she states, grabbing my hand, "Y'all are like a little family."

"We might as well be," I murmur, pretending not to notice. My friends and I had been through so much together, my bond with them is stronger than the one I have with my dad ten times over.

We reach her house and she lets my hand go, kissing my cheek, "Goodnight, KJ."

"Night," I wait until she's in the house before heading back to Beck's.

***

"What are you rooted in?"

I tune in and out of my pastor's voice, switching from my bible app on my phone to my game app.

"Is it your friends? Is it money? See it needs to be GOD!"

My phone buzzes with a text from Nat, disrespectful as ever.

BESTIE AKA BAE: Sooooo... Layne's cute

ME: Satan's probably cute too.

BESTIE AKA BAE: She is. Y'all had a thing last semester.

"If you aren't rooted properly! Then when the storm comes! You will be swept away!"

Before I can respond to Nat, I get a separate text from Layne.

NAPKIN GIRL: What are you guys doing today?

"GOD IS NOT FIRE INSURANCE FOR YOUR MISTAKES!"

ME: I'm in church. Know anything about it?

NAPKIN GIRL: Only that you shouldn't be on your phone during it

I start to say something back when I realize everyone's head is bent in prayer. Crap. I join them in prayer, slipping my phone back into my pocket.

After church, I check my phone again on my way back to my truck. I have another text.

NAPKIN GIRL: Just so you know---- You can take me to church anytime ; )