Page 14 of Falling With a Spin

This is the answer that a lot of people have been dying to know since what happened two years ago. I knew that getting a GPA of 3.8 or higher would get me a scholarship. Except when I think about what I want to do, what inspires me and makes me happy, my mind drifts back to dance and that’s the one thing I can’t do. “Probably business, but I’m not sure either. I’m just a little lost here and trying to find my way again.”

She doesn’t say anything after that except to give me a small smile that almost looks sad but also understanding.

We order our food and make our way down to the register to pay. The food that the school provides isn’t terrible. I definitely have had worse. We have three options we could pick from each day, and each week, we have different options. This week, we have chicken Caesar salad, chicken alfredo, and hamburgers. With it being Friday, there is a special on the menu, my favorite: Chicken Strips, tater tots, and mashed potatoes.

“Are you from here?” Layla asks as I look around for a place to sit. I catch an empty table near the open windows and drag her towards it.

“No, I'm actually from Phoenix, Arizona, born and raised there. The heat became too much, so I chose a school where you get all four seasons instead of one.” I reply, sitting down and grabbing a chicken tender. I dip it in my tiny container of ranch and plop it in my mouth. “What about you?”

“I'm actually from Denver, Colorado. Grew up there for most of my life. I needed to escape and find myself because I'm a little lost, too.” Echoing what I had said earlier. “You’re actually the first person that has said a word to me besides the teachers.”

“Well, we can be lost together, and now you have me to talk to,” I say, leaning my Coke towards hers to cheer for friendships and meeting new people.

“Thanks again for lunch,” Layla says.

“Anytime. It was nice hanging out with you.” I give her a quick smile and a wave as we walk out of the cafeteria and make my way to the cafe.

When I walk up to the cafe, I see the line out the door wrapping around the corner. It’s normally busy on Fridays, but this? It’s pure chaos. I haven’t seen anything like this before. I attempt to shimmy my way to the door while people yell at me to get to the back of the line. I ignore them, and once I reach the front, I realize what is wrong.

The only person that's behind that counter right now is Liam

“Liam, where the hell is Laney at?” I wrap the apron around my waist and throw my hair up. There is no time to change into the work clothes that I brought with me.

“I'm not sure. Laney was supposed to be here an hour ago. I called her six times and texted her. She is out of here. I don’t care.” He finishes a drink and calls it out, returning to the front to take another customer's order.

“You should’ve called me. I would’ve come in early.” I work on the next as he finishes up with the next customer.

“I know. I'm sorry. Let's just get through this line, and I’ll give Laney another call.” He gives me a weak smile and returns to the customer. In between drinks, I run to the back to stock up on anything I don’t have. We’re a sinking ship, struggling to stay afloat, and it’s not getting any better.

At one point, customers who have been waiting more than ten minutes give up and walk away. They either were in a rush or didn’t want to wait any longer. I don’t blame them; I was thankful for it. The line that was once wrapped around the corner is now a small one that occupies the sitting area.

As I call the last name out, I turn around and look at the place. It’s a mess, which is to be expected, with it only being Liam in the store. Trash and dishes are overflowing, the counters are a small lake, the only cups there are stocked are from the ones I brought out, and the fridges are empty, reflecting the look on Liam’s face.

“I’ll start on the cleaning, and you can work on the stocking,” I say, and he gives me a quick nod before walking to the back.

I’m in the middle of washing my last dish, and Liam is upfront, taking orders and working on drinks when Laney storms inside. She looks around with wide eyes at the mess; it was worse before this. I shake my head and throw the towel in the dirty bin.

“It’s nice of you to show up finally,” I say, not looking her way.

“Shit, shit, shit, shit. I can’t believe I missed my shift. I can't lose this job, my boyfriend is going to be so mad. We got into a fight, and- it was bad. That’s all.” She throws her hair up in a ponytail and wraps her apron around her waist. I glance over to see bandages, one on her wrist and one on her upper arm.

How bad was the fight?

She looks at me as her eyes start to well up with tears. I walk towards her, pulling her to the small desk we have back here.

“He was pretty mad earlier, but he might have cooled down. You must have missed him; he is upfront at the register.” I look towards the back door to see him still with a customer. “Just explain to him what happened, and it should be okay,” I hand her a few tissues just as Liam walks through the door.

“Hey, Liam.” I look up at him while rubbing Laney’s back.

“Laney, we need to talk,” Liam’s deep voice rings through the back room.

“I’m going to watch the front.” I say to him, turning towards Laney, “If you need anything, you have my number.” I give her a small smile before walking out to the front.

After a while, Liam comes back out, and Laney follows behind him. She walks past us to the bathroom and comes back with her face clear from the mascara that was running down her cheeks and a fake smile that I know all too well.

“You can go home, Emma. I will lock up tonight.” Liam says, rubbing his hands down his face.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind staying a little bit longer.”

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