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[16]

"Okay, so a number eight with iced tea?" Massie asked, repeating the customer's order to make sure it was exactly what they wanted. After seeing the girl nod an affirmative Massie went to the next table to get two orders in one go.

Sebastian wasn't working today, so unlike the day before she didn't have the luxury of not carrying heavy trays— or seeing his handsome face for that matter. However, after seeing Emma, Lucy, and Emily working on their own she found some sort of motivation to do the job by herself. It wasn't as bad as she remembered it being. Had she really been that out of shape? Not that she wasn't now, but at least her muscles could hold up much longer without complain than it could before. Massie checked the time and smiled. Yeah, she definitely hadn't lasted this long. The clock showed it was nearing seven, and last week when the clock was nearing six she thought she was going to die. Then again, she had always been over-dramatic. . .

After sending the orders to Jayden she could see from the corner of her eyes the way her three friends went into the employee room. During lunch they had discussed their working schedule, and she learned that although they were obliged to work on the weekends, Massie was obliged to work on all weekdays until the diner close, while they only had to work until seven.

The diner bell rang, signaling that someone had entered the diner. Normally, Massie wouldn't have even paid mind, seeing as the bell seemed to act like a clock; a sound that would constantly ring in this popular chill spot. However, the person who entered had a tall and imposing demeanor, making her impossible to ignore. Chestnut hair fell perfectly around a heart-shaped faced, a face define by delicate features. Her body, nevertheless, showed she was anything but. She was wearing a lovely red skirt that showed off her well-tone legs and perky behind. It was obvious she worked out, and by the time she entered the employee room Massie realized she'd seen her before.

What's her name again?

Massie struggled to remember her name. Ugh, why did she have to have such bad luck when it came to memorizing names?

"Excuse me, do you know where the ketchup is?"

"Keisha!" Massie whisper-shouted, finally recalling the girl's name. The customer stared at her, confused. Massie cleared her throat and pointed to the right. "The ketchup is that way. You'll find it at the edge of the table near the napkins." Following her finger, the customer went on her merry way.

Massie blinked. Of course, Keisha. How on earth could she have forgotten her name! Aside from the fact that she was a total beeyotch on Massie's first day of school, she also happened to be Sebastian's "first and last girlfriend". Of course, having heard all the gossip and about how they never kissed Massie was confident there had to be some fault in the relationship. As far as she knew if they never kissed, then they never went out.

Keisha came out the room wearing a uniform identical to the one Massie wore, and to Massie's disdain her curves were actually evident with the less-than-flattering dress. Massie sighed. She would just have to deal with the fact that although she had a nice body, she was lacking a bit in the hips area. After taking a customer's order she felt foolish for even thinking that. She wasn't used to seeing girls as competition. Usually the pretty ones already had boyfriends, so the boy she wanted was easily hers to take.

She remembered how last week during study hall she caught her and Sebastian having a private conversation when she was on her way to the library. Keisha almost kissed him, as her memory so recalled, but Sebastian stopped her before things could get any further. Massie would be lying to herself if she said she wasn't curious to know where exactly their relationship stood, but at least she was content to know it was clearly nothing serious, because if it had been Sebastian's mother wouldn't have openly encouraged a relationship between her and her son.

Massie felt a subtle smash against her shoulder, and when she looked up her eyes clashed with deep blue orbs that gazed at her with a clear look of dislike. Keisha went to an area completely opposite to hers and started taking orders. Massie rolled her eyes. Great. It was just her luck that Ms. Bitchy worked in the same place as her. She should have expected it, seeing as the Cult practically owned the diner and worked whenever they want to. Aside from Jayden and Kristin, the others worked sporadically. Did they even have a true schedule?

Thankfully Hailey chose that time to enter the diner as well, brightening her mood. The affection was not one-sided, for when Hailey caught sight of her she ran to Massie with a huge smile on her face and engulfed her in a tight hug. "Hey Hail," Massie greeted, patting her head.

"Can I be your special helper again?" Hailey's warm brown eyes looked up at her, pleading.

"Of course babygirl, let's get right to it." Hailey beamed and energetically began her previous "job". Massie only smiled and wondered why Hailey always wanted to help. It seemed the little cutie couldn't stand still for too long without going nuts.

The rest of the night went smoothly, and by the time her shift ended her feet hurt. One of the things she failed to notice about waitresses is that they hardly ever sat down. There was always an order to take or a table to clear off. It was tiring, but she had to admit she loved the feeling of a successful work day. Not to mention she was excited to get her first paycheck sometime this week. First thing she'd do is treat herself to a well-deserved shopping day. Or should she go to a spa?

Massie heard him before she saw him. Jayden began cleaning the table off the booth she was currently laying on, and she eyed his every move, daring him to move his eyes to a place he liked to frequently visit. As always, his face lacked emotion, but she could tell he was aware of her watching by the way a slow smile began to take shape.

"You are staring at me." He pointed out, collecting the leftover residue of food dropped by customers.

"I am." Massie confirmed, closing her eyes now that Jayden was done with the booth. When she didn't hear the expected footsteps of his leaving, her lids snapped open. "Oh my goodness, Jayden! Stop staring at my Venus!"

Almost immediately an obnoxious laughter mixed with an I-am-almost-as-obnoxious laughter filled the diner. Massie sat up and was not surprised to see the two fools she liked to call her friends. When the heck had they gotten in here? Figures Noah and Jordan would come "help" when all the customers had retired to their homes and the only thing left to do was clean the tables along with a few left over dishes. Massie was just thankful Hailey left with James a few minuets ago, lest she hear her abrupt outburst.

"Sorry," Jayden apologized, leveling his eyes with hers. Massie crossed her arms and gazed at him suspiciously. She believed him when he said he wasn't thinking sexually, but she was going to go crazy if she didn't find out why he kept staring at her unit.

"I want to know now." Massie demanded, standing up to her true height in front of Jayden. It didn't help as much as she expected it to. She forgot that with these boys she wasn't exactly considered tall.

Coming to Jayden's rescue, Noah said. "Don't worry babe. Jayden wants to be a gynecologist when he grows up, so your "Venus" naturally interests him in a scientific way."

Massie rolled her eyes, not believing a word he said. She pushed Noah away in attempt to get him out of the conversation, but it was futile. Noah didn't move an inch and instead she found herself over his shoulder headed in the direction of the diner's door.

"Hey! I left my clothes, and my bag!" Massie protested, hitting Noah's back.

"I'll get it for you," volunteered Jordan. He went into the employee room and somehow managed to find her things with a quickness she'd never seen before.

When Noah finally put her down, Massie crossed her arms and tutted. "I'll find out eventually why Jayden keeps staring, you're only stalling. And since you both have taken the liberty to fully release me of my shift, you'll have the obligation to take me home." Without waiting for an agreement from any of them, she went to their parked car and sat her and her things in the backseat. If she wasn't going to win an honest answer, she might as well get herself a free ride rather than bothering herself by ordering a taxi. After all, it was only fair. She wasn't going to waste her time asking questions, she had a deep feeling she'd find out eventually. She was Massie Wilton, and as such things would definitely turn her way.

[o-o-o]

It was only upon completing her quick 15-minuet study on the chapters for her History class that Massie allowed herself to have complete satisfaction. When she came home from the Dark Falls Diner she was met with the delicious smell of diner, and after indulged herself in a much needed shower to get rid of all the knots from work. Feeling more relaxed she was able to finish her few homework assignments and even study a bit for tomorrow's test. She definitely disliked studying, but she disliked even more the thought of anyone thinking she wasn't smart.

Massie grabbed her school things and began organizing them in her bag. Just as she finished placing them in a favored position, she noticed a red book at the very bottom. Remembering how she checked it out from the school library during her free period, she pulled it out with anticipation. It wasn't necessarily a book as it was a diary. The diary of Jeanette to be more specific. Massie recalled reading the first journal entry, and learning that Jeanette entered a new school and was given noticeable attention by the two hottest guys, Eric and Kyle. Massie jumped on her bed and sat comfortably to read the following entries.

Dear Diary,

I didn't do it. I swear, I'm such a chicken. After promising myself that I would go up to them and demand to know why they kept following me I backed out last minuet. Mind you, it's not nearly as easy as I thought. I kept thinking of how awkward the conversation would be if I confronted them.

Massie nodded her head in agreement. She, too, hated awkward situations.

Elizabeth, one of my "friends" asked me why they often stare at me. I didn't know how to answer the question, so I just shrugged and looked away. An hour later I overheard her talking with her friends; telling them I had told her that I had them both as lovers. I'm just thankful that this is my last year of school, and in a few months I'll get the out of this place. I can't stand it!

-Jean

Flipping the page Massie noticed how unlike her previous entries, her handwriting in this one wasn't as neat. It was almost as if she was trying to get all her thoughts on paper before they few away.

Dear Diary,

How can I express to you everything that I've seen today. I have no idea where to begin. Its all so much, too much. Could it be that I was hallucinating? They say that if you don't get proper sleep, you begin to hallucinate things that don't exist. But I'll be honest, because I know that what I saw wasn't a hallucination. It was very, very real. After school I did my usual walk home, but Elizabeth and her friends were walking many steps behind me, and with time the distance between us shortened. I quickened my steps, and theirs did also. I was hoping that the rumors I heard in school were just that: rumors. Apparently they were not, because at that moment I knew with utmost certainty that Elizabeth and her friends were going to beat me up. I know their dislike for me is undeserved, but the attention I get from the boys has made them jealous to the point of hurting me. In the spur of things I ran into the forest, which thankfully after seeing my geared direction hadn't bothered to follow me anymore.

What I hadn't expected though, was to find Kyle there as well. He was a few meters away from me, and I only saw his back. I hid behind a big tree so he wouldn't take notice of me, already feeling out of place. At the moment I wondered why on earth he was in the forest alone. Just as I was about to leave what happened before me took my stole my breath. At first, it looked like he was bending over, but then bones protruded from places they never should, and in moments what was once before a boy was now a wolf. Kyle Eden is a werewolf, and there's no doubt in my mind that Eric is one as well. I am not jesting.

Massie re-read the paragraph and bite her lip. Kyle turned into a wolf? She remembered the conversation she had with James in the library, and how he mentioned Dark Falls diaries were full of supernatural events. No one knew what to believe, and Massie found herself in the same box.

To believe, or not to believe. . .

Deciding to leave her thoughts for later, she returned to the book at hand.

Never in my life have I been so afraid as I was in that moment. In his wolf form, he turned around and looked directly towards me, and I swear to you that I saw a glint in his eyes. He knew from the beginning that I was there, and he very much wanted me to see his change. Then, he ran the opposite direction, to a destination I could only wish to know. Knowing that Kyle and Eric are werewolves makes me uneasy. If I didn't have the guts to face them before, then I definitely don't now. I dread going to school tomorrow, having to face a group of girls who detest me, and a pair of boys who curiously gaze at me. What is it about me that intrigues them so? A question with an answer I'll never know. Wish me luck.

-Jean

Massie closed the diary, unable to read anymore. Not because it wasn't interesting, but because at the mention of werewolves her mind kept going back to Cinnamon— her late night friend. Glancing at the clock, she noted it was late and smiled. Late enough that everyone in the house was sleeping except for her. Late enough that she could sneak out. Grabbing a pair of socks and some shoes, she prepared herself to go to the park to visit Cinnamon. She had promised to see him after babysitting Hailey and didn't get to do so on Sunday. Poor thing probably thought she abandoned him. Regardless, it would be better. Sometimes, you just have to make people miss you, so today would be a surprise visit.

Who knows, maybe I'll catch him transforming into a human.

Massie giggled, still finding the thought of werewolves too out of reach. She took a scrunchie from her dresser and tied her hair up. From her window she could tell it was a tad windy outside, and the least she wanted was strands of hair in her mouth. Finally prepared to leave, she sneaked out the house to see the wolf, her wolf.