My Funny Valentine
The alarm sounded off and the technology rolled off her bedside table to travel around the room. reluctantly rolled out of bed and crawled groggily around the floor. Patting around to shut the ever increasing volume alarm but only managing to tap the carpet. Finally she grabbed hold of the alarm and push the off button, murmuring, "Stupid clock."
With her forehead leaning on the bathroom door she feebly knocked on the door. ", hurry up," she insisted, albeit with on real urgency.
"Wait a minute!" Came a faded reply. Then came the sound of a hair drier. Without 's attention to the sound, the blowing stopped, door unlocked and opening.
almost tumbled forward but the surprise awoke her. She shook her head and was quite astonished at what stood before her, "Wow. You look very glam-ed up. Special occasion?" Her sister was dressed a ruffled pink top, jeans and a blazer with three quarter sleeves.
"Glad you said that. I wasn't too sure about it. 's taking me out to eat after work. Do you think it's too much? The makeup I mean."
"You'd think this was still your first date with the way to always ask that! It's good really. I'd probably make the curls a little looser; it'll look too much with the ruffles. Your makeup's perfect, you've just got a smudge here," pointed to the offending area. "'kay, you're good to go."
"Ta. Right, I'm off now. Oh and by the way it's Valentine's Day so don't burn anything...or anyone," her sister teased but before would even concoct a defensive reply had been blocked by the banister, which segregated the staircase. mumbled, "Wasn't my fault, the flower wouldn't sit up." Rewinding what her sister had said she checked the calendar and indeed it was Valentine's Day. "Great," she thought unenthusiastically. She worked at a restaurant cum. It wasn't a bad place to work, in fact it was quite a plush, having a Michelin Star chef didn't hurt its reputation either. Valentine's Day was just one of those occasions which reminded her that she didn't have anyone. Well, she did but he was in the army - a painful memory which she tries not to think about.
"We've got the fire extinguisher ready," 's bar colleague, , said whilst polishing the glasses.
"Oh, come on, it was last year," lifted the counter table to enter the bar.
"You know I'm just kidding. Morning! Ready for work?"
"Oh yeah," grinned.
"Working at the ladida side?" asked, her head pointing to the wall, which divided the restaurant and bar.
"Yep. Good money and double pay? Who's complaining?" winked. "Any plans tonight?" They continued to converse, whilst getting the bar spick and span. Until, the arrival of the regular customer came in. Greeting the predominately male dominated group by names, she and got the beverages passing on.
casually asked if there was any football matches today, the customer stated it was the FA Cup and chanted for his team, which started banter. stated that she was supporting the other team, as a joke, since she didn't care too much for sports. The room fell silent as all stares went her way. From the corner of her eye gave off an impression that it wasn't such a good idea. She managed redeem herself and laughed off her previous misguided words, shouting the chant which the customer had started prior, whilst throwing a small insult towards the opposing team. Thankfully the group followed suit. puff her cheeks and gave a sign of relief. could only shake her head. Midway through her shift, 's mobile vibrated. She wasn't meant to have her mobile on her but she didn't feel as if she was doing any harm, unless it was to herself if she got caught.
"Happy Valentine's Day. Will you be my Valentine? ;) x" Her best guy friend, , messaged her. beamed. It was a yearly thing that never failed to make her smile. "Wouldn't have it any other way. xo" replied back.
The day went by pretty quick. As usually she had to deal with the rowdy teenagers, drunk men who tried flirting and the men who tried the chat up lines, sometimes they were the highlight of the day as there seemed to be new lines being invented by the minute. They were amusing though and someone the girls would give the attempt a mark out of ten and discuss where the line could work - but most likely wouldn't. The delivery of the line and expression was also taken into account when using their high grading system.
"Is your dad an alien because there is nothing else like you in this world!" reminded of the chat up line tried on her today.
"Don't really know what to think. Do I look like an alien? Am I suppose to be flattered by being an alien? Surely that's one of the lower end ones?"
"Well I thought it was funny. 4?"
"Too high."
"3?"
"Meh. It's a 2. It'd only work if I was into the supernatural stuff. Probably with at an X-File convention or something."
"Ah, come on, you're 'out of this world'." laughed. "Okay, how about "Is that the sun coming up, or is that just you lighting up my world?'"
"Eurgh," guestured sickly.
"I thought it was sweet."
"It's too sappy."
"A 5 then, since we're divided on that one?" asked.
"That's fair. Maybe when you're a little over your head that line would work like a charm."
"Two, possibly three drinks for that to one."
had left and was polishing the glasses ready for close up. She heard the bell the door close, automatically she responded, "Sorry, we're clos...? What are you doing here?"
"Wait, wait, wait," insisted and from behind brought out a red rose and box of chocolates from behind.
"Aw. This is...nice..."
"Wait, that isn't all. Would you like to join me for dinner...no...a slap up meal at my place? I promise you that is not a chat up line I'm trying there," he laughed, feeling slightly embarrassed and as though he should have practiced what to say first.
"I would but I've got work next door."
"No worries me lady. I had a talk with your boss...sorted some things out. Okay, maybe not. I asked and he said it's fine just as long as I got someone else to fill in. Sorted."
"Really?"
"Would I really get you fired from your job, the money and everything that goes with it? Come on, I've got some Italian food. Don't know how edible it is but I made it. What better way to spend today than with me? Again, not a chat up line. Come on I'm prattling on..."
laughed, seeing her friend feeling more uncomfortable as each word went on. "I would love it have dinner with you," she joked with a curtsey. "It might be my last meal so who better to spend it with than the boy who I've shared a bath with," she referred to their toddler years.
"Oi, cheeky! YOu owe , by the way." pulled her to his side and ruffled up her hair.
"!".