Chapter Text
“I like you idiot.” She was direct. Tart. But she knew what she wanted. And she found it in the guy standing before her wearing a leather jacket, holding his helmet. He was kind. Genuine. And there was no one like him in this world.
He had this way with words. Always knowing what she needed to hear. Just his presence was enough. He could make any situation better.
Scott stared at the auburn beauty. Malia was hard as nails. Ready to take up for anyone. She cared. She loved with all her heart.
He processed her words as they stood in between the book aisles. He ran his hands through his thick dark hair. Blushing.
Taking a deep breath she closed the gap between him. His eyes widened at the contact. For the first time Malia wasn’t being punished for being herself. His lips were sweet. And they moved slowly. perfectly with hers. She ran her hands through his hair feeling him stiffen.
Something
Was
wrong.
And her heart stopped when he pulled away. He turned his attention from her to the end of the aisle. At the other girl whose world was crashing. Allison.
The brunette stood there, dropping her books on the ground with tears in her eyes. “Allison.” He said her name with love. In a way he didn’t say hers. Allison shook her head with the tears trailing from her cheek. As if it was a bad dream. And she ran…
“Allison.” Scott ran behind her.
And it hurt when he left her behind. She felt this drop in her chest. Her lungs collapsed. Her body shook as she stood there.
Malia didn’t know if she was waiting for him to come back to her. To tell her that he chose her. But there was no way she could compare to the great Allison Argent.
Her gorgeous dark hair with natural curls. Her pink lip gloss. People naturally gravitated to her…. And she could never be that.
TWTWTWTWTWTW
“Allison. Allison.”
She kept running. Of course he would move on. That was what was expected after a breakup. And it would of course be with Malia. That was what she wanted for him. To truly be happy even if it wasn’t with her. They were hanging out more. Actually they were attached to the hip. And she hated it. She hated it during their relationship and after.
“Allison” Scott pleaded. Seeing her like that made him realize that he could never move on from her. She put her books in the locker, avoiding his eyes.
“It’s ok Scott.” She tried to smile, shutting her locker. It wasn’t working, because her tears wouldn’t stop. Love could really hurt.
“No it’s not.” He grabbed her hand. Wiping her tears with the other. He kissed both cheeks. He missed her skin. Her touch.
“Yes it is. Because the breakup was my fault. Because I know deep down you belong with her. And that’s ok. I don’t want you to spare my feelings. I don’t need to be babied.” Scott couldn’t believe she thought he saw her like that. She was the most amazing person in the world to him.
His first love. The one whose smile could brighten up the room. Who spent hours with archery and he never found himself tired. She was his first call…
“Allison. I don’t want Malia.”
They were oblivious to the boy at his locker beside them. He didn’t really pay attention to relationship drama. But the love triangle between Allison, Scott and Malia was bound to explode. Guess today was the day.
“But it’s ok if you do.”
“Allison would you just listen to me. I never wanted to breakup. I love you.”
Scott wiped her tears away. Holding her. He tucked a piece of hair behind her hair.
He rolled his light gray eyes. Yeah Scott loved Allison but it wasn’t like he didn’t like the attention Malia gave him. Yes Scott was a good guy but he was placed on this unrealistic pedestal.
“Scott.” Her voice saddened.
“No listen. Let me talk to Malia.” She nodded.
TWTWTWTWTW
Malia found the darkest corner in the library and hid there. She hugged her legs to her chest, hiding her face. Could her life get any more worse?
She hated crying. Especially over a guy. This was bound to happen. But it wasn’t supposed to be her. God she sounded evil for thinking that. But emotional pain was torture…..
It hurt to see them together during their friendship. Wishing she was the one who could hold his hand. Kiss him. And when the two broke up…it was a sign.
More like an omen.
She looked up at the girl with auburn hair wearing a leather jacket and combat boots. It was apparently a family trait.
“I take it didn’t go like you planned.” Cora sat beside her. It was her way if saying sorry. Every girl in the school had a crush on Scott at one point. And the way he was only one could win.
“Yeah, Cora we’re gonna run off into the sunset. Sorry. I. I put myself through this. I knew deep down how it would end.”
“That doesn’t mean you deserve to feel this. You are the last person to.” Cora burned with fury for her cousin. Her fists were clenched as thoughts clouded her. Getting up, she bit her lip.
“What are you doing?” Malia saw the war on her mind. Something bad was going to happen.
“Scott is going to pay for hurting you. He strung you along. knowing you liked him.” Over the years her cousin had become optimistic. The side effects of Scott McCall.
“No he didn’t.”
“Yes he did. It’s like you see him as some saint. He’s still a guy who can take advantage of a girl even if unintentionally. Get up.” Cora gripped her hand.
“Where are we going? Where are you taking me?” Her cousin ignored her questions dragging her to the parking lot.
Theo leaned against the brick wall, watching the two walk towards Scott’s motorcycle. He took one last puff of his cigarette throwing it on the ground. He shook his head already knowing what was going to happen.
Malia shook her head trying to take Cora’s phone from her. Cora only put distance between them. No one was going to hurt her like this. Not with her around. That’s what made Malia beautiful. She was able to forgive those she cared about. It was like she didn’t inherit the self-preservation gene.
“Cora stop it.” Cora put her finger in her ear to hear better.
“Yes. I’m here at Beacon Hills High School. And my motorcycle won’t start.” Malia pulled her hair, trying to grab the phone from her hand. Cora hit her hand out the way. The girl was more stubborn than her. And she couldn’t be here for this.
Malia walked back in the school. This was insane. Then she saw him kiss her. And when they parted he saw her. And she went the opposite direction. But he followed her.
“Malia.”
“Go away. You don’t owe me an explanation. I’m not the one you want.” She walked up the stairs, giving everyone around a front row seat to her embarrassment.
“Malia you’re my best friend.”
“Well that’s gonna change.” Her snark hit him like a ton of bricks. It was selfish of him to still want her in his life. To break her heart and then try to comfort her.
“Look I’m sorry ok. I didn’t know you felt that strongly for me.” She stopped in her tracks. Turning around looking at him.
“But you did know I felt something for you.” He gripped his back pack straps. Nodding.
“Then why didn’t you tell me then?”
“Because I didn’t want to hurt you.”
"Because you aren’t now? Go to hell." She walked off.
TWTWTWTWTWTW
Cora looked at the truck pull up. Looking inside, she saw a young guy. Maybe in his early 20s. This was going to be easy. Pulling down her ponytail, she perfected her distraught eyes. Rubbing her arms, she bit her lip, watching him get out the truck.
“So I take it this is yours?” He stood there with a clipboard in his hand. She nodded taking a deep breath.
“Without a doubt.”
“Can I have your license and proof of your insurance?” She looked him in the eyes, hesitating.
“I. I . I don’t have it.” She mumbled.
“What?” The man strained his ears.
“I said I don’t have it. I was in a bit of a rush…”.
“I’m sorry about that. But there is nothing I can do. Miss our policy clearly states.…” He began.
“It’s just been a bad day for me. I was up all last night studying for this test. And today I found out I failed it. And then…I just. Can I just have a break? I will come to the shop right after school with it.” She bit his lip, watching him debate with himself.
“What about keys?” she searched her bag under his glare. Biting her lip, she kept searching.
“O no I don’t have them. O my god. I must have left them in class. I hope no one took them.” She began to cry as the guy looked at her.
“Usually I don’t do this. But you better come after school. Right after.”
“Thank you so much.” She gave him a sad smile.
TWTWTWTWTW
Malia tried to pay attention to the lecture. She watched the guy take Scott’s motorcycle away. Cora and her powers of persuasion. There was still the good and bad angels on her shoulders. Tell scott. no. He deserves to suffer.
She was an awful person.
All day she was the laughing stock of school. People looked at her whispering. Poor Malia. Or worse. Of course Scott would pick Allison. She didn’t stand a chance.
Walking through the halls she tried to keep a straight face but it was obvious this group of girls were laughing at her.
“If you have something to say. Then freaking say it to my face. If not keep it to yourself.” The girls stopped laughing and walked off.
“Yeah that’s right keep it movin.”
Theo closed his locker with a smirk on his face. Talk about resilient.
“And what are you smirking at pretty boy?” He shook his head walking off.
“He’s hot.” Cora observed.
“You date him then.”
“I probably will..not…”
“That was wrong of you to do that.” Malia didn’t know whether to hug her or scold her.
“Yeah. But someone has to have your back. Now go get your mind ready for your first day of work.” Cora hugged her, watching her leave.
Scott watched Malia leave Cora behind. He didn’t think she could be this ruthless. But she was Cora after all. Allison gripped his hand, and he kissed hers. They gave him the assurance he needed.
“Where is it?” He held Allison’s hand as they walked to her.
“Whatever do you mean?” Cora innocent tone made the brunette want to puke. It’s not like she could blame her for taking up for her cousin. It was a hard position to be in.
“My motorcycle.” Scott said. “The lacrosse members told me they saw it getting towed. And you were the one right there.”
“That’s here say.” She retorted.
“Since when did you become a lawyer?” Allison asked.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with you so why are you even talking to me? Allison asked. She was right. This was about Scott.
“It doesn’t have to deal with you either.” Allison spat back.
“But it deals with Malia, so that makes it my business.” She turned her attention to Scott. “It’s not fair that you get to be happy and she gets to be hurt.” Scott and Allison frowned. “And you just expect her to handle it. Move on. She has feelings too. And for you to just overlook them like that.”
“I tried to apologize.” He battled.
“To ease your conscious. Scott I’m not stupid. You can’t have them both.” Cora yelled.
“Cora I don’t want them both…” Scott stated.
“Yeah we know.” Cora walked off, not speaking another word.
TWTWTWTWTWTW
Malia tied her apron waiting in her manager’s back office. The woman was tying up loose ends on the phone. Every now and then she would give her a soft smile. Right now, she didn’t have the energy to return it.
“So are you ready for your first day?” She hung up her phone.
“I guess.” Malia shrugged. She had to shake this off.
“Don’t worry in no time you will be holding three plates at once.”. Malia gave a little smile.
“So we are going to train you by partnering you up with someone.”
“Ok.”
“Theo.” She yelled as a dark haired boy came in the office. His grey eyes mirrored her hazel. The woman looked between the two. “This is Malia Hale. Show her everything you know.” The tension built between them.
“I take it you know eachother.”
“Just school” they said in sync.
“Theo get her started.” He took one last look at her as they walked in the hallway. She folded her arms looking with her peripheral vision.
“Got a crude joke you want to get out before this begins.” She was defensive by nature. He could tell.
“No.” She followed him. “Why would I do that?” Did he looked like he cared about relationships? There were bigger things in this world.
“Everyone else has. So just get it out.” She stopped as he turned around. Grey met hazel.
“Look it sucks when your feelings aren’t returned but you can’t feel sorry for yourself.” He blunt words shocked her.
“So you think I feel sorry for myself.” He didn’t mean to offend her, but he said it before he knew it.
“Yeah. I saw that little stunt your cousin pulled.” Malia reddened.
“I didn’t tell Scott if that’s what you’re thinking. It wasn’t my business.”
Yeah she noticed him around school. He was the guy who would sneak to smoke cigarettes during gym. But he had to be smart considering he was taking so classes with Scott.
“We have a short hand. Usually it’s the first initial of each word. For instance hamburger steak is h.s. Or sweet potato pie is”
“…Spp”
“See it’s not that hard. The hardest is dealing with customers. Some you’re gonna want to punch in the face because they take forever to order. And then some are gonna just be disrespectful. One guy literally threw my tip on the ground. Thinking I was going to pick it up.”
“Did you?”
“I don’t need 5 dollars that much so no I didn’t.” To be honest, he didn’t see why Scott didn’t want her. Sure she was snarky, but she was down to earth. “For the first 3 tables I will take the orders and then I will help you with the rest.” She nodded.
At the first table was this old couple. Both with salt and paper hair. The man held the woman’s hand across the table. It was so cute. They reminded her of her parents.
“Hello. I’m Theo.” Theo offered them a smile. “What can I get you?” The two stared at the boy and girl with curiosity. “This is Malia’s first day. Hope you don’t mind if she tags along?”
“Not at all.” Malia wished she had this type of charisma. “We’d like to get 2 waters with lemon. Also the Monday special.”
“Good choice. I will be back with your drinks.” Malia followed him to the back. It was noisy with waiters and cooks walking everywhere.
“You’ll get used to it. This is where you drop off the tickets.” He clipped it near the chefs’ station. “And here is where you get their drinks.” He grabbed the cups.
“I want to do it.” She grabbed the plastic cups reading the labels on the fountain. She just didn’t want to think about Scott and Allison.
What he said earlier about her feeling sorry about herself. He was being a jerk. But it was true. Everyone went through this at some point. She had to get over it. She wouldn’t be Malia if she didn’t.
He let her get the drinks noticing some of the cook’s eyes on her. She was a beautiful girl. Theo grabbed the straws and napkins putting them in each of her pockets.
Walking back, she put the drinks in front of the couple with napkins and straws.…She was a natural go getter.
“We just put your orders in. Hopefully, the wait won’t be too long.” She gave a little smile. Theo stood at the register begging for her to join him. She noticed how the waitresses stole glances at him. He was a beautiful guy. Clean cut with muscles. Dark hair cut nicely.
The two looked at the computer screen. “To ring it up pick ‘selection’. Choose what they ordered and when you’re done click total.”
“Seems simple. Let me guess if they pay with cash choose cash. Credit or debit choose ‘credit’ or ‘debit’.”
“Exactly.”
“Order up. “ The cook hit the bell. Turning around it was their. Both grabbed a plate giving it to the customers.
“You two make a good team.” The old woman winked at them.
“Let us know if you need anything.” Theo stated.
Today was slower than he thought. Malia tapped her nails against the counter, waiting for more customers to show up.
“What I do is look at the customers and make up stories when I get bored.” She looked at him curiously.
“The couple we just served. They have been together for 30 years.”
“And they have 5 kids. They live in this little cabin. With bear rugs. And deer mounted everywhere. I’m judging by the flannel they are wearing…” She shrugged.
“Ok. They go to hunting conventions still. Not to hunt but just to be around it.”
“They have the life.” Malia felt like she was going to be perpetually single.
“Yeah they do.” She heard the sadness in his voice. “o great.”. He watched the couple walk into diner.
“Nathan and Tracy.” Malia’s voice dripped with venom. Two of the meanest people she knew. Also two of the most beautiful people she knew. They could get whatever they wanted at school. But this wasn’t school.
“And they would of course sit in my section.” Theo took a deep breath. He needed another cigarette.
“I can take over.” Malia volunteered. “I need some way to release my answer”
“Thanks but no thanks. I don’t run away from problems. I face them. You can stay here. Don’t want you to get caught up in the cross fire.” She could tell there was bad blood between them.
“And let you have all the fun?” Malia nudged him.
“So foster kid what’s today’s special?” Malia had an answer for him. Yet Theo was able to keep his cool. She wished she had his demeanor. How could someone say that?
“Beef tips and rice.” Theo looked Nathan in the eyes. Tracy looked around her. This place had the most pathetic people working here. Delusional Theo. Undatable Malia. She snickered grabbing Nathan’s hand.
“Nevermind. Sounds like crap.” Nathan stared over the menu slowly while Tracy stared at Malia.
“I’m surprised you’re holding up. I know I couldn’t.” Tracy said.
“Well you and I are two different people.” Malia snarked.
Nathan looked over the menu still. He could see Theo was getting annoyed. good.
“Look we know you two aren’t here to order. So do one good deed for the day and leave.” Malia couldn’t hold it any longer.
“So you are denying us service.” Tracy spat back.
“That’s discrimination.” Nathan spat.
“Yeah discrimination of disrespectful customers.” Malia retorted. Nathan and Tracy laughed, getting up.
“Whatever.” The two got up bumping into them. Malia caught a reflex grabbing for Tracy. Theo gripped her hand pulling her to him..looking in her eyes..she contained herself, squeezing his hand to give her strength.
“I can’t believe I let her almost get the best of me like that.” She let his hand go. “Thanks.”
“No prob. They aren’t worth it. I know from personal experience.” She was waiting for more.
“I’d rather not talk about it.”
“I get it. But he shouldn’t have called you foster kid.”
“It’s true though.” He shrugged. “I was that foster kid who lucked up and got adopted by my dad.”
“He was still wrong. Want me to call Cora to get his car towed?” The two laughed.
“I really needed that.” He said.