Before you and me

Mack

People say life is glorious. You have all these moments to consider, but I feel they're full of shit. Life isn't glorious. It's rough. I watch too many people lie to themselves, which is pretty funny if you consider it.

They have all these aspirations and dreams only to have them destroyed by someone else. Do you get where I'm leading with this?

I try to steer clear. Who in the hell wants to be with someone who sets out to destroy you? Of course, I've never been that schmuck who's been in love. There's too much drama.

I have that one acquaintance who assumes they know better than I do. That support would be Bob Harrison, who pushes me to find someone like he's doing today.

'Come on, Mack. Don't you realize it's time to settle down?' He questioned in the most annoying tone.

'Don't you think you're too old to whine? What are you? Four? Why does it matter if I meet someone?' I sought, lifting a container of dirty dishes onto the counter. Yes, I work as a busboy trying to pay for school. Don't judge because people have to do the inferior man's jobs.

It was honest employment, so why the hell do I care what people felt?

'I'm saying it would help tamed your wild views,' he declared.

'What wild schemes? I work and go to school, woohoo,' I responded. He twisted his eyes at me. 'Don't you have something to cook?' That meant to go back to work and stop harassing me about my life decisions.

'Bob, I need a number one and three,' Miguel suggested, placing an order on the ledge.

'Good luck. Bob worries too much about my nonexistent love life,' I quipped as Bob folded his eyes, and Miguel chuckled.

'Mark my words, one day you will find the one,' he yelled as he flipped a burger.

I walked over towards Miguel. 'He sure has big aspirations for you,' Miguel responded.

'Actually, I assume he's high,' I answered, making him snicker.

'Is there a reason you ladies are standing around talking?' Ian asked us.

'We were discussing your poor lifestyle choices such as that hairstyle.' I pointed at the mess on top of his head.

'There is nothing wrong with my hairstyle. Gertie thinks it's very sexy,' he stated, running his hand against the side of his haircut.

'Is that before or after you use a gallon of oil on it?' I claimed him as he curled his eyes at me, causing Miguel to howl even more.

'Laugh all you want, but at least I'm getting lucky,' Ian retorted.

'That's debatable,' I opposed, earning a glance.

'Are you still coming to the party?' He inquired.

'Why?' I questioned.

'Mack, you need to go out,' Ian countered.

'Ian, I don't drink, and people act stupid when they do. What the hell was I going to do? Stand there and look like a dipshit? I don't think so,' I remarked.

'Then I guess you won't see Paige,' Bob bellowed from the grilled.

'Not helping,' I yelled back.

'Oh, someone has a crush on Paige Moore,' Ian said. I'm going to kill Bob.

'I do not have a crush on Paige Moore. Plus, she is dating that weasel, Aaron Slade,' I said a matter of fact.

'Only because you haven't made a move,' Miguel told me.

'And I'm not going to,' I told them. I didn't need the hassle. Aaron was a dipwad, and I had no intention of being the other guy, FML.

Then the bell chimed, and we all looked to see Paige walk in with Maria, Gertie, and Ruth. Fuck me. Of all the diners in this town, she had to come here. God must hate me.

They all looked at me.

'Don't give me that look,' I ordered.

The next thing I knew, Ian and Miguel came into the kitchen. They threw an apron on me, shoved a notepad and pencil in my hand, then pushed me through the double doors; assholes.

I stood there as everyone looked at me. 'Take a picture. It will last longer.' Everyone went back to eating. I walked over and took the girls' order.

I scribbled their orders down, then looked at Paige, 'And what do you want?'

'Couldn't you be a little nicer?' She asked me.

'I could if I wanted to, but today is not your day, and tomorrow doesn't look better. Now, what will you have, Peggy?' I asked her. She glared at me. Yep, I pissed her off.

She gave me her order, and I walked back into the kitchen. I handed it to Bob, who made the food. I looked at Miguel and Ian, who had a cheeky smile plastered on their faces.

'I'm going to hurt you both,' I threatened, feeling irritated.

'Yeah, but not after she hurts you,' Ian smirked as I looked at him. I could feel my right eye twitching.

That is so not how I wanted my life to go.