Beca doesn't really know why she bothered. "You gotta get out there, Bec." Those are the words her dad used, right? And look where it had gotten her. Sat alone in a rundown 'Italian' restaurant, being the focus of sympathetic looks from the strangers around her. Not only had she been stood up but she had also reached a level on Candy Crush that she could not figure out for the life of her, which left her without distraction.
That was until her overly friendly waitress with the most attractive smile and eyes that looked like they held every thought Beca had ever considered, wandered over to the table to offer her yet another top up of the lemonade she had been drinking all night.
"Hi there! Can I get you another drink? Maybe something to eat? My boss will totes kill me if I let you sit here and just eat the complimentary breadsticks." The waitress smiled widely down at Beca.
"Oh um yeah, sorry about that. But I think I'm just gonna go. I'll definitely recommend the lemonade and the breadsticks to everyone though. Thanks." Beca replied whilst trying to hide the embarrassment of clearly being ditched on a first date in front of so many people, especially the fiery-haired waitress who was now on her way back to the bar. Assumedly, to gossip with her manager about the calamity that was Beca's life.
Beca stood and slotted a twenty-dollar bill under her glass before heading towards the exit. "Woah, hey! Excuse me!"
The brunette, who was almost halfway out of the door, spun suddenly and came face to face with the doe-eyed waitress who held the twenty-dollar bill in her hand. "This is way too much. I can't take this."
"Sure you can," Beca replied. "I can't deny tipping great service when I get it" as she sent a way too enthusiastic wink in the girl's direction. 'What the hell? A wink? Seriously?' she thought to herself, as if you haven't made a fool of yourself enough tonight. That was until her internal monologue was interrupted by the giggle of the ginger.
"As flattering as that is, I really can't take this. You had three lemonades and the breadsticks were on the house. That'd basically be daytime robbery, or night-time robbery, I guess." The waitress corrected herself when she looked at the giant antique clock on the wall and realised it was already 10pm.
Beca patted down her pockets and shrugged "Um, I kinda wasn't planned for this situation and don't have anything smaller than that sooo." She made to leave the restaurant again before she felt a tug on her sleeve. "Look, I told you that's all I have and I really just want to go home right now so please just take it." But the waitress was looking at her again with sympathy in her oceanic eyes.
"I know you don't really mean that. You so do not wanna be at home alone after tonight."
"Yeah, I really do. Can I just leave?" She was angsty and just wanted to be alone with her music. Hell, it was the only thing in her life that was a constant and never managed to let her down.
"Nope!"
"Really? You're holding your customers as hostages right now? There goes your recommendation of the lemonade and breadsticks." Sarcasm was always her defence and she had years of practice to refine her skills. "And who said anything about being alone? I'll have you know my super good friend, Kimmy-Jin, is home."
"Oh hush. Save the dramatics. I'm not holding you hostage. You can leave but I just got off work and wanna fill-in for whatever douchecanoe stood you up. I'm Chloe by the way." Chloe held out her hand and quirked up an eyebrow. "So what d'you say?"
Beca scowled slightly as an awkward smirk played on her lips. "You're pretty forward. Anyone ever tell you that?"
"A few times." Chloe brushed it off with a small nod and bit her lip, still waiting for an answer.
With an eye roll and a sigh that was much louder than it was intended to be, Beca shook Chloe's hand. "Beca."