Strength
Reverse: weakness, possible loss of honor, discord.
I woke up sometime later from a peaceful dream, a dream of before the accident, before all of this. I looked at the clock, and jumped up from the couch. I knew I had to leave immediately, or I would be late for work. I ran down the stairs, and threw the door open. I knew I should have checked on my pets before I left, but I just didn't have time. And now I wonder if I had just been a few minutes late if what happened would have occurred.
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I ran half the way to work, and then slowed to a walk. I was glad that I would be on time, and wouldn't run the risk of getting fired, thou I doubt my boss would have, I guess I paid for my punctuality. As I got to the entrance to the "green's diner" I felt a tingle at the nape of my neck. I pushed the door open, and instantly the buzz of the wholesome place rushed to great me. I saw the owner, Mr. Lawrence Green and his wife Mrs. Melanie Green. I also saw 2 of the other employees, thou I don't remember their names.
I walked up to Mr. Green, and he smiled his usual doll like smile. Mr. Green is a large man, and is balding in spots, I guessed he was about 40 or so, but I never dared to ask. He always wore some type of green shirt, as did his wife. Mrs. Green was a very petite women, and very quiet compared to her rambunctious husband. She had cropped red hair and green eyes that stood out on her pale skin. They reminded me of a miss matched couple because of their appearances, since the Mr. had dirty brown eyes that blended with his tanned skin.
I went to the counter, and grabbed a small note pad and pencil, put them in the pocket in my apron, and went to greet the 2 customers who had entered behind me. I turned, and the first of the two that attracted my attention was the girl. She was probably my age, thou taller. She was skinny, with hair that went just past her shoulders that was dyed black with streaks of magenta. Her eyes were blue, and she was slightly pale. She wore navy blue skinny jeans, and a "forever the sickest kids" tee that was tight and showed off her chest, not that she needed a tight shirt to do that. I must have been staring for a few moments because she looked up from her Itouch, and when her eyes met mine I felt I would vomit.
I hated her.
The older woman, whom I thought must have been her mother, was only slightly taller than me and slightly overweight. Her hair was short and dark, and she wore plain clothes. I had worked here for some time, but had never seen the pair, and it would have interested me, had I not been feeling ill. I walked up to them, but even my best attempt at a smile would have failed, so I didn't even try though I knew Mr. Green would reprimand me later. I tonelessly greeted them, and showed them to their table.
"What will I be getting you this afternoon?" I asked, trying to be polite without looking at the girl, though she was glued to her device, so she didn't seem to notice.
"What would you recommend? We're new here." The mother said cordially, as if she thought I was shy, or new to the job.
"I'll have chicken strips please." As I looked to the voice, the girl looked up. She stared at me as if searching me, and I didn’t look away due to the ringing in my ears from her voice. If I didn't need the money I would have left right then.
Just left forever.
But instead I stood there like an idiot while some strange punk girl was staring me down. Then her eyes went wide, and her hands hit the table as she stood.
"You're that bitch who almost knocked me over at the school today!" She practically shouted, and then I remembered.
“Yeah, mom.” This voice was of a younger female, maybe my age. She sounded bored and inattentive, but I heard a hint of worry. This had been the voice that seemed to send a bolt of lightning though my body.
I couldn’t understand why her voice was like electricity to me, like she was zapping me with every syllable. I was really getting pissed off.
That’s when I realized I was sneering, my normally calm façade had evaded me, and before I had clasped it again I had let out a sound like that of a wolf. A low and almost inaudible growl. But I had heard it.
That’s why I left.
That’s why I grabbed my backpack off the floor, and sprinted to the door. That’s why I hadn’t heard nurse whatever yell to me, and why when I bumped into a slender shoulder I didn’t stop, didn’t look at her shocked or pissed face.
I just left.
I was shocked, and had this been before the accident I would have begged for forgiveness, maybe even have cried, but I did neither.
"Sorry," I said, leaving the sentence hanging, never to be finished. Then as though she had heard her name whispered she turned, and she blushed slightly. She sat down slowly, and furiously tapped the screen of her Itouch. Only then did I look up and around at the diner half full of people staring. I immediately turned back, and saw the mother grabbing her purse as if to leave.
Normally I would have asked them to stay, even offered a free drink or something for my rudeness, but I couldn't, so I just let them walk by me and leave, the girl kept her head down.
As did I.
The rest of my shift was in the back cooking, washing dishes, and serving drinks. I had requested it of Mr. Green, and he didn't seem to mind, though he never seemed to mind when I did something to inconvenience him. When the shift ended at 9pm Mr. Green offered to drive me home since it had started raining. I turned him down politely, and stepped out into the night.
The cool rain fell lightly on the pavement, and blew in my face on occasion, though it wasn't unpleasant. I tried to think about why that girl’s voice tortured me so, but I couldn't find a reason for my sudden madness. When I got to my house I realized the rain had drenched me threw my clothes, but I didn't care. I went into the house, and fell asleep on the couch.
I wanted to dream.
