Easy Way Out
Chapter Nine
Inside the diner was too warm. The smell of baking pie filled the air as we squeezed into the red leather booth. It was made for only four so it was a tight squeeze. I was smashed against the window, Tom Fletcher was smooshed against me, with Danny hanging off the end of the seat. Kirstin was on the opposite side by the window, with Dougie next to her, and then Harry on the end.
“What can I getcha, huns?� An older waitress walked up to our table, smacking gum. She wore a pale pink fifties style uniform, with a white apron. Her name tag said Betty. She had a thick lipstick smile as she held up her notepad. She was a familiar face. I’d known her for years.
Tom, Danny, Dougie, and Harry were the only ones looking at the menu. Me and Kirstin wore matching smiles. We were in our favorite booth. We loved Nan’s Diner. Behind the counter, a picture of me and Kirstin as young girls. We were arm in arm in the picture, in matching overalls. Her dark hair was in pigtails and mine was bobbed at my chin. Cherry pie covered our faces.
“I’ll just have my usual.� I said.
“Alright, Kayleigh,� Betty’s pencil scribbled across the pad of paper. “So that’s a double cheeseburger-no mayo, extra pickle, a large chili-cheese fry and a chocolate shake?�
“You know me best, Bet!�
“I’ll have the same.� Kirstin added. Betty looked towards the boys who were still trying to figure out what they wanted. They all looked absolutely torn. “Maybe you should make that six of the usuals.� She took the menus away from McFly. “Trust me on this one. Nan’s has the best burgers in the South.�
“Alright then, the usual it is.� Tom said with a nod.
“Oh, an English man!� Betty said in her southern drawl. “How exotic!�
“You could say that, I suppose.� Harry said with a laugh.
“Can I make my shake strawberry?� Dougie asked.
“Oh Doug,� Danny exclaimed. “Always making everything difficult.�
“Oh my, I better run off before I melt all in a puddle.� Betty exclaimed with a blush. She fanned herself as she walked away. Our table cracked up.
“Exotic!?� Danny asked. “Are we fruits? She makes me feel like a banana!�
“I hate bananas.� Tom shuddered and cringed. We all laughed. Betty retuned with our shakes and placed them in front of us. She flashed Danny an extra big smile as she placed the frosty glass in front of him. Dougie’s strawberry shake had the most whipped cream out of them all. A large ripe strawberry was topped on it. The chocolate shakes in front of McFly were larger than Kirstin’s and my own. Mini chocolate chips covered the whipped cream on top of their’s. Mine didn’t have anything on it. It was just a normal chocolate shake like always. Betty flashed another bright red smile before disappearing behind the counter.
“Talk about special treatment.� Kirstin swiped her finger through the whipped cream on Dougie’s shake. “I’ve never ever gotten whipped cream on mine. Even when you ask they forget.�
“It’s cause we’re rock stars.� Dougie said, pushing his drink as far away from Kirstin as he could. She reached over and proceeded to stick her finger in it again. She tapped Dougie on the nose, leaving a dab of whipped cream behind. They both shared a laugh.
“Sorry to burst your bubble, mate.� Tom paused to try his own shake. He pulled away from his straw. “Holy cricket! This is the best thing I’ve ever had!�
“Hey Kayleigh,� I looked up. Harry motioned over to the diner counter with his head. “Who’s that?�
I leaned forward to look past Tom and caught sight of the other diner waitress, Allison. She was my age with light brown hair that hung down in loose curls. Her eyes were a strange blue green and her lips were turned up in a sad pout as she whipped down the counter with an old rag.. She was very pretty, even if she didn’t know it. She brushed her bangs out of her eyes with her freehand.
“Her name is Allison.� I replied.
“I think I’m going to go talk to her.� Harry smiled as he slid out of the booth. Tom scooted over at once and I took in a deep breath. Finally, I could breath. Harry shoved his hands into his jeans pockets and strolled over to the counter. He hopped into a bar stool and said something. Allison’s attention was captured and she put away her rag.
“Ey, I think Harry found himself a girl.� Tom said nodding towards the now chatting Allison and Harry.
“Lucky git.� Danny said. “I’m going to be the only one who leaves America without some hot bird’s mobile number. Unless Kayleigh were willing…�
“Don’t push your luck, Jones.� I laughed.
The table broke out into laughing. It was surreal being here with them. McFly acting like normal people. The TV always seemed to make it’s celebrities look like alien creatures to normal human beings. But the boys of McFly were normal guys. Dougie was flirting with Kirstin, her hand was resting on his arm, showing she was more than just interested. Danny was commenting on an old guitar hanging on the wall amongst a cluster of records. Tom got up and walked over to the juke box. It’d been there since the fifties at least. It’s music had only just been updated due to the fact that the teenagers of the podunk town where I live threatened to boycott the diner and it’s food if horrible tunes continued to play.
Tom rested his hand on the top of the box while he browsed the collection of tunes. I slid out of the booth and felt Danny and Kirstin’s eyes following me as I stood on the other side of Tom.
“Find anything good?� I asked.
“I’m looking for some of the Beatles.� Tom said without looking up. The machine’s page of cd covers changed.
“What song are you looking for?�
Tom pressed the button again. It changed again and again. This continued until he finally stopped. He popped a quarter into the machine and pushed two buttons. The opening cords of a very old Beatles song filled the small diner. An old trucker drinking coffee looked over at me and Tom.
“I’ve Just Seen a Face?� I enquired as the familiar voice of Paul McCartney launched into the song.
“The very one.�
“Is this supposed to mean something?� I asked with a small smile. I leaned up against the juke box and cocked my head to the side.
“I would like to think so.� Tom replied. A cheeky smile played upon of his lips. I felt heat rise up to my cheeks.
The song was over quickly, it was barely over two minutes long. Me and Tom stood there, our eyes on one another and big smiles on our faces.
“Order up!�
A bell sounded thorough the air, and the silence between me and Tom was shattered. Betty slid Harry’s plate in front of him and Allison helped herself to a French fry. Harry let out a laugh. Betty came from around the counter with our plates.
“Shall we?� Tom asked. He took my hand in his own and we walked the ten, maybe fifteen steps back to the booth in the corner. When we sat down Danny quickly took a big bite out of his cheeseburger. He didn’t look extremely thrilled with the moment me and Tom had shared over The Beatles song, but I really didn’t care that much. Kirstin looked at me, her big brown eyes dancing. We shared a smile.
“Are you sure you don’t want half?� Harry’s voice said from the counter.
“I’m sure.� Allison’s voice said. “Thank you for offering, but I am a vegetarian.�
I turned to look at him. He turned bright red and threw the extended half of burger back onto his plate.
“A vegetarian!?� Harry stammered looking down at his plate. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean anything by it! I didn’t know.�
“It’s fine, Harry.� Allison put her hand on top of his and he looked up. “I might not take you up on the burger, but I will share a piece of apple pie with you when you finish.�
Harry’s smile got big again and he nodded a number of times before digging back into his plate. I turned back to my own burger and chili cheese fries, my appetite suddenly gone. I didn’t want this night to end ever. I would wake up in the morning and all four of them would be thousands of miles away at another tour stop. I let out a sigh.
“Anything wrong?� Tom asked between mouthfuls.
“No, I’m perfect.� I faked a smile before stuffing a fry into my mouth. “Never been better.�
I’m such a liar.
Back