was

I finish attending to the last table, making small talk with the customers here and there as I make my way back to the counter. I missed my break.

"Slow down snowflake," Cam chides playfully. He and Jay Jay at the only ones that call me that. They fought once over who should get to call me that but it ended in a tie.

"It's okay Cam. I'm fine," I assure, waving him off. I know a customer has walked in when the bell chimes but I don't turn around. I should have, maybe then I would have been better prepared.

"You deserve a reward for all your hard work," Cam proposes. I smile.

"What did you have in mind?" I question curiously. He leans down and leaves a wet sloppy kiss on my cheek.

I flush red, playfully slapping his chest to push him away.

"Cam!" I scold with a smile, wiping at my cheek. He doubles over in laughter, attracting attention from the customers.

"You should have seen how red you turned snowflake," Cam says, still laughing. Why is everyone so set on embarrassing me today?

Marisa interrupts my reply. Pushing past me with tears running down her face. I frown and stare after her.

"Snow, I need to talk to you," a voice says from behind me. I tense up, my smile faltering.

"Mr. Morello. How can I help you?" I ask politely, turning to face my employer. I've never liked him. His stare makes me uncomfortable.

"I need you to work table seven," he says, his tone commanding. I frown.

I have this thing where I can't stand odd numbers. It's not necessarily that I'm afraid of them, they just make me uneasy.

"Will do Mr. Morello," I answer with a forced smile. He nods, his eyes scanning me once more before he turns, heading towards his office. I sigh.

"Sorry snowflake," Cam says sadly. I offer him a small smile.

"Like I said, I'm okay," I reassure him walking towards the table. I doodle mindlessly in my notepad, drawing irregular patterns. It's a nervous habit.

I don't look up as I walk towards the table. I've memorised this place. I know it like the back of my hand. I actually don't even need the notepad, it helps me limit the time I hold eye contact with people. I stop at table seven, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

"Hello, my name is Snow and I'll be your waitress today. What would you like to order?" I ask, not looking up. I furrow my brows when there's no answer.

"What can I...." The words die on my tongue when I look up and meet those dark grey eyes. I'm starting to think that maybe I imagined the light grey colour I first saw.

"Tyler?" His name leaves my lips in a confused whisper. He's holding a napkin halfway up his face and its covered in a reddish substance. His hair is even messier than it was. Looks like he's been running his hands through it over and over again.

I hold back a giggle when I see he missed a spot.

"What?" He asks grumpily, noting my poorly concealed amusement and setting the napkin on the table.

"You missed a spot," I reply, smiling softly and pointing to my left cheek. He messily brings the napkin to his face smearing more of the substance on his face. This time I laugh quietly.

"Here, let me," I propose, stepping towards him and holding out my hand, I place my notepad on the table. He hands me the napkin and leans back. I fold the napkin and lean closer to him. I hold his chin and gently tilt his head to the side. I step back after I'm done, releasing my hold on his chin. His fists are clenched tightly in his lap and I look down, feeling strangely guilty.

"Um....so what can I get you?" I ask, clearing my throat uncomfortably and shuffling nervously on my feet. He's once again quiet and I peer up at him from under my lashes. His eyes darken further.

"I'll have a strawberry milkshake and a double cheese burger," he rushes out, his voice sounding strained. My brows furrow in worry and I step closer.

"Are you okay?" I ask, placing my hand on his and ignoring the tingles shooting up my hand. He flinches away from my touch. Like I burned him somehow. I panic and walk away to place his order. Strawberry? I would smile at his strange order if I wasn't freaking out. You might be wondering why I'm blowing this whole 'burning him with my touch' thing out of proportion but, that is a story for another day.

"Snowflake! Snowflake! Snow!" Cam's voice snaps me back to reality. I look up at him.

"Your order is ready," he sounds so far away. I look at the tray in front of me with Tyler's order but I don't register it.

He sets it down and gently tilts my chin towards him, noticing the panic in my eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong snowflake?" He asks softly, rubbing his thumb across my cheek. I sigh and close my eyes, concentrating on his warm vanilla scent.

"Nothing now," I say with a smile, opening my eyes.

"That's my snowflake," he says with a proud smile, letting go of my chin. I take a deep breathe and grab the tray with shaky hands. I look down at my feet as I walk. In out. In out. In out. In in in in in. I should probably be breathing out, you know, like a normal person, but I'm afraid I don't know how to.

"Here's your order. Enjoy," I say quickly, placing his food on the table and abruptly turning around to leave.

"Wait!" He exclaims, grabbing my arm. I wince, my wrists still hurt. He sees this and his eyes cloud as he let's go.

"I just wanted to ask what you said your name was," he says gently.

"Snow," I say with a smile. His eyes filling with an emotion I don't recognize....maybe shock?disbelief?a bit of both? Whatever it was, it's gone before I can decipher it's meaning. His cold stare back in place.

"Snow," he says with a smirk, testing out the name. The way it rolls off his tongue sends shivers down my spine. I gulp loudly.

"I like it," he comments, his eyes twinkling mischievously. I gulp and smile again. This time when I walk away, he doesn't stop me.