Goddxx

...I was labeled a bad apple. Every little "crime" I committed was scrutinized to the highest degree possible. Being in trouble often, I always saw the same boy in trouble too.

Naturally, I was curious as to what his "problem" was. Why was he out casted? Why was he here? I was an inquisitive kid, but I didn't bother to pry. However, this boy didn't care to ask me every question on his mind.

He told me his name was Ote, and immediately asked me everything about myself. When I say everyyy question, he asked, no matter how touchy the subject was. I told him my name, where I was from, that my mom died, how I almost escaped an orphanage... twice, how I ended up at this one... I didn't think I'd ever talk about this stuff with anyone EVER. But oddly enough, it felt comforting that someone even cared to ask about my life.

As days and days passed, I looked for Ote everyday. I asked him more about himself and came to learn he was only a year older than me, his parents were sentenced to life in prison, they were drug dealers, and he wanted to be just like them some day...

When he told me this I practically blurted out "drugs killed my mom". He couldn't believe what I had said. I told him that drugs drove my dad insane too. He still didn't believe me. In his eyes his parents were making people happy, but to everyone else they were demons. I realized in that moment what the whispers were about "killer kid", "demonic", "cursed".

None of this changed how I viewed Ote, but it did make me wonder if his parents killed my mom. He told me he didn't want to be a drug dealer anymore.

Ever since that day we agreed to be family, forever cousins. We didn't have anyone else, so we stuck together through it all. Nobody wanted to adopt us and we didn't care. We spent our days pulling pranks, causing trouble, and laughing about it all. Both of us figured we'll get in trouble for nothing anyway, might as well give them a reason.

I had a cleannn week and a half to prepare everything for opening night. I hosted a hiring event and filled every position, made flyers, helped everyone prepare, got customers excited. Covered all my bases for a good night. You'd think right.

Tell me why, last minute my cook, waitress, and hostess called out. Now as a manager it's my duty to cover anyone's shift if there's no coverage. But I never would've thought I'd have all that on my plate night one. It's too late now, I was already at work when I got the texts.

Luckily my bartender and my security officer clocked in on time. The night started off easy. First hour was calm, only 2-3 customers, and everyone sat at the bar. We were having such an easy time I decided to post a tweet letting everyone know to come check out the restaurant...That might've been my biggest mistake ever.

We got packed. FAST. Oh, and I forgot to mention the owner of the restaurant was coming. Of courseee, I mean it's only the grand freaking opening. To make a long stressful story short, I had to greet everyone, seat everyone, cook, and some more, all with a smile on my face.

I can't lie I was soooo close to cracking...until... the owner rolled up his sleeves and helped out, and so did his wife. Once the rush was over and everyone was seated and fed I was able to breathe again. I thought it was a disaster and I was fired for sure, buttttt, in the end everyone thanked and congratulated me on a good night.

I'm so happy I didn't give up when things got tough. Definitely thought about it though LOL, but I was determined and it paid off. That was stressful af, now I'm even more determined to not have another night like that.