Ava's Pov:
I got to the address Alicia sent me at about 5:57. I was eager and I wanted Alicia to see that but she didn't acknowledge it at all. It made me feel like all hope was lost all over again.
"Take this and go change in the back" she said, barely looking at me.
I stared at her for a moment, words too heavy to take out of my mouth.
"What? Do I need to show you where the back is?"
"No no, I know where it is." I gave a fake smile and walked shamefully to the back. Alicia knew me as a well off socialite and now I looked like a beggar. I couldn't believe how so much could change in a night.
The shirt was one size smaller but I made it work and went back outside.
"What do I do?" I asked Alicia.
"Well you could work as a waitress but I figured you could put your talent to work first. Being a waitress isn't easy and I don't think you're cut out for it."
She wasn't wrong but it still hurt. I just nodded my head, I didn't really have a choice.
I sat on one of the benches for a few minutes before a tall looking man came up to me, alongside Alicia.
He was twice as big as me and had this grumpy look that made me jump to my feet in seconds.
"You must be Ava."
"Yes, I am. You're the owner I suppose?" I asked.
"Yes I am. Alicia put in a good word for you so I expect nothing less from you."
"Yes, yes I won't let you down."
He walked off.
With that attitude you'd think he was running a five star restaurant.
I turned to face Alicia. "Why is he so strict?"
"He's not. You're up next in five minutes. Get ready."
I nodded and took deep breaths. I wasn't used to singing in public. I always kept my gift hidden around the four walls of my room.
My voice was a bit shaky at first but I got the hang of it soon.
I was rewarded with a partial standing ovation after my performance. I was shocked at how impressed people were. It made me positive.
I ran to Alicia,
"Oh my God did you see that?" I asked, kicking my feet in the air.
"I've always told you how talented you were."
"I just didn't think that many people would agree with you."
She went back to serving drinks.
"How long would I be working here?"
"It depends. Our usual band took a week's leave so when they're back you'd have to stop."
"Oh.."
I didn't hide the disappointment in my voice.
"I'll help you find another job if that makes you feel better."
"You've helped so much already. I'll be fine."
"Are you sure?"
I nodded. "Is there anything I can do now? Like serve drinks or something."
"You can just help clear out the tables."
I picked up a small tray and started clearing empty tables and handing menus to new customers. My hands were still shaking a little from the adrenaline but I remained calm.
I kept my head down, moving from table to table, trying not to draw attention to myself. That was when I heard my name.
"Ava?"
I froze in place as I turned around. My fingers tightened around the tray.
It was Nadia.
She stood near a table with two girls I barely remembered from high school. She used to be my biggest competitor in school. I even compared her Instagram likes to mine a few times. She looked put together like always.
"Oh my God," she said, smiling wide. "It is you."
"Could my life get any worse?" I whispered to myself.
"What?"
"Oh nothing." I forced a smile back. "Hi."
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her eyes moving from the tray in my hands to my face.
The question seemed harmless but I knew it wasn't.
"I'm just helping out," I said quickly.
"That's nice," she replied, nodding slowly. "For a second I thought our Instagram star was working as a waitress."
"Me? Of course not. I'm just helping a friend."
"And what is a socialite like you doing around waitresses?"
One of the girls beside her laughed softly. "Weren't you always at those fancy parties back then?"
I felt my chest tighten.
"Yeah," Nadia added. "I remember people used to say you were doing really well for yourself."
I swallowed. "I still am."
Her smile didn't fade, but something sharp passed through her eyes. "I can tell."
I could tell what she meant by that but I pretended not to.
"Well," she continued, picking up her drink, "it's nice seeing you. You should come sit with us later if you have time."
"I'm working," I said.
"Of course," she replied, glancing at the tray again. "Wouldn't want to get you in trouble."
They turned away and walked to one of the vip booths.
I stood there for a moment, trying to catch my breath. I could feel my face burn.
For the rest of the night, I kept my head low and avoided the bar area. When my shift finally ended, I grabbed my bag and left without saying much to anyone.
I walked back to the motel since It wasn't far. I kept thinking about what Nadia would do if she sensed I was lying. She could destroy my entire social life with one post. The thought of more people like her finding me working at the bar made me sick to my stomach.
When I finally got to my room, I sat on the bed and stared at the wall for a while.
I couldn't let anyone know how bad things really were. Not Nadia, not my friends, not anyone from school. If word got around, the little dignity I had left would disappear. Everything I worked to build would be ruined and I couldn't handle getting dragged online. It would ruin me.
I pulled out my phone and opened my notes.
I needed to come up with a lie. Something simple but still believable.
After a few seconds, I typed it out.
"My friend is short staffed at the bar so I'm helping till she finds new workers."
I read it over and nodded to myself.
That would be my excuse from now on.
"Maybe I should post a few pictures at the bar tomorrow before Nadia does." I said to myself.
I finally relaxed after figuring out the perfect lie.
I wanted to ask Alicia first since she was the friend I was meant to be helping, but I knew she wouldn't understand. I just had to keep it from her as well. I didn't want to cause any more problems for her.
I put my phone down and laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, unaware that this small lie was only the beginning of much bigger ones.