Back on shift

The apron tightens around Vi’s waist, the straps doubling around to tie at the front. She pulls at the sides of the apron slightly to flare it out nicer, she checks herself in the mirror, making sure the ridiculous button up uniform she has to wear is tucked into the black leggings. Sure, they’re not technically allowed but the slacks she got given refused to go up around her legs and ass and no one has mentioned it to her after almost 2 months of working there. She turns her head to check that her hair is tied up and that no fly aways are hanging down dangerously, Vi has lost more than enough tips by customers finding her hair in their food. She can’t even deny that the hairs are hers since no one else is cool enough to have coloured hair.

“You’re on bar run tonight right?”

Vi turns at the sound of Steph’s voice, the other girl preparing for her shift in the staff female bathroom. Vi nods in response, “Yeah, I was supposed to be off tonight, but Harry asked for a swap.” She shrugs. “I don’t mind, atleast you get tips running for bar. How about you?”

Steph sighs, “Bussing tonight.”

“Ah, rough break.”

Steph shrugs, “I get why we share jobs and tasks and stuff, but I really feel like bussing is so unfair. You don’t get tips at all.”

“Yeah… I don’t why the managers think that $5 more an hour makes it worth it.”

“It’s not even legal.”

Vi turns in surprise, “What do you mean?”

Steph grabs her note book from her locker and shoves it down the front of her apron, “Well. I don’t think so anyway. I doubt you can pay some people more than the others, right?”

Vi pouts in response, processing the information, “It does sound sketchy. I wonder why.”

Steph shrugs, “Whatever. This isn’t a forever job anyway, Good luck with Tim.”

Vi chuckles, “He’s all bark no bite, even more so after Jen left him.”

“Wish he would bark less. I don’t know how you straights like men like that.”

Vi puts a hand on her chest, voice laced with playful indignation, “How dare you call me straight!”

Steph smiles and rolls her eyes, “You have a man, you’re bascially straight.”

“That’s biphobic. I’ve been with girls!” Vi laughs as she passes Steph who holds the door open for her, yelping in surprise as Steph slaps her ass.

“Uh huh.”

The girls giggle as they exit the change rooms.

—————-

The shift seems to both simultaneously drag by and speed along, though, as Vi sits at the bar, leaning on the counter, it probably leans a bit more on the slow side. She side eyes Tim as he scrolls on his phone, leaning against the back counter, neglecting to prep any more garnishes.

“What’s the lowest record for making drinks in a shift before?” Vi asks, trying to alleviate her bordem with the flirty, douchey bartender. “Well, cocktails at least?”

Tim smirks, “15, I reckon I’ll beat it tonight.” He looks up, “Why? You thinking of rewarding me?”

Vi flutters her eyebrows, “Not having to do your job isn’t enough of a reward?”

“Nah.” Tim grins, “I like your hair, by the way.”

Vi smiles in response, turning her head and swishing her hair, “Thanks! I don’t usually tie it up.”

“I bet you do sometimes.” Tim winks, “Only me and your mans have seen this I bet.”

Vi rolls her eyes, “Sure Tim, not including all the customers tonight right?”

Tim chuckles, “I don’t think they pictured you the way I’m picturing you.”

Vi glances around, Steph is clearing a table, the other two waiters are talking to some customers. She stands up, struts around the bar, and slowly approaches Tim. He freezes, a smirk itching at the corner of his mouth as he slides his phone into his pocket.

Vi squats down in front of Tim, she looks at him for a second, chews her gum before turning and opening the under bench fridge. She grabs a water bottle and stands back up, standing very close to Tim she opens the water bottle and tips her head back, she slowly drinks, letting Tim watch her swallow the cold liquid, she pulls the bottle away and sighs. “And how… Are you picturing me?”

Tim smirks, sucking on his teeth as he looks Vi up and down, “I’ll take a picture when it happens.”

“Implying something will happen, I have a man.”

Tim chuckles darkly, his eyes narrowing, “Get your head out of the gutter.”

Vi giggles and takes a step back, she turns and sways her hips as she rounds the bar counter again, “Do your job, Tim.” She walks away from the bar amd towards the hostess desk to greet the customers that just walked in.