"Have a good break everyone, I will see you all in two weeks," Mr. Brooks smiled at us.

We are now officially on Christmas break, what am I going to do with two weeks without a place to go for eight hours a day.

"What are you doing tonight?" Hannah asked as I was packing my backpack to go home.

"Tonight's my first night back at work, why?" I asked.

"Hello, Christmas break bon fire, our class all gets together every year on the first night of break," Hannah scoffed.

"Honestly, I forgot that was thing we do," I laughed, "I will come to the bon fire after I get out of work. Text me where it's at?"

"Yeah, you better at least show up for a second, I'll be mad if you don't," Hannah threatened.

"Okay," I laughed, "I said I would stop by, jeez."

I drove Hannah home, dodging all of her attempts to get to come inside instead of going home to get ready for work. I drove to my house which was empty and dark, and I was thankful for it. I found my uniform in the back of my closet and got changed. The loose-fitting jersey and black jeans brought back memories, mostly bad, about this job. That's the thing about serving, you almost always get treated like shit by people who think they can treat you like shit because you make $3 an hour. Being eighteen severely limits what jobs you can get because you have no experience and most places won't hire you without experience, and so I'm a server. I found my nametag on my desk and grabbed everything else I needed for my shift.

I drove over to Overtime and parked my car in the back parking lot. I was greeted by all of my coworkers that I hadn't seen in months as I walked through the kitchen and out to the servers stand.

And so it went. Serving tables is pretty awful and I hate it, but I have to earn money somehow. Unfortunately for me, I more often than not get customers who get super drunk and I need to cut off. Which usually ends in those customers getting angry at me and leaving me nothing for tips.

"Myra, you have four more on the patio," Amanda, the hostess, smiled at me.

"Thank you," I smiled back.

I finished typing in the order for one of my other tables before I walked out to the patio to greet my new table. Of course, I saw none other than Chandler sitting at his favorite table with Zach, Jimmy, and Chris.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as I walked up to the table.

"Hannah said you came back to work tonight after she was done pouting about a bone fire," Chandler laughed, "so we came to give you a hard time."

"Of course you did," I rolled my eyes, "because you can't just let me suffer in peace."

"Never," Chandler laughed.

I took their order and walked away from the table to go get their drinks. I didn't have time for the guys antics right now, I have seven other tables on that patio.

Once I had each of their drinks as well as the few refills I noticed my other tables would need. I dropped off the drinks for the guys and started handing out the refills I grabbed.

"I didn't order this," an older man who was so drunk you could barely understand his words spat when I placed a glass of water in front of him.

I had only served him one drink, but he must have been drinking all afternoon before he came in. I wouldn't have served him at all if it weren't for the company policy that says you must serve at least one to anyone who is of age and orders a drink, no matter how drunk they must be when they come in.

"Sir, I cannot and will not serve you anymore alcohol. I also will not bring your bill until you can sober up a little, so please just drink the water," I explained.

"Why should I have to listen to you?" he slurred again.

"Because I can call the police for public intoxication if you don't, and I don't think you want me to do that. So, if you drink the water and finish your food, I can bring your bill," I explained calmly with a fake smile on my face.

"You can't threaten me," he spat before picking up his glass of water and throwing it at me.

It took every ounce of strength in my being to not punch the man's teeth in, but instead, I grabbed the cup from him and walked away to refill it. Once I was behind the server's stand, I took a very shaky deep breath as I dried my face and tried to squeeze the water out of my jersey. I refilled the asshole's water and walked back out to the patio to drop it off. The other guys the asshole was with were trying to get the asshole to calm down and sober up, but I think the asshole is pretty hopeless. They pleaded some apologies to me, but their words mean nothing.

"You good?" Chandler asked as I walked up to their table.

"I hate this job. But yep, I'm fine, it's not like that's the first time I've had a drink thrown at me," I sighed, "at least there wasn't any lemon in that water."

I didn't want to look at Jimmy, since they obviously all saw what happened, but I felt ashamed of my position with Jimmy sitting here to watch. I took the guys food order and left to put in the order. I continued running around the restaurant, bussing tables, delivering drinks, serving food. When their food was done, I stacked the hot plates on my arms and carried them out to the guys.

"These plates are really hot, so please be careful," I looked directly at Chandler as I set his food down in front of him.

"Why are you looking at me?" Chandler asked offended.

"Because I have watched you burn your hands on these plates so many times," I laughed.

I placed all of their food in front of them, giving Jimmy his last. I was about to turn to walk away, but Jimmy lightly grabbed onto my wrist and looked at my arms. They were both bright red from the hot plates, but I was used to it.

"Nugget, you better be careful too," Jimmy whispered to me.

"I'm always careful," I whispered back.

I finished waiting on the rest of my tables as the restaurant was finally getting ready to close. I cleared all of my tables and pulled up a chair to the table the guys were still sitting at. Whenever Chandler came to see me at work, he always stays until I get cut before he leaves.

"You cut?" Chandler asked as I sat down.

"Not yet, I have to wait for Dani to finish her tables before they'll cut me," I explained.

"Then we're not going anywhere until you can leave," Chandler smiled.

"Why? You know I love you Chandler, but I'm sure y'all have much better things to do then sit here with me until they tell me I can leave," I laughed.

"No, we don't," Jimmy laughed, "why do you think we're still here."

"Because Chandler never passes up an opportunity to contribute to my suffering." I laughed.

"Hey! I wasn't that bad tonight," Chandler interjected.

"Surprisingly not," I laughed, "but you usually are."

"I am not!" Chandler argued.

"You are to, you're the brother I'm not related to," I laughed more, "you are the definition of an overprotective and in-your-face brother."

"When have I ever been overprotective of you?" Chandler asked.

"When I tried out for volleyball in freshman year and you told me the uniforms were too revealing so I wasn't allowed to play even though you never said the same thing to Hannah, when I was going to play piano in the talent show and you convinced me not to because the kids in my class might make fun of me, when I came over to pick up Hannah for the athletic banquet last year and you made my change because my 'dress was too short' when it went to my knees," I listed.

"Okay fine, so I'm a little protective of you," Chandler laughed, "what's wrong with that. At least someone is protective of you."

"Rude," I laughed, "way to rub in that I have no family to worry about me."

"That's not what I meant," Chandler sighed.

"I know Chan Chan, I'm kidding. I mean it is true, but I knew it wasn't what you meant," I laughed.

"So what happened with that asshole who threw the drink at you?" Chris asked, changing the subject.

"He drank the water when I brought him more, sobered up enough to listen to friends about how much of an ass he was being, and then paid the bill and left," I explained simply with a shrug.

"And that's it? No other repercussions for treating you that way?" Chris asked.

"I work in a sports bar, I have been treated much worse than having a glass of water thrown on me," I laughed.

We talked for a few more minutes before Dani came out to the patio to ask me for help with doing her closing paperwork. We walked back over to the servers stand and I explained how to find how much she had to cash out to the manager and how much she got to take home as a tip as well as what she had to give the bartender.

"So, you know Mr. Beast," Dani smirked at me.

"He's got a name," I mumbled much more defensively than I meant to, "yeah, I do."

"I think his friend Chandler is so hot, do you know if he's single?" Dani asked excitedly.

"He is," I answered, "he's a person, just talk to him."

"He is not just a person," Dani scoffed, "will you talk to him for me?"

"No, that is lame middle school stuff. If you don't want to talk to him, just DM him," I rolled my eyes.

"That's a great idea! You are literally the best," Dani gushed before she left.

I went back out on the patio with all of my receipts and my paperwork so I could leave as soon as I was cut. I sat back down at the table and started counting out my tips and my cash out. After my paperwork was done, I filled out the envelope for my cash out and put the money inside, putting the sealed envelope in my apron.

"Dani thinks your cute Chandler, don't be surprised when you get a DM," I laughed.

"Should I be flattered or concerned?" Chandler asked.

"That's up to you, I guess it depends on what she sends you in that DM," I laughed again, "she might be cool, she might be thirsty."

We all talked for a little while until Russ, one of my managers, came out to the patio to tell me I could leave.

"Are you going to the bon fire?" Zach asked.

"I really don't want to," I laughed, "I think it's silly, but I told Hannah I would stop by, so I guess I have to."

"You don't have to go if you don't want to," Jimmy smiled at me.

"Yeah, but since Hannah was the last one that had to apologize for something, I'm currently winning. And if I don't go then I have to apologize and I'm not winning anymore, and I like winning," I explained.

"Winning what?" Chris laughed.

"Friendship, it's the ultimate competition of who's the better friend," I explained, "Hannah made a joke when we were in middle school about how she was a better friend than I was so then we started keeping score and competing about who was a better friend."

The guys laughed at me and a few minutes later, we were leaving. I handed in all of my paperwork and went out to my car in the back parking lot. Because my jersey was still wet, I was very cold in the November air. I found one of my sweatshirts in the backseat of my car, and was about to change when there was a knock on the passenger window. I unlocked the door and Jimmy climbed in.

"You scared me," I laughed.

"Sorry Nugget," Jimmy laughed, "so we're going to a bon fire?"

"Oh, you're coming with me?" I asked.

"Yes I am. Now, we finally have a chance to talk face to face since I've been back," Jimmy shrugged.

"Okay," I agreed, "close your eyes."

"Why?" Jimmy asked.

"Because I was about to change out of my uniform when you knocked on my window," I explained.

I watched Jimmy's cheeks turn a little pink before he covered his eyes. I pulled the jersey over my head and replaced it with my hoodie. Of course, the hoodie in my car was a mr beast hoodie, but they are the most comfortable hoodies I own. I actually don't even own the one I'm wearing, it's one I stole from chandler. I tend to steal a lot of clothes from Chandler, but that's what little sisters are for.

"You can open your eyes," I informed Jimmy as I adjusted the hoodie to sit comfortably around my waist.

"I like when you wear my merch," Jimmy smiled at me.

"I know you do," I smiled back at him.

I started driving in the direction of the bon fire and Jimmy and I stayed pretty silent on the way there.

"I want to talk," Jimmy looked over at me as I pulled into the lot to park my car.

"I know, I want to talk too. After we leave, I want to take you somewhere, and we can talk there," I smiled.

"Where are you taking me?" Jimmy asked.

"You'll see."

Jimmy and I got out of my car and slowly walked up towards the bon fire. I could hear Hannah's laugh from where she was on the other side of the field as we walked. Jimmy reached over for my hand and tangled his hand in mine. I felt my cheeks heat up as I blushed while we approached Hannah.

"Hey!" Hannah cheered when she saw me, "you made it!"

"I said I would stop by," I laughed, "I'm not staying though."

"Oh," Hannah smirked as she realized Jimmy was standing next to me, "how was work?"

"It was work, I got a drink thrown at me again," I laughed.

"Dude, you have got to quit working there," Hannah laughed.

"I know, but I have to pay for college somehow."

"So what are you guys up to now?" Hannah asked.

"I'm taking Hercules somewhere secret," I winked at Hannah as I gestured to Jimmy.

"Drive safe and call me tomorrow?" Hannah asked, knowing exactly what I meant.

"Absolutely. Call someone if you need a ride," I instructed.

"I will, we'll talk tomorrow," Hannah winked back at me.

Jimmy and I walked back to my car together, without saying anything on the walk. After we were both in the car, and I could feel the hot air from my car, I started driving us towards mine and Hannah's place. This is the first time I've ever been here with someone besides Hannah, it's kind of a big deal for me.

"Are you going to tell me where you're taking me?" Jimmy asked as he held onto my hand again.

"Not until we get there," I smiled, "it's a special place, but that's all you're getting."

"I guess I can live with that," Jimmy laughed.

I drove to the lake, parking my car in my normal spot. Jimmy walked with me down to the end of the dock on the lake.

"Welcome to my special spot," I smiled at Jimmy as I sat down on the end of the dock.

"The famous special spot? I've earned my right to be here?" Jimmy joked as he sat next to me.

"More than that," I laughed, "I brought you here at night. I like it here even more at night than I do during the day, so you should feel extremely honored."

"I do. Why do you like it here? What makes it special?" Jimmy asked.

"Well, Hannah and I found this lake years ago. We built the raft that's out there when we were in middle school, and it's just a special spot for us. I like it because it's quiet and private, but at night, you can almost always see the moon reflecting in the water and it's just serene and the most private place I know," I explained.

"It's an honor to get to be here with you," Jimmy smiled at me, "and I hate to keep it from being quiet, but I have to ask you something."

"You can ask me anything," I smiled at Jimmy.

"The night I drove you home from ECU, did you hear what I said when you ran up to your house to go inside?" Jimmy asked.

"No, I got out of your car and said I'd call you later before I went back inside," I answered confused, "what did you say?"

"Myra," Jimmy smiled and held my hands in his while he scooted closer to me, "Myra, I like you. You are beautiful and intelligent and you seem to know more about the world than anyone I have ever met and you make me nervous and excited and I obviously didn't say all of this to you before but I'm saying it all now and I can't seem to stop. I'm going to keep rambling because you make me nervous, and I like you."

I watched Jimmy carefully as he spoke, taking in every word he said. He likes me. He also apparently said this to me weeks ago, and I have been the idiot who never heard it. He likes me.

A wide smile spread across my face and I leaned forward, pressing my lips to Jimmy's. He likes me.

"I like you, a lot," I whispered after I pulled back from the kiss.

"Thank god," Jimmy sighed in relief.

I laughed and stood up from where I sat on the dock. I quickly pulled my hoodie over my head and stripped down to my underwear before I dove into the chilled lake.

"It's a little cold, but are you coming or not Hercules?" I called up to Jimmy who was still sitting on the dock.

Jimmy laughed, shaking his head before he stripped down and jumped in the lake with me. He splashed me when he came back to the surface.

"It's more than a little cold," Jimmy laughed, "it's freezing."

"It's not that bad," I teased as I swam closer to Jimmy, "man up, beast."

"You're a brute," Jimmy laughed.

"I am not," I laughed.

"You are," Jimmy smirked as he grabbed onto my waist and pulled me close to him, "but I like it."

Jimmy kissed me, igniting each of my nerves. What felt like blissful hours later, we pulled away from our kiss, both completely out of breath. As much as I wanted to stay here, it was way too cold. We swam back to the dock and I climbed out, pulling the hoodie over my head instantly.

"Man up, brute," Jimmy teased while he got dressed.

"You want me to be more manly?" I joked while we walked back to my car, "is that what you're into?"

Jimmy took my keys and opened the passenger door of my car for me. After I climbed in, Jimmy got behind the wheel and cranked the heat. Jimmy drove us back to his place, and I loved being alone with him.

"So, any new video ideas?" I asked as Jimmy drove.

"Actually, next week we're filming a video in the warehouse. The guys are going to sit in a Tesla and whoever stays in the Tesla the longest, keeps it. And then Chris and I are working on the plans for a few others, including one or two you might be open to being in."

"Sure, depending on what the video is," I laughed.

"Opportunities to win and make a bunch of money," Jimmy laughed.

"I don't want your money Jimmy, I don't care about how much money you have or how much you spend," I laughed, "money doesn't mean anything."

"This is true, but I don't want you to have work in a scummy bar where old men throw drinks on you. I don't care if you want my money, I want you to compete to earn my money," Jimmy laughed, "there's a difference."

"Well when you put it that way, it's hard for me to turn down a competition," I smirked.

"I thought you might say that," Jimmy smiled and kissed the back of my hand as he drove, "have you heard back about any of your scholarships?"

"Actually, I got a letter about each of them this week, I just haven't opened any of them. Now that I know each of those envelopes has an answer in them, I'm scared to open them, I don't want to read that many rejections," I explained.

"You don't think you got any of them?" Jimmy asked.

"Good things don't usually happen to me, I think my odds most likely equal rejection," I shrugged, "it's just how it goes."

"Not if I can help it," Jimmy smiled, "I've had some good luck in my life, I'll share it with you."