18 {Jess MarianoxOC}

14

JESS POV

"How is it possible to run a dinner yet constantly run out of coffee grounds?" I grumbled as I kicked a rock. Luke had run out of coffee grounds and sent me to Doose's to get more. Again. That was the second time this week.

It's those damn Gilmores.

And Becky.

Luke had told me to start serving them decaf after their third cup. I stuffed the coffee bag into my jacket pocket and headed toward the lake. I didn't want to be in the diner, so I figured I'd go the long way. Shifts were always boring without Becky.

As I neared one of my favorite trees, I heard someone whimpering. I turned and saw a mountain of pearly white fabric with a mop of messy, curled hair on top. As I approached the figure, I realized it was Becky.

I rushed to her side and quickly crouched by her. "Hey Becky, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" I asked softly.

The girl looked up at me, and my heart broke. Her bright green eyes were bloodshot, her makeup was smeared from her tears. Her hands were shaking uncontrollably. Her chest heaved up and down as she attempted to get air into her lungs.

Not knowing what to do, I grabbed her face, softly placing my hands on the sides of her face. "Hey, what happened?" I asked softly.

She slowly shook her head.

"I'm gonna need you to calm down, ok? Breathe with me. In for 4, hold for 4, and out for 4," I cooed. I had no idea if was helping the girl or not, but I couldn't just leave her there. After a few minutes, Becky's breathing began to slow down. Much to my relief. Once her heart rate finally stabilized, she looked up at me with big bloodshot eyes and a small smile on her face.

"There's the Becky I know! You ok, Alvarez?"

"Yeah, I think it was just a panic attack," she responded trying to sound nonchalant.

Panic attack.

How do you have a panic attack and act like it's nothing? I asked myself. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I'm fine Mariano,"

I almost laughed. Becky may be a lot of things, but as of right now "fine" isn't one of them. Her voice was cracked and her lip had quivered.

"Ok then, how come you look like a cloud?" I joked. A pile of white fabric may be surrounding her, but she's still gorgeous. Even with her smudged makeup and messy hair.

"Oh, the cotillion was today," she mumbled as she started to play with the fabric pooling around her.

"How was it? Did you rub elbows with Bill Gates?" I quipped.

She stared off into the distance and continued playing with the fabric pooling around her waist. Not acknowledging my joke.

"Becky," I called. She didn't answer. "Beeeeeck," I waved my hand in front of her face. Still no answer. "Beck!" I shouted, snapping my fingers in her face.

Her green eyes widened as she was taken from her thoughts. "I'm so-sorry, can we just go to the diner?"

My gaze softened at her plea, "Sure, we can watch Full House reruns if you want. I know how much you love them."

My smile grew as the girl rapidly nodded her head in excitement. I offered her my hand and helped pull her up to her full height. As we neared the diner, a draft passed by, causing her to shiver. I shrugged my leather jacket, placing it over her shoulders.

"You'll get sick if you don't wear it and don't need my ass kicked." I reasoned, referring to when she had threatened to kick my ass if she got sick after I had pulled her into the lake. She nodded as an amused smile started to creep onto her glossy lips.