Among the stars

Chapter four:

"Well I would say calm down, but that would only fire you up." Jasmine said with a teasing smile.

"Glad you're aware of my personality after a year."  Harper replied with an eyeroll. Looking out the kitchen, through the open counter-window, Jonah sat chatting with Rose. Rose, the only other waitress had a slight blush on her face. Jonah sat with his elbows on the counter, hands interlinked, and a sly look on his face. He must have said something funny, because Rose giggled covering her mouth with one of her hands. Rolling her eyes again, Harper turned back to Jasmine when she started speaking again.

"Quite the charmer I see."

"Not even close."

"Well, he's here. He's waiting for his order to be taken, and we close in an hour. The other diner is across town and I heard they have a rat problem. Now, no more stalling and get out there with a charming smile." She said gesturing to the kitchen doors.

Sighing, Harper showed her fake smile to Jasmine, the cook giving her thumbs up in response. Walking backwards and pushing her way through the double doors, she turned and stiffly walked over to Jonah.

"What can I get you?" She said, Rose finding her table again.

"Your friend's number?" Jonah smirked.

"Yeah sure," Harper said rolling her eyes, smile still plastered on, "and food?"

"I'll have the scrambled eggs, with American cheese, and no egg whites. Aaaand then, I'll have the waffles with strawberries and a cup of maple syrup on the side." He plastered on a similar fake smile.

"Coming right up!" Harper narrowed her eyes and slammed his check on the table. Spinning around and walked right back into the kitchen.

"UUGH! I hate his stupid face and his stupid- well, EVERYTHING!" She threw her hands up and directed her sentence towards Jasmine. Once again, Jasmine faced Harper and took Jonah's ticket from her hands.

"Very specific," Jasmine replied examining the ticket, "However, you ought to work your charm better."

"What? I'm doing the most I can towards that guy."

"Well do better. His parents happen to be one of the diner's biggest sponsors." Jasmine said with a matter-of-fact look.

"You have got to be kidding me. Of course they are!" Harper replied throwing her hands up once again.

"Listen, without their donations, Harvey's wouldn't be able to stay open. We don't get enough business around here with how small the town is." Jasmine said, a solemn look on her face.

"I'm sorry Jasmine. I'll do better. Harvey's isn't going anywhere." Harper's shoulders sagged. Jasmine's father, Harvey himself, opened the restaurant when Jasmine was little. She practically grew up in this kitchen. Her father fell ill though, when Jasmine was nineteen. He passed the deed to the place to her and told her to do what she wanted with it. After Harvey passed, Jasmine couldn't bring herself to sell or close the place. So she kept his legacy living by renovating the place and running it herself.

"Don't worry kid, I hired you for a reason. You make this place full of life. You make it the wonder-filled diner it once was. So I believe in you to keep the wonder flowing." Jasmine replied flipping the egg pan and opening the waffle maker.

"Thank you Jasmine. I won't let you down." Harper said with a pinch of guilt. She'd be leaving in about a month and Jasmine didn't even know. "Actually Jasmine, I need to tell you something."

Turning around, Jasmine faced Harper with a curious look. "What is it?"

"Well, you're going to think I'm insane, but I need to to trust me-" Just then, Rose appeared through the doors.