Speak To Me
Chapter 111 –

(Tilly)

Since the moment I woke up this morning, I knew my day would turn to chaos..I just freaking knew it.

My older sister Shaina usually only called that early when she needed something...so when I answered the phone, it might not have been the best greeting. "What is it this time Shay?" I grumbled, only having gotten three hours of sleep for taking a double shift last night.

"Jeez..you act like I always call you asking for something." My sister grumbled, prompting me to sigh heavily before rolling over in bed.

"Oh, so you just wanted to catch up at six in the morning?"

"Okay fine..do you think you can cover for me today? I have a doctor's appointment I can't miss." She asked sheepishly, making my eyes flutter open..yep, there it is.

"You can't reschedule?" I asked, not sure if I could even function normally on three hours of sleep.

"No, this was the only opening they had for two weeks..please, Tilly.." My sister begged..but she didn't have to..she knows I would've done it without all of this. I know my sister and her husband Eddie were trying for a baby..and this appointment must've been important. "Fine, but you're taking my shift tonight then." I grumbled, causing Shaina to squeal happily before thanking me a few times and finally hanging up.

Even though Shaina and I were fifteen years apart..the age difference never really affected us..some days it almost feels like I'm the older sister, to be honest.

My parents had Shaina when they were in their thirties, so it's safe to say I might not have been planned..my mom actually calls me her little sorpresa. Which means surprise..which I definitely was.

And that's how this whole day started..I drank two cups of coffee and took the fastest shower I ever had in my life. Then after kissing my father on the cheek goodbye, I caught the bus downtown and here I am..

Little did I know that my day would get even worse..of course Rylan Walters would dine at a nice place like this..I should've expected it to happen at some point. I just have to try not to act like a weirdo..because while I know Rylan..he has no clue who I am.

It all started when I was a little girl. My mother used to work at a dance studio, teaching ballet. I loved ballet..just like my mom, but the place was way too expensive for me to attend even with the discount my mother got for working there. That never stopped me from sitting in the back and watching all the pretty little rich blonde girls twirl and dance beautifully.

Then when they left..that's when I would dance. My mom was only an assistant coach so she didn't really have much authority. But on the rare occasion when she had to stay longer and clean the room, she would let me dance my heart out until she was done.

The summer when I was eight was the first time I saw Rylan Walters...he had come to watch his sister's recital and after that, he never missed a single one. Something about him always intrigued me..I don't know what it was...it's not like I have ever even talked to the guy. But I found myself daydreaming about what life might be like if things were different..If money wasn't an issue and I was dancing in that recital too, would Rylan notice me? Would all of these people want to be my friends? Those are the thoughts that filled my mind over and over again until I finally gave up on that dream.

I would never be one of them..and there was no point in wishing I was.

In reality..we just struggled to get by. Mom ended up getting laid off from the dance academy and now works at the hotel downtown.

Then my dad was in a horrible accident at work that left him blind in both eyes. So my sister and I ended up working as much as we could to help support them. Then Shaina met Eddie, and she moved out..so now it's just mom and I trying to do our best to keep us afloat.

I tried to be as positive and optimistic as I could. Now that I'm twenty and working full-time, things are starting to get better and better. And hopefully soon enough, my parents will be out of debt and we can start building up their savings again.

So seeing Rylan sitting there might not seem like a crisis moment..but for me, it was.

I didn't know how to act...I felt flustered and couldn't even look him in the eyes. I wondered for a moment if he would recognize me, but there was no reason he would honestly..I was always in the background.

Besides, he was a little older than me and I'm sure has to be married by now with a couple of kids or something. So there's no reason for me to be behaving this way..it's ridiculous!

I made my way to the bar, grabbing the drinks that Rylan's table had ordered as I quickly placed them on a tray and began walking back.

Just be cool Tilly..there is no reason for you to be acting like this..you're an adult now for goodness' sake.

I straightened my back, a soft smile pulling at my lips as I soon reached their table.

"Here we go." I said before placing the drinks down and holding the tray behind my back after I was done. "Are you gentlemen ready to order?"

I asked, glancing towards the serious-looking one first.

He ordered a steak, his eyes darting towards Rylan a few times as I tried my hardest not to follow his gaze.

Then I went to the next guy, writing down quickly as I swear he listed half the menu or something. For a moment I thought it was for the entire table to share..but I was proven wrong when the other two guys looked at him in shock. "Are you going to be able to eat all of that?" The serious one grumbled, making the tall guy close his menu before smiling brightly.

"As long as you are paying." He stated playfully, making me stifle a laugh.

That's when I knew I couldn't avoid him any longer...I dragged my gaze across the table, looking into Rylan's deep green eyes as I swallow hard before opening my mouth to speak.

"And for you sir?" I asked nervously, feeling like my heart might just beat right out of my chest.

"What do you suggest?" He asked me, taking me by surprise as I tried to think of what I would order..then the menu I had memorized by heart suddenly disappeared from my mind. Great..just say something Tilly! Anything!

"Soup..um..the soup is good." I blurted, feeling like a freaking idiot. Who just orders soup?!

"Oh, what is the soup?" He asked, making me blink my eyes rapidly.

I glanced across the dining room, seeing the menu written out for the guests upfront as I realized it was lobster bisque.

"Lobster bisque." I explained quickly as Rylan smiled before nodding and closing his menu.

"That's what I'll get then. The lobster bisque.." He declared as I wrote it down swiftly.

"Is that all?" I'm sure he wants more than that...

"Yep, that's it." He added and I grabbed their menus before leaving. At least I didn't embarrass myself too much..he probably thinks this is my first day or something..ugh.. Suddenly my coworker Nancy came striding over as she took the menus from me.

"Tilly..can you please take over table eight for me..I am close to losing it..we can switch if you like." She begged, making me glance back towards where Rylan was sitting as I felt my heart sink. "Um..okay sure."

It's probably for the best anyway, the last thing I need is to get caught up with that again..but it was kind of nice to see him..even if he didn't know who I am.

"Okay, her name is Madison Carter..and be warned, she is a huge bitch. Good luck!"