Order Up-StanxGenderbent!Kyle (Kylie)

Saturday afternoon was always a busy time at Butch’s Smoking Diner. This was most likely because from 12-3 p.m. on Saturdays only, their very well-known meal, “The Big One,” a large hamburger and fries with a Coke, was half off for $3.99 plus tax.

To most people, it was a really good, cheap deal. To the employees, however, even though the tips were nice, the constant chime of the bell that an order was up drove them crazy! Today, it was particularly annoying to a certain waitress who always had to work during that madness, when she wasn’t dozing off on the counter that is.

“ORDER UP, Kylie! Didn’t you hear the bell!? There’s no time for sleeping! We have a rush of customers and you know it! So MOVE IT!” Butch, the manager, said harshly.

A redheaded girl with green eyes and a name tag that read “Kylie,” instantly opened her eyes and picked her head up off the counter. It wasn’t her fault that she kept falling asleep. Even though yesterday was Friday night, Kylie had been up studying for her midterm on Monday. Honestly, if the money wasn’t important, she would’ve taken the day off and slept in. She wouldn’t have cared that someone else had to be called in for a change. However, it was crucial, considering she was saving up money for college.

Sighing, Kylie grabbed the order then made her way to the table, hoping the gentleman wasn’t too mad, about that wait that it would impact her tip greatly. He probably didn’t even notice his order was up.

“Sorry about the wait,” Kylie said, smiling as she set down the plate.
“Oh, it’s no problem. I know sometimes this place can get a little crazy,” he said while reaching for the ketchup.

Relieved that he wasn’t mad, she smiled more and nodded, “Thank you sir. If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask me or any of the other employees.”

The gentleman nodded and started munching away at his fries as Kylie made her way back to the counter. When she got there though, instead of a dirty look from Butch, he was smiling like he was excited to reveal some life changing secret.

“You’re going to be training the new guy on Monday since it’s a slow day,” he stated.

Kylie raised an eyebrow in slight confusion since there was no help wanted sign on the window. Why was some new guy all of a sudden hired?

“Alright, what’s the catch of hiring this new person?” She asked, hoping he wouldn’t answer like a smartass.

Butch sighed lightly, knowing she would assume he had some trick up his sleeve but for once, he didn’t.

“No catch. I’m helping out an old friend of mine. His kid needed a job so I said I’d give him a shot. His name is Stanley Johnson but prefers to be called Stan. I’m telling you now so your girlish hormones don’t attack the poor guy,” Butch said, smirking.

Kylie rolled her eyes in annoyance but managed to escape any more smartass comments due to the fact that she saw a couple walk in and quickly ran over to greet them.

~*~*~

Coming into work after a long day at school was never easy, though Kylie had grown used to it, considering her shift had always been the Saturday rush. Then she had Sundays off and worked the night shift on Monday. Though, this past Sunday had been different than usual.

During her study breaks for the midterm that she had to take in the morning, her mind wandered to a certain someone she would be training. To her, it made no sense since she knew nothing about him besides that his name was Stanley Marsh but preferred to be called Stan.

Still, she wondered things like was he going to at least be decent? Have some sort of knowledge ahead of time? Was he cute? Was he nice? What eye color was he going to have? Blue? Brown? Green? What about hair? Black? Blonde? Brown?

However, when she thought about him, she would scold herself then get back to studying immediately. She had no time for such silly thoughts since she was going to be teaching him after all.

“Ahh, Kylie! You finally made it huh? I’ve been waiting for you! Your shadow, Stanley, has been waiting a good 15 minutes for you to come in!” Butch said.

15 minutes…? My shift doesn’t start until 5 and it is 4:50! I know new employees are supposed to come in early to make a good impression but sheesh, Kylie thought to herself as she looked around.

“So? Where is he then?” Kylie asked.

“He just went to the bathroom but should be out shortly. Now, I want you to be nice to him because if you aren’t, I’ll never hear the end of it,” Butch instructed.

Kylie rolled her eyes a bit at first but nodded, “I don’t know why I would even be rude to him but alright.”

Butch would have made a remark back but their conversation was interrupted by a door swinging open. The two looked at the black-haired, blue-eyed boy as he walked toward them.

“Wow, talk about quality for a diner bathroom. You keep a good atmosphere around here Butch! Oh, hello! You must be the one who’s training me tonight. Your name is Kylie, right? I’m Stan, nice to meet you,” he said in a cheerful manner as he offered out his hand.

Kylie stared at the boy for a moment before reaching out to shake his hand. Why was he so full of energy? Especially when he was going to be working one of the most boring shifts ever? Maybe he was on drugs or something.

“Yeah, that’s me. There isn’t going to be much customer training though since not a lot of people come in on Monday nights,” she stated while shaking his hand.

Stan shrugged as he pulled his hand away, “Well, at least that’ll give me a chance to learn the ropes a little bit before taking on the real deal.”

Kylie was still a bit taken back at his positive attitude. Seriously, how was he so positive right now?

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I see you already have your uniform on and temporary name tag on, so I guess we should get started,” Kylie said as she motioned for him to follow her.

Stan followed as the redhead began to give him a tour of the diner. It didn’t really matter if he had been there a thousand times as a customer because like any food establishment, there were rooms only the employees could access. As the two walked around, a few questions popped into Kylie’s mind.

“So, Stan, do you have any past experience in the food industry? Chef, waiter, bus boy?” she asked.

Stan nodded, “I used to be a waiter at Tina’s Tavern. You know the place that recently went out of business. Prices were a bit outrageous, but not bad pay though.”

She was a bit shocked and frowned a little. He had actual past experience? Could that be another reason Butch hired him without having the helped wanted sign out? He hired Stan to take over her job?

“Kylie? Is something the matter? You look really…uneasy about something and I hope it isn’t anything I said…” Stan said, frowning.

Kylie shook her head, “No, no. Everything is fine. Let’s just continue the tour alright?”

Stan sighed lightly, considering he was quite aware that something was going through her head. It was obvious though since her expression went from content to concern right after he said he had experience. He knew she wouldn’t admit it, so he needed to confront the issue himself.

“Look, Kylie. If you think me having experience is a risk to you, it isn’t. When I was waiting for you to show up, Butch spoke very highly of you and pretty much implied you’re one of his best employees. So don’t be worried alright? I’m not going to try stealing your tips. I just want to work with you, that’s all,” Stan said with a comforting smile.

Kylie froze for a moment. She was a bit freaked that he knew what was on her mind but she instantly felt a rush of relief. Stan may have had an annoying start, but he definitely knew how to make someone relax.

Kylie smiled a bit once she regained herself, “Thanks, Stan. I guess I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions so fast.”

He smiled more and patted her shoulder lightly, “Hey, don’t worry about it. It’s something natural that can’t be helped.”

She wasn’t sure why but a jolt of something shot through her body with his touch. What was this feeling? A possible spark starting? The start of a bond beginning? Maybe it was just static electricity, but whatever it was, it was pretty foreign.

Coming back to reality, Kylie nodded, “You’re right. Anyway, let’s get back to our tour shall we?”

Stan pulled his hand away from her shoulder and nodded, “Lead the way.”

As the tour continued, the two couldn’t help but smile, knowing that this was surely the start of something amazing.