Your Eyes Don't Lie by Rachel Branton

walked by a metallic brown Beetle. His hand went out and took something from the windshield. Continuing on, he disappeared inside the gym.
    Had she imagined it? Maybe he had just been stretching. Or stroking the shiny paint. He seemed to like shiny things. Well, there was no time to rewind and watch the recording now. If she didn’t get on the road, she’d be late for her job. As it was, she’d have to change her shirt in the bathroom there. She certainly wasn’t looking forward to acting as if everything in her life was perfect as she cheerily served people their food, but it was a legitimate way to support herself.
    She waited another minute to see if Lenny would appear. He didn’t. Maybe he was just going to the gym. But why shower at home before a workout? If he’d been telling the truth about showering.
    Sighing, she started the engine. Of course he wouldn’t lead her straight to a target the very first hour she followed him. What had she been thinking? She would have to continue on a different day when she had more time. Maybe if she put enough food and books together for Nate, he wouldn’t mind driving around with her. The only problem was the gas. A big problem.
    Feeling cold, she rolled up her window. As she drove from the parking lot, she had the odd sensation that someone was watching her.
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    H ours sped by as Makay tried to remember menu items and customer orders. “You learn pretty quick,” said Peg, her trainer, whose white teeth gleamed brightly between plump red lips. The stocky girl had straightened black hair, smooth skin the color of milk chocolate, and brown eyes framed by bright blue shadow and far too much mascara. Makay thought she was the nicest employee she’d met so far. She’d even given Makay an elastic to hold back her hair.
    “Thanks. Maybe you’re just a good trainer.” It was all relatively easy compared to her math problems and accounting classes. Besides, bluffing her way through any situation and thinking on her feet were probably her best talents. No one had seemed to care that she messed up a few orders. Unfortunately, Peg hadn’t shared her tips, though Makay had taken most of the orders and delivered the food. But she couldn’t blame the woman. If she hadn’t been training Makay, the cash would have been hers anyway.
    “Well, we’ll see you on Monday morning at nine.” Peg started back into the dining room.
    It was well after two, but Makay had an hour to kill before heading over to the school to pick up Nate. She wondered where Lenny was, but resisted the urge to call him. Even if she found out where he was, an hour wouldn’t be enough time. Instead, she stopped off at Winco and picked up some canned fruit that with her coupons was a fourth of its regular price. It was a good backup for when she didn’t have money for fresh fruit, and the old people at the apartments loved it.
    She was studying a textbook in the car and waiting outside the school for Nate when a tapping caught her attention. Dread flooded her before she recognized Tessa Braxton outside the window, the red highlights in her hair looking orange under the sunlight. Makay unlocked the door and slid from the car. “Hey, Tessa. What brings you here?”
    “You, of course.” Tessa rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I’d drive all the way over here for nothing.”
    “I thought you said the school was on your way home.”
    “When I’m coming from the office. But on Fridays I have class and work from home. Look, the reason I’m here is because I’m worried about you. Both Lily and I are worried.”
    “I’m fine. I got a grant you know. Or will soon. Things are looking up.”
    “Oh, then why are you sitting here with your car door locked? And why do you keep looking around the parking lot like you’re afraid someone’s following you?”
    Makay laughed. “You’re imagining things.” The school bell rang, and she almost jumped.
    “Maybe so.” Tessa eyed her doubtfully. “But I tell you