Click. The last of the stiff, plastic latches on the young waitress's in-line roller skates slipped securely shut around her calves. She stood up, a little unsteady on her wheels.
"Honey, be careful out there. It's getting dark." Her father poked his head out from behind the kitchen door to bid her goodbye, concern on his red features. Iris resisted the urge to laugh. The heat from the kitchen always did it but she never got tired of the unusual red that his skin took on while in there.
"I know, I know. I'll be safe, I promise you, dad. I have my phone and stuff. Tell Cam I'm gone for the night for me, will you?" Iris scooped up her backpack, waving her hand goodbye as she darted out of the staff entrance of the restaurant building. She was running late and she knew it. Unfortunately, it had been an unusually busy afternoon and she had been unable to escape until just then. It hadn't even gotten to the dinner rush and they were full.
Still, at least the restaurant was popular. It was the family's sole source of income and she was glad it wasn't failing. They had taken a risk with it and it had paid off.
"Sorry I'm late!" She called out to the girls already waiting for her, her breaths coming in quick and fast as she skidded to a halt in front of them. Still in her waitressing uniform of a black skirt, a white short sleeved blouse and a tailored waistcoat, Iris lent forward and braced her hands on her knees to catch her breath. "I had to help out a little extra at the restaurant." She smiled apologetically, letting herself drop to the floor.
The skates were quickly pulled off and swapped with a battered pair of canvas trainers. They were the shoes she wore most often and her oldest so she didn't mind if they got scuffed up or wet on their little expedition to Mako Island. "So... What did I miss?" She asked, glancing up at the pair as she was stuffing the clunky skates into her bag. A water bottle fell out of her backpack and she shrugged, leaving it out for the moment. Zipping up the bag, she picked up the bottle and stood up again.
There was one more person to wait for, she realised now that she had time to catch her breath and fully take in the situation. She brushed off her skirt and pushed a few of the wild strands of her hair back and away from her face. They had escaped her tight bun either during service or during the quick rush to the docks to meet her... Partners? Acquaintances? She didn't know what to call them. They certainly weren't her friends, at least not yet. Before this, she had barely spoken two words to them. She hadn't exactly been the most social so she couldn't blame them. It was just hard for her to make friends. Iris didn't know what to do so she just kept to herself unless it was group work.