This seriously had to be the most mundane, boring and simply dull job that I had ever taken on in the last two years. What makes that odd is that this is coming from someone who's worked stacking shelves at Price Mart for fifteen bucks a week, taking care of whiny, hyperactive kids of a night time so that their parents could go out and spoil themselves with extensive champagne for about five bucks, and feeding the neighbour's animals daily whilst they vacationed in sunny Florida for around ten bucks a time.
Now I'd told myself before my first day of work here at CD/DVD store HMV in the ever-crowded Mall at Belleville, New Jersey, which was three weeks ago on this late Friday night, that I'd appreciate this job. Sure, it was boring and a lot of people liked to come in, but at least I wasn't being puked on by babies, getting hit on by fellow members of staff (in the weirdest fashion possible) or accidentally killing a rare breed of fish.
Today I was working at the counter, waiting on the typical high school kids that were all excited and pent up to start their senior year as they scurried around the store and showed each other some of the crappiest records I'd ever endured listening to. That could be considered a low of this job, too; music was always circulating the store, only the occasional song somewhat bearable.
High school, without sounding too corny, honestly did seem like forever ago. I barely had four days before my mom and dad would be driving me off to Rutgers University with a new lease of independence, signifying that I finished and graduated high school (in one piece, thank fuck) before the last passing six weeks of summer.
I half expected the weather to be completely crap considering we lived in the lamest part of America, but the summer was pretty good. I spent most of it with the twins, Ronie and Taylor, my best friends and partners in crime for the last eight years of my existence.
I could still remember the day that they moved here from Detroit, which they considered a step up, and saved me from an eternity of floating around New Jersey like a social ghost. I didn't have any friends whatsoever in middle school, the other kids preferring to stay away from the deathly pale, naturally dark brown haired (that I'd dyed black now, much to my mom's displeasure) girl that knew all of the answers to any question thrown at her in English class. They all called me "That Nerdy Girl", but that all changed when Ronie, or Veronica, and Taylor's dad got offered some huge, well-paid job over here that was some sort of once in a lifetime opportunity, meaning that I would then meet them and spend my high school years attached at the hip to them. And, considering how the three of us were also attending the same University, we'd be stuck with each other for even longer.
'Shaine, are you okay?' I heard a familiar voice ask me. I snapped out from my stare at completely nothing in the distance of the store, restoring my full attention to Brian James, currently stood opposite me with a look of concern flickering in his pale grey eyes.
'What? Yeah, I'm good. I just spaced out from this exciting job,' I sarcastically remarked to my fellow employee, causing him to chuckle as he timidly tucked some messy, chin length brown hair behind his ear.
'Don't you find it ironic how the store's got tonnes of customers in it, and yet no one has come to buy anything in the last hour?' I said, cocking an eyebrow at the giggling, make up plastered high school girls in the corner, looking through the posters. I don't think I even want to know which one they were looking at...
'Just another slow day, I guess. Don't you think Ben's going to find it a bit coincidental when we both quit on Monday?' Brian asked in reference to our plan to quit our job. Brian was also going to Rutgers University, and had the same idea as I did which was to work here to get some cash before University beckoned. This meant we had to lie and tell him we'd be here for the long run in order to get this job, but it's not like he could sue us, was it?
'I think he'll be glad to get rid of me, you know. That's probably why no one's buying anything lately; they're scared I'll eat them alive,' I smirked playfully, noting how long, pitch black bangs that almost covered my left eye completely, generally long hair and a lip piercing could possibly intimidate or scare off some of the customers.
Brian chuckled and shook his head to himself, making his way back towards the R 'n' B section in which he was currently stacking the new 50 Cent album. That could only mean that would be one of the new CD's that would be circulating the working environment for the next few days...awesome.
I looked down at the Jack Skellington watch on my wrist, noticing that I had an hour until eight at night; the time that Ronie and Taylor would get their asses here to take me home. Sure, their parents let them have a car, but my dad just gives me driving lessons...of which I miraculously passed first time.
I reached my hand into my black, skinny jeans pocket, pulling out a stick of gum. I unwrapped it cautiously, ensuring that no one could see as I popped it into my mouth and began to chew, the fruity taste slightly repulsive.
As I was about to crash my head onto the counter and mutter curses, something caught my eyes. I looked across the store and to the entrance doors that led in from the marble encrusted floors of the Mall, seeing a couple of guys enter.
It was very rare that this store was blessed with decent people, and these guys did seem pretty interesting, too. One was quite tall and lanky, mousy brown, bolt straight hair framing his black rectangular glasses as he crossed his arms over his chest, following after the other dude.
This guy, however, was something else. I wasn't sure that the terms "hot", "attractive", "eye-catching" or even "beautiful" did him justice, especially with dazzling hazel eyes that shimmered so brightly that someone on the moon could probably see them.
Those eyes, perfectly crafted cheekbones, winning smile and mop of smooth-looking black hair intrigued me, an oddly mysterious aura presenting itself as he showed his friend some CDs in the Rock and Indie section. That was something else that compelled me; I wonder what his favourite band is?
'Mikey, you dropped your lubricant outside!' a loud voice entered my ears, causing me to avert my attention to a burly looking guy with a shimmering lip ring and slick of what appeared to be naturally blonde hair entered the store, a grin on his face as he made his way towards the two other guys I was watching.
'Bob!' the lanky, brown haired boy said, concealing a smile as he smacked his blonde friend, Bob, on the arm. I stifled a chuckle as it occurred to me exactly what this Bob guy had said, his sense of humour mirroring my immature one exactly.
'Bob, give me five bucks and I'll make it up to you later,' the mysteriously attractive boy said to the blonde guy with a coy, teasing wink.
'Don't insinuate things like that, dude! We're in a public place!' the Bob guy explained to his smirking friend in a loud whisper.
'This coming from the guy that just announced to this entire store that I "dropped my lubricant",' the guy who I assumed to be Mikey retorted, and I smiled weakly, finally finding something interesting in this place for a change.
Is it still me that makes you sweat?
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fiih, xo.
