I ran a hand through my hair as I walked through the front doors of Barnes and Noble. I felt abnormally tall in my blue and black plaid skirt and black stockings. I was also wearing heals, which could have been the root behind this feeling. I was short, barely over five foot two. Wearing heels was awkward for me, but somehow it made me feel confident- something I was normally not with sneakers on.
I smiled at the balding man at the front desk. His face was rounded and his eyes twinkled. They were blue, almost clear as crystal.
"How may I help you?" He asked politely and my smile only grew wider.
"I'm looking for a job application." I answered.
"Thank goodness. We need someone else to help. We've got those Way kids working their asses off." He rolled his eyes as if I should know what he was talking about. My smiling faded a bit, but I still remained poised. "In fact, you don't need to fill out any forms."
I looked at him with a questioning expression. Was he serious? What kind of boss was he?
"Just tell me some things about yourself. Obviously you're unique." He took in my appearance, which might have turned other people away. My hair was brown with a few blonde highlights (natural, of course) that gave it the look of being caramel. It also had the occasional streak of blue. My outfit wasn't ordinary either, I suppose.
"I like to read and write. Um, I get good grades. One of my goals is to be a journalist for the New York Times…I just moved here from Virginia."
"You don't mind working with boys?" He asked specifically. I eyed him curiously.
"No…" I trailed off.
"I'm sold. Welcome to Barnes and Noble Miss…"
"Kayli Rouge." I stuck my hand out toward him and he shook it happily.
"Tony Burnelli. When do you want to get started?"
"As soon as possible."
"How about we just give you a tour of the store for today, and tomorrow you can start working?"
"That sounds great Mr. Burnelli."
"Please, call me Tony."
"Okay, Tony." I smirked.
What kind of boss was he? An amazing one.
"This is our music section. This here is Gerard Way, the older of the two Way brothers."
"Hey." He said nonchalantly, flipping through Fangoria magazine.
"Hi." I said shyly. He noticed this and a smile grew on his face. He was actually looking up at me now.
"Tony, Tony, Tony…always reeling in the beautiful ladies."
"Gerard…" He warned and then turned to face me. "No worries, Kayli. Gerard doesn't bite."
Somehow, I didn't really believe that. Especially since he was reading Fangoria.
"Are you heading to meet my brother?"
"Yeah." Tony said. Gerard responded with a chuckle and raised eyebrows.
"Wait until he gets an eyeful of her."
I squinted at him in disbelief. Who did he think he was? I clenched my fists at my sides and walked after Tony who was already making his way to the back room.
"Mikey?" He called. I let my balled fists relax at my sides and tried to compose myself. "Mikey? Are you here?"
The door opened behind us and a tall, lanky boy walked in. His glasses hung off his nose, teetering and on the verge of falling off. In his hands was a box of books that appeared to be heavy.
"Let me help you…" I mumbled and put my hands under the other side of the cardboard mass.
"Thanks." He said softly and with my help, put the box down on the floor.
"Mikey, this is Kayli. She's going to be working with us."
"Nice to meet you." He practically whispered. I couldn't help but smile. I found his mousiness to be cute. His hair was messy, a sandy brown color, and his eyes were a chocolaty brown.
"You too."
"Gerard's already made his move on her…" Tony said, looking at Mikey knowingly.
"Oh…poor you." He said sympathetically. "You'll get used to it."
I nodded. I didn't know what to say to that.
"She starts working tomorrow morning. Moved here from Virginia." Tony said in an effort to keep the conversation flowing.
"Cool." Mikey said shortly. I glanced over at Tony and saw him rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet.
"Well," Tony exhaled through his nose, "what do you say Miss Rouge? Shall I introduce you to the kids at the registers?"
