Six jobs.
Well, that's how many I have now since I'm legally allowed to have one. I still do the other ones — the under-the-table ones — only when I need extra money for Luner and Luna.
Sigh.
"Hey, kid, stop daydreaming. I need to tell you something."
My boss leans against the counter, chewing on a pen cap. "I hired someone two days ago. They're coming in today. What I need from you is to train them, okay? I know you can do it."
I stare for a moment. "I don't think I'll b—"
"Okay, I'll take that as a yes! They'll be here any moment. Be ready to greet them. I'll be in my office."
Yeah, go ahead and run into your little office like a mouse running from a snake.
If I could quit, I would—
Ding...
The door chime goes off.
"Hello! I'm Kealoka — I'm the new employee. What's your name again? I think I heard it… ah, I forgot. But I think you're the one supposed to train me?"
Why does he sound like a puppy?
I turn around.
"My name's Juniper. Yeah, I'm the one who's supposed to train you. How many days are you working?"
"Two days. Saturday and Sunday. How about you?"
"Same."
Right when I said that, his face lit up like a lightbulb. I paid it no mind and told him to follow me to the back.
This is a store — not a convenience store, though it kinda looks like one. It's a full 24/7 place. I work mornings to afternoon, or afternoon to night, sometimes night to early morning. Just depends. No full-timers here, just us part-timers.
I've only been here about two and a half months, only on weekends, but I already know most of the crew.
"That's everything. I've shown you where everything is and how it all works. Got any questions?"
"Will we be working together every weekend?"
...Why is that your question?
"I think so. Why?"
"Because I like you. And I think we'll get along well."
He says it with this glow — like he's the sun himself.
"Okay, Kealoka. Let's get to work. A lot of people are gonna start showing up soon."
I start walking off, and he stands there for a second, smiling. Then he catches up, talking about random things the whole way.
He really is a puppy.
--
Later that afternoon.
She hasn't been sleeping. She's either working, studying, or at school.
She doesn't even think about it anymore — just drinks coffee and energy drinks every day.
And she doesn't eat that much either.
And the new kid talks a lot.
Again, he's bright. I'm not.
I don't know why he's so focused on talking… to me.
"Yeah, that's why I have this job," he says. "Because my uncle owns all the locations of these stores and wanted me to start working, so he let me work here. What about you?"
"…My aunt is the manager of this store. That's why I work here. I also like working."
He stares. A lot.
"How old are you?"
What an out-of-the-blue question to ask.
"Fifteen."
"OHH, SAMEEE!"
…My ear.
"Break is in three minutes."
"You can go on break now and get something to eat, if you want."
He thinks for a second.
"Are you coming with me?"
"No. I don't go on my breaks."
He hops up and sits on the counter, smiling and kicking his feet like a little kid.
"Well, I don't go on my breaks now either."
Pfft.
I let out a small laugh.
"Go get a snack. You're gonna need it,"
I say with a small smile.
--
It's my first day on the job, and it's coming to an end.
At first, I thought it would be boring and I'd quit by the end of the day.
But I met a cool person.
She has blue and purple hair.
Nice blue and brown eyes.
And she dresses in streetwear.
She looks like she'll attack you, but she's actually really caring and sweet.
And now we're walking home together.
Well… I asked. She said no.
But I walked with her anyway, and she's fine with it.
Too bad I can only see her on the weekends.
So I'll see her tomorrow.
Then wait 'til the end of the week again.
Next time, I'll ask for her number.
"I think we live in the same neighborhood," I say.
"Looks like it. I have to go left, right here."
"I'm going right. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye!"
I wave, then walk to the right.
--
Monday
I stayed up too late last night. My head hurts.
"Hey Juniper," a classmate says, "there's a new student today. We gotta head to the front for the selection."
"I didn't know there was a new student."
I head up to the front and see people crowded around.
"Ple— move. I said move."
"I—I'm sorry."
"Just… don't block the whole way next time, please."
"I won't."
I walk up to the front and hear a familiar voice.
Then someone grabs my hands.
"Juniper!?"
"I didn't know you go to this school! This makes me happy!"
My face twists into surprise… then confused… then surprised again.
"Kealoka!?"