Still Dreaming - Treebros

Chapter 12: "Waiting to Live, Waiting to Love"

Friday, October 11th

  Connor was right. I was so excited to have a job that I forgot that it was a job. That it was work.

Today was a violent reminder why no one likes their job. Because this is boring and it sucks.

And, yeah, I'm being dramatic. As far as jobs go, this one is probably easy. I was worried about making a good first impression, but my manager didn't even blink twice when I came in. He spent zero time showing me how to do anything before retreating to the break room.

I thought that having a shift that starts at 12pm on a Friday would be smart. That way I kept my momentum from my last class and took it to work. Which gives me a basically 9 to 5 work day.

In theory, it was a good idea. Except now I have to actually work 9 to 5 (it's really until 4 but whatever) and I kind of want to cry. I don't know how I did this in high school. I'm so tired.

The exhaustion weighing me down only gets heavier as the bell above the door rings. Why did my manager assign me to the register by myself on my very first day? I internally sigh and steel myself for the interaction.

"Do you think they sell any cute boys here?" A voice wonders from in the aisles. Oh shit it's Sam.

"Looks like they just restocked," Connor comments, appearing from behind a display with Sam behind him

"We won't get a new shipment until next week actually," I say, smiling dryly. I mean it though. I'm glad it's them. I knew they'd probably bug me, seeing as they don't have any classes today.

"That's weird, there's one right here. Think you could tell me the numbers on the bar code?" Sam asks, dropping his elbows on the counter and wiggling his eyes rows at me.

"What?" I ask. I'm lost in the joke now.

"Can I have yooo number, shawty?" he asks, holding his hand out like it's something I have to physically give him.

"Jesus Fucking Christ," Connor groans, glancing around like there's someone to witness this embarrassing ordeal. Fortunately and unfortunately, there hasn't been anyone here for a while.

"You already have it," I say, crossing my arms.

"You're killing my joke," Sam whispers loudly, glaring at me. I decide to ignore him.

"I'm about to close my first shift. I've been at Speedway for the past 3 and a half hours, and I think my manager just left," I explain. I contemplated also just walking out, but quickly chose to dismiss that panic-inducing though.

"That sucks," Sam says, continuing to whisper.

"Yeah," I respond, lowering my voice too.

"Can I get a discount on chips?" Connor asks, whispering as well.

"No."

"You know, I almost got a job here last semester," Sam says, back in a normal voice.

"Why?" I ask. Why would Sam possibly need a job?

"I was so damn bored all the time. My classes were easy as hell, I just wanted to get out of the house," he shrugs.

I share a disgruntled look with Connor. "What?" Sam asks, forehead wrinkled as he looks between us.

"Yikes dude," Connor sighs, shaking his head. He's kind of a hypocrite, but at least he doesn't say stuff like wanting to casually get a job because he's bored in front of someone who only went to college because of a scholarship.