Newbie // dreamnotfound

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~3rd Person~

The day is going by pretty normal for Dream. Families, friends, couples, all walking in through the two glass doors at the front with smiles on their faces. The glimmer in the eyes of young kids ready to watch the newest release of their favorite animated series. The occasional group of stoned teens looking for a place to make out while no one is watching. Cleaning up the messes left behind by a large number of people eager to see the light of day after enjoying their cinematic experience in the darkroom.

His days were long and dreadful. He hated working at the Movie Theater. Not only did he have to clean up after people and their trash, but he had to be around others.

Dream is a very introverted person, although he doesn't want to admit it. He doesn't like how the word makes him seem and feel weak. He'd rather describe himself as reserved or say he's too good for people, but he knows better than that.

He didn't want to come into work today, he almost called in sick, but he was put in charge of showing the newbie around. This made him want to skip work even more than before, but he didn't want to risk losing his job.

Dream was bored out of his mind as he was setting everything up for the newfound co-worker. He grabbed his phone, secretly hoping the day was going by faster than normal, but lo and behold, it was 8:57 am. That means the theater opens in three minutes. That also means the new worker is two minutes late. They were supposed to be here five minutes before opening, but by the looks of it, this new person doesn't care too much.

As he was waiting for opening time, he started to imagine this newbie. He was hoping for someone who was just as reserved as him, hopefully leading to a lack of small talk. Maybe this person is a girl, maybe a guy, maybe non-binary? What if they use neo-pronouns? He was already stressed he might misgender this unknown person that he'd have to work with.

Suddenly a faint, raspy, "excuse me", came from behind him from e shorter level. He swiftly turns around to see a handsome young man, standing at about 5' 8" or 5' 9". He had brown hair and chocolate brown eyes, one being lighter than the other.

Although he was extremely attractive, Dream couldn't help but notice the condition of this guy. Dark circles surround his eyes, he had a baggy hoodie on and looked as if he hasn't slept in days.

"Um...sorry to bother you, but are you Clay?", said the man, which knocked Dreams' trance-like state. He was confused about how this customer knew him, but he decided to go along with his curiosity.

"Yes, I am Clay. Do I know you?", he responded, hesitantly due to the anxious feelings coming from talking to another human. Especially one he didn't know but presumably knew him.

"No, sorry. Um..my name is George, I'm um..the new worker here". Dream was relieved that instead of having now two people to talk to today, it was the same person. "Oh, yea! Um so do you want to open with me"? The new guy, now known as 'George' nodded his head without another word. Dream handed him his name tag, where he could write his name and pin it to his work clothes Dream handed him along with it.

After George got into his work attire, they walked to the front glass doors. Dream taught him how to use their types of keys, then walking around teaching him how to clean the popcorn machine, when to do cleanup after movies, mostly the basics. As he was showing George around he allowed his other co-workers to take charge of the cinema.

The two boys hardly shared words in the time they were walking around. One of the few things said was brought up by Dream asking, "Hey, George. I'm sorry if this is too forward, and if it is you can totally tell me, I'll understand. I don't want to make you uncomfortable or anyth-" as he was practically word vomiting, George cut him off.

"You can ask me anything, I'm a pretty open person", he said giving a slight reassuring smile.

Dream lightly chuckled beginning to ask his question. "I was just wondering, what are your pronouns? I don't want to offend you or anything". George could hear the sincerity in his voice.

For the longest time, George went by 'He/Him' pronouns, but it wasn't until recently he had realized, it didn't matter to him. "He/She/They all work for me, what about you?" he began, appreciating the considerate man walking next to him.

"Oh, cool! I go by he/him! I appreciate you asking" Dream said lightning nudging George in the shoulder. He couldn't explain why, but the small conversation put a smile on his face, and everything around him was no longer a problem.

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