Solana Forever

S5 E7

(Mentions of blood)

Today I was feeling extremely happy because of our little Solana reunion last night. I waltzed inside this morning with a spring in my step. Mateo was already there and was stood behind the reception desk looking like he was anxiously waiting for something or someone.
"Morning" I greeted cheerily. He looked at me with an annoyed look.
"How are you so perky in the mornings?" He asked with a scowl.
"I'm not normally. I'm just feeling really happy today" i started to walk to the pool bar but Mateo gripped my arm to stop me.
"You cannot go to the bar yet" he said simply. I waited for him to expand but when he didn't I followed up.
"Why?".
"Because last night Joyce bricked up Kenneths salon and I have to tell him when he gets in" he explained to me.
"Okay? Why do I have to be here too?".
"Because Kenneth scares me when he comes in looking like the running dead".
"The walking dead" I corrected for him.
"Is what I am saying" I raised an eyebrow at him. "And Kenneth likes you more than he likes me".
"I actually think Kenneth likes you a lot just not in the same way he likes me" I told him winking. I had seen Kenneth a few times eying up Mateo. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if the pair hooked up at one point. Mateo grimaced.
"Pleeaaase" he begged with his stupid begging face that he knew I couldn't resist.
"Alright calm down. I'll do it with you" he sighed in relief.
"Thank you" he repeated over and over again.
"No problem. To be honest anything to put of my breakfast shift". The guests in the morning were ruthless.

Me and Mateo were had started to have a few rounds of thumb war whilst we were waiting for Kenneth to show up. I was winning obviously and Mateo being the sore loser he was kept demanding another round. I was just about to win again when we were interrupted by the sound of chair scraping along the floor. I immediately looked up to check what the noise was and whilst I had my guard down Mateo pressed my thumb down and obnoxiously screamed "I won".
"Whatever you say" I quickly dismissed. "But whilst you were cheating at a game of thumb war Kenneth walked past". I quickly looked back at Kenneth who was staggering over to the closed salon. "In fact he's just about to do your job for you". Mateo head jerked up.
"Ostia" he muttered quietly. He stood up and started shouting like a madman. "Kenneth! Kenneth!". He was unresponsive as expected. Mateo groaned when he realised he was going to have to move. We both went over to him as he was struggling to get the key in the door.
"Oh come on Kenneth keep it together" he grumbled compelled oblivious to the pair of us. Mateo took in a deep breath.
"Kenneth" he began. "There is something Gaby has to tell you" he quickly nudged me forward. I spun around and looked at him in disbelief. I don't think Kenneth heard Mateo being a wuss though because he didn't react at all.
"Oh Gaby open that door will you love?" He pleaded. "If I can't even manage to put that key in that lock in this state I'm glad I didn't go on with Big Benny from the carousel last night". My mouth tugged into an uncontrollable smile at his comment. He just didn't give one and I loved him for it. He pressed a hand to his presumably aching head and handed me the key. I checked with Mateo to see if he had grown a pair and was going to tell Kenneth. He just took a step back letting me take the reins.
"Kenneth last night when you went out clubbing" he still seemed very passive about everything I was saying so I increased my volume a touch. "Joyce had the locks of the salon changed". I could hear Mateos feet shuffling back even further because he was scared of a potential outburst.
"Why is that?" He asked relatively calmly. At least he finally listened to me. At this moment I realised Mateo didn't tell me why so he was going to have to explain that. I turned around and gestured for Mateo to tell him. "Oh we haven't been broken into have we?" Kenneth interrupted mine and Mateos silent communication. "Have those kids been nicking perming solution to sniff again? Honestly what's wrong with a bag of glue?" I gestured for Mateo to speak again and physically pulled him next to me.
"She say something about the rent . She say you did not pay." He told him timidly.
"That's ridiculous" Kenneth scoffed. "My rents not due till the 12th" he informed. He grabbed his watch and held it in-front of our faces. "What day does it say?".
I didn't look at the watch to answer because if Kenneth was feeling normal he'd know his watch didn't say the date. "Kenneth today is the 27th". He looked shocked by that news. Like he was completely unaware that 15 days had passed.
"Oh well I'm only a few days late. I'm sure it can be sorted". Mateos eyes drifted up to a sign that I'm guessing Joyce had put at the front of the salon that said "closed until further notice". Kenneth followed our gazes and gasped.
"What the..." he muttered angrily. He quickly stomped past me and Mateo. When he went past Mateo darted behind me. I watched as Kenneth stormed to the lift. I turned around to see Mateo still stood behind me.
"You are unbelievable you know" Mateo did nothing but shrug sheepishly. "If the walking or 'running' dead was real I hope I'm not with you for it".
"That is not fair" he pointed to Kenneth who was angrily jabbing buttons inside the lift. "That is more scary than zombies". I rolled my eyes.
"I'm going to the toilet" I stated. "Maybe you should go as well to double check you didn't shit yourself". His ears pricked up at something I said.
"You want to share a stall" he winked. "Better for the environment". I mentally facepalmed.
"Let me think. Do I want to share a stall with someone who has potentially shat themselves?" Mateo actually looked hopeful. "I think I'll have to pass this time lovely". I quickly went off but then wanted to say something else. "Maybe next time if you haven't previously tried to sacrifice me to an angry Kenneth".