You're the One

Don't Think About It

"You're here early?" My manager says. "Don't you have school, or something?"

"Yes sir I do, but I just want to work." I bow. What I said is actually very true, I honestly couldn't stand thinking about everything right now. I figure work can distract myself from everything.

"Uh- yea that would be great actually," He says, " But don't think that since you came in earlier then your scheduled time, that you aren't working till the end of the shift." He says coldly. All I do is nod.

I keep my eyes on the floor, mostly because I have no idea how I'm feeling right now. If it makes sense, I am feeling so many emotions all at once. Alone, scared, sad, relieved, nauseous, panicked, and most of all pissed off. All of these feelings are building up so high I feel almost numb. I'm dealing with two really crazy things that no teenagers should ever deal with. My parents leaving me, which I really should have seen coming. I mean they did travel all the time, I actually had to get two jobs to support all the bills and school costs.

I grit my teeth, why didn't I see it coming? I made a façade in my head that everything would be better when they finally stopped traveling. But I never thought they would find better happiness without me.

"Y/n?" I look up at my manager, as he interrupts my thoughts. "Whatever is going on, working and personal business need to be separated,"

"Yes sir, I know." I bow again. "That's why I think it will help that I'm here to work." This has also proven to be true, most of the time. I can fill my head with work and not worry about my problems just yet. Like the chance I could be.... I touch my tummy, not even willing to finish the thought.

"Well then go get ready, and this is the only time I'm allowing this. School comes first missy." I nod again, turning around and leaving his office. I need to focus on work and nothing else. It's just a regular day, nothing is going on, its fine -

Work seemed to be okay. It's a typical cafe, Booths lining the windows, tables scattered in the center, the counter near the front doors, behind that is the kitchen, closets with supplies, and the manager's office. There's also a staff room, but it's very small. It seems to be slower than what I'm used to, then again I usually work afternoons and the closing shift, which tends to be faster. Just because it's slower though, doesn't mean I'm not occupying my mind full of work. Filling salt shakers, restocking the bathrooms, running tables, sweeping the floors. When I wasn't on the move I was thinking, and I can't do that. Thinking right now is too painful. I just need to keep moving.

"Y/n?" My manager calls. I put the salt container down, not finishing filling the salt shakers. (I've done it three times already, they are pretty full already, but it's just something to do.)

"Yes sir." I stand from the stool at the counter.

"You're getting two breaks today since you came in early, take one now, labor is too high." He says behind the counter. He also didn't let me reply before he disappeared into the kitchen. (Probably to hide away in his office like useaul.)

With that I head towards the staff room. Clocking out, I walk over to my hook where my school uniform hangs in a plastic bag. My phone is placed on the top in the bag, I pull it out checking the time.

Wow, it's already been 4 hours since I left school. Since I saw my parents. School should be over now. It's near 3 ish now, I should call Katie, after all she will probably try to stop at my house. She shouldn't see what's going on there. I brought up her name and pushed the call. It doesn't take long, maybe two rings, then her cheerful happy voice springs through the phone.

"Hello love, I just walked Emi to the club. Now I'm heading to your house, do you need-"

"'m not home Katie," I interrupted her. Silence takes over the line, and with all the quietness I get sucked into thinking again. I wonder what my parents will take from the house. What things will I have to make extra money to replace?