𝐇𝐔-𝐌𝐀𝐍 | complete

- 𝚃𝚠𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚢 | 𝚂𝚒𝚡 -

Alexius Johnson | 18
Tampa, FL

1 month later

"Excuse me ma'am," I turn my head my eyes landing on the five foot frame standing a few inches under me.

"Yes, how may I help you?" I smile as joyful as I could though it's fake. It's not because I'm upset but because I've been loosing a lot of sleep so I'm not really in the right mood.

I've been busy with work, school, And France keeping me up all night on the phone. I would say Nathaniel but he has a schedule for when he will call because he wants me to stay focused and energized.

I don't mind France staying on the phone with me all night but sometimes I wish he could just shut up and go to sleep.

Me not getting enough sleep has took a toll on my appearance and brain. I look like I'm tired and I can't really focus in class because I'm falling asleep most times.

"Is there a different price for this sweater? I think one of the employees may have made a mistake," She says holding up the pink tie dye sweater.

"What do you mean?" I raise my eyebrows.

"The price is higher than the quality," She says,

-- Is she serious? I couldn't help but ask myself. They always come into the gift shops complaining about the prices and look for us to change them. I agree that the prices are ridiculous for most of these items but that's not my problem and I wish people could understand that I cannot risk my job for them.

"I'm sorry but Unfortunately that's the right price ma'am, no employee is allowed to change the price once the item is on the floor," I say in the nicest way possible.

"Can I speak to your manager?" She asked in a brat tone.

"He's not in today," I simply say before walking away and making my way to the back room. It seems as if she wanted to argue which is something I'm most definitely not gonna do.

I could care less if I get fired. I have an interview at other places next week anyways.

1 hour later

"I miss you a lot," I frown

"I miss you more baby," Nathaniel smiled running his fingers through his beard. "Whatchu' getting to eat?" He asked.

"I got a burrito and salad from chipotle," I smile,

"I'm on my way to my dorm now, I don't feel like doing anything not even eating but I know how you are and I'm honest so I would've told you if I didn't eat," I say smiling at the thought.

If Nathaniel found out I didn't eat he'd make a order and send it to the dorms for me to pick up. I thank him for caring for me.

"Yeah, good you know cause I don't play that Alexius, You shouldn't go a day without eating because an empty belly isn't good especially with all the walking you be doing," He says,

"I'm in Lyft actually,"

"You know what I'm talking about," He smack his lips making me laugh. Since chipotle is near my job and my dorm building is far from both I kinda had no choice but to pay for transportation.

"Yeah," I sigh resting my back on the seat.

"Yo' what's up witchu' baby? Why you frowning?" He asked, "Let me know what's wrong ma," He lick over his lips looking from me to the food he was cooking.

"It's nothing pa," I shake my head, "I'm only tired," I shrug.

"You lying to me Alexius?" He turn his stove off and put the lid over the pot before turning his full attention to me through the phone.

"No, I'm telling the truth Niel," I smile small, "I wouldn't lie to you....unless it's in a joking matter," I bite my bottom lip before the both of us laughed.

"You can stop here, this is my exit," I say to the Lyft driver. He nods pulling over to the side and coming to a complete stop.

I grab my belongings including my food and get out the car making sure to tell him thank you one last time before making my way inside the dorm building.

"I'm gonna call you tomorrow Niel," I say

"You getting rid of me already?" He pouted, I smack my lips shaking my head and laughing at his antics.

"I'll call you as soon as I wake up," I say, I watched as his face turned soft while his eyes stared at me. "I promise," I pout.

"I love you baby, Goodnight" He says, I bite my bottom lip walking off the elevator and down the hall to my dorm unlocking the door and walking in.

"Goodnight pa," I end the call and let out a sigh. After placing down my things I walk over to my dresser grabbing some clothes to shower.

I have to leave my dorm to shower. All of this is ridiculous, I need an apartment where I don't have to travel down to shower and brush my teeth.

1 hour later

"You have a lot of days off, it must be nice," I yawn scanning through the given movies.

"That's because I'm a minor," He says

"But you're on the computer now so you have plenty of time to work," I say

"Well Imma put it this way....I don't wanna work all them hours, plus I have a sprained ankle in which I believe you've forgotten about," He says and I nod in understanding.

"Plus I only have a week left," He says, "After that I have to go back into the school," France says, France had to take a break from school due to him spraining his ankle in football.

"Well what did you do today? Did you do something exciting?" I smile looking down at the voice call.

I could hear movement before the call went completely quiet. "France?" I wrinkle my brows.

"I heard you mama, Nah I ain't do nothing," He sigh,

"I just been eating and watching tv since I'm on a cast right now I can't really do nothing," He says,

He began to change the subject the more he ranted. I tried my best to listen to him but I repeatedly yawned just really tired. The hot shower only made me more sleepy but I had to eat plus I'm trying to stay awake to listen to France speak.

"Do you wanna go to sleep on the phone with me?" I ask tucking myself under the covers. I pull down my two big pillows resting my head on them and sighing as my body relaxed.

"You don't wanna hear me talk?" He asked sounding a bit upset. I sigh dramatically.

"I'm really sleepy France, I've worked the whole day," I say, "Plus I have school in the morning," I frown.

"I've been listening to you since I've got out the shower, it's one in the morning right now and I should have been sleep," I say,

"I'm not saying stop talking France, I'm listening to you but I might fall asleep while doing so," I say,

"Just call me later Alexius," He ended the call. I just shake my head and put my phone on the charger. I'll call him tomorrow after I call Nathaniel.

I would think he understands my struggle but I don't think he does. I have a lot I have to do and I've been constantly speaking to him on the phone since the day we made up and I can say that he's been proving himself but he wants all my time.

I'm more important,

•