DAY 250, MONDAY, JUNE
H: How are you?
R: Fine. You?
H: Fine too.
R: Hmm.
H: It doesn't happen much that two people have their dinner break together, right?
R: Rarely. It's nice for a change.
H: It is. Done anything nice this weekend?
R: No. I've just been in my room watching movies and stuff.
H: You don't think that's nice? I'd say that's pretty neat.
R: If you say so.
H: Why are you laughing at me?
R: Who says the word neat anymore these days?
H: I do. What about it?
R: You sound old.
H: And what's wrong with being old?
R: Nothing. Never mind.
H: That comment sounded a lot like ageism.
R: Oh, okay.
H: I still hear your giggles.
R: Fine. Sorry.
H: Thank you.
R: If anything, though, the ageism around here comes from the manager.
H: What do you mean?
R: Sometimes... I don't know. It feels like they don't think we're worth anything. We're all just stockers.
H: Hmm.
R: Every single one of us can be replaced by another lifeless teenager needing a first job for some experience.
H: I suppose.
R: It's one of the things I hate about his place.
H: I thought you said you were fine.
R: You bring stuff like this up, okay? Not my fault.
H: I know, I know. But other than your inner mood, your outer mood is good?
R: Yeah, it's fine.
H: If you don't mind me asking, why haven't you been at the last couple of hangouts?
R: You didn't go either.
H: I know. But you used to go every time. At least from what I heard.
R: That's right. I rarely didn't go. Lately I just haven't been in the mood.
H: How come?
R: I don't know. A couple of months ago my mom died. Since then... I don't know.
H: Wait, your mom passed away?
R: Yeah.
H: I'm so sorry. I didn't know. My condolences.
R: That's fine, I didn't tell anyone except K.
H: Hmm.
R: Anyway, since then I live with my dad and it's just different.
H: That's annoying.
R: Yeah. I don't know him at all. He's a stranger to me.
H: You didn't grow up with him?
R: No, my parents divorced when I was young. He moved away.
H: That sucks.
R: Oh, well. That's just how it's been. Why haven't you been going to the hangouts? You know us pretty well about now I'd say.
YOU ARE READING
The Stockers (Completed)
Teen Fiction'If I live through this, I can do anything I want. No experience will ever be as awful as this one. I'll come out the other way stronger than ever.' Six stock clerks fight against fatigue and boredom in the store they work at. It creates a bond stro...
