A bubble popped on the sharp grass as soon as I drew in my breath. I smiled sparingly but I soon remembered that my shift was immediately after noon. I sadly re-capped the bubble container and walked back into my apartment.
I often remind myself that I'm different than everyone else. I mean, what kind of young adult plays with bubbles in their spare time? I find it one of my favorite pastimes, even if I get odd looks from my dull neighbors.
I undressed from my comfortable outfit into the scratchy Olive Garden uniforms, delicately pinning the name-tag that read Piper Wonders to the right side of my apron. My name sounds ridiculous, but it's the only attachment I have left to my mother, who died when I was 16. She named me after her favorite actress, Piper Perabo. My mom went insane in her mid-40s and soon killed herself. It was sudden and tragic, but life goes on, right?
Anyways, I hopped onto my method of transportation, a bicycle, and rode to the small Olive Garden which was a few blocks away from my apartment complex. I was de-mounting the contraption when Georgia, my coworker, comes up to me with a stern look.
"Marshall is pissed at whoever left the soup boiling all day yesterday. He claims that something could've caught fire," she throws at me.
I shake my head. "Look, it wasn't me. I don't do soup, I'm a waitress, remember?"
She lowers her head and laughs to herself, and for the first time I realize that she has a cigarette in her hand. "I know but you're not exactly the most careful, alright? I could lose my job for this. Plus, Marshall has a thing for you."
"Marshall is 39 years old and hopelessly disgusting. I could file in a complaint and ruin his life for all I care," I spat.
"And lose your job?" Georgia scolds, "Like someone would employ a crazy 20 year old with no life whatsoever."
I sigh in defeat, "So, what? I'm just supposed to pretend that I left the soup boiling all day?"
"Now you're getting it!" she hisses sarcastically.
"Georgia, I think you've forgotten how many other times I've covered your ass."
She draws the cigarette to her mouth and inhales, thinking. "Piper, I seriously screwed up, okay?" she releases a great puff of smoke in desperation.
I curse silently to myself and agree to her absurd plan.
She extinguishes the tobacco stick and tosses it into the ashtray while making her way inside. I followed reluctantly, but she maneuvered through the kitchen seemingly without a care.
Georgia disperses and I confront Marshall and tell him that I accidentally left the eye on, adding in a tiniest bit of girlish stupidity for emphasis. After the whole redundant ordeal was over I was merely told off and then forgiven. Georgia can face her own damn problems next time, I thought, childishly, to myself.
The rest of my shift was promptly normal. I'm not exactly surprised by this, just bored. My coworkers are drones and have no interest in lively conversation, or any conversation at that. Georgia is the only one that I consider more than a robot, and she's still not on the level of an acquaintance. Honestly, I'd rather spend my day organizing a library or even quilting with the old ladies that live across the street from me. At least they have food that you can eat instead of stare at all day while your stomach is about to eat itself. Maybe I'm being overly dramatic, but I don't get a lot of socializing in and my job is the one place that I have constant human interaction.
When my shift was over I rode back to my small apartment and dragged myself inside. I work from 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm. This may not seem like much, but I am very impatient and I work my ass off for a low pay. My father couldn't afford to send me to college, so ever since the end of high school I've been trying to save up enough money to attend a good, solid institute. So far I only have enough for one or two years, depending on the college I choose. In a few years I may get a loan and start my college expedition, but until then I'll be working at various restaurants that will hire me.
My life isn't extremely fascinating, but at least I have a future to look forward to.
Author's note
Hallo. I would like to give you lots of hugs and love for reading the first chapter of my story! Every person reading this is awesome and beautiful. I know I'm not the best writer, but I hope you enjoyed it!
-Hermit
