the blinding white lights and blaring pop music ruin my mood the moment i walk into work.
i wish i grew up as a nepotism baby and i never had to work a day in my life so i wouldn't be forced to deal with entitled customers and managers that bring their problems into the workplace.
i wish i didn't have to come in this place while my friends are out having the time of their lives on our summer break from university.
i've missed them so much while i was stuck in my tiny dorm room with no one to talk about how much i hated my roommate that chewed with her mouth open and talked too loud on the phone.
now that i'm here it's like i'm wasting my moments with them.
"you're late jamie," yolanda comes up to me with that stupid fucking board in her hands.
"yeah, i'm sorry there was traffic." is a half lie.
my mother came in my room while i was getting ready, nagging me about more responsibilities like there isn't already enough on my plate and by the time she was done, my shift was starting in 10 minutes.
lately, she's always on my ass about irrelevant shit but i know it's just because her and my dad are going through a "rough patch", is what she calls. when in reality i've heard her begging and pleading on the phone late nights for him to come back.
i don't know the full story, all i know is one day he told us he needed to get away for a little.
i knew it was a long time coming when i hear about the way he used to be before my mom got pregnant with me. he had a life. as much as he tries to act like he doesn't resent us, the same guy that used to jump out of planes doesn't look at all like the one that changes diapers.
i don't care though.
"go on register 10." and she paces away, her head still in that stupid fucking board.
i fluff the tips of my curls as i trudge over to my spot for the next 2 hours till my break (countdown started). and of course the moment i flick my light on there's a wrinkly old white man giggling into my line.
"you look bored!" and he thinks he's the funniest man alive.
i'm not a faker though.
"hello." i let the conveyor belt roll and roll then i'm off.
you see i'm here for 8 hours plus my off the clock lunch (which doesn't sound legal at all but whatever) so i'm going to make the most of it. i keep a certain pace when it comes to scanning these items.
finish scanning his full basket in under 5 minutes.
because it's so much more fun that way when you make the job a game.
to others i look like a try hard doing more than i'm paid, but i'm just having fun.
"gee your quick!"
and i smirk because i know.
"196.72"
he too is way too eager and swipes it before the total can flash on the screen," uh.. it's not working ma'am."
"try again."
then the flow starts and hardly stops for majority of my shift. but i like it though because it keeps me busy.
"you move like you're on fire" i hear while i'm fixing my bagging area in between the little break i get before another customer comes. apparently it's over.
i roll my eyes a little and i turn ready to scan their items. then i look up and i blink. and again.
okay so working as a cashier in an area with predominately old white people, it's sort of expected what you're going to get. most people i see all the time, but every so often, like now, there is someone who is not old and white. or don't have the dullest eyes that don't sparkle with their smile that doesn't make your heart stop.
