a minor inconvenience

2. a staring problem

Park Su-Jin♡

Stepping into the office my coworker looked up, he looked tired but lit up as he recognized me.

He dropped his phone on the table and stood up, whatever game he had been using to pass the time forgotten,"Wahh nice! You're here that means I can LEAAVE! Oh Ms. Park you are my FAVORITE person!" He faked fainting and then picked up his things taking off his vest.

"Goodbye have a good shift!" He bowed his head and waved as he left.

It took me a second to process the interaction, he was not much younger than me and him calling me miss really made me feel worn down.

"Great way to start my shift high school part-timer thinks I'm old. Maybe I should wear makeup to work.." I murmured to myself picking up my work vest and clocking in.

I left the office and headed for the front of the store, my goal was to see if there was a list of tasks or note from the other manager. As soon as I made it out there though, a group of giggly high school girls walked in scanning the store. Their expressions turned to disappointment quickly. Being the good employee I am I spoke up.

"Do you girls need help finding something?" I called out to them trying to will my voice to sound sweet and concerned.

I, apparently, really was not what the were looking for. Their expressions changed from disappointment to disgust and they whispered among themselves. They weren't even subtle about it! I'm sure I saw one point at me and say something about 'it's ok she isn't even pretty'.

They wandered about the store for a minute and a couple of them picked out drinks. They brought their spoils to the register and I smiled and rang them up, at the very least they weren't being rude to my face.

"Did you find everything you were looking for?" I asked as I handed the final girl her receipt. The girls then broke into whispers again finally looking up at me, it would be a lie to say that didn't make me a little nervous.

"Actually uhm..Unnie~ we were wondering, there's this really cute boy that works here. Could you tell us his name? Do you know him?" Suddenly I'm their bestie, do they think I'm dumb?

"I'm so sorry girls I just started so I don't really know him. Maybe next time you'll catch him." I smiled but it did not reach my eyes.

The girls sighed and left immediately dropping the sweet act and one of them even accidentally knocked over a few things on her way out. After they had for sure left I went to pick up the fallen merchandise and sighed to myself.

As I put everything away and walked back to the register I began to talk to myself, I mean why not the store is empty anyway.
"What an awesome day, is this what I get for trying to be responsible and taking more hours, god this sucks.."

I finally found the list of tasks that were left for me scribbled on the back of a receipt and taped to the side of the register. "Ok I guess I should add organization to the-" ding already a new customer, "hello, welcome in" I willed a cheery tone and continued about my business.

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It has been quite a few hours customers coming in and out but not too busy which was nice. My feet and back were killing me, not so nice. It's starting to get late and there are even less customers, I had finished all my tasks and even mopped half the store. Now I'm sitting on my phone looking at the pictures Minji asked me to take of her alongside some selfies she took with her fried chicken. She loved Instagram and posted almost religiously with her #ootd.

ding

The damn bell again, I put down my phone, "hello, welcome in" I didn't try to force my happy tone so much this time it's late and I'm tired.