Summer heat.
Its worse when most of the air conditioning you have is used to keep the cool air in the convenience shop just below your home. Especially in E District, 2084. What made it even worse was that School started again in just 3 days.
But I guess only a small amount of people can relate to that. People like 15-year-old Garret Martin, who just rolled out of bed at 11:00. Two hours late for his shift at said shop. He would debate if it was worth staying up past 3 to finish some video game.
Spoiler: It probably wouldn't be.
"Why," he questioned himself, wondering if it was worth it to even get out of bed today. He was nearly boiling on the mattress which felt like it was holding him down.
Yet he still dragged himself downstairs with the apron reeking of the words "Hi, how can I help you?" along with the hat that hid the mess of reddish-brown hair he did not want to style right now, and a pair of sunglasses, because he felt like wearing them, this was his usual wage-slave outfit.
Lucky for him, there was no one in the store. Except for a bulky man behind the counter, with hair similar to Garret's but very short and slicked back. His skin was ivory-colored and he definitely seemed as strong as the material itself with his physical build giving him an intimidating look. He stood at six feet and six inches weighing 287 pounds, towering above Garret who was only five feet and eight inches and weighed about 158 pounds. Right now, he didn't seem quite happy to see Garret and Garret didn't seem all that happy about his decision to get out of bed.
This man was his father, André Martin and despite his giant figure, he did not share a nickname with the old wrestler.
"You're late, Sleepy." his father said, quite annoyed.
Garret sighed, "I know."
He handed the keys to the store off to Garret and ruffled his hair underneath his hat. He dropped his previous look, and smiled at Garret, "You're lucky you're my son, and not like the kids in this city. You would have been fired 7 years ago."
"You're... giving me the keys?" Garret was puzzled, his dad would trust him to watch his sister, the house, and things he put into the oven, but the store was like a fourth kid to his dad.
"I need to run upstate to see a few friends of mine I haven't seen in a while. Which means you'll be working the full day shift and closing. Which also means-"
"I'll be in charge of Aurora, which also means ill be in charge of dinner, which also means-"
"Alright, I think you get it." His father hung his apron on a coat rack and grabbed a suitcase.
"You gonna be back tomorrow?"
"I should be, but if not I'll call you, which I probably won't."
"Gotcha."
"Don't let me down, kid."
"Yeah, I got it."
"I mean it."
"I know"
"This store is worth more than me and you combined-"
"Dad I got it." Garret dragged his hand down his face in annoyance, "Just get going, I got this under control."
"Alright, If I ain't back tomorrow, you don't have to open up shop. Just restock."
"Wow. You know what? Take your time actually." Garret started to sweep with a smug grin on his face, "I wouldn't mind a day off."
His father chuckled and the two of them bid adieu.
"I could really use a day off though."
He grabbed a broom and started to sweep around, making himself occupied with busywork. To him, this shop was boring but held some memories.
This was a prime hangout spot for him and his friend Gianni during summers on Garret's days off. Walking in through those front sliding doors to be met with the smell of cleaning supplies combined with hotdogs and a little bit of soda would splash you right in the face and over the years, Garret could not tell if that was refreshing or disgusting. The music was usually a loop of his father's favorite very old classical music combined with the constant sound of the white noise of whirring machinery. Garret wouldn't mind the atmosphere at all, in fact, it was comforting. The turquoise tiled floor reflected all of the years that they have been installed with the pastel purple walls his mother and him painted when Garret was eight. He almost got lost in reminiscing about this old convenience shop before a customer came in.
And then many more after that.
And a lot more during rush hour.
God, this kid could really use a day off.
