Salmonella

Chapter 21

🫧Twenty-One🫧

Back at work on Margaday, I expect to see Asslas there, but Zig and Teal tell me he called in earlier to say his tail was giving him trouble again after all his dancing and he has another show tonight. He won't be back until the show ends, a whole two weeks from now. That's good news, I decide. I can keep my job for at least another two weeks.

"So which of you do I take orders from now?" I joke, neglecting my smock and joining the guys by the splash register. I settle comfortably on the counter, spinning around to face them. They shoot me odd looks.

"What do you mean?" Zig says slowly. "You're the one in charge, obviously."

I falter. "No, that was last time. That doesn't mean I'm in charge aga—"

"He said it this morning when he called." Teal puts on his best high-pitched voice. "'And remember, Ella's in charge, so you better listen to her. I don't wanna hear about you two slacking off~~'"

I stare at him, hoping he's just teasing me. There's no way Asslas actually said that.

"He even said Ella, not Bentik," Teal gripes to Zig with a pout. "But I'm still just Littoral? I'm so jelly."

Zig flicks his forehead. "Are you crazy? This means the first name ban has been lifted. It has to be. Otherwise that's favoritism."

"True. Okay gang, from now on, we all start using first names. Doesn't matter what Atlas thinks. He can't geyser all of us."

"I thought he was mad at me," I cry. "Why is he always putting me in charge and why would he use my first name?"

Zig leans across the counter towards me. "Isn't it obvious?" He taps me on the forehead. "He's soft on you. You're his favorite."

Heh? I feel my eye twitch. All Asslas' yelling and bitching at me and I'm his favorite? What a horrible way to show it.

But it makes me think.

The guys are taking care of the shop—or, rather, Teal is taking care of the shop while Zig begs him to go to a Spray Kids concert with him—so I head to the back and do what I never wanted to.

'Hi,' I type. 'Is this...'

Shit. I was in a rush yesterday and she didn't have time to add a contact name. What was her name again? Clarity? Charity? I totally forgot, and I think I left the playbill somewhere at home. I guess I could try and look her up on the school webbedsite, but that would take forever and I don't think they have the cast list there. Eh, better to not make a fool of myself.

'Hi... this is Ella, the one you met yesterday? Thanks again for your help, I was a total mess 😅.'

Why am I so awkward? I begrudgingly send the message. Would it kill me to not be awkward for two seconds?

'Ellaaaa,' she responds right away. So she's one of those. 'Hey girlll.'

The three moving dots tell me she's still typing, so I wait.

'Great to hear from you! I wasn't sure if you'd want to talk to me after meeting like that but I'm glad I was wrong! Hope you're feeling better hon, don't stress yourself!💚💚'

'I'm better thanks!'

''So what's up? Want to talk about smth or just saying hi?'

I hesitate for a while, wondering if I should be doing this, but I'm curious.

'If it's not a waste of your time I wanted to talk about Atlas... just curious about smth'

'Oh?? What do you wanna know??🫢😏💅🍵' she asks deviously, as I can tell from the string of emojis.

'Not gossip or anything,' I say nervously.

'Aww no fun:( ' she says.  'What's up?'

'Well basically my coworker says I'm Atlas' favorite ...'

'Oh?'

I bite my lip. 'They say Atlas is soft on me and that's why he puts me in charge when he can't be around and stuff'

'And what you think?'

'Idk it's true he's had a change of heart maybe but I don't feel like he likes me'

I almost slip up and say I still don't like him, but I don't need to tell that to a friend of his.

'He's a big softie so I wouldn't be surprised lol'

I freeze. 'Really'

'yeah he's such a tsundere'

What? I laugh. Asslas a tsundere? Somehow I can't imagine that at all.

'I mean idk your dynamic or anything,' she continues. 'Just saying from the way he is with our cast and all. Why?? Do you like him??👀'

'WHAT,' I type furiously, almost gagging. Like ASSLAS?

She sends a bunch of playful emojis. 'Idk why else are you so curious what he thinks of you'

'Omg no,' I insist with some vomiting emojis. 'What are you talking about'

'guess my senses were off then?'

'He's my manager how could I? And even if he's soft with you guys he's not like that with me, he hates me'

And doesn't he like guys? I think to myself but don't say to her, because I shouldn't be speculating about someone's sexuality being their back.

'Ok if you say so😉 ...It's just usually when girls ask me what someone thinks abt them it's bc they're interested in him. but there's a first time for everything'

Then she says, 'I'm sure you'll be fine. It's not you, he just takes his jobs seriously. And he prob likes you. Lmk if anything happens?? I want updates'

Likes me? Her signs are way off.

'Thanks,' I say and choose to ignore the Asslas liking me part. 'Sorry to sound dumb but what's your name again, I forgot how to spell it ...'

She laughs like crazy before replying, 'Verity Ray. You? For your contact'

'Ella Bentik'

'Got it tyyy,' she says. 'you go to Fish right? What year are you?'

'Freshman'

'freshiee I thought so' She sends another playful emoji.

'What's that supposed to mean?' I grumble.

'Nothing you're just adorable!! So precious!!' she insists. I laugh. She has so much energy. Almost reminds me of Gen.

'I'm graduating this year can you believe it!!' she gasps.

'I believe it lol'

She definitely gives me the vibes of someone older and way more confident. I wasn't planning on making any new friends; I usually like keeping my friend circles small because I don't trust most people or just can't relate to them. But I guess it can't hurt to add one more.

Verity Ray, I name her contact, adding a new person to my life. I smile.