Daddy Didn't Love Me // Lawlorff

Sixteen

The phone dialed the numbers from the ad in the newspaper and Kian greeted them.

"Hi, I'm calling to ask about the position for the booth worker at the Clearwater Cliffs Boardwalk?" he asked. 

"No, it's not for me. It's actually for someone who I think would be great for the position, needing to make some cash, and is completely available." he spoke again. 

"His name is Sam Pottorff... yes.. yes...okay! we'll see you down there! Bye!" 

He smiled at me as he hung up. 

"They're giving you a shot. You have to go down there and do an interview at two, but you've basically got the job! Not many people's life dreams are to work at a glorified carnival!" 

The sarcasm is killing me. 

We made it down to the docks and Kian stopped the car. 

"Ready?" 

I nodded, but I was hopelessly nervous. I'd never had a job before besides cutting the neighbors' hedges or clipping their lawns. 

Kian sighed. "Hey, you don't have to do this, if you don't want. I can... I can maybe spot a few bucks from my friends once in awhile to keep up the rent or-" 

"No," I stopped him. "I'll contribute. I promise. I'm going to get this job and pay off the bills. It's all I can do with all you've done for me." 

He smiled and kissed me on the cheek. "You'll do great."

"Thanks," I muttered and pulled the door open to get out. I was halfway to the boardwalk when Kian called after me.

"Sammy!" he shouted, still in his seat. 

I turned around suddenly and raised my eyebrows. 

"Yeah?" 

He beamed at me. His smile was bright and white and beautiful. 

"You forgot something!" 

I ran back to the car hurriedly, and leaned against Kian's door. I waited patiently for him to explain as to what he was going on about. 

"What? What'd I forget?" 

He bit his lip. "This," 

He grabbed the back of my head and pulled me closer, pushing his lips against mine as lightning bolts made their way through my brain and fireworks exploded in my heart. A cage of butterflies was set free in my stomach and the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up. He pulled away after a long while of complete and utter euphoria and I breathed in a large gulp of air. 

"Glad I could catch it," I smirked and pranced off. 

"Ma baby gon' get himself a job!" Kian yelled upward at the sky, turning heads of people near us. 

"I don't know him." I explained, running faster toward the booths. 

"Go Sammayyyy!" 

I turned around and glared at Kian and he laughed to himself. 

I approached the end of the boardwalk and a girl tapped me on the shoulder. She appeared to be about five or so years older than me. "Hi, are you Sam Pottorff?" 

I nodded. "Yes, that's me." 

"Oh good! I've been looking everywhere for you! I'm Jenna, I'll be your boss." 

I looked at her surprised. "Um, I was coming here to finalize an interview..." 

She sighed. "Yeah, well, we're desperate. The job starts tomorrow at ten. Don't be late." 

She waved and answered an incoming call on her cellphone. I practically jumped up in the air. If getting a job was this easy, I would have had one by now. 

I had to fight the urge to add a skip in my step on the way back to Kian's car. He saw me, and looked up from the magazine about sailboating he'd somehow picked up. He waved and when I got in, he laughed. 

"Either you got the job, or you're just an overly optimistic person about being rejected. And since I know for a fact that you may just be the most pessimistic person I've ever came across, I'd like to say that the first is true?" 

I smiled and hugged him. "Yes! I start tomorrow!" 

He kissed my forehead and a smile painted over his face. "That's fantastic! I'm so proud of you!" 

He stared at me with smiling eyes and dimples poking out of his cheeks. He kissed me softly.

"I have to do my rounds now, contribute to society, blah blah blah..." Kian interrupted the silence, "If you want to come with, the motel has incredible wifi connection, and I have like tons of movies I've illegally downloaded on my laptop too." 

I nodded. "Yeah, sure." 

He started the car. 

"Well now we are both victims of capitalism!" 

"See! We so do have things in common!" I joked. He laughed and held my hand. 

"You're cute."