Equal Originals

Equal Originals (Short Story)

 It seems as if I've been staring in this mirror for hours; I know it's only been minutes. Maybe even just a few seconds.

Something feels different. Something isn't right. Is my hair really that long? Did my eyes always have this sparkle? Perhaps I'm just happier. That's it, I'm happy, good for me.

"Are you almost done?" My roommate, Adonis, bangs on the door.

Adonis is extremely rich. He owns his own tech company, but for some reason, he rents this crummy two-bedroom apartment. I've never met anyone who gets aggravated with every living thing the way he does. With that being said, Adonis is a rich jagweed.

I sigh, taking one last look in the mirror. I swing the door open, only to run face-first into Adonis' fist. I groan and rub my cheek.

"Awe, sorry man. That's going to bruise in about," he pauses, feigning a deep thought, "a couple of hours."

"What a jerk," I mutter under my breath. I shake my head, still rubbing my cheek.

"I'm going to work, " I shout over my shoulder.

In the car I drive with one hand, constantly switching the other one between my hair and my cheek. It doesn't feel that long, but it's definitely time to get a haircut. My cheek is really sore. Is it starting to bruise already?

I stop at a red light and look around me. The holidays are coming up. Almost every store has a huge sale going on and the one to my right is no different. There are pajama pants 80% off. 50 dollars. That is ridiculous.

The light turns green and I glance back at the display windows. Before I drive off, I notice my reflection smiling back at me. I must have a permanent smile on my face, despite how bad I feel on the inside. Maybe I should come back and get some new pajamas.

I arrive at KK's Furniture Store, my job. No, I do not own it. Yes, I know many people would call this a "dead-end job" for a 27-year-old man with another male roommate. Yes, it has been said to me before. However, here at KK's, there is a lot of room for growth.

For example, today is the day that I get to open and close the store all by myself. It's a big responsibility to have. They are trusting that I won't steal anything, break anything, or mess up any sales. Not that we get a lot of customers anyway.

Nowadays everyone orders things online. I get that it feels better to shop from home, but who in their right mind would order anything breakable rather than pick it up yourself to ensure that everything is still in one piece when it reaches your house.

I unlock the doors and do a quick walk-through before I open the store. Everything seems to be where it is supposed to be. I check the time and see that I still have 3 minutes before I have to unlock the doors and switch on the neon welcome sign.

My hands start to sweat, I never thought I would be this nervous, then again I never thought I would consider buying a 50-dollar pair of pajama bottoms.

Today has to go perfectly if I'm going to be promoted. I could really use the money, if anything, I could use it to buy out my rude roommate. Today needs to be perfect.

I start a fresh pot of coffee and pick up a spoon to check my appearance. Hopefully, my cheek will not bruise. A salesman with a purple face does not bode well for my big break.

My eyes still twinkle back at me. My face, thankfully, is not bruised. Although, it really does feel like it.

A long while after I open the store a few customers come in and I try my best to make a sale. At the end of the day, an old couple walks in and starts to look around.