More Than a Teacher - Ashton Irwin

28

I'm in my work uniform for the first time in nearly a month and if I'm honest it's not even a good feeling. I don't even like working, I just like the money so I'm not broke and can at least buy myself lunch instead of Ash.

I tie up my long brunette hair that's in need of a cut. It has reached my hips now after not cutting it for the past five years.

"What time do you finish?" Ash leans against the bathroom door frame.

"Uh, till close so seven." I reach my hand under my shirt to spray deodorant.

"Gee, what am I going to do for the next four hours?" He chuckles.

"You've got Cal and I'm sure you boys have been missing just the two of you hanging out together." I speak while tucking my shirt with the logo into my pencil skirt.

"Hey, we both love having you here so don't even say that." He rubs my shoulder making me subtly roll my eyes. Surely he misses having boys night or whatever.

"It's nearly three, I gotta go."

We leave the apartment and get in his car even though I told him I'd be fine to catch the bus. He pulls up in a car park close to the cafe, making me subtly huff as I get out with my phone and a water bottle.

"I'll come get you at seven," He leans over the middle console to speak to me out the window. "Don't work too hard." He goofily smiles

"I'll work as hard as I have too," I playfully rolled my eyes. "See you soon."

I push myself away from the car window to let him drive off. I sigh, looking at the cafe ahead of me. Part of me really doesn't want to do this at all. The gut feeling has me questioning if I should be coming back to work here. I shove my phone into my skirt pocket and clutch my water bottle tightly as I make my way to the front entrance.

The familiar strong smell hits my nose and the bell on the door rings as I walk in. I swallow lightly and smile as I see my manager making hot beverages.

"Hi Ava, it's nice to see your face again. Sorry you haven't had any shifts, we've got a new girl so she kinda pushed you off the roster but Anna quit yesterday so looks like you're back on." She smiles and continues to froth milk at the machine.

Wow, work literally couldn't give a shit about me.
They just give my shifts to the fucking new girl and then all of a sudden someone leaves and then they need me again. It's all about the bloody business. How do they think I felt not earning money for the past few weeks? My parents got evicted from their house because I couldn't pay rent so god knows where they are now.

"Go on, grab your apron. It's Thursday and school is about to finish and you know what that means."

I nod and trudge to the back room.

I totally forgot it was Thursday. The busiest afternoon at the cafe where so many high school kids come and do their homework so they can go out and party on Friday. That means Michael and Luke will be in very soon.

Great.

Each employee's apron is hung up on each hook with their name printed on the fabric. Initially I can't see mine so I move some of the aprons to find it behind someone else's. The name on the front reads 'Kasey.' I subtly cringe as it reminds me of someone I know.

Must be the new girl.

And it looks like I may have to teach her not to put her apron on my hook.

I slip it over my head and tie it around my waist.
From the moment I step behind the register it feels like it instantly got busier. I take orders, then deliver them to their designated table and wipe down any dirty tables so the next customer can sit.