Part-Time Tales

Chapter One: Break

Lei's eyes slowly opened to the sound of someone calling her name. She rubbed her eyes and saw Hibiscus standing right in front of her. "Wake up, Lei! What are you doing sleeping on the job?" Hibiscus scolded her. Lei felt embarrassed, and her cheeks flushed with shame. This was the third time she had been caught napping that week.

Feeling guilty, Lei looked away, not knowing what to say. Hibiscus sighed and suggested that Lei take a break day. "You look exhausted. Take some time off and come back when you're feeling better," Hibiscus said, his tone now more sympathetic. Lei hesitated for a moment, but then she nodded in agreement. "You're right, I should. Thank you for waking me up," she mumbled, getting up from her chair and walking away without saying goodbye.

As Lei walked down the dirt road, she felt guilty for sleeping on the job. She had been working hard, but the long hours and the pressure of dealing with tourists nonstop had taken a toll on her. She needed some time to rest and recharge her batteries.

As she walked, Lei saw some tourists who seemed lost and confused. She adjusted her badge and approached them with a friendly smile. "Aloha, I'm Lei. Do you need any help navigating?" she asked, her voice warm and welcoming. The tourists smiled back at her and thanked her for her kindness. Lei felt energy and satisfaction as she helped them find their way. Maybe taking a break day wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Lei finally made it to the entrance and stepped outside. She took a deep breath and felt the cool evening breeze on her face. She then pulled out her phone from her pocket to check the time. It was already 6 pm. After considering her options, she decided to head over to the place where her friend worked.