Girl with the clay mask

Chapter Two

I walk into the office and Paul stands in front of his desk awkwardly. "Why are you late nearly every day?" He asks with a rough voice, he doesn't smoke or anything but his voice is very raspy and grainy. "Well, uh...I think my alarm isn't set early enough, and I don't have a car so getting here on time is difficult." He looks at me with a straight face. "I honestly don't want to hear these excuses, just come in on time." I frown and nod my head. "Now go do your job." He says with a raised voice. I bawl my fists and walk out. I walk behind the counter and check the register, no one is in the store which only ticks me off more. why would he ask me why I'm late if he's just going to say 'I don't want your excuses'? after a few minutes, Kevala and some of her friends walk in. Kevala has been going to my school for almost as long as I have, I think she moved here in the third grade. She's probably the prettiest girl I have ever seen too, but I'm half convinced she barely knows I exist.

"Hey, Is Arlene here?" She asks me. I freeze a bit and choke to get the words out. "Y-Yeah, she's in the break room, I can get her if you want...?" I force a smile and point towards the door. She giggles and nods a bit. "If you could." I nod profusely and stick my head into the break room. "Arlene, Kevala's asking for you." She stands up. "I'm coming." She walks up to Kevala and I lean on the countertop. Arlo, Arlene's twin, slowly opens the front door and runs to the counter. "Did anyone notice that I wasn't here?" He whispers to me. I frown at him. "How is it I come in late and Paul gets onto me but you come in even later and he doesn't notice?" He grins. "Because I'm pretty." He bats his eyes and I blow a raspberry, rolling my eyes.

"Hi, Arlo." Kevala shoots a smile toward him. I look down, feeling my face burning. Arlo smiles back toothily. "I want to invite you guys to my birthday party in three days, it's on the 23rd." She says standing closer to the counter. "All three of us?" I ask standing up straight. She nods and giggles. "Yeah, sure. You don't have to bring anything unless you want to." She adds. I nod a bit. that's the only interaction I have with Kevala until she leaves. The rest of the day feels extremely sluggish and boring. Arlo and Arlene leave first and I close up.

I ride my skateboard home and listen to music. I almost make it up the driveway before zipping my jacket up, I'd give myself a heart attack if I thought it were possible. I get into the house and my mom is out, my dad not getting home for another three hours anyway. I go to my room and instantly take the uniform off and sleep. I know Kevala said people don't have to get her anything, but I can't just show up empty-handed. isn't saying 'you don't have to bring anything' just saying 'surprise me'? I fall asleep and, how typical, My dream starts with the most dreadful smell of smoke and shrill sounds of screaming.