The Pain in my Ass!

Chapter 1: Summer's In! (Penelope's P.O.V)

   The sun is out, the wind is fresh, junior year is finally over and it's time to be top dog again. My final year and then I'm free, no more Brea Olinda High, hellooooooooo college! I have a shift in 30 minutes, my boss is going to kill me if I'm late again.
   "Where did I leave my keys?" I looked high and low, I got so desperate I looked in my cupboards. Under my bed, behind the sofa, and under the sink. I called my stepmom to see if she might have any clue.
   *ring* *ring* *ri- "What?!"
   "Hey, Susan. Do you know where my car keys are?"
   "Yeah. In my hand, I took your car since mine is in the shop."
   "What the fuck? I didn't say you could take my car! I have work!"
   "Don't talk to your mother that way!"
   "You'll never be my goddamn mother."
   "Well there's nothing I can do about that, you act like it's so far away. Just fucking walk."
   "Whatever. Thanks for making life harder like always."
   "I have had enoug-"
  God she is annoying as fuck, ever since she hooked up with my dad, she thinks she can make me call her mom and tell me what to do. She takes my car without asking, and gives me all these ridiculous chores and errands to do for her like I'm some god damn slave. I look at my phone...
   "SHIT?!" I'm 5 minutes late and I haven't even left the house. I quickly grab my tote bag, my water, and the house keys and book it for Hot Topic.

(In the back of Hot Topic clocking in)

  "Late again...?"
   "I'm so sorry Lucas, Susan took my damn car keys and I was looking everywhere for them but couldn't find them so I had to call her an-"
   "It's fine. This is your final warning though. If you come late again, I'm going to have to write you up."
   His black hair softly framing his chiseled face and making his hazel green eyes pop. I've always had the hugest crush on him, but obviously can't tell him that since he's 23 and has a long-term girlfriend.
   "Thank you so much Lucas, I promise it won't happen again."
   "Uh huh, that's what you said last time," he said with the cutest smirk forming a small dimple on his right cheek. "Get to working."
   "Yes sir!" I said stupidly after, although rewardingly receiving a soft chuckle back.
   I step outside and see my work bestie dealing with an overly sensitive adult over some mystery bags. I slowly make my way over there so that I can overhear their conversation before chiming in.
   "...BUT ONLINE IT SAYS YOU GUYS HAVE THEM IN STOCK?!" The customer's voice was quite high pitched and obviously angry.

   "I understand that ma'am, but I'm telling you that we just sold the last one, and we make these in the morning. I would know this first hand since I made them."
   "YOU'RE JUST LAZY AND DON'T WANT TO GO IN THE BACK AND GET ME ONE! TEENAGERS THESE DAYS I SWEAR!" She quickly turns around and stomps out the store grumbling. I didn't even get to talk to the lady. My work bestie turns around relieving the hugest sigh and then looks up and our eyes meet.
   "PENELOPEEE!!"
   "Hey Celeste! Overheard yall's conversation there. I just want to say, whatever happens, you handled it very well."
   "Aweee thanks P. You were always so sweet." Her black lipstick was so mesmerizing with her pasty white base and dramatic black eyeliner. Ms. trad Goth USA over here.
   "Oh stop it" I flusteredly said.
   "So, late again? What happened this time, did your dog eat your alarm clock again?"
   "No, I wish, it was Suuuusan."
   "Oh no! Not the wicked old step mother!" She sarcastically spoke out with her hands against her face and mouth open.
   "You know you're gonna eat a fly one of these days if you keep your mouth open for too long" She laughed and punched me in the side of the arm.
   It wasn't really busy, no customers were coming in so Celeste and I were playing card games and spilling all the hot goss we knew. However, our beautiful time together was cut off when a sweet girl came through the door with a piece of paper in her hand. She almost resembled a Barbie doll honestly, she was wearing so much pink.
   "Hello! Is there anything that I can help you with today, or are you just browsing around?" I looked straight into her doe brown eyes.
   She smiled and said, "Hi! Actually I was hoping that I could speak to the person in charge, I'm looking to apply for a position here!"
   I couldn't tell if she was being serious or not but nonetheless I said, "Oh how cool, let me go get him for you and you can just sit tight right here." I walk over into the back and into the one and only Lucas's office which I don't ever go into unless I'm in trouble.
   "Knock, Knock~"
   "Yes, P, something wrong?"
   "No...no, just there's a girl out front looking to put in an application to work here, she seems sweet."
   "I'll be the judge of that, bring her to me please." I walk out of his office and head over to the innocent girl and tell her to follow me, and do as he asks.

   I am about to finish my shift and close up shop when I see miss pink come walking out of the back with the hugest smile on her face.
   "Thank you, Mr. Lucas!" She walks out and the love of my life starts walking towards me. Usually I get butterflies but for some reason, this time it doesn't feel good.
   "Hey, Penelope, you're going to be training the new girl tomorrow during your shift in the morning. Her name is Winnie, and I know you're the nicer one so I want you to make her feel comfortable and welcome."
   "Oh, okay, sure yeah."
   "Thanks, I knew I could count on you!" I watched his young Jimmy Buffet built body walk away. I hated training someone, every time I did they'd always quit because it was too complicated, however, just something doesn't feel right about this Winnie girl...