Stuck Up

Constance ~ Whatever You Say, Princess

 7:30 P.M.

I'm an hour away from finishing my first training shift. My normal eight-hour shifts will start next week. In the last three hours, different staff members have stopped in to say hello and introduce themselves to me, including Paul, the boss. Paul came in at the halfway mark and showed me around the nightclub. He also mentioned that he is Salem's father, and that they're both here if I need help with anything. Everyone here is so kind and funny – it really is like a big family.

Salem has been awol for the last hour and a half. I was expecting more of her on my first day. Every time the office door opens, I prepare myself to face her, just to be met with another new face. I'm not even sure why I'm waiting up for her – she's showed me everything she needed to. My training was pretty straightforward and simple.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in," I call from the desk.

A cute man walks in, wearing a black vest over a white button-down. "Hey. Connie, right?"

"That's me," I smile.

"Just thought I'd introduce myself – I'm Jonny." He gives me a charming smile, dimples and all.

"Nice to meet you, Jonny." My greeting fades out in a yawn. I'm so bored – maybe I should have accepted that drink earlier.

"Bored?" He voices my thoughts.

"Yeah, a little. Where's Salem? I think I want that drink she offered, earlier."

"Pfft." He waves off in the direction of the door. "Let me take care of you. What can I get you?"

"Any recommendations?"

Jonny goes into thought for a moment, then nods. "I'll be right back."

Jonny disappears for about ten minutes, then comes back with a light pink blended drink with sugar and cookie crumbles decorating the rim. "This is a Blurred Lines Remixed drink. It's a Strawberry Shortcake, but nothing like you've ever had."

I take the glass from him and bring the straw to my lips. As soon as I suck it through, my tongue is assaulted with way too much vanilla vodka. I squeeze my eyes tight and shake my head vigorously, making Jonny chuckle.

"Too much?" He asks.

"Are you trying to intoxicate me in two sips?" I set the glass down and wipe my mouth.

As we're laughing it off, the office door swings open and in comes Salem.

"There she is," Jonny starts. "I thought you hadn't come up for air."

Wait, what?

"Shut up," Salem rolls her eyes, rubbing her neck. "Get out – you're distracting our new manager."

"See you later, sweetness." Jonny winks at me and confidently takes his leave. He makes eye contact with Salem, who just glares at him all the way out of the door. He doesn't seem phased, and actually more entertained than anything else.

"What's wrong with you?" I ask her once he's completely out of the room.

She pushes the door closed with enough force to make it slam, a little. "Nothing, he's just a pain in my ass." She glances down at my horribly blended drink. "Did he bring that to you?"

"Yeah, why?"

She tilts her head to the side and smirks. "Why aren't you drinking it?"