CASE

Chapter 4 - "Wilted"

Words:964

The snow beat against the windows, cracks in between the window allowed the freezing air to pass through. I hate this apartment She thought to herself. Unfortunately it was the only one I could actually afford. She rose out of bed, getting ready to head to work.

"Oh, I almost forgot." She slid her mask onto herself making sure the straps were tightened. She put her jacket on and her hood over her head. Once she stepped out the door the snow from the roof slid onto her head landing with a thud around her. Scoffing, she brushed herself off and made her way to work. Face hated walking to work, but she never had or could save enough money to buy a car. She didn't even have enough to take the bus to work. After her long walk she finally arrived at her work, pushing the door open.

"Morning" she said, placing a hand up to her mouth. Giving a small wave to her colleague as she entered. She took off her jacket putting it on the coat rack, grabbing her sun hat, and her gloves putting them on. She was thankful your workplace didn't require uniforms, she couldn't stand wearing the same thing everyday. After getting settled in at her post she felt a light tap her shoulder.

"So Faceflower, I wanted to ask you about s-something earlier.." Stuttered one of Face's younger colleagues.

"What is it? C'mon spit it out." Face snapped, crossing her arms. This better not be about- Her thought was interrupted as he said the one thing she didn't want him to say.

" W-well our boss told me to tell you- that if-" He tried to hide his fear but it was no use in the presence of someone 'rather something' like Faceflower.

"That if?" Her tone harshened, tapping her foot repeatedly.

Sweat dripping off his forehead he panicked and blurted "Never mind it was nothing!" just after he ran away to his post.

"I swear if this is about me being rude to the customers I'm going to lose it. It's not my fault they're all such horrible people." She yelled after him. Before she could retort any more snarky remarks at the guy the bell rang above the door. A frown formed on her face, rolling her eyes.

"Table for one please." The lady said as she walked over to the counter.

"Let me take you to your table, miss." Face slightly grinned as she grabbed a menu for the lady.

"..." She had a displeased look on her face seeing Faceflowers attitude. Choosing to ignore it for a moment, she followed Face to her table.

"Here is your seat miss."Faceflower placed the menu on the table quickly moving away back behind the counter. She watched the customer look through the menu. While she watched the customer she didn't even notice her colleague was talking to her.

"Faceflower? Faceflower??" He repeated.

"What!" She shouted.

"Sorry! Uhm... the boss wants you in his office.." He muttered, keeping his head down.

"Fine, take my customer. I think she's ready to order" Faceflower would slip her hands in pockets walking towards her boss's office. Man, I hate this job so much, as soon as I leave that office I'm heading home! She opened the door and went in.

"Hello FaceFlower. Have a seat." The boss spoke in a calm tone, hiding his anger.

Face walked in, scoffing as she took a seat. She crossed her arms and waited quietly for what her boss had to say.

"We've been getting lots of complaints about you being.. Rude to the customers." He rolled his chair back, opening the drawer in front of him. He pulled out the files filled with complaints and slapped them on the table. "Take a look."

FaceFlower didn't seem amused, getting up to grab the files. She flipped through them for a moment before being interrupted by her boss.

"Aren't you going to take your mask off? Like to read the complaints?" He inquired, rolling his chair closer to the desk.

"Three words." Face sneered, holding up three fingers "One. Way. Mirror." She went on to ignore the man as she looked through the files. Once she was done she threw them back down and mumbled "I guess I'll try and be better next time.. or whatever.." She drew her head away, making a "tsk" sound with her mouth.

"No no- See, the next time you're rude to a customer.. You'll be fired." He harshened his words on the "you'll be fired" part to put emphasis on the fact he wasn't joking around.

"Fire me? Haha!-" FaceFlower burst out laughing, her left hand on her mouth and her right on her stomach. When she was done laughing she smiled "You would never.. I'm your best employee after all!"

"I'm serious about this, Miss Flower." He snapped.

"..." FaceFlower frowned, rolling her eyes. "Okay okay.. I'm going to get back to work now." She wasn't worried about being fired. Sure it would be an inconvenience, but she could always just find another job. Leaving the man alone in his room she walked out towards her post.

...

It was around closing time now, getting up from her post. She walked towards the coat rack and grabbed her coat. Once she had slipped it onto herself she waved goodbye and headed out the door. She made her way home, kicking the snow along the sidewalk. Her thoughts drifted to what her boss had said earlier, quickly brushing it off. After a while she arrived at her apartment, taking her time with getting inside. Once she was in, she set her things down on the table and took her coat off. She laid down supine on her bed and closed her eyes, sighing.

"What an exhausting day..." FaceFlower mumbled, draping an arm over her face.