Finding My Way(Preview)

Nick

Bang. Footsteps. Another bang. What the fuck? I slowly open my eyes but I don't recognise where I am. It's still dark but there must be a street light out the window because I can just make out that this is not my bedroom. Think. Where am I? I try to move but my arm is stuck. A small moan comes from beside me. Shit! I fell asleep in Kelly's bed. That was not the plan.

I slowly drag my arm out from under her. I sit up and push my legs out from beneath the covers. My feet find a pile of clothes on the floor. My eyes are starting to focus and I can just make out which clothes are mine. I find my phone in the pocket of my pants, pressing the button to light up the screen I find that has just past 4am. Phew! Not late for work.

I quickly get dressed and softly shut the bedroom door behind me, while Kelly remains fast asleep. I sneak out the front door then walk the couple of blocks back home. I sure am grateful to whoever was making that racket at Kelly's. They woke me up in time for work. Plus I don't want Kelly getting the wrong idea. We've hooked up a couple of times now, but if I had of stayed the whole night it could mean something else entirely. For her, that is. Not me, I don't do the relationship thing. I made that clear to her but still, you know what girls can be like, reading too much into things.

Man, I am kicking myself for not getting more sleep. What time did I stop drinking? I wasn't even going out last night, I was still too wrecked from the night before, until Dan called around and begged me. He has the hots for Kelly's friend, Jo, and the girls wanted to meet up at a pub in the city. Dan can be persuasive and being a Sunday arvo I didn't see too much harm in it. We left my place at about 3pm and I figured I'd be back home early. But one drink led to another and we ended up having dinner. Kelly and Jo are cool chicks to hang with and the four of us were having a great time.

Then more drinks led to even more drinks. And after a few drinks with Kelly things generally end up in the same way. She gets frisky and me being a guy and all... who am I to deny her? I mean she's hot and damn good in the sack. I vaguely remember catching a taxi to Kelly's place, leaving Dan and Jo in the cab, to go where? I don't know, probably Dan's house.

I head straight for the shower when I get home. It's too early for work but there's not enough time for a decent nap. I make myself a coffee. Deciding I'm kind of hungry I make some toast too. Then sit and twiddle my thumbs for a bit before making another coffee and then heading off to work. I'm still feeling the effects of all the alcohol I consumed, so I am grateful that I don't have to drive to work. I walk a couple of blocks to the train station and open the kiosk early. I set up the racks of newspapers and fill the register with cash from the safe. I have been working here for nearly three months now and I'm on autopilot as the first customers of the day approach.

A couple of hours in and I'm dead on my feet. I really should not have stayed up so late last night. I wish I could just go back to bed. Or even better, back to Kelly's bed. I can't help but smirk at the thought of what that girl could do with her mouth, much rather do that, than work. Yeah, all in all, I would say it was a successful night. But I'm paying for it now. Too much alcohol and a 4am wake up call, yep, I really do need to slow down on the 'school night' partying. Also I should cool it with Kelly, if things continue in this way I just know I will never be rid of her.

Whoa and that guy needs to slow down on the garlic! I hand the customer in front of me his change and am glad to be rid of him. I look up to serve the next customer and I'm pleased to see this one. Yeah, she's lovely, I see her most days. In fact, I saw her on my first day and I have noticed her ever since. She always looks so sad and I often wonder about her. She's young and attractive, yet looks so miserable. It's a shame, wasted talent.