Beautiful People

Thirteen

I pull my hair into a ponytail, and quickly apply my mascara. I open the car door, and jog out of the parking lot and into the store.

I check the time on my phone. I'm ten minutes late.

"Shit." I mutter. I had to clock in late, when I was looking for my card I realized someone has clocked in for me.

"I clocked in for you." I turn around to see a smiling Tyler.

"Thank you!" I smile.

"No problem. Its your first day and I didn't want you to have stress. I heard that's bad for the baby."

I look down and notice the bump has gotten bigger.

"Boy or girl?" Tyler is still smiling.

"I don't know yet. I'm only a month pregnant." I reply.

"Oh.. Yeah I forget you guys get checked around five months." He chuckles.

"Yup."

"Well the boss put you as cashier today. I don't think you need any help since you have done this before." He says and returns to his cashier, number 9.

I go to number 10, thank God its near Tyler, so when I'm not busy I have someone to talk too.

I smile as my first customer walks up, "Hello! Did you find everything okay?"

••

My shift was almost done. Thankfully today was not so busy, I was about to turn my light off when a customer walked into my aile. Just one more customer.

"Hello! Did you find everything okay?" I smile, as I start to swip the food.

"Rachel?" The words bounce off his lips. I look up from what I was doing and saw Louis.

"What are you doing here?" I whisper.

"Shopping. And you?" He smiles, the smile that I fell in love with.

"I obviously work here, they don't let anyone work here." I roll my eyes.

"You'd be surprised." Louis says. "You look beautiful." He adds.

I feel myself blush but quickly push the feelings away.

"Rachel."

"What?" I snap.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for screwing your life up." He says quietly.

I feel a tear run down my face, Louis whipped it away before it could fall.

"Is that all?" I ask, whipping my eyes with my sleeve.

"Can I have a pack of cigarettes?"

"You smoke?" I ask, now sounding surprised.

"Used too. But you know stress kicks in and I smoke all away my worries." He replies.

"Louis, don't buy cigarettes." I sigh.

"Fine. I will just get them at a gas station. How much do I owe you?"

"$20.45" I reply. He gives me the money and pushes his cart away towards the door. "Have a good day.." I turn my light off and clock myself out.

"Hey, are you okay? I saw you talking to Louis, you both looked like a total train wreck. Did he hurt you?" Tyler cups my face.

"He didn't hurt me." Lie. "We were just talking."

"I heard that he is a lot of trouble. That he messes with girls hearts." Tyler says, his sweet, warm breath hit my face.

"Oh. Thanks for the warning. I should be going." I pull away.

"Yeah. See you tomorrow." He smiles.

I walk out the door and head to my car. Once I get in I slam my head against the steering wheel.

"Why? Why me?" I scream.

••

I sat there for almost an hour, realizing that I'm going to be late for my next job. But I didn't care, I'm going home. I put the key in the ignition and drive home.