The Orange Effect

Chapter 2

Jay (pov)

Since Jojo doesn't live very far away we get to her place relatively quickly. "So I figured we could just chill here for a little bit then go get dinner." she says as we step into an elevator. She presses the circular eight button and it lights up in an off white color before the doors close. As it begins it's ascent to the eight floor I make note of the fact that there's a sticker above the button panel stating that it passed it's most recent inspection. I'm also relieved that the building manager here decided to stop the extremely irritating bad elevator music. "So what're you in the mood for?" "Jojo you of all people know that I'm to indecisive with food." she groans as the elevator comes to a stop. We exit into the light yellow hallway with Diamond pattern carpeting.

There's an off white molding running down the center of the walls. At the ending of each hall there's a painting in a simple frame of the same color and a small fake plant on a light brown small table. To top it all off light fixtures are attached to the ceiling in between every two chestnut doors. We make a right from the elevators and make a left onto the next hallway where Jojo lives in the second apartment on the left. "Well then how about Chinese mr.difficult." she says fishing her keys out of her jacket pocket and unlocking her door. As soon as we step in I take off my shoes and place them next to her bright red umbrella stand. "Sounds good to me. Just try not to kill your wallet this time." she sticks her tongue out but I ignore her and hop onto the couch facing the TV. Layout wise her apartment is close to being a carbon copy of Monica and Rachelle's from friends, just a little smaller.

"Like you're one to talk. And are you gonna change or what?" without replying I grab my bag and head into the bathroom to change. I change out of my work clothes consisting of a black Polo and beige pants into an orange plaid shirt and dark jeans. "Hey Jay is my nail file in there?" I hear her call "Nope, and I'm not checking your medicine cabinet either". I walk out of her bathroom ignoring the irritated stare she was giving me and flopped back on the couch. As she leaves my sight I turn on the TV and switch over to the food network where cutthroat kitchen was coming on. When Alton's voice came on Jojo immediately ran back into the room and jumped over the back of the couch. "Jay you've gotta be psychic or something. I can never catch this during the day." she beams "What can I say, I'm gifted.".

*1 hour later*

"Yes! I am victorious!" I shout as the credits roll and Jojo pouts "That decision was total BS.". I fall back on the couch smirking at her "You're just being a sore los-" she interrupts me by shoving me off the couch. "Ow! Vindictive much?" "Oh man up." there's a knock at the door and she goes to answer it. "Well then screw you to." I lay on the floor being in the mood for some stubbornness "Jay why are you on the floor?". I look over to see Abbie behind the couch giving me a confused stare "I'm protesting." "Jay get up." Jojo deadpans "Make me.". A moment later I'm lifted up and set on my feet by a curly haired bastard. "Michael, give me a reason not to hit you." "You didn't have to exert energy to get up." "good enough." me him and Sarah sit on one couch and Jojo and Abbie sit on the other.

"So what's the plan?" Abbie asks leaning forward "Chilling here then Chinese.". "So why is count douchehole gonna be late?" I ask looking to Michael "Something about some chick I don't know.". Should've figured, I'm not even joking when I say Conner is the prime example of a douchebag. I'm pretty sure the only reason we hang out with him is cause he basically won't leave. "So what's going on with you guys?" "I backhanded a rude jackass at the mall yesterday." Abbie says enthusiastically. She's one of those girls who doesn't take anyone's crap and has the right hook to back it up. Sarah is in the middle of ranting about something I'm only half paying attention to when there's a knock at the door, damn it all to hell.

Lucas (pov)

"Hey Lucas, did Byron ever come in today?" Audrey asks poking her head in the small office door. Audry is a relatively normal height standing at around "5'6" with dark ebony hair that she keeps in a high bun while at work. "No, he said he might not come in at all today after he left yesterday." I sigh running a hand through my own dark hair. "I swear, anyway how about you go finish your repairs and I'll handle the paperwork." my mood immediately does a 180°. "Audry you're a saint!" I give her a quick hug before heading down to the car I was working on. I'd much rather do, well anything, than the monotony that is paperwork. I understand why it needs to be done and I'll do it if I have to but it's technically not even my job. The repair garage I work at has one manager who handles the legal type things like paperwork and financial information.

On paper I'm an assistant manager so I make sure that things on the work end are taken care of. But whenever Byron decides no to come into work I'm usually stuck with the paperwork. Audry helps me when she can but she's usually either tied up dealing with clients or dealing with our online stuff. Anyway I'm fairly certain the owners have absolutely no idea how often the slacker misses work. Honestly with the crummy management and overly demanding work schedule I want to quit. Plus Audry is the only person here I seem to get along with, not for lack of trying either. Apparently being cordial with people and wanting to find common ground instead of arguing is considered, and I quote "being a wuss ass.".

It's not like I'm a push over eithet, if there's something morally or ethically wrong with how you're acting I'm gonna tell you. But I was raised to try and resolve conflict instead of making it worse, what can I say I'm a mama's boy. I sigh as I remove the heavily worn out serpentine belt from the 2010 silver Honda civic. How the hell thus thing hasn't already come out of place is beyond me, people really need to take better care of their cars. This car in particular has a pretty rough looking engine and the oil hadn't been changed in ages. "Maybe I will take Audry up on her offer to hang out on Saturday." I mumble getting out some necessary tools. After a week with this car I could use the unwind, besides what could go wrong.