Fight Club

01| Semi-Charmed Life

I graduated High School on a Friday. I moved to my apartment in New York the next week, my bags packed and my apartment already rented. My parents were going to help me pay for it, but I'd have to get a job. I knew that. 

That was why I was shuffling around Lake Placid, New York trying to find a coffee shop with open jobs. At the very end of the street, there was a sign hanging in the window of a coffee shop. I walked a bit faster, end though I knew no one was going to really want to apply for a job there.

I pushed into the coffee shop, the Rise and Grind, and adjusted my plaid skirt and white top. I walked closer to the counter, standing behind a tall man who's knuckles were wrapped with medical tape. He was having a conversation with the woman behind the cash register. She looked to be about sixty, and he about twenty.

"Ma, you know this is my life. I make a living this way, and you can't-" the man said. The woman-his mother- cut him off upon seeing me and dismissed her son.

"Hello sweetie, how can I help you?" she asked. I smiled and tucked my brown hair behind my ear before talking.

"Actually, I noticed your sign in the window, and I was wondering if I could apply for a job?" I asked, clasping my hands together behind my back. The old woman smiled.

"Ah, yes! Let me just grab you an application from the back!" the old woman squealed. She rushed off into the back of the coffee shop. I was left alone with just a few customers and her son.

"I'd think you would look for a job at some clothing store or something" her son snorted. I looked up at him.

"I don't feel like working on commission" I sneered at him, turning back to look at the counter.

"I worked here for four years. I'd, personally, rather work on commission than do this" he said. I rolled my eyes.

"I just need to make money, okay? I don't care how" I snapped. The boy backed off.

"Alright. Don't say I didn't warn you. I'm Luca" he said, and extended his wrapped hand. I shook it warily.

"Giselle" I told him, shooting him a small smile as his mom rushed back out from the back. I took the form from her, and bid the two goodbye before throwing myself back out into the hot summer air. 

I made my way back to my apartment, unlocked the door, and set the paper on the entryway table. I slid off my sandals and picked up my phone to dial my mom's phone number.

The phone rang a number of times before going to voicemail. I hung up without leaving a message, and flopped down onto the couch. I grabbed the remote and turned on the television, flipping to the demand channel and starting an old episode on Next Top Model. My phone rang on the table across the room, so I hopped up and grabbed it. It was my mom. I pressed the answer button.

"Hi, darling. Sorry I didn't answer earlier" she cooed. I smiled.

"It's alright, mom. I just wanted to tell you that I found a coffee shop with a few job openings, and I'm going to apply for a job" I told her sweetly. My mom made a noise of approval.

"That's amazing, Giselle. I'll be sure to tell your father" my mom assured me. I nodded and picked up the Rise and Grind application and took it over to the television, setting it down on the couch.

"Alright mom, I've gotta go! I'll talk to you later" I said. We told each other 'goodbye', and I hung up. I grabbed a pen out of my purse and started to fill out the form. 

First Name: Giselle

Last Name: Williams

Middle Name: Marie

About an hour and a few phone calls later, the form was filled out. I put it next to the door and slugged back to my room, changing from my nice clothes to some sweatpants and a t-shirt. I crashed on the couch again, falling asleep.