Inadequate Without You

Chapter (4)

Anger. 

It was the one emotion currently boiling up inside of me. My manager, Chris, seemed delighted when my mother asked him when I could start. 

"Today," he had said, shooting me a mishcevious look. 

I hadn't said anything in response, but it really didn't seem to make a difference to my mom that I hadn't said much since we walked in here. Because in seconds I was pushed behind the counters and a apron was wrapped tightly around my waist. 

Oh the love I had for my mother. 

She waved delightedly as she hurried out the door, before I got the chance to chase after her. So here I was standing awkwardly behind the counter, with nothing to do. Chris had gone back, completely ignoring me and there was literally no one else in the shop. If working here was going to be this easy I sure wouldn't mind. 

I was about to sit down when a voice called to me. 

"Why in the world would you want to work here out of all places?" a deep voice asked. 

For a second I thought it was Chris, and that he was angry about the fact that I was working here. However, when I turned around I was faced with a guy, a little taller than me, and his sky blue eyes staring at me with an impish spark to them. He had a few freckles on his cheeks, but other than that his face was calm and relaxed. His eyebrows were arched up misheviously and his arms were crossed around his toned upper body. 

"Didn't really have a choice," I shrugged.

"Well now you do, I'll give you ten seconds to run and I promise I won't tell Chris-"

His plan was cut short for Chris appeared from the back. 

"Tell Chris what?" he asked as he slung an arm around the other boys shoulder. 

"Darn it, sorry Karla. Guess you really don't have a choice," he gave me a sarcastic pity look.

Wait, he knew my name? Why didn't I recognize him? I didn't say anything, as I was too busy trying to recall if I ever met this guy before. A long wave of silence washed over us, before the boy spoke again. 

"I'm Andrew, by the way." he shot me a toothy grin and extended his arm out to me. 

I took it hesitantly and jut stood there, not knowing what else to do. 

"Well, Karla. You can start by washing the cups over there, just be careful they don't drown 'kay? You should be fine with that, right?" Chris spoke with a knowing sarcastic tone in his voice. 

Andrew stood there confused, but didn't say anything.

"Are you sure the cups want to be washed?" I shot back, "I mean they might want to, you know, stay dirty," I hinted back to the cliff and how he claimed he wanted to die. 

"Like you care, I'm pretty sure you'd save them either way. Trying to carry on being that hero you are," He retrieved his arm from Andrews' shoulder and stood up taller, eyeing my carefully. waiting for my next comeback.

I was about to say something when Andrew cut in, "Okaay, everyone seems to have had a bad morning. What about I wash the cups and Karla you can stand at the cashier,"

I nodded my head in agreement, but Chris didn't seem to want to cooperate.

"Who made you the manager?" He shot Andrew a dirty look. 

"Just drop it, Chris," Andrew said, quite annoyed. 

To my surprise he did, he rolled his eyes and headed towards the back again. 

~

It was really peaceful after Chris left us. 

Andrew tried making small talks with me but I shot him down right away. I really wasn't in the mood for a conversation. That was until he said something that really pissed me off. 

 "He got you with his charm, eh?" he said, after finishing with the dishes. 

"Are you stupid? I finally said, "I told you I was forced into this job,"  

"Oh Karla, sweet and innocent Karla. You don't have to hide the truth from me, I won't tell Chris you have a crush on him," he gave me a flirty wink ,which earned him a shove.

Not content with the little shove, I prodded him with my elbow making him wince in pain. Much to my satisfaction.

"You're so abusive," he muttered, rubbing his stomach in pain.

"What are you gonna do? Call animal abuse?" I smirked to myself.

That's when a laugh erupted frorm the back.

"Aw man, she got you there!" Chris called from inside.

What a creep, he was listening to us?

"That hurt, Carly." he dramatically clutched his heart in pain, ignoring his friends remark.

"Its Karla." I replied annoyed, forgetting all about his act. "K-A-R-L-A" I spelled it out for him.

"Whatever, you're just trying to deny the fact you have a crush on your manager," he cooed. 

I was about to shove him again, but he was ont step ahead me. He jumped out of the way just in time and laughed in victory. 

"Oh god!" he practically yelled, "Did you see that? You totally did not see that coming, oh lord I'm good-What the hell?" 

Now it was my turn to double over in a fit of laughter, while he was too busy celebrating his victory I took the oppurtunity to jab him in his stomach once again. 

 "You totally did not see that coming," I added after taking in a deep breath, to stop the laughter. 

"Chris! I need you to fire Karla!" He complained as he made sure to keep a good distance between us, "She's going to be the reason I end up in the hospital before school starts back up again, and we both know the girls won't be too happy about that,"

I could tell that Chris wasn't even listening to anything Andrew had said, because his complaint was met with dead silence. 

"Grow a pair," I said, with my signature eye roll. 

"That wasn't very lady like of you," he smirked, and wagged his index finger up and down, as if he was scolding me. 

"I'm sure you'd know the first thing about being a lady," I gave him the sweetest smile I could muster up. 

"You hurt me physicallly and now emotionally too? Chris! Fire her already!" He called out to his friend in desperation. 

"Can't you hold it together for two full minutes?" a really flustered and annoyed Chris appeared from the back, yet again. 

"I will, if you fire her," Andrew deadpanned.

I honestly couldn't tell if he was kidding or not, I assumed he was at first, but now he seemed serious it was hard to say. 

"Now, Andrew. You know I can't do that," he spoke slow, making sure to pause between every word so Andrew was sure to understand. "I can't say I don't want to, because trust me I really don't want her working for me. But unfortunately there isn't anything I can do,"

"Okay, first of all you prickheads I'm standing right here," I waved my arms, just in case they couldn't comprehend what I had said, "and second, Chris, I don't work for you. You might be the manager but you don't own this place, so I suggest you shut up before I get in a word with the real boss," I gave him a sick smile and proceeded to touch up the counter, that was already spotless, in peace. 

That is of course until a wave of laughter washed over the whole shop, wait did I say wave? More like an earthquake of laughter. I could've sworn the shop shook. 

"Sweetheart, I own this shop," Chris stated, matter-of-factly. 

Well shit, someone should've mentioned that to me thirty freaking seconds ago. 

~~~

A/N 

Oh snap