coffee shop - l.r.h

four

Work was drudgery, and it hardly paid. I never really wanted to show up, but without it, the rent couldn't be paid and I wouldn't be able to provide for myself. So alas, I go every weekday to a small clothing store to stand at the cash register for hours and put things on racks. Of course, it wasn't difficult, but it was definitely not something I wanted to do. The job was dull, and although I should be used to boring, I despise it. The routine is just so — routine.

The clock ticked continuously and eventually reached 12:59 p.m. I had to leave for my shift at one o'clock, and as the big hand reached the '12,' I sighed deeply, removing myself from my bed and leaving my apartment another time.

Familiar faces passed as I walked through the herd of people. I wondered if I looked familiar to the others who wandered down the same streets, but then questioned myself why anyone would bother to remember me. It was most likely they wouldn't, but sometimes I'd like to think they would. Maybe, I do this to mask the loneliness I feel, or maybe, I allow overthinking to overtake me. With the type of continuous nothing that is my life, I have far too much time to think. I find that fairly unfortunate, because sometimes my thoughts aren't the best company. Other times, its the only company I have.

I arrive at my workplace, greeted by the sweet smiles of my coworkers, Ashton and Kaitlin. Ashton was standing at the cash register, his hands pressed to the countertop keeping him balanced. Kait was towards the far end of the store, half-heartedly placing clothes onto hangers.

"Another day, another shift, and another happy face!" Ashton chuckled, mocking the tired expression on my face.

"Thrilled as ever!" I replied, resembling his sarcastic attitude.

Ashton pushed back his long, blond curls from the front of his face and lifted himself off the counter. He stepped aside of the register and put his hand out, signaling I was to take over. I rolled my eyes at him and walked over to where he was standing.

"All of this, just for me? Oh Ashton, you're too kind!" I stated sarcastically, nudging him away from the counter.

"You know it!" Ashton laughed and winked at me, then strolled off to the back of the store.

For the majority of the day, the store was surprisingly vacant, considering how active the city had been. A few people came and left, but nothing exciting occurred, not that anything of that sort ever did.

I had started bringing my journal to work, hoping to create something within the free time I had, which was plenty. Deciding the store was most likely to stay empty for the rest of my shift, I dug into my bag and pulled out the bounded pages. Clicking the pen, I supported myself on the counter next to the register and stared at the blank sheets.

For yet another time, nothing.

Ashton looked out the window of the store, then brought his focus back into the room. He made his way over to me, stopping at the opposite end of the counter.

"Nothing?" He asked referring to my empty page.

"Hasn't been anything for a while." I replied, closing the book and pushing it to the ground. "There's as much inspiration as people in this store."

At that moment, we were the only three in the place, no one had come for at least an hour. Ashton looked around, realizing there weren't any customers and turned back to meet my gaze.

"Well damn." He stated.

Suddenly, the low buzz of the chatter out in the city became louder, then was sharply cut off by the slam of a door. Ashton's eyes shot towards the door, as did mine. Standing in the doorway was Luke, his fingers jammed in his pockets and his eyes wandering the room. He noticed me moments later, and smiled slightly.