State of Grace (Complete)

Part-time and pick-ups

 For the boys' birthday this year, I am going to the movies with Chris and some of the guys from his band. We invited Ian to come, but he wasn't interested. I'm sure that he and his latest, Wendy—I think, from my math class, are probably going to do something far more inappropriate than a movie, but I don't want to know. I've gotten them both iTunes cards with money that my dad gave me for lunches. I usually make my lunch, so what he doesn't know won't hurt him, but I really need a job.

When I go next-door, Chris is sitting in the living room with Ian and Kyle.

"Happy Birthday Reeds!" I call out on my way in.

"Hey Angel, I just wanted to return your wings before we go out." Kyle stands and gives me a winning smile and hands me a shopping bag with my wire wings sticking out the top.

"Thanks, Kyle, but you could have just thrown them out."

He pretends that I've shot him. "And missed my chance to talk to you again? Wait another ten years? I don't think so."

"What the hell are doing, Kyle? Are we going out or what?" Ian jumps off the couch, throws on his jacket and moves towards the door.

I can tell he's mad, but honestly. "Relax, Ian, it's not big deal."

"That's enough Grace, we all know you're a big girl now," Ian snarls at me. "Come on, Kyle we have to go pick up Wendy and Amanda."

"You should be nicer to Grace, Ian. She's an angel, after all." Kyle gives me a wink and walks out to his car, Ian close behind.

"What is his problem?" I ask Chris.

"I just don't think he likes to see you flirt."

"But I really wasn't, Kyle was the one making all the comments."

"Yeah, but you didn't put a stop to it."

"So what? Sometimes it's nice to be flirted with, it's flattering. It's not like I haven't seen Ian stick his tongue down a bunch of girl's throats. You don't see me pulling tantrums, do you?"

"No."

"Honestly, did I do anything wrong, Chris?"

"No, Grace, you didn't but if Kyle asks you out, could you please say no? It's almost intolerable living with him as it is."

"Chris, that's not fair. No one asks me out, and the last guy that did got beat up. I'd kind of like to have a boyfriend."

"Me too, Grace, me too."

"Crap, I forgot to give him his card. I'll just stick it to his door. Here's yours, by the way."

"Thanks Gracie."

"Thanks for being my friend Chris, Happy Birthday." I give him a huge hug and he kisses the top of my head.

Miracles of miracles, I am able to get a part-time job, not an easy task in a university town. I've been applying off an on to everywhere for a few months, but I hadn't heard anything until three days ago when I got a call for an interview. I applied to so many places, I wasn't even sure who was calling until I got the time and location for my interview. Fortunately for me it is somewhere within walking distance of my house. Not a close walk, but walking distance, none the less. My interview, as it turns out, was a formality. They just wanted to make sure I was reliable and not a total nut, because their last younger employee ended up trying to sell stuff on the side. I am now a Sparkles! girl. Meaning I work in Sparkles! the faux jewelry kiosk at the mall.