How to Be Clean

One Step Forward.

Noah was right.

Closing time could not have arrived any slower than it did today.

Stretching her arms out and stifling a yawn, Noah felt exhausted. And it wasn't even that busy a day to begin with. This was rough. Her mental capacity had probably already reached its limit, and it didn't exactly help that she had to deal with the occasional irritating customer who would argue over the " tea being too hot " or the " cake being too sweet. "

Wasn't cake meant to be sweet anyway?

Furrowing her eyebrows, Noah wiped the beads of perspiration off her forehead while walking towards the glass door of the now empty café. The dim light from the moon outside illuminated the store slightly, casting a soft teal glow against the backdrop of the stone wall.

Noah swiveled the plastic sign hanging on the door to reveal the word  " Closed " on the outside before stepping back into the counter to close up for the night. Judging from the ruckus of metal tins clacking noisily against each other, Flora was probably still busying herself in the kitchen with the stack of unwashed dishes and cake pans.

Sighing, Noah started soaking the damp cloths into the soapy water before polishing the cake display as well the marbled counter top, being careful not to knock over the leftover stand of pastries seated beside the cash register, which Noah was kindly allowed to bring home everyday she was on shift.

Flora was sure adamant on making her gain weight like a champion.

After swiftly cleaning up the entire café and packing the pastries into a small brown paper box, Noah grabbed her bag and took off her apron, leaving it neatly folded below the cash register. Just as she was about to step into the kitchen to bid a farewell to Flora, the middle aged woman grabbed her arm and led her to one of the seats near the back of the store.

Confused, Noah wondered if she did something wrong. Silently praying that this wasn't going to be about the fact that she may had possibly been a little careless with a couple of orders that evening, Noah looked at Flora with a hint of guilt on her face. But if the older lady was here to reprimand her, it certainly didn't show on her face.

" Noah, I was wondering if you'd like to take a few days off, " Flora spoke gently, a soft smile playing on her lips.

" What? Why the sudden question? " Noah spoke, confusion lacing her words. Oh god. This was it wasn't it? She was going to be fired. Oh god.

Before Noah could say another word, Flora saw the worried look on her face and interjected, chuckling under her breathe. She knew the girl well enough to know what was worrying her poor little mind.

" Sweetie, I am most certainly not letting you go, if that's what you're thinking. It would be a pity if you leave this place, I'll have one less daughter than I already don't, " Flora proceeded to nudge Noah on her side before placing her hands gently above Noah's, her classic warm smile rising on her lips yet again.

" I've noticed Noah. I've noticed that you haven't been yourself today, and I know it might be presumptuous to make this decision based only on today, but I can tell that you're in no condition to be here. You know how much I care about you, so what I'm trying to say is, take a few days off, or even  a week if you need. Regain yourself and do what you need to, then come back. "

Noah sat rooted in her seat, partially stunned. Flora had noticed. She looked up at Flora and saw the older woman giving her the same smile she always wore when she wanted Noah to take care of herself. Most importantly, she saw the woman who had been there for her during her past misfortunes and mistakes, the one who never gave up on her despite the silly blunders she had committed well in the past. Noah should have known it wouldn't have taken long for Flora to figure out something was wrong.

" Theo broke up with me, " Noah muttered softly, glancing down onto the ground, her grip on her bag tightened slightly. As much as she tried furiously to endure it, she just could not control the hot tears that fell down her cheeks and onto her lap. It just wasn't something she could control yet, try as she might.

Flora kept mum upon hearing this. It wasn't that she didn't know what to say, but she felt that it was a matter that needed no further explanation or discussion.

A break-up was no more than just a break-up.
Why further complicate it and inflict more damage than what had already been done?

With that, she wrapped her arms around Noah and patted her hair tenderly, letting the girl pour out her sorrow into her willing arms. Whimpering, Noah leaned into the warm embrace. Silence enveloped the store slowly once again, as Flora lifted Noah's head up gingerly, smiling at her once more.

They didn't need words at this moment. Noah understood what Flora wanted her to do, and Flora knew that Noah understood her intentions. It was difficult, but Noah managed to force out a weak smile. Though however weak it was, it was still every bit as genuine.

Noah didn't believe in fake smiles. Why smile if it isn't going to be truly what you felt?

She smiled whenever she felt happy. Whenever she felt loved and cared for.

Wasn't that when you smiled?

In that very moment, Noah knew that she couldn't give up, not just yet. The world may have been mocking her, but she knew she couldn't let Flora down. She knew she couldn't let herself down. She knew she was broken still, but there had to be someway to fix things.

" Clean. I want to feel clean again,  " Noah whispered, nodding her head at Flora.

Noah wanted to be clean again. And she was going to try.

-

Hey guys, I am so sorry for the late update this week, been swarmed with school lately. No worries though, next chapter will come promptly, pinky promise okay? Do let me know what you think of this story so far by commenting and even voting! I would love to hear your thoughts! Thank you for reading my story, I truly appreciate all of you lovelies! Until next time then!