Locust Lane

Chapter 16

{Amir Calhoun}

Lord knows I didn't feel like coming to work today. It's not like I have a baby to help take care of anymore. Shoulda just took the day off. Things changed over the weekend. Now I have to be completely aware of my surroundings at all times.

Something tells me the night won't end well.

When I walked in, the first person I saw was Bri. Her face lit up when she noticed me. She got out of the supply line to come and talk to me.

"Hey Amir, what's up?"

Unexpectedly, she hugged me. She seemed to be in a pissy mood the other night, so maybe Sunday went better for her.

"Hey Bri. How are you?"

"I'm doing pretty good today. D-"

"Good evening everyone. Go ahead and hit the clock and go to work." Our supervisor spoke.

Bri attempted to keep talking to me, but the hallway just got way too busy and loud. I told her I would speak to her later then I clocked in. I went and got my supplies after that.

As I was standing there attempting to get my dreads completely covered, I saw Saraji walk in. She walked right past me and didn't say anything. Maybe her seeing me drunk made her not really want to deal with me anymore. That's a good thing, but it feels like a bad thing.

Sighing, I started walking towards the changing area. When I got in there it was fairly empty, so I was able to get dressed quickly.

The people started pouring in, so I went out to the small area between the bowl room and changing area.

Just as I finished putting on my gloves, Saraji came out. Getting a closer look at her, I could tell something was wrong. She seemed so spaced out and absent minded.

"Saraji?"

She didn't say anything, only continued to fumble with her apron.

"Saraji."

Still nothing.

I took my gloves off and tucked them under my arm so I could help her out. As I was tying her apron on her, I noticed that pretty much all of her curly ponytail was sticking out. I tucked it into her smock, causing it to disappear. That's the downfall to having a lot of hair at this job. It's difficult to cover it all. They don't want any hair at all to be showing though. Makes sense since we work with food.

"Oh Amir I-"

Bri's face fell when she saw me helping Saraji out. She stormed into the bowl room without another word.

Oh, so that's what it is? She gets jealous whenever I'm around Saraji. Someone has themselves a crush on me. But why? There's nothing great about me. I have no good qualities at all.

Saraji was about to go in behind her, but I gently grabbed her arm. Doing so made her look at me. The look on her face made it seem like she just realized who I was.

"Be real with me, what's going on?"

"Nothing."

"Why say nothing when it's clearly something? I-"

"I SAID IT'S NOTHING! Please leave me alone!"

I watched as she stormed into the bowl room, letting the door hit the wall.

"Something's going on with her."

To my left I see Tori. She probably saw that whole thing that just happened.

"Whenever she gets like this, it isn't good. She's all defensive about everything today. And Amir if you look closely, you'll see bruising on her face."