Death Wish

Chapter 18: So What?

Getting over the shock of being ditched by Lorenzo, I speed to class, which I unfortunately have with him. English. We have three classes together, and before, I wished we had more, but now I can't wait to leave. Avoiding his gaze as I enter class, I slide into the seat located on the opposite side of the class where he sits. I also unfortunately have English with Brittany, and watch as she flirtatiously slides into the seat next to him. Facing forward, I force myself to pay attention and not look across the classroom and wonder what happened.  

...

When I get homes for finish my homework, I realize that I have too much free time on my hands. I finish usually finish my homework and studying within three hours, causing me to finish around five o'clock. Even when I have a club or student council meeting, I finish around six o'clock. I've been depending on Lorenzo too much. He usually suggests things to do and without him, I'm bored. I try to keep my schedule as unsocial as possible, but ever since Lorenzo came into my life, I've been too trusting.

Deciding to swamp myself with things to do, I go out to Main Street and look for job openings. The cafe that will open in the middle of town is the perfect place to go. I go in and ask for the manager. It's huge and airy with gray walls and floor with a couple plants scattered around the place. It's actually the opposite of everything in Yasfen, our town. It's a small town with old values. Yasfen is all rustic and vintage with small and cozy everything. This cafe looks like it belongs in upstate New York. I don't know how townies will accept it, since it is so different. I think it's a nice risk. I don't like modern architecture that much, but this is a nice splash of different. The front of the store is cozy, like the town, then the customer is surprised when they see the modernness of the interior. It's nice but I wouldn't welcome any other modern interruptions. I like our town as it is. Rustic.

A petite woman walks out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her flour-streaked apron. I've never seen her before so I assume she's new to town.

"Hi! I'm Myklyn, the owner of the shop. I understand you're looking for a job?"

"Yes, I'm up for anything."

"Is this your first job?"

I nod slowly, afraid she might not want me to work for her because of that reason.

She just laughs and says, " Okay, you're hired. I could use the help since we're just about to open shop for the first time. When can you start?"

"Well, now."

"Okay! That's great! We can work out the details later, actually this can be your interview. I need boxes unpacked. Will you help? They're in the back in the truck. My son's already working on it so you'll have some help."

I nod and follow her to the back of the shop. She leaves me with a smile and I hesitantly smile back. Hearing a grunt, I see an oddly familiar head of hair above a box.

"I take it you're the son?" I ask.

He lowers the box and my heart literally stops. Lorenzo.

...

"What are you doing here?" Lorenzo asks.

After I found out he was here, I worked like usual until we took a break.

"Me? What are you doing here?" I ask.

"My mom owns this shop. I have to help out. This's my part-time job. Your turn."

"After you left me, alone in the hall, I found out I had too much time without you in my life so I decided to get a job. This is the only place hiring. Anyways, I need some money to keep the house afloat."

"I'm sorry, I-"

"You don't have to apologize. You found out that you didn't want to be my friend, so you left."

Like everyone else did.

"It's fine," I say with the least amount of bitterness I can.

"That's not why I left. I still want us to be best friends. My father had visited that morning before school, so I was in a pretty bad mood. I'm so sorry. I just wasn't a good person to be around," Lorenzo explained.

My demeanor softens and I lean over to hug him.

"Why didn't you tell me before? I would've been there for you," I say, my voice muffled because my face is in his neck.

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize. I should've been there for you."

"Hey! Don't apologize! This is my fault. I didn't tell you."

I lean back and smile at him. When our break is over, we finish unpacking boxes, putting things where they need to be and straightening up the place in general. When it's around eight o'clock, I get ready to leave with a bag of food Myklyn gives me for dinner. She happily tells me that I got the job and Lorenzo walks home with me 'for my safety'.

"You really didn't have to do that."

"I know, I just wanted to spend some time with my best friend," he says.

"I see you enough at school and now work."

He just shrugs and says, "So what?"

I just chuckle and unlock the door.

___
A/N

Pictured: the cafeteria where Linnea and Lorenzo work

How do like Myklyn so far?

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