After Hours || H.S

Chapter 2

Liza's POV:

After getting Bailey and Max up, dressed, and eating breakfast, I drove them both to school and headed to my job at the local music store. Since Cape Cod is a tourist spot, there are tons of random stores in the center of town. There are beachy boutiques, gift shops selling locally made décor, and record shops like the one I work at lining town square for at least a mile. Its small, only having about fifteen employees all together, two of them being managers, but sold a decent amount of records. 2015 is the year of short-lived trends, one being the popularity of having record players, so the store was actually doing quite well at the moment. Summer was coming, and that meant lots and lots of tourists running around looking like chickens with their heads cut off buying stuff they'll pack away in their suitcase and never touch again.

The music store was always one of my favorite places growing up. There's nothing like the sound of a song playing on vinyl, the little crackles here and there. The sound is richer and just is a better listen all together. On Saturday afternoons, I would walk the short mile to the shop and stay for hours just looking at all the records.  When the shop owner asked me to manage after I got out of college, I was thrilled to come back to a place that held such a special place in my heart.

My shift was only 9am-4:30 today, because of Bailey's conference. Usually, I start at 9 and don't leave until around 7, when I pick up Bailey and Max from after school care. Is it bad that I feel a little excited to break my routine? After years of the same routine of going to work, getting them from the after care place, helping with homework, cooking dinner, doing laundry and sleeping, to do the exact damn thing the next day can get dull to say the least.

My shift dragged until around noon when Niall, one of the store employees, came in to work.

"Morning doll!" I flash him a toothy smile and put away the Sudoku puzzle I was working on.

"That's afternoon to you, me love." He sticks his tongue out at me and I let out a light chuckle.

"Right." I smile as he clocks into work.

Niall started working at the shop about a year ago when he moved here from Ireland to go to college. He studies music, and is incredible at playing the guitar. I love working with Niall because he always has some funny remark or an interesting story to tell. He makes me laugh harder than I ever thought I could, but mostly because his laugh is the funnier than the actual joke. Overall his presence is electric and something that I hope I never get tired of.
We chatted about what needed to be done for the day, and then split up for a little to get some work done.

After taking inventory of the store, which took a few hours, I could finally perch myself at the register and chill out before my shift was over. I looked over at Niall, who looked like he had the same idea as I.

"What's going on with you? Anything interesting happening in the magnificent life of Niall Horan?" I asked.

"Yesterday I ate the biggest burger of me life! It was the size of your head, and weighed over a pound! Then this morning I got breakfast with me mate from Uni, Liam. Then I took a nap, had four tacos for lunch, and now I'm here!"

"Niall, why is it that every time you tell me a story, it involves eating?" He shrugged as I laughed and then went back to organizing the records in alphabetical order.

"How did you meet Liam, anyway? He seems like a nice guy from everything you tell me about him."

"He's got the same major as me, and we met while waiting to audition for our spots in the music program. Since that day 4 years ago we just kind or have been buds. He's a cool guy, you should meet him sometime." Niall flashes a charming smile and puts his hand through his bleach blonde locks, fixing his near perfect quiff.

"I'd like that! With everything that I do for my family, I don't have too many friends my own age. I usually hang around with the mothers of 7 year old boys, and from my experience, they're more catty than the girls Bailey goes to school with! Oh, that reminds me, I have to go to Bailey's school. She has a parent teacher conference. Are you ok here by yourself for a little? The next manager on shift should be here at 5."

"No problem Liza, it'll be a piece of cake!" I laugh at his choice of words, but don't make any snide remarks. Grabbing my purse, I clock out and make my way to my car. After ten minutes of trying to start the stupid thing, I'm finally on my way to the meeting. My time slot was at 5:15, so I'll have to wait in the lobby for a few minutes.

After parking and entering the school, I sat down on a plastic chair much too small for my size, and pulled out my phone. There weren't many times in my busy day that I could call my parents, so I took this opportunity to do so. Maybe they'll answer this time.

Almost giving up after five rings, I hear someone clear their throats on the other line.

"Mom? Dad?"

"Hey sweet pea, I miss you!"

"Miss you too mom. How's everything? Is the job still on schedule?"

"Not quite honey. It looks like we might be out here for an extra week or two. I'm sorry Liza." I let out a sign and slumped down in my seat.

"It's fine. I just wanted to check in with you. I'm waiting to go into Bailey's meeting n—oh, they just called me in. I have to go. I love you!"

"Love you too sweetie! Tell Bail and Maxy we miss them too!"

I pressed the end button on the touch screen and stood from my seat. The receptionist directed me down a series of hallways until I was outside a door that read: "MR. STYLES" in bold red lettering. I took a deep breath, and prepared myself to see just whom Bailey thought I "should date". Pushing open the wooden door, my jaw practically hit the floor when I saw who sat behind the desk. A tall, tan, handsome guy, probably around my age, looked over at me and smirked.

"Hello, I'm Mr. Styles. And your name?"