Perfect Cyn: A Short Story

"Isadora, get back to work."

Her jaw flexed as she flicked the ashes from her cigarette. She'd warned her supervisor one too many times that she preferred to be called Izzy. It was her unwavering belief that he'd ignored her request on purpose. He wasn't exactly her biggest fan and vice versa. He was a misogynist pig and she was a feminist lesbian. A mix made in hell.

"For the last time, my name is Izzy... and the last time I checked, I was entitled to a 30 minute lunch break. This would be minute 27. Disappear." she said, taking another drag and blowing smoke into his face. He coughed uncontrollably, glaring at her before he answered.

"That was before we had an unexpected lunch rush. Now get back in here to fill these orders or you'll have no need for a lunch break because you won't have a job!" he spoke sternly before abruptly leaving her in the back alley of the restaurant. Rolling her eyes, she took another long drag of her cigarette then dropped it, stepping on it before returning to the kitchen of the fast food restaurant she'd been part-timing at for the last few months. She washed her hands before beginning to fill an order. Not even a second later, her supervisor requested her presence to the front of the store.

"I need you on register for a while. Take Danielle's register." he instructed, giving her no choice to object before he left her standing there. She rolled her eyes and began taking orders like he'd demanded.

A few hours of being on register and Izzy had, had enough of it already. More than a few overly confident men commented on her tattoo-covered neck, arms, and hands, all while slipping her numbers and asking for a chance to get a glance at the ones they couldn't see. She simply returned their advances with what she deemed an artificial smile and did her best to conceal her smugness at the irony of the situation. Izzy knew that men found her attractive, they saw her as taboo, the tall girl covered head to toe in tattoos with eyes as dark as midnight. But little did they know, she was batting for a completely different team.

As she was about to walk away from the register to clock out for the day, a girl walking through the door caught her attention. Izzy stared at the round face hidden behind large square framed glasses. Her olive skin was smooth and even, and her eyes were a deep brown. She was cute, a thicker girl in size and petite in height. A complete contrast to Izzy's tall, pale, skinny self.

"Can I take your order?" she smoothly asked, locking eyes with the girl as she stood inches away from the counter. She involuntarily studied her lips as she waited for the answer. They were perfect; Full, pink and accompanied by dimples in both cheeks.

"Um... hmm, I've never been here before. You recommend anything?" the girl answered perkily. She smiled as she waited for Izzy's answer, displaying cheeks so chubby, Izzy wanted to reach out and touch them. She fought the urge though, trying to refocus her mind on the task at hand.

"I think I might get in trouble for saying this but, I recommend a different restaurant. The food here sucks." she replied with a straight face. The girl giggled cutely at her admission, shocked at her honestly.

"Well then where do you recommend?" 'My place'  flashed in Izzy's mind before she could even put any thought into it, surprising herself with how much she seemed to be taken with this girl who she'd only known for moments now.

"There's a McDonald's up the street... but if you're looking for a good meal, there's a soul food cafe a few blocks from here." she answered, keeping her passive expression.

"Oh, I'm terrible with directions. By any chance, could you show me?" came the response, one she'd never expected. For the first time in a maybe all her life, Izzy was bewildered.

"Um... well my shift is almost over so... if you want to wait a few minutes I could walk you there?" Izzy offered. Looking into her eyes, the girl smiled happily, pleased with her answer.