Clear::Dun

03

As i wake up, i slowly begin to panic, not remembering that i not only wasnt home, but i wasnt in an actual house either. Home sweet hotel.

I get up and stretch before hopping out of bed to get ready. I change my clothes and go over to the bathroom mirror to examine my messy bedhead. 'Perfect' , I think to myself.

My long messy hair usually bugs people, but i personally like it that way. Not brushing it most of the time gives it that lived-in-boho-grunge sort of feel. It just looks right to me.

I grab my phone, wallet, room key, and my ID before walking out of the small room. I take the elevator down to the ground level, and hum to myself on the way down. It was still quite early, so i could understand why there wasnt alot of people in the elevators or walking around the lobby.

I walked out of the building and began walking up and down the streets of columbus in search of a job. There were lots of starbucks and other coffee shops hiring, but i always told myself that that would be my last resort. Even a girl who lies about getting accepted to college and moves to a new state with very little money has standards.

I started to become discouraged. There werent many places in this town. 'These columbus-ians sure do have a very unique city' I thought to myself, before quickly realizing that i am now too a 'columbus-ian'. But just as i was about to enter a coffee shop to get an application, i noticed an alley way.

Thats kind of sketch.

I ignore my instincts and walk down it anyway. Surprisingly enough, i find my way into a super cool record store. Im talkin' neon sign and actual good music. I walked in, and instantly began sorting through vinyls. They had everything: the kooks, the smiths, daughter, HUNNY, the 1975, the last dinosaurs,cage the elephant, the jungle giants- actual good music. To say i was excited would have been an understatment. Just as im backing up and turning to walk towards the check up counter, i walk face first into a large, pretty sturdy, pink haired boy. I stumble back as we both apologize.

"Sorry, i wasnt paying attention." I explain, smiling awkwardly.

"Oh, thats ok. I shouldnt have scared you like that." he reches his arm behind his neck and scratches the back of his head. I cough slightly and nod before walking up to the counter. He trails behind and makes his way around the counter.

Oh he works here. Duh.

"So did you find anything?" he asks, awkwardly fiddling with his fingers.

"Oh, no. I was looking for a job actually. I just moved here and really really really need a source of income." A bell signaling that someone walked into the store rings out.

"Well im sure i could find an application around here somewhere. And a pretty girl like you couldnt hurt buisness." he trails off and shoots his head up, his cheeks a bright red and his eyes wide open. I raise an eyebrow and cross my arms.
" I didnt mean that people would come here because youre pretty. You arent- i mean you are pretty, but thats no what i meant. It came out wrong. Its just that youre actua-"

"Hes trying to call you attractive. Hes not very good at flirting." The guy who walked into the store blurts out, saving his (i assume) friend from his compulsive word vomit. He walks up beside me and sits on the counter. The pink haired boy looks down at his shoes as his friend smiles widely. He sticks out his hand for me to shake. "Tyler." he says confidently. "This is josh."

"...avery..." i trail off as i take a closer look at tyler. He looks familiar. "Do i know you?" i ask, my eyes squinted in speculation.

"Sadly, no." he laughs slightly, but i see right through him.

"Oh my god," i laugh, " youre the guy who ate shit yesterday." tylers cheeks burn red as his confidence slowly deminishes.

"You know each other?" josh asked.

"Not really. I saw him fall off his skateboard yesterday on my way to my h-" i cut myself off, not wanting them to know my living situation. "On my way to my house. He completly ate it and then passed out." i laughed slightly again.

"No way." a big smile grew on joshs face as i told him the story. We both stared at tyler with wide smiles, pressing him for an answer without saying anything.

".....way...." he says finally with a loud sigh and a roll of the eyes. Josh and i both cheer and laugh, teasing tyler.

"Yknow what? Gimme that application. You dont need it. Youve got the job."