what now » h.s

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I stood there, shocked. Debating whether or not if I should roll my eyes and walk past him, or stand and stare like a complete idiot.

And I in fact, stood like a complete idiot.

“What are you doing here?” His voice sounded raspy, almost harsh, in a way.

I blinked a few times, “I—I just got a job here.”

He laughed out loud, walking to the desk and grabbing a clipboard from a drawer, “Funny,”

My eyes narrowed at him, “How is that funny?”

“Because I work here too.” He grinned at me, his eyes sparkling at me and his dimples showing. Before I know it he walked to the back.

“You have got to be kidding me.” I groaned as I walked to the desk and laid my head down on my arms. I waited until Luke came back with the shirts, but he never came back. I heard slight talking coming from the back, more like a loud and angry voice to be exact. Me, being the curious little shit I am, I walk down the small little hallway, trying to listen in on the conversation.

“You act like I don’t see the what happens on the cameras, you act like I don’t see the both of you flirting with her, and you need to cut it the fuck out before she gets into this shit,” I can’t decipher what the man’s voice sounds like, I've never heard it before, but it was deep and filled with anger, and I didn’t like it one bit.

I heard the man that he was talking to scoff, “I'm not into her, she’s a bitch anyway,” The voice was low, and I knew exactly whose it was.

“I don’t give a damn. Don’t include her and she won’t be my problem.” I heard footsteps getting farther, just as I heard some getting closer. I turned back to the desk and pretended like I was just waiting. Sure enough, Luke came back, three shirts in hand: purple, yellow, and blue.

“Hey, sorry I took so long,” Luke admitted in a monotone voice.

“Is everything okay?”

“Swell. I’ll have Rebecca come and train you.” With that being said, he left into the back, and I stood standing there, as clueless as can be.

Minutes pass and a young woman, who seems to be in her early twenties comes through the narrow hallway and smiles at me, “Hey, you must be Allison. I’m Rebecca.”

I smile back, “Hey, Luke said you were gonna train me or something,”

She nods and leads me behind the desk, “Here, come sit,” She gestures to the chair. I take a seat and wait for her commands.

-----

“And that should be it, if you need any questions, feel free to text me or something.” She tells me as she picks up her purse.

It’s been at least four hours and she’s shown me all the programs on the computer, how to put in payments, how to make appointments, and has shown me how to take care of customers.

“So, you won’t be here?”

She lets out a small laugh, “No, no, no. That’s why you’re here. You’re my replacement.”

The information processes through my mind, and it takes a minute for me to understand, “Oh, alright then,”

“Yup,” She begins to walk to the door, “Ask Harry for my number, he has it.”

“Are you sure somebody el—”

“I'm sorry hun,” She cuts off my question, “I’m late for my flight!”

Before I can get out another word, she flies out the door, calling for a taxi. I slump back into the chair. My mind races. Why does Harry have her number? Did they date or something? Why do I even care if they did? He’s an ass. Yes. A big asshole. I should even care because it’s not like I—

“Allison?”

I snap my head behind me and I see Luke standing in the corridor.

“Yeah?”

“Here’s your schedule.” He tells me as he hands me a piece of paper that has this month on it, and all the days I'm scheduled to work, along with the other workers. Hm, I can see the days Harry works as well.

Stop thinking of him.

“Thanks Luke,” I smile up at him and his head ducks down and he walks back into the back. Wow, he really must not like me…

The day passes, and its finally time for me to start heading out. I grab my purse and just as I'm about to walk out the doors, a hand wraps around my arm and stops me.

“What the fu—” I turn and see Luke.

“Sorry, um, we have a meeting.” He lets go of my arm and walks to the back and I hesitantly follow him to the back, passing the ring, where I see two men boxing. I watch closely, seeing how they move and how the sweat glistens their exposed skin. The man times out and the opposite man takes his protective helmet, off and tosses it to the side— Harry.

“Come on mate! I even wore the gear for you!” Harry exclaims, his laugh following.

“Harry, Mike, meeting.” Luke tells them and we continue to walk until we reach the mini kitchen area. Inside, are the four employees I was told about earlier, Luke next to me, Harry and the other guy Mike following behind us, soon pushing past us. And then, in came another man. He was tall, broad shoulders, his hair dark black with little grays starting bloom. He had no emotion on his face, his face was stiffened, and he just looked unbelievably terrifying.

“Alright, this meeting isn’t going to be long, I would just like to go over a few things,” The man stops to clear his throat, “Remember the rules for children, have a smile on your face, go over every safety rule before you begin training, and none of you men are to get involved with another co-worker,” His eyes stop and look at mine, “Allison, dear, welcome to our gym and I am looking forward to what you will doing for us.” He smiles a small smile, which makes the man look more demeaning.

“Thank you so much, it’s um, it’s great to work here,” I begin, letting myself laugh lightly.

The rest of the workers, me following, pour out of the building and part our own ways. Just as I'm about to enter my apartment building, I whip back around and walk back towards the ring. I go to open the door and it’s locked. I knock on the glass window; I can’t see inside the place, the blinds have been closed. Minutes escape me and the door finally unlocks and Harry’s body peers between the opening, the man is shirtless and in a pair of basketball shorts.

“What do you want?” His voice is harsh.

“I um— I left my phone here, I came to get it.” I stammer to get the words out.

He rolls his eyes and opens the door to let me in. I walk past him and go to the front desk and grab my phone. I turn back around and see him waiting by the door. I look at him, and glance around his body, and walk rapidly past him. I turn onto the sidewalk and I can hear him yell behind me.

“You’re welcome!”

I turn around and he’s holding his body out into the brisk air, he has a smirk on his face, god did he look like an ass.

“Fuck off.”