The pretender (An All Time Low Story)

Jesse's POV

I just sat there, not completely letting it sink in. This is probably the best thing that's happened to me in a very long time. Matt looked at me with a confused expression, “Are you okay there?” He asked.

“Oh, erm, Yeah! I was just surprised is all,” I stumbled over my words, nervous about talking to new people. I never wanted to make a bad impression on anyone.

I fiddled with my fingers as he smiled warmly at me. I don't understand why he was being so nice to me, I didn't deserve him to be that way, I didn't do anything to him to make him be nice to me. I guess he was one of those rare, special people that I've heard of, that are nice just because they can be.

“It's okay to be nervous, you know. There's no need to be, because the guys are all fantastic and will love you, but its still expected.” I was still nervous. There was no way that the guys that I would be teching for would like me, I mean, I'm me. There's nothing to like about me.

I guess the best part of me is that I've got a pulse, because there's nothing very extraordinary about me. I've lived in Maryland my whole life and it's been pretty dull. I didn't even live in a city, I lived in the rural country side areas where nothing ever happens. I even look dull. I have pale blue eyes, so pale that they're almost gray. I have brown hair that goes just past my shoulders, it's pretty frizzy and the only thing I slightly like about it is that it's easy to straighten and it has natural highlights. I've never dyed my hair and I've never planned on it.

I gave Matt, my new boss, a shy, lopsided grin. It was meant to be a smile, but I assume that it looked like more of a grimace because his face fell slightly and he patted me on the back, whispering words in my ear. “You just need to trust yourself. Don't be scared, they're not that bad, I promise.”

I just looked at him and nodded. “N-No Matt! I'm sorry, um, I'm just worried about making a good impression, that's all. So, erm, when do I meet them?” I asked shyly. He looked happier that I actually spoke up, even if I was quiet about it.

“No worries, anyway, we're gonna have a meeting tomorrow, here, at around 2 so that the guys can meet you, if that's okay with you?”

“Oh, um, y-yeah, that's fine! So, I'll see you then?” I mumbled. He nodded and walked me out of his office, closing the door once I was out. I quickly started making my way home so that I could change for my current job. I told my boss that I would probably be quitting soon, if I got this new job, and she completely understood. I mean, who wants to work at a small time coffee shop forever?

I had a very small apartment a few blocks away from Matt's office. I shared it with my older brother, but when I say that, I mean that I had an apartment and he lived with me. My brother was something special. I loved him to death and beyond, and I would do anything for him. I don't think he felt quite the same towards me, but as long as I knew he was okay, it didn't matter to me. We had a complicated relationship, so let me explain.

My brother has never really done anything with himself. He dropped out of high school when in was 16 because he couldn't stand to be around the people in the school. He always has this thing about him that, most of the time, makes him feel like he's better than everyone else. Beyond that, he had a passion for skateboarding, a large one. He devoted his life to learning about skating, contacting pro-skaters, and just skateboarding in general. He was fairly good, no way near pro good, but still, he was impressive.

He never really thought of my dad and me as a family, and I didn't really either, so when I moved out the day I graduated high school, no one was really that upset.

When I walk into my apartment, no one's around. This isn't very surprising though. I walk over to the jar in the corner of the kitchen labeled “Rice” and look inside, empty. This is usually where I put the money that PJ can use for the week. He doesn't have a job, so I provide him with spending money, but if I just hand it to him at the start of the week, he'll spend it all in a day. We have a special system. I transfer about $75 into his bank account every week, and put about the same amount in the jar. When he goes out to skate, not shop, he just brings his card to use to buy food and such. If he goes out to actually buy something, he takes the money out of the jar. He must be out to buy shoes, seeing as he bought a new board last week. They don't snap that quickly unless he focused (broke on purpose) this one, which he hasn't done in almost 7 years.

I quickly get dressed in my uniform in my room (The smaller of the two). For work I have to wear a green collared shirt, but I can do wear anything to go with it, so I end up with black skinny jeans and gray vans. I check myself over in the mirror and head to bathroom to freshen up. I reapply my deodorant and wash my face. I apply a small amount of eyeliner and mascara, and put my hair in a loose bun. I grab my string bag and head out the door to go to work.