The Best Damn Thing

Chapter Twelve

Hours later, Oikawa collapsed in the chair behind the desk, twisting his upper body to crack his back. After the initial paperwork, his new boss had insisted on rearranging the entire fron of the store and part of the stockroom. Oikawa hadn't complained one, but his knee protested at every piece of furnitur he'd had to lift.

"I expect you here every day from open to close except for the days you have class and sundays because we're closed. There is a strict no cell phone policy in the fron of the store, but the breakroom isn't as stirct. You'll get some rules the way that my son does when he helps out. As long as there are no cutomers in the store, you may study or do other school work you need to do. "Any questions?" Oikawa shook his head. "Then I'll see you tomorrow morning."

They shook hands and Oikawa signed out on the log sheet, practically running to Iwaizumi's work to tell him the news. His knee ached, threatening to give out, but he ignored it.

The mall had just closed when he arrived, but one of the other guards let him into the security office to wait for Iwaizumi to get off. A few minutes of idle chat with the other officers passed and the man walked in, spotting Oikawa almost immediately who threw up a peace sign. "Yo, Iwa."

"What are you doing here, Crappykawa?" He punched his time card and returned his radio to the charger.

"Aren't you happy to see your best friend?"

"Who told you that you're my best friend? I need to correct them on that," he stated, slinging his bag up on his shoulder. He bid goodbye to the other guards and started out with Oikawa hurrying after him.

"So mean! I thought you'd at least be a little nicer when you heard the result on my essay." Iwaizumi cut him a look as permission to continue. "I got a B! My average in the class is a C now."

"Why would that score make me be nicer to you? It's not that great."

"Hey, I'm passing. That's what matters. Also, because I passed on the essay, we have a concert to go to on Sunday." They stepped outside into the light snowfall, barely sticking before melting away. "Do you think...?"

He didn't finish, didn't need to.

"Yeah."

They climbed into Iwaizumi's truck.

"I found a job, by the way. It's a small wood working shop."

"Your knee-."

"I know, but I can't be picky. I need the work and my employer is nice."

"Don't think I didn't notice your limp. Wear your brace and forget your pride if something's too heavy."

"I'll be careful."

"Did your dad leave again?"

"It was a short stay this time?"

"Better that way."

They lapsed into silence.