Oakdale// Ziall+Narry

Chapter 4

brothers! i got so many new votes on the last chapter (4)!! THANK YOU DOODS :D this update goes to you active readers, i religiously check my wattpad every second and its so nice to see the little red notification circle at the bottom. :)

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"You're the junior janitor?" An older woman asks, placing a swollen hand on her plump hips. 

Florence had fetched 'Avery' for me since Florence was needed downstairs in the reception office.  

"Indeed," I nod my head, and stick out my hand,"My name is Niall, its a pleasure to meet you." 

Her grey eyes stare at my hand for a moment before she takes out a cleaning bottle that was stuck to her holster. With all seriousness, she sprays my hand and proceeds to wipe it down. 

I keep my hand out as she cleans it, watching as she evaluates the rag after. After a second, her eyes flicker to mine to gauge a reaction. 

I give her my best 'im so uneasy right now but i'm trying to seem relaxed' smile; She scoffs.

"I'm Avery," She says, keeping her slightly squinted eyes on me, "Im the senior janitor." 

"Its a pleasure to meet you," I repeat, hoping i didnt give her the wrong signal, "Shall we begin my training?" 

"You will be in charge of cleaning the upstairs, where all the staff sleeps. This includes their rooms, the bathrooms, and the hallways," She explains, pointing to each section and making eye contact with me, "Do not do anything foolish." 

"Agreed, I shall only work where i am needed. Where shall i get my supplies?" I ask, breaking eye contact with her since she was giving me the creeps.

"At the end of the hallway and by the bathrooms, there should be a supply closet with the cleaning agents and rags that you need. Utilizing them is simple, spray and wipe," She says, demonstrating the motion with her hands, "Do not go anywhere else. Do not do anything foolish." 

"Im in charge of the downstairs," She sighs, "And the basement."

"I see, i shall remain upstairs. When is our lunch break?" I ask, wanting desperately to know more about the food in this place. 

"We gather in groups in the mess hall in the mornings, afternoons and evenings. The group we dine with are the receptionists and the maintenance workers." She informs, glancing behind me and focusing on the wall. 

"Sounds delightful, thank you for helping me. I shall get to cleaning." I rush, wanting to get away from her. 

Something about her just wasnt quite right...

 While walking to the other side of the hallway, i pass a door with a name on it instead of a number. 

Office of Headmaster-Mr. Malik

I shrug and continue along my way.

Once i reach the supply cabinet, i grab a wooden bucket to fill with water and a clean rag with soap inside it.

I head back down the hallway, cleaning my room first

~*~

"I'm supposed to eat this rubbish?" I ask Florence, who took a spot right next to me. 

The 'food' that was on my tray looked anything but edible. The mashed potatoes looked more like sandstone, green beans like grass and gravy like water.

"Unfortunately, its one of the downsides at this place. About a year ago, we used to dine on nice meals, with beans and even meat sometimes!" Florence reminisced, a dreamy look in her eye. 

"Meat?"I question, wondering how that was possible with such an expensive food for so many people. 

"Well,  Avery told me. She's been here longer than anyone else has." The brown haired said, begining to pick at her food.

"Oh, i met her today. Strange woman." I frown, recalling the incident with my hand. 

She laughs and shakes her head, "She's an acquired taste. Just do what she instructs and you'll be fine." 

"Promise?" I ask with a shy smile. 

"Promise." She nods, forcing down chunk of mashed potatoes. 

I swear i can almost feel a crunch as i chew the food. 

"How was your first day?" Florence asks, pushing away her metal tray after she ate the green beans. 

"Pretty okay, I miss Harry." I say, pushing the food around on my tray. 

"So thats what is name was," She hums, "Its a shame, hes such a nice looking man. I thought you were brothers by the way you touched but i was wrong." 

 What?

"You were wrong?" I repeat, hoping to figure out why she didn't like Harry. 

"Clearly, he must be a homosexual. He's lucky i don't have the power to incriminate or he'd be locked away in here," She shakes her head, "You're not one, are you?"

"No," I deny, "We are just very close friends. I wasn't going to see him for a while so of course he would hug me." 

She looks like she was about to say something, but bites her tongue. 

Hugging Harry isn't homosexual. I don't care what she says, thats normal to me. 

"I think i better retire. I'm very tired after cleaning my room and mopping the hallway." I say, truly meaning my words. 

While i was on all fours scrubbing the floor, i heard a door open and close. The footsteps began walking to the staircase but were silent and i felt eyes on me. 

I wasn't sure who it was, but i heard them clear their throat and walk off. 

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Can we get 5 new comments for the next chapter? :)

Okay i love to read and have lowkey wanted to be an actor but i suck too much for that so ive been practicing reading creepypastas (which are lit im sorry im cringy). lowkey wanna start a yt channel and read those? or do some art

1) Do you like Avery?

2) Who was watching Niall? ;)

3) How do you feel about Florence? (Back then, people could be jailed for homosexuality.)  Unfortunately, members of the LGBT community are still discriminated against today :( I AM NOT AGAINST LGBT BC MY CHARACTER IS!!!!! i wouldnt have written so many gay fics if that were the case.

Thanks yalls, see you on the flip side.