The Rings

[ one ]

Hiiiiii. ^.^

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Saturday nights: party nights! ...For most people. I didn't party on Saturday nights.

I had a part time job in Pixie, which was a cute corner clothes shop that sold tee shirts for about £3-£5. I mean, of course it was just part time, it was just a little cash earner for my college. It wasn't a fantastic money earner, but it lasted me for a week, which was okay because I worked 4-9pm on Saturdays and 4-6pm on Sundays.

Well you can't even call it a proper job, really. I just folded clothes, re-arranged shoes and if I was lucky, I might get to set up the clothing displays in the window, or even work at the checkout. Yes, that was a treat for me.

I managed to glance at my watch whilst carrying a large box full of hangers. Hangers aren't that heavy, but in numbers, they could potentially take down one or two of us. My watch read 7:34pm, except it was 5 minutes slow. I usually just worked it out, as I couldn't be bothered to give it new batteries.

I slammed the box of hangers on the front desk and let out a sigh. This job was so boring, on days like this. I had to arrange clothes, whilst watching people stumble around on the streets, blind with drink, falling about or singing. Or both, usually.

'Skye?'

I looked round quickly at the mention if my name. 'Yes?' I said, hastily, in a snappy tone. I sighed, when I saw it was my friend Leyla. 'Sorry, I'm really tired.'

Leyla shook her head, as I noticed the big box she was holding. 'Dont worry about it,' she said, shaking her head, with a laugh. 'I am too.' I was about to speak again but she cut me off. 'Anyway, I need you to put these on the two models, in the front window.'

Leyla motioned to the box in her arms, before stuffing it into my own hands. I grabbed the box and fell back slightly onto the desk behind me, getting an unfriendly jab in the back from the hard wooden corners. The box wasn't heavy, that's the thing. I prepared myself for a heavy box, but because it wasn't at all heavy I nearly fell over from being too prepared. Kind of like when your walking up or down the stairs and you're expecting an extra step and then you nearly fall over, because your foot doesn't find the extra support.

Before I could even give her so much as a nod, she turned and walked away, obviously already preoccupied. Leyla was nothing like me. I was all about having a laugh and enjoying myself, but she was more into getting the job done and ruining my fun. Like today. I couldn't blame her, really. Firstly because I was one of the most idle people I knew of and secondly because I think that I would act snotty like she does if I got promoted almost every week ...like she does.

If I was having too much fun, on the job, she would be the one to tiptoe over and whisk the one sense of happiness that was left in this job. My good friend, Olivia, got the sack for throwing a basket at Leyla's head, just because Leyla had a go at her. I could get annoyed with Leyla sometimes, but at least I could control my temper and could prevent myself from doing things out of rage, like throwing baskets.

I stepped in front of the white board, that concealed the rest of the shop, careful not to trip over in the annoying heels that was part of the crappy 'uniform'. As I placed the box down next to the naked models, I gave them a painful grimace. I strongly disliked these models; they were very tall and very slim and they had badly painted on eyes and a messy old wig. Their faces were clumsily splattered with colour and they were so un-realistic, almost like those creepy dolls in horror films. It would be less creepy and maybe even improve the look of the shop if they just used those plain white models with no hands and no head.

I shuddered and lifted a small top from the box, holding it out in front of me. It was a limey-coloured strapless top, patterned with small red flowers. It was never something I would wear and I'm not sure many people were interested in green and red, but it was probably Leyla's cup of tea, seeing as she picked it out.

After a moment of examining the model, I tucked the lime top under my arm and re-adjusted the elbow on the strange creature, so that the hand was firmly on the hip. Standing back to examine it, I shook my head and realised that it looked ridiculous. It was standing straight up, legs straight, arm straight and one hand on her hip, that same creepy, motionless expression that haunted me when I was home alone.

She looked like she didn't know how to model, as if she were camera shy and this was her best pose even though she looked so awkward. Mind you, I shouldn't criticise the poor thing, I probably couldn't do any better.

As I reached for the legs to adjust them I heard a yell from outside the shop window, making me jump. Instantly my first thought is that it's some thief trying to steal my purse, but then I remembered that I was protected by glass, before I noticed that the person whom the sound had come from, was not even looking at me.

I started to tug at the leg, as it was stuck, as I watched the five boys standing outside the window. Two of them were singing loudly, clinging onto each other, as they walked and the other two talking whilst the third was walking behind, hands deep in his pockets, almost embarrassed.

I smirked at him, seeing as I recognised that look. I only recognised it, because it was the look that everyone gave me.

The two boys that were talking both looked in the window and as one of them fixed his blonde hair in the reflection, he flashed me a dazzling smile, his blue eyes piercing mine. I felt my heart start to flutter, so I let out that grin that I did when I couldn't control myself.

He continued to watch me for a second and I almost forgot I was still tugging on the model's leg, before it came away from the hip with a pop! causing me to fall over. As I fell, I flailed my arms in panic, accidentally throwing the fake leg. I watched in horror as it plummeted towards the second model, who was still completely nude, knocking it to ground. As it began to topple over I made a weak attempt to stop it, but not before I whacked the one-legged model and before I knew it, both models were on top of me!

I stuck a hand out from underneath the models and finally managed to surface for air and when I look back at the blonde boy, his smile was replaced by an 'ouch' look. May I also mention that the four other boys were laughing, the first two laughing really hard, probably because they were wasted.

The boy said something, but I didn't catch it, seeing as I was inside, but I managed to read his lips.

'Are you okay?' He mouthed.

I nodded quickly before scurrying behind the board, pinning my back against it. Phew, I thought, they couldn't see me now.

Taking in deep breaths, I managed to calm myself down and regain my composure, before a frustrated looking Leyla appeared.

'What are you doing!?' She snapped.

I gave her my trademark, awkward and wide grin. 'I... Er...' I stuttered, peeking round the white board to see that the group of boys were continuing down the road. 'I was ju-'

'Just leaving, I hope.' She said, bluntly, crossing her arms.

'W-what do you mean?' I stuttered even more, even though I knew fully well what she meant.

'Sorry Skye, but this job is about teamwork and commitment. You have showed neither. However what you have shown is that you are fantastic at messing things up.'

And you're terrible with words, I thought. Mind you I wasn't much better.

'What!?' I shrieked, causing a few customers to stop browsing and give me a frustrated glance. I instinctively lowered my voice. 'You can't sack me!'

Leyla smiled bitterly and patted my shoulder. 'I can.' She paused and sighed. 'And I just did.'

With that she stalked behind the white board and start picking things up. I walked awkwardly over to where my coat was hung up and slung it over my shoulder. As I started to leave with my head hung low, I watched as Leyla carried the empty box back to the counter, not even giving me a second look, her annoying bun bobbing on top of her head as she strutted.

Just as I almost left the door, I gave it no second thought as I snatched up a large handful of hangers and threw them. I silently cheered myself on as she screeched, the hangers raining down on her and knocking her stupid bun, making it fall crookedly down the side of her head.

'Skye!!'

She sent me a death glare, so I began to sprint away, kicking off my stupid heels and running barefoot, as I listened to her yelling.

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