[4] Breakeven

4 - Stumbling Skirts & Awkward Meetings

4 - Stumbling Skirts & Awkward Meetings

I took a good but quick shower. Throwing on a pair of dark skinny jeans and a brightly colored crop top, hoping it was okay for work. It was a boutique, as long as it was trendy it should be okay, but I did not want to push the limits, anyway. I had made it my goal to do a great work here, so I could show Lassie how grateful I was for her help. I tugged at the ends of my hair and at the hem of my shirt, a hand occupying each task as I made my way back to the front of the store.

“Is this okay?” I asked the blonde beauty as I made my way down the main hallway. The store had already been open and some uptight women glared me down before walking on. I raised my eyebrows in surprise, not quite understanding why such rudeness when they were out shopping and since it was so early in the morning but deciding it was best to not say anything. It did nothing but intimidate me, though. They were just another friendly reminder that I did not belong here and I was afraid at that moment that I would never fit in. worse, that Lassie realized that and fired me.

“Much better than the shitty self you presented earlier. I am actually surprised she did not fire you right away,” Edna snapped and I turned to face her with a scowl on my face. I had not even begun to work with her and I already disliked her.

“You look great. Now, both of you stop it. Edna, help clients and Missy, start settling the new clothes I have on the back,” Lassie instructed as she smiled politely at both of us. Edna nodded as to make Lassie understand she had understood and then walked past me. I saw her smile and had to blink the surprise away once I realized it had been a genuine, polite smile.  

I did not let my hopes get high, though; it was probably just so we could work in peace. I did not even want to think about how she would be at the end of the day, once we exited the boutique. She would probably make fun of me or insult me as soon as we stepped out.

“You look like a shitty waitress,” Edna whispered later on, as I was walking past her to the back.

“You-” I started, pointing a threatening finger at Edna.

“Girls,” I heard Lassie tiredly scold, immediately putting a halt to Edna and I’s banter. I pursed my lips and obeyed, shooting one last dirty look at Edna who only smiled victoriously. I huffed annoyed as I made my way to the back, where Lassie said the new clothes were. I grabbed a bunch of sweaters that had some beautiful pastel colors and dreamily ran my hand on top of the one that was closest to me before exiting the back and searching for where similar sweaters were.

Once I finally spotted them, I made my way there, slightly dancing to Pom Poms that was as background music. It was only starting, but this new life I had found looked pretty great so far. I saw Lassie smile sweetly at me before returning her attention to a customer and I smiled to myself as I swayed my bum from side to side while making my way to the back once again.

I grabbed a bunch of skater skirts that needed to be restocked and exited the small room once again, feeling all pumped up already by how great things were going. I made my way to the aisle where the skirts where and held onto my breath as soon as I saw who was there. There went my happy self and the greatness and lack of complication of my day.

My hands started sweating and my knees trembled under my weight. I let a small gasp escape my lips but tried to cover it right away. I had to breathe a couple of times to get myself to function once again. When I finally did, I turned around right away, but she had already seen me.

“Missy?”

Fuck.

I stood there, frozen on my spot, debating on whether to turn around or to just pretend I had not heard. That way maybe she would think she had mistaken me for someone else and carry on with her life. I could hide in the back until she left. But all of my plans were shattered when she called my name once again.