Shy

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Struggling to cross the crowded California streets, I kept my phone close to my ears as I was having a quick chat with my mom. 

“Yeah, I already found a job. Today’s my first day and I’ll do fine, I promise. Pills are in the cabinet, took them all at seven this morning, and treated myself to some pancakes before leaving. I’ll be fine.” I sighed heavily. Mom was always concerned about me ever since I moved here on my own. 

She sighed as well, “Summer, you’re only eighteen years old. I’m here in Oregon and I’m not sure you know I can’t be there besides you when you need me. Don’t be nervous okay? If you get any anxieties just step outside for a second to catch your breath.” 

A few cars beeped at my sudden movements. Putting my hand in the air, I muttered an apology and quickly made my way across the street safely. I stood in front of the pizza parlor admiring how vintage and fun it must be to work there. Entering my applications two weeks ago, I was beyond nervous that the owner didn’t like me. In fact, she found me adorable and cute. She thought that the parlor needed a young newbie like me to attract customers. 

Mom coughed, “Summer, you still there?” 

I shook my thoughts away, nodding. Shoot, I forget she’s not here to see me. “Yeah, sorry. I have to go now though. I’ll call you when my shift is over, okay?” 

“Alright, love you Summer.” 

“Love you too.” I smiled and ended the call. 

Through the transparent windows, I spotted a few people there already treating themselves with pizza at an early time in the morning. 

A boy with dark grey skinny jeans and white t-shirt held a black round tray with the customers pizza. He placed it gently on the table with a wide smiled across his lips. I couldn’t catch the words they both exchanged, but he did collect a tip from the customer. 

Inhaling a deep breath, I clutched my side bag that slanged over my shoulders. I pushed the door open, welcoming myself with a little bell ringing from the top of the door. The boy who I saw earlier glanced at me and smirked. Shrugging my shoulders, I walked over to the front counter to introduce myself. 

“You must be Summer Hazel Yardley?” My boss, Charlie asked. 

I shyly smiled. “Yeah, but you can just call me Summer. I applied here two weeks ago.” 

Finally realizing all the information from two weeks ago, she nodded her head. “Dean, can you grab this young lady’s apron and name tag?” 

The guy I saw from the window earlier quickly retrieved the apron along with the name tag. He stood next to her, passing the items across the counter. Glancing down at the name tag, I noticed my name wasn’t written correctly with sharpie. 

“Um,” I bit my lip, “My name isn’t on the name tag. It says Shy instead of Summer.” 

Charlie looked at Dean curiously. “Dean?” she questioned. 

“Yeah?” he arched his finely shaped eyebrows. 

“Why did you choose to give her this nickname?” Dean looked down at the name tag, and then back at me. He crossed his arms over his apron. 

Chuckling to himself, Dean picked up the name tag admiring it. “Because she looks like one.” 

Charlie sent me an apologetic smile, “I’m so sorry, Summer. Here in my pizza parlor I give all my employees a little cute nickname while they work here. I guess Mr. Dean here decided to give you this one.”

“I couldn’t help, but hear that your name is Summer Hazel Yardley. That also spells out her nickname.” Dean pointed out. Throughout these years, I never really noticed that those were my initials. My middle name was hardly ever written on any papers, so I just saw the letters S and Y. 

Nervously, I scratched the back of my neck. I took the apron and put it over my clothes. Dean passed over my name tag smiling widely. I attached the name tag to my apron, glancing down at the shiny golden name tag that had my nickname written on it. 

As long as I didn’t work up front as the cashier where I would have to make small talks with the customers, I didn’t really mind the name tag at all. Making pizzas in back of the parlor wasn’t going to be bad. You just read the list of ingredients on the slip of paper and simply bake it. 

“I’ll be baking pizzas right?” I asked curiously. 

Charlie shook her head. “No, dear! I have the perfect people who have been baking pizzas here for a long time now. You will be working here up front as a cashier with Dean once in a while.” 

Dean sent me a winked which made me blush a little. “You and I basically run this place. Charlie comes here to check up on us once in a while to see how we’re doing.” 

“Yes! I run a couple businesses here in central California. This parlor is pretty famous. Numerous celebrities have been dining here for a long time now, and because I chose you to work here, you’re pretty special. I’ve had lots of applicants apply for this job.”

Soothingly running my hands over the apron fabric, I smiled. “Thank you for choosing me. When do I start as the cashier?”

“Right now!” Charlie exclaimed, “I have to go to a special meeting with my other businesses, so I just visited the parlor today to welcome you. If you have ever concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to ask Dean and ring me up.”  

I nervously smiled once again. “Will do.” 

hey there. i hope you liked the first chapter. 

heads up, next chapter will be really exciting so be out for that. 

xx