In His Nature

{Eli}

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It's Back!!!!!

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I had gone from one hick town to another.

Grovefield, the town where I was staying, was just like the last town. So far, there weren't any signs of inbreeding, but I wasn't convinced yet. I'd spent all afternoon going into the evening looking for a job, but so far, I hadn't been successful. I was ready to give up, but the thought of being in debt to someone like Kane was just too humiliating.

I made a deal with myself; I'd look in one more place, and then I'd go back to Carter's place. Maybe I could spend some quality time with Ashley.

A bell sounded overhead as I pushed into a convenience store, and I pulled my sweatshirt hood off of my head. I made my way over to the cash register and grinned at the fifteen year old girl behind the counter, who immediately blushed.

"Can I help you, sir?" she asked, straightening her baggy t-shirt.

"Yeah," I replied, leaning against the counter, "Do you know if your manager is hiring, sweetheart?"

The girl giggled and then flushed a deeper shade of red. "Um, yeah, he is, actually."

"Awesome," I said, pushing the hair out of my face, "Can you go get him for me?"

"Oh," the girl's face fell, "He's not here right now. He's at the high school soccer game. I can get you an application, though, and then I'll give it to him."

"Soccer game?" I echoed, and the girl nodded.

"The high school girl team has their first state playoff game today," the girl said, "Our town is kinda big on school sports."

"Ah," I said, sending her another smile, "Can I get that application?"

"Sure!" the girl replied brightly, and she disappeared into the back room only to return a moment later with a sheet of paper. "Here you go." The girl handed me the blank application and a crappy pen, and then I started to fill it out.

For the most part, I was honest, but under past experience section, I had to exaggerate. Hey, I needed the job and she'd never figure it out. I finished embellishing the application, and then I slid it back to the girl.

"Thank you so much for your help..." I drawled out the last word and raised an eyebrow, and the girl finally understood that I was waiting for her name.

"Oh," she said, flustered, "I'm Vanessa!"

"Well, thank you Vanessa," I replied, "You were very helpful."

"I'll be sure to put a good word in for you," she glanced down at the application before adding, "Eli."

"Thanks again," I said, and I winked at Vanessa before turning and walking out of the convenience store.

Hopefully, Vanessa would be able to convince her manager to give me the job. Working in Carl's Corner Store wasn't exactly ideal, but it was one of few possibilities that had given me an application.

As I strolled through the town, I spotted the school up ahead. Behind it, I saw bright lights glaring down on a stadium field, and I could hear the cheering from here. I remembered Vanessa mentioning the soccer game, and a smirk stretched across my lips. Why shouldn't I check it out?

I hurried across the semi-busy road and walked around the school to the field. I stood by the stairs leading up to the bleachers and glanced at the score on the board. It was tied, and there wasn't a lot of time left. The crowds were getting anxious and rowdy, which I found amusing.