The Ride of a Lifetime

13. Watch Me

Mirrors were either the most enlightening illusion or the worst motherfucking nightmare. There is no in between.

It's not hard to guess which end of the spectrum I'm on as I roll out of bed, pyjamas soaked from last night's exhilarating dream. Oh it was nothing, just a couple black haired women with black blood stains and black eyes trying to rake my eyes out.

Calm down, Oedipus fans.

I groaned, pulling my sweat filled clothes off. Once dressed in a perfectly dry attire, I quickly completed my bathroom routine before Max comes pounding on the door.

I bound down the stairs, greeting my mother in her office. Her short, dark chestnut hair was held back in a headband. 

"Going somewhere?" She called..

"Yeh, I'll be back in a few hours." I didn't wait for her to ask where before closing the door. Let's pray she's in a good mood today.

As soon as I reach the plaza, my phone spasms into a string of vibrations.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?" Max's morning voice was as disgusting as imagining the drool on his chin.

"At the plaza."

"Doing what?"

"Walking." I just miss bumping into a chair.

"Luna."

"That's my name."

"Luna."

I sigh. "Don't tell mum. I'm looking for a job."

He silences for a single beat. "What for?"

I mentally search for an answer. Was I supposed to tell them that their protection is suffocating? That I wanted independence just as much as support? As close as the age gap between Max and I, he tries and tries to be the father I don't want.

I love my dad, I just don't mind being without him.

"Watch where you're going." My phone slides across the tiles as I struggle for balance.

The man scowls at me as he passes. I consider pointing out that his fucking flyer is undone before I realise it was much better left that way.

I sighed in frustration, picking up my device. Max's voice calls for my attention.

"What happened? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Max. I'm fine. I'll be home later." Before I could receive a response I end the call and switch it to silent mode.

Biting my lip, I approached Forever New, my resume trembling slightly in my hand.

There was a lady shuffling the racks, reassembling the dresses. I was about to ask for her assistance when a woman with the badge signifying that she was the manager appears through the back door.

I force my nerves into an obedient ball and walk up to her.

"Hello, ma'am. I'm here to express my interest in working at your store. I've got a resume prepared-"

"No, sorry."

Oh.

She immediately busies herself with some papers. The resume crunches beneath my grip. It's fine, I personalised the resumes so I'm totally able to burn this shit.

Exhaling slowly through my nose, my anger doesn't allow me to leave before saying, "Thank you so much for your kind assistance!"

I exit the store, clenching my fist to attempt to control the hurt and fury tumbling in my stomach.