redamancy // l.h au

fourteen

I liked working at a bookstore. I really did.

Through the revolving doors entered all walks of life. Sometimes I'd see red heads with freckles, or brunettes with dark lashes. That's what it was about the city; new people, different lives. It was refreshing, almost hypnotic.

Today, however, the store was empty.

Mostly because it was a Monday, and eight in the freaking morning.

"I pity you," Luke chuckles, groggily, on the phone as I mindlessly shelf the new shipment of young adult books. I'd called him a few moments before, not realizing he might actually be sleeping, like a normal person.

"Sorry for waking you," I say, picking up a new stack of books.

Luke laughed from the other end, "If you're being tortured at eight a.m, do I have to be, too?"

"Fine," I concede, "Bye, Hemmings."

"Wait," He blurts, "My birthday's tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?! Did you plan on telling me this?" I exclaim, putting the phone on speaker so that I could tie my hair into a high ponytail.

"Yes, I just—" Luke fumbled with his words, "whatever, R. I'm having a party at my place tomorrow night, will you come?"

"I don't know," I tease, "will there be pizza?"

Luke scoffed, "Of course; it wouldn't be a party without pizza."

"Damn straight," I laughed, "yes, I'll come. But now you've left me no time to get you a present."

"Don't get me a present, Rhea." Luke whined, "Just come. Also, bring Sam."

"Alright, alright, whatever you say," I reply, sarcastically. "I have to go now. Duty calls. But mostly because I think Char's back and she will kill me."

"Goodnight! I mean, good morning? I dunno', see ya." Luke chuckles and hangs up.

I slide my phone back into my pocket and put my attention back onto my work. The fluorescent lights bounced back off the reflective covers, making me rub my eyes every few minutes.

I had been rubbing my eyes for what must've been the tenth time when I heard Sam come up behind me, "Rhea, I need your help."

"Yes, Sammy?" I say, not bothering to turn towards my best friend. I began stacking books again while I waited for him to continue. When he didn't, I let out a exasperated sigh and turned, "What is—"

I stopped short.

Sam was wearing a bright red vertical striped shirt with black shorts and nike's. "I LOOK LIKE MOTHERFUCKING WALDO,"

"What h-happened?" I try to stifle my laugh, but it comes out in giggles, anyway. Sam gives me a dirty look, so I seal my lips shut.

"Charlotte decided it would be funny to take all my clothes and fill my closet with this mess!" Sam pulled at his ridiculous outfit, pouting.

"Wait, so you actually took the subway wearing that?" I tilted my head at him.

"Yes," Sam slumped against the bookshelves, "Anyway, I couldn't help but overhear—"

"You are not going to a party in that," I say, raising my eyebrows, "Do you think Char would mind if we ditch to go to the mall?"

Without answering, Sam jumps up, pulling me along with him on our grand adventure to the clothing store.

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