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4

I decided to walk to work instead of taking the bus. I usually have Emily or Luke drive me to work, sometimes we all take the bus if they don't drive to school, but I left school early and decided I could use some extra alone time with myself to just relax.

I was tempted to put in my headphones, but I decided against it and just wanted to hear the quiet day and the faint hum of car engines as they drove past me, wanting to take the cool autumn air into my lungs, taking in all the smells around me, the strong smell of freshly brewed coffee from local shops and the smell of the freshly cut grass along the sidewalk was prominent. I haven't really made time to just enjoy everything lately. The dim light of the sun barley peaking through the dense clouds was quite relaxing and only made me eager for cooler weather to come. Yes, it was a a bit gray, but the reds and oranges of the leaves sprinkled along the sidewalk and the ones rustling in their trees made up for the somewhat gloomy looking day.

Walking into Markets Grove, the grocery store I worked at, I was practically smacked in the face with the lovely smell of freshly baked cookies from the bakery as well as coffee from the brewing station right next to the entrance.

"Zia! You're early!" I was met by my jolly co-worker, Brandon. He was 26, well over 6 feet tall and a bit heavy, but more muscular than fat and probably the nicest person you'd ever meet. You wouldn't guess he works in the bakery and he is always so nice to everyone, treating everyone like his own children almost, with the utmost care and affection.

"Yep. My teacher let me leave class early so now I'm here." I smiled.

"Well, since you're here, why don't you come ice the cookies with me. I'll give you half-a-dozen, free of charge."

"You know I can't deny those cookies." I say squinting my eyes at him, knowing he was just getting lazy. He did this at least 3 times a month, and I would always go home with a half-a-dozen free cookies.

"I know. Why do you think I asked?" He replies, nudging my arm. "Now go clock in and I'll get you an apron." He finishes, ruffling my hair before walking back to his station in the bakery.

I walked to the back of the store to the employee lounge to clock in and put on my uniform.

Walking towards the bakery, I came across Helen, my manager.

"Zia, sweetheart, you're early. I wasn't expecting you until 3:15."

"I was excused early from school and didn't really have anywhere else to go except here."

"Well then I guess you'll be getting an extra bit of cash then, won't you?" She asks with a smile.

"I guess so." I return with a smile.

"How about you go work with Brandon in the bakery? He seems to be getting a bit bored being by himself all day in that kitchen. And I know he made a fresh batch of cookies that he could definitely use some help with."

"That's just the place I was headed."

"Alright, Zia. Have fun and don't make too much of a mess." She says with a laugh. patting me on the shoulder. "I'll see you later, alright?"

"Absolutely." I smile sweetly before walking away.

Helen was the nicest employer ever. She was never cross with anyone and if she ever needed to get sassy with someone, like a rude customer, she will. She almost reminds Emily and I of Betty White, sometimes Brandon even calls her Betty. Everyone who works at Markets Grove crowned Helen as queen. Even the owner of the place loves her. She's most definitely one of the most wonderful people in this town.

"Ready to get schooled on icing cookies?" Brandon challenges at the open entry way to the bakery.

"Oh, you're on, dude." I reply confidently. Brandon and I like to get into friendly competitions now and then. Whether it be who can ice the most cookies with the best designs, who can stock the shelves quickest or scan the most items in a day. It's a way to keep things interesting since we live in such a small town and the store is never really too busy unless it's around the holidays.

After about 45 minutes of frosting and decorating cookies, we were finally done and Brandon was actually quite impressed with my skills. After almost 3 years of these competitions, I've improved quite a bit and might as well just work in the bakery permanently; something Brandon constantly brings up.

"Damn, kid. I'm impressed. I can actually package and sell these." He says with a pat on the shoulder.

"Well, I've gotten some practice over the years. I'm practically a pro, now."

"Might as well work with me in the bakery. So you don't have to stock those shelves all the time."

"Nah, I'll stick to the shelves." I look dramatically into the distance and continue. "The isles have become my home now. And the cans-my brethren. They're calling for me as we speak." I say, dramatically outstretching my hand as if I was reaching for something.

"Get out." Brandon responds dryly.

"I must go. My brothers and sisters need me to turn their labels towards the isles so that the consumers may review and purchase them, and they may be given a home." I finish, starting to untie my apron.

"Goodbye, Zia." He says with a laugh.

Before I could take off my apron, there was a ringing coming from the front counter of the bakery.

"Could you get that for me before you return to your 'brethren'?"

"Sure." I say with a chuckle.

I approach the counter where a woman stood with a cake.

"Hi, how can I help you today, ma'am?" I greet.

"Hi, could I get something written on this cake, please? It's for my son's birthday."

"Of course. What would you like it to say?" I ask grabbing the icing bag behind the counter.

"Happy Birthday, Michael."

"Alright, there we go." I say, finished writing on the cake.

"Thank you very much uhm..." She trails off looking at my name tag, "Zia. That's a beautiful name for such a wonderful young lady." She says smiling sweetly.

"Oh, thank you so much. Have a great day, ma'am."

I walked to the back of the bakery and hung up my apron.

"What was it?" Brandon asked while packaging the cookies.

"She wanted something written on the cake. I took care of it."

"Ah, thanks, Z. See ya after work."

"See ya!"

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This is by far the most boring chapter I'm so sorry I'm updating right away this sucks ugh