Silvertongue

The New Life

Chapter 2
The New Life

Do you ever wonder if rocks are actually soft... but tense up when we touch them ?

"Hmm...," I hummed to myself, seriously considering the thought. I glanced out the large window of my crappy apartment, silently watching the loud, busy streets. This was the only thing I loved about this apartment. The windows were just about as big as the wall itself. If you walked closely enough, it would seem like you would fall through. It seemed like you would fall down, down, down the stories of this building much faster than the elevator could ever take you.

I sighed and gripped my mug of chamomile tea just a little tighter, holding it close so that I could feel the warmth spread through my body. Maybe today I can fit in some time to do some yoga. That is, if my boss doesn't think that I need to work an extra shift... Wait a minute.

"My boss! Work! ... I'm late!" I absentmindedly set my mug down on the floor, fleeing toward my small bedroom in a hurry. I threw the door open- almost yanking it off of it's
hinges - and quickly rummaged through my drawers. I peeled off my knee socks and my oversized tee shirt and replaced them with light high waisted shorts, black NYC Brandy Melville top, and a knit creamy white cardigan. Then, I wedged on my Timberlands and threw my hair up into a messy ponytail.

Not even bothering to look into the mirror, I ran to the elevator and went down to the lobby while silently thanking God that I have enough money to buy some pretty decent clothes. I hopped onto my old bike and rode down to Jean's Bakery.

"I'm so sorry I'm late," I announced as I opened the door, setting off a ringing noise by the bell above the door. I bit my lip, waiting to get yelled at by Jean, the bakery's owner, as I rushed into the kitchen. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, my hair was all over the place and I didn't even have enough time to put on a little bit of makeup. I wiped a small bead of sweat from my forehead as Jean started to angrily make his way towards me.

"Ms. Parker, this is the fourth time you've been late in the first three weeks! Is this what I'm supposed to expect of you?" He furiously spat at me. The other employees stopped what they were doing to see why their boss was so angry. I nervously gulped, not able to regain eye contact with Jean. "I- I know... I'm so sorry it wont happen again." "It won't happen again? That's what you said the last four times but yet here you are, late as always! Do you want to be fi-"

"No!" I cut him off desperately, but then immediately covered my mouth with my hands. He raised an eyebrow, obviously taken back just as much as I am. It was so quiet in the kitchen that you could hear a pen drop. "Um, please don't fire me... This job is really important to me," I finally said, breaking the unbearable silence.

Jean straightened his posture and cleared his throat before looking me in the eyes and saying, "Make sure of it that you are not late again. Next time, I will not hesitate to fire you." All I could do was nod, more than grateful that he wasn't going to fire me. "Everyone, get back to work!" my boss yelled at everyone, causing them all to jump and continue their jobs like nothing had happened.

I let out a relieved sigh as he disappeared around the corner and started to put on my apron. I took out my note pad from my pocket that read "Jean's Bakery" and pushed open the kitchen doors and started to get everybody's orders.

• • •

"Thank you for the tip, sir," I said to the smiling old man who sat in the light blue cushioned couch by the window. "It's no problem at all, Miss. I only wish I could give you more, but that's all the change I have...," he told me as he struggled to get up. I rushed to his side to help him stand up before handing him his cane. "No, no! You gave me more than enough." And as he opened his mouth to protest, I kindly interrupted him. "Honestly, thank you so much. Have a nice day!" Seeming to give up, he sweetly smiled at me and waved as he hobbled out of the bakery

"That seems to wrap up my shift," I said to myself, starting to untie my apron. "Ah, wrong!" someone exclaimed behind me. I turned around to find one of the other employee's, Peter, smugly crossing his arms. "Jean says you gotta take my shift." I looked at him in disbelief and scoffed. "He did not."

"Did too. You can ask him yourself. That is, if you wanna be yelled at, again." His smirk only seemed to grow at this point. I sighed, deciding to give up. "When does your shift usually end?" I asked him, trying to keep hold of my patience. He chuckled. "Usually, it ends at 5, but boss says you gotta stay 'till 7 and close up for him."

I grit my teeth and shut my eyes, clenching my fists. Peter, who was starting to leave, was now right next to me. Before he left, he decided to say one last thing. "Maybe you shouldn't be late so often, newbie," he spat in disgust before pushing the door open and leaving, causing the bell to go off. 7 o' clock. It's 2 p.m. .

I let out a small sigh, wishing that the other employees liked me. "Only five more hours, Serenity," I told myself, retying my apron.

A/N: hopefully y'all like itttt :3 i feel like it sucks but i mean i hope you like it anyway. please comment how i can make it better bc that would really help(((: