Our world

Chapter 6

     Monday.
     I usually hated Mondays but today was the day I got to go back to work. I had taken the last week off to adjust to my move. I was ready to get back into my groove.
     After slipping on a pair of black jean shorts, a white rock band tee and my converse I headed to my car while pulling my hair up in a messy bun. Luckily, the shop was only a few minutes away from the campus because I was running late.
      "I'm late! I'm know, I'm sorry," I yelled towards the co-owner, Mrs. Todd, as I frantically ran to clock in.
      "Late? How many times do I have to tell you? You can never be late my dear girl," she informed me with a motherly smile. "You can man the back counter today though."
     "Got it thanks," I replied.
      Ok, so... I wasn't really late. I have this agreement, of sorts, with Mrs. Todd aka Carol. As long as I worked at least three days a week my job will always be here for me. I could work any days and any hours I wanted. That being said, I still liked to maintain my Monday-Wednesday 3pm-8pm schedule. Sometimes I even threw in a Thursday or a Sunday, just for fun.
     I also didn't have a specific job title. I worked where I could. Today I was customer service, manning the back table. I could also calculate pay hours, work the cash register, work in receiving, inventory, etc. Working here for over 4 years and being close family friends with the owners had its perks. 
     Carol never had any children so I considered her like my second mom. She was very sweet, funny, and wise. Sometimes though, she crossed lines trying to be 'hip.' When I had started dating Christian she started buying me birth control and condoms, without my parents permission. Carol was always someone I knew would always have my back and could trust like family.
     Today the store was really dead. When I wasn't picking at my nails I was went through the racks picking out some outfits for myself. Yes, free clothes. Another perk.
     "Mrs. Todd?" I asked in a bored tone resting my chin on my hand, remembering to not call her Carol around the other employees.
     "Yes sweetie?"
     "What do you think of me?" I asked. "Of my looks. Say you didn't know me, what would run through your mind?"
     I watched as she quietly studied my appearance for a few moments. Trying not to let my nerves make me squirm, I sat as still as possible.
     "I would think, wow, that's a beautiful young lady with a body I wish I had when I was younger. I hope she takes care of herself and knows her worth because I can also see all her insecurities she has in herself just looking into her sad eyes. Someone this beautiful with a heart of gold, deserves the world," she stated firmly.
     "Wow, that was a lot deeper than I wanted and a powerful opinion," I replied, blinking rapidly, taken aback.
      "It is my opinion but also a fact," she said with certainty. "What brings this on?"  
     "Oh, nothing," I answered quickly looking away. "It's not the time or place."
     "Because we are so swamped with customers, right?" She asked with an amused tone, looking around at the empty shop in emphasis.
     "Uhh, I don't know. Mia has this whole outlook for me this year," I started confessing. "I could care less about the relationship part of it but I know the rest of it will push me out of my comfort zone. I know I need that and sort of want it. I just... I'm scared. So scared of the unknown, Carol. What happens when I get myself into something I can't get out of? I can hardly make a word or a complete sentence to strangers. What happens when I need to? Which I'm sure I will. I would like to make new friend and have new and fun experiences. This damn head of mine just won't let me. And then, there's this guy. I've ran into him twice and have made a complete fool of myself! I don't want to keep embarrassing myself. Honestly, I don't know why I'm even making a big deal about it. I don't want any kind of male involvement in my life other than the friends I already have." I finally looked up to her after my mini rant. "Mrs. Todd, why am I so lame?! What am I going to do with myself?"
     "My sweetie. Oh my poor baby girl," she cried dramatically as she crushed me with a hug. "You are so strong, my love. You have been through a rough patch. Everyone has struggles in their life. Everyone deals with their struggles in their own ways. Unfortunately, these nerves of yours sometimes over power that big beautiful mind of yours. I see you having internal battles. To live everyday fighting with yourself must be hard. I can't relate. You know your friend, Mia and I are much alike. We don't dwell. That is also why you have such loving support. With us by your side nothing will bring you down. We won't let it. Now pick up that beautiful face of yours and tell me all about this new crush!"
     I gasped. "I never said anything about a crush!" I exclaimed in embarrassment, feeling my cheeks tinge red. "I have seen him a total of, maybe, one whole minute."
     "Baby girl, all it takes is a seconds glance," she replied in a dreamy voice.
     Facepalm.
     "You're making it seem like love at first sight," I said. "And you know me and my history better than that. I won't let that happen. Now or any time in the near future. Heck, even in the far future. Maybe when I'm 40?" I pretended to think this over with pursed lips before breaking into a laugh. I looked up to see her looking down at me with a small smile.
     "Say what you will, my sweetie," she sang as she walked off.
     Humph. I wil not be pulled into anything, I will show her.