ELECTRIFIED

CHAPTER 5

TRIGGER WARNING:  if you have not read the trigger warning, please look at chapter 1!  this story has potentially triggering content!!

Days turned to weeks, which turned to months.  It wasn't long before Joey was over the situation again.  He'd found a new home, yet another small apartment.  However, this one was brand new, newly built, and when he had entered it for the first time, the smell of fresh paint was all he could smell.  He looked around at the white walls, the built-in shelves, the marble counters, and marvelled that he could have this all to himself.

His new job as a waiter at a fancy restaurant had given him some more money to buy a better home.  He only worked three months before he decided he could get himself his brand new apartment.  He'd made a brand new friend at that restaurant.  Her name was Alicia, and she was a stunning black woman with a bleached blonde afro.  She loved her job, and often had fun chats with the customers.  In fact, that was how Joey decided to apply for the job.  Alicia had struck up a conversation with him when he went one time to treat himself, and the rest was history.

As Joey walked to the kitchen to grab his outfit one Friday evening, he heard Alicia calling his name.  He turned around, grinning.  "Oh my god, you did it!"

Alicia giggled, nodding.  She'd gotten a nose stud, something she'd wanted to do since she was a teenager.  "Doesn't it look so cute?"  She clenched her fists close to her face.  "It's so hard not to touch it.  I can't wait till this is healed and I can wear an actual nose ring!  Ah!" she squealed, grabbing Joey's wrist.  "Get your outfit on, we've got a crazy bunch of customers that are about to be seated.  A whole party.  Loads of suits and black skirts and high heels."  They rushed to the back room, where Joey's outfit was hung up.  All there was was a blazer and a tie, as well as a name tag.  He had a white button up on already, as well as black dress pants and shoes.  "Hurry up!" Alicia called as he tied his tie.

"Calm down, girl, I'm getting my tie on," he said, furrowing his brows at the mirror.  "Eugh, my hair!  Do you have some hair product or literally anything to fix it?"

"Your hair looks fine!" Alicia called from behind a wall.

Joey giggled, "You can't even see it from where you are, come here!"

Alicia ran over, tying her red scarf.  "Ouh, honey, okay," she ran to her purse, which was hung up in a fancy cubby-like thing.  "I have some hair spray, let me just..."  She struggled for a moment, then grabbed a tiny aerosol can.  She sprayed Joey's hair.  It smelled like honey, which made Joey smile.

"Mmm, this smells really good," he commented.

"Yes, now fix your hair, I'm literally scared for my life right now," Alicia whispered loudly, shoving the hairspray back into her purse.

Joey ran his fingers through his hair, then decided it was enough.  Whatever, he thought.  He threw his jacket on, then rushed to grab a notebook and a pen.  He and Alicia looked at the long table, which was situated in the middle of the restaurant.  A bunch of older men sat there, wearing the same black and white suits they were wearing.

Alicia stopped beside Joey, her eyes wide.  "Mmkay.  You get the half closest to us, and I'll get the other half.  Got it?"

Joey nodded, "Got it."  They then strutted towards the front desk, grabbing menus.  They then each curved their lips politely, to hide their nervousness, as they walked towards the tables. "Hello, I'm Joey, your waiter for tonight," Joey said to the first half, seeing Alicia with the other half.  Joey placed a menu in front of each man.   "So, can I start you all off with something to drink?"  He pulled his notebook up in front of his face, making eye contact with each one of the men.