𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒅𝒔 • 𝑩𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 [2]

2•

"I can't believe that you actually have to wear that costume!" I cackled into my strawberry shake, nearly choking at the look on Steve's face. We sat across from each other in the booth of 'Wyatt's cafeteria' in the food court of the mall.

"Why didn't they mention the costume before I signed the agreement form. I should have noticed something was off when they said I could start immediately. I mean look at this hat Evie, look at it! It's ruining my hair." Steve was dressed head to toe in a blue and white sailor outfit and It took everything in my power not to run to 'CameraRepair' And buy a Polaroid.

"Oh Steve just think of the discount." I grinned.

"Oh StEvE jUsT tHiNk Of ThE dIsCoUnT." He said back to me before swigging his smoothie like it was hard liquor.

"Lighten up shit face, you came for a job and you got one, besides you've only been working here a week."

"My shifts ends at 5pm. Do you know how emotionally draining it is to sit for 6 whole hours in this monstrosity?"

"It's not that bad." I finished my shake and crossed my arms.

"Fine, you take my job and wear it then." Steve pushed his empty smoothie glass beside mine and nodded at the waitress when she took them away.

"Wish I could but the pound needs me," I shrugged, "plus I have plans for today."

"We carpooled, how are you going to get to the pool if I need my car?" Steve frowned.

"We really need to stop carpooling places, it's really not convenient," Steve just rolled his eyes at me, "besides, what makes you think I'm going to the pool?"

"Because Hargrove's there." Steve said and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Very funny and I'll just get the bus home and then drive." I glanced at the clock and then back to Steve. "Weren't you supposed to be back at Scoops for 12?"

"Yeah, why?" Steve stopped trying to fix his hat and looked at me.

"That was ten minutes ago Popeye."

"Shit. Okay. I'll call you later, have fun." Steve gabbled before picking up his things and sprinting out of the cafeteria and across the food court in a smear of white and blue. Even after being friends with Steve for what felt like a million years, he never ceases to amaze me.

When he was out of sight I stretched and gathered myself. I wasn't sure what time the next bus was at so I quickly left the food court and made my way out of the mall. I jogged over to the bus timetable and saw that a bus was due in a few minutes. I turned to walk back into the mall but not before coming face to face with a delivery guy. He was in the middle of wheeling a pile of heavy looking boxes around the side of the mall and I, being the clumsy bitch I am, stepped right in front of him, nearly causing him to drop the whole delivery.

"Shit sorry-"

"Watch where you walk!" He spat in a thick accent before wheeling the boxes around me and walking away. Asshole. I stuck my middle finger up at his back before going over to the bus that just pulled up. A bunch of rowdy kids piled off the bus and I had to fight my way on. When I finally got a seat and the bus pulled away, I sighed. The heat was getting ridiculous and the sooner I was relaxing by the poolside, the better.

The bus soon pulled up a few blocks from my house and I quickly got out and made my journey home. My parents left for vacation last week with their two friends and were away for three weeks somewhere in Florida, so I wouldn't have to worry about them. It was my 'restbite' as Steve liked to call it. I got to the end of the street and quickened my pace. It was so fucking hot outside and I was so sweaty that I couldn't wait to get into the shade and change. Once I was up the driveway and in the house I ran up the stairs and into my room and started to look for my black and white striped bikini that hadn't seen the light of day since this time last year.

After faffing around and emptying every drawer and cupboard in my room I finally found it screwed in a ball in the back corner of my closet. Once I checked that it smelt okay I quickly put it on, I then slid back on my blue denim shorts and sandals. I got a towel from the airing cupboard and then grabbed a pair of sunnies and keys from my desk and threw my hair back in a bun.