i stared as everyone gathered around the sweetener stage, grouping with their friends before lining up along the stage to take a huge group picture. i just sat there, behind the camera, waiting for them to all be ready before pressing the button on the camera for them. not going to lie, i felt kind of disappointed when one of the stage crews came up to me to ask me to take the picture instead of inviting me onto it. i know my job of being the janitor and cleaning up before the concert isn't the most important, so i can't really put a finger on why i felt sad. why would ariana grande want me in a picture, she probably doesn't know i even exist.
everyone was already on stage, and we were just waiting for ariana to get toulouse and myron from her dressing room. when she finally came back, one of the lights and sound guys yelled out to me to get ready and focus the camera. i sighed and got up, looking through the view finder of the camera, a tear slipping down my eye but i was quick to wipe it away. when they finally were all in focus, i started counting down. "okay guys five, four, thr-"
"why aren't you in the picture?" i heard someone say. i look up from the camera and i was taken aback when i saw ariana, standing up and walking towards me. "i-uh...i'm just the janitor." i stutter out. not going to lie, i kind of hate ariana right now because she put this spotlight on me just to turn me down for being in the picture. i don't need to be embarrassed even more than i already am.
"so? come on silly, your an important part of this tour too! just turn on the countdown thingy." a smile never failed to leave her face as she jogged over to me, walking in front of me and taking the camera off it's stand, fiddling with it, trying to figure out how to turn on the hands-free mode on the camera, before putting it back on the tripod. she started to adjust it a bit, making sure it was still focused. i stood there awkwardly, watching her trying to figure it out.
"ariana, come on you really want a janitor in your instagram feed." some guy stifled out, a giggle escaping his lips and some of his friends laughing as well. i sucked in a breath and eyed ariana as she froze as well. maybe she came to her senses and remembered who i was. i started to chew on my lip a bit.
"how disgusting of you to say that. i'd rather have you out of this picture than her." she spits out, taking me and the guys aback. taking a hold of my hand, she pressed the button and dragged me to the middle of the crowd, trying to beat the 10 seconds we had to run. i take a quick look back at the guy and his face was flushed as he and his friends were quiet.
"kay hurry! sit here." she gently pushed me down so that i toppled on my butt, and made her way behind me. "smile!" she said as she wrapped her arms around my neck from behind, leaning over me a bit. this little gesture made my insides feel weird and i couldn't help but smile a bit wider.
we stayed quiet for a bit, making sure that we didn't start moving before the picture was taken. "okay, i think we're done." one of the dancers suggested and people started to agree as well, making their way to the camera as all of them wanted to see the picture. ariana unwrapped her arms from my neck and ran in front of everyone, eager to see the photo first. i tried to follow, but got drowned in the many people wanting to see the picture as well, making me sigh and watch as everyone crowded around. "oh my gosh look y/n!" i heard ariana yell as she emerged from the crowd and straight to me. she shoved the camera into my face, excited to show me the picture.
"we look so cute!" she gushed, looking at the picture one more time with admiration in her eyes and a big smile on her face, like it never left since she got me to be in the picture. how does one smile for so long. i could stare at her smile for forever, but unfortunately, i have a job to do. "the pit still needs sweeping... i'll see you around?" i say, glancing at my broom that was lying on the floor. ariana frowned and shook her head, making me snort. "i have a job to do, i'll just see you around." i didn't give her anytime to reply, as i turned on my heel and hopped off the stage, going straight for my sweeper that awaited me.
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i've been sweeping for maybe an hour, doing my best to get the loose dirt off the floor. after this, i have to mop the floor and i've always loathed that part. getting all the murky stuff that people leave behind, like spilled drinks and stuff. i haven't seen ariana since i left her to go clean and i couldn't help but feel disappointed. but i know i shouldn't, she has other stuff to do, while i have my stuff to do.
now, the most disgusting part of my job, mopping the floor. the mopping itself really sucks, but what sucks even more is that i have to start at the really top of the arena. so with my bucket of soon to be dirty water, i dragged it all the way to the top. as i dipped in the mop and annoyingly slammed it onto the ground, i realized i wasn't alone up here. a few footsteps were heard so i turned around and saw ariana standing there, with a mop as well. she was changed into some short shorts and a shirt. her extensions were removed and her natural hair up in a messy ponytail.
"need help?"
