The Way You See Me

Chapter Two

I had sat in my car for probably fifteen minutes before getting on my way to lunch. My aunt was anxiously waiting outside of the little place we had planned to meet. I glance at the clock; I was only running sixteen minutes behind...but in her mind, it was probably the same as if I hadn't shown up for another hour.

I sigh and park my car, opening the door and walking up to her, where I'm greeted with a screech and a bear hug that almost knocks me off my feet. We go inside, finding a table.

After we finished eating out lunch, she didn't let me leave until she lectured me about keeping my apartment clean, making sure I eat three meals a day, and keeping up with the online classes she thought I was still taking. 

Yes, I probably should have gone to college, and I had planned on it, but my brother kept me back. He insisted I stay, complaining that he'd be all alone without me across the street. I never argue with my brother. 

I had told my aunt that I was taking online classes for a university nearby, but that was a lie. I didn't see the point. Why go to college at all if not in a classroom filled with other students? I knew it was a shitty excuse, and it was definitely not one to tell her. So, I came up with the online classes lie instead. Oh well. 

After lunch, I went to the first location I was supposed to have an interview with. It was a daycare-like place. I don't mind kids; the main thing that pulled me towards this job was the pay. Almost double what I was making at my old job. 

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes as I calm myself down before I get out of my car. I walk inside, and the older lady sitting at the desk a few steps from the door looks up at me with a smile. I hesitate but return it. I shove my hands down in my pockets so that I stop wringing them together. 

"Hi! I'm Laura, how can I help you today?" She asks, and the earrings dangling from her ears sway as she talks, moving her head while she does. I notice her long, bright pink nails, hovering over the laptop in front of her. Her shirt matched the color of the nails and I wanted to barf. She looks like someone introduced my grandma to a barbie doll designer. The pounds of makeup covering her face didn't help her cause. 

I push the criticism to the back of my head as I walk closer, standing in front of the desk. "Yes, I'm Calleigha Matthews, I'm here for, um," I pause, shaking my head slightly as my mind clouds. I hated this. I couldn't even compose myself long enough to introduce myself, let alone go through with an interview. What was I doing here? I swallow and look back at her. "I'm here for the job interview," I say after a few moments.

She nods, "Right! Of course." At least she tries to be kind. "Well, I would do the interview myself, but I'm a bit busy." She says, and when she notices I'm not catching on, she continues. "Macy is down the hall, she'll help you." I nod and walk past her. 

Just when I was beginning to wonder where all the children were, I walk towards a door that's 'down the hall' and look inside. There are kids everywhere. They were on beds against the wall, jumping from one to the other. On playgrounds set up in corners of the huge room- it was the size of the gyms we'd had in school. I see plenty of kids, but no adults. My brow draws together, and I step inside, the door slamming behind me and I jump. The second I had opened the door, I could hear all the yelling, laughter, and crying. There was no way I could work here, I was already getting a headache. 

As I rubbed my forehead, a hand taps my shoulder, and I turn swiftly. A young girl, probably my age, looks at me with a too-wide smile. "Hello! I'm Macy! What can I do for you?" She asks, and the eagerness in her voice makes my stomach churn. 

I stutter for a moment, and before I answer her, I turn, opening the door behind me. Despite her questioning, I walk back out the door. Its slam makes me jump again, and now I'm shaking. God, what is wrong with me?