Sober |a.k.|

2

I rubbed my dry eyes and walked around the clothing rack, hanging up the shirts marked "clearance". I've been working at H&M for almost a year and this was the worst day. I was so overly tired, it doesn't even feel like I had three cups of coffee.

"Hey, isn't your lunch break in like, 30 seconds?" My coworker Damen asked.

"Yeah actually, thanks. I wouldn't have noticed."

"No problem. It's just, I got Panera and I'm not feeling the large mac and cheese today," he said, making my face light up. He laughed and nodded. "Could I head back with you? Maybe we could eat together."

I nodded and followed Damen into the break room. After I sat down, I felt arms wrap around my neck. I looked up and saw Maggie smiling at me.

"Hey, Damen's giving me his Panera mac and cheese. You want some?"

She nodded and sat down next to me.

"So, any updates on Elijah's friend?" She asked, leaning across the table.

"Last night, as you know, he followed me."

"A win."

"Indeed," I said as Damen sat the bowl of noodles down and sat across from us. I shoved a spoonful into my mouth. "Now, unfortunately, nothing new yet but he's close with Elijah so I'll see him around more."

She rolled her eyes and smiled at me.

"Exciting stuff."

"Hey, you asked," I said, holding my hands up in defense.

"What are we talking about?" Damen asked, butting into our conversation. He's been one of our best friends here. He not only trained Maggie, but also me. On Friday it's gonna be 5 years since he started which is crazy.

"Abby and a cute guy hung out last night."

He wiggled his eyebrows, similar to Maggie, and I laughed again.

We finished lunch what I thought was pretty quickly but was proven wrong when I noticed we only had 5 minutes of our break left.

"4 more hours guys," Damen said as we all walked to our respective sections. We all carpooled so I'd see them again later.

The last half of the day was just as boring as the first half. Answering the same questions, folding clothes, wandering around was all I ever did. Whatever, it paid the bills, didn't it?

My hobby was art but I'd never actually become a famous painter or sketch artist or anything. I had an art page on Instagram with a couple thousand followers but it wasn't huge. I couldn't imagine doing that for a living, it'd be pretty cool. But, alas, that couldn't happen.

As closing time came in near sight I started getting more anxious to get home. I just wanted to relax.

Finally, after the last 5 minutes felt like a decade, we were free to leave. I walked over to my stuff and noticed I had three missed calls from Elijah. I knew what this was and I really didn't want to do this but I was too nice. So I called him back.

"Hey! This is Kellen, Elijah's in the-"

"He's busy," Sam cut him off.

I hummed and grabbed my bag, heading for the door.

"So, I know we asked you to set up and whatever, and we feel real bad for asking but-"

"Yeah, I'll help clean." I sighed and looked at Maggie.

"Thank you thank you. Where are you?"

"I just got off work, I should be there in less than 10."