To Be Young And In Love In New York City

Chapter 6: "Age Is Just A Number"

There was one thing Colette liked the most about New York: its sunshine.

Rays from the sun that traveled millions of miles looked their best when they arrived in New York, according to her. There was something about it that brought her abundant joy; you could tell by the way she was busting a move to the music in the little store that was Jenna's bookstore.

Hazel laughed as Colette moved her hip to the music that chorused through the store. Matthew stood at one corner, his arms folded, amusedly watching Colette dance. Niki, on the other hand, too used to Colette's random outbreaks of dancing paid no attention to her and instead did her job of putting away the latest books from boxes, but couldn't resist glancing at her once in a while and smile.

"Dance with me, Matthew!" Colette laughed and approached him but was greeted with his arms held up in a defensive position.

"No Colette, I don't dance."

"Oh, come on," She urged, pulling his arm and leading him to the centre of the room. Taking his hands in hers, she moved her body side to side and he tried to mimic her but failed miserably. She laughed at him but they continued dancing.

"You're lucky Jenna isn't here today or she would've killed us," He muttered as he attempted to recreate a leg moment she was doing.

Colette said nothing, a bright smile etched to her face, looking like it never wanted to leave. She ditched Matthew and grabbed hold of her phone, and stopped the music. "That felt good." Her reflection in the glass door caught her attention, and she moved closer to get a clearer view. She straightened the collar of her new uniform, a navy blue collar t-shirt with the letters 'J' and 'B' embroidered on its left chest in vibrant yellow.

"Don't our uniforms look lovely?" She asked Matthew and Niki who were both dressed in the same ones. They nodded and Matthew went back to help Niki clear the boxes.

"So Hazel," Colette said as she took a seat next to Hazel who stuffed a fry in her mouth, "What's happening?"

"Nothing much," replied Hazel, her left thumb scrolling through her phone, "except that our psychology teacher is hot." She turned her phone so that its screen was facing Colette and pointed to a picture that was displayed on it. "Doesn't he look so hot in this? Finding his Instagram is the best thing I've done in my life, truly."

Colette rolled her eyes.

"But his pictures are no good in comparison to the view I get in class every day. Especially of his peach," She winked at Colette.

Colette rolled her eyes yet again. "You have issues."

Hazel ignored her. "He's just 40. I think I'm okay with that. I mean, age is just a number right?"

"I would like to add the word 'daddy' to my previous statement."

"Have you seen his eyes? They're so.....magical." She stared dreamily at the ceiling.

"Okay, I am not going to sit here and listen to you fantasize about one of my professors. Bye." She got up not before grabbing a fry from Hazel's plate.

Walking up to Matthew and Niki, she watched as they struggled to fit multiple boxes into the tiny area they had assigned for them.

"Niki, don't you have a concert to get to? You'll be late."

"Well, I would finish my job a lot quicker if someone helped me."

"Hazel, she's talking about you."

Niki gave Colette a tight smile and got back to her work. Hazel appeared next to Colette and eyed Niki. "But seriously Nik, don't you have to go home, do your hair and makeup, put on an outfit and all that?"