Aesthetic - Jaden Hossler

39.

Alice didn't stay much longer, she went home, sat on her bed and didn't know what to do until Maileen called her.

"Hey, baby."

"Hey Mai."

"Oh no, you're sad. What's up?"

"I am just confused."

"About the whole Jaden situation?"

"No, with that I actually know what I want."

"Then what is it?"

"I am not motivated to do art anymore. I am just not inspired, and it feels like a task."

"Maybe it was the wrong choice to make it your job."

"Yeah, I think so too."

"What about the store?"

"I love it there. Nzinga is still looking for people to take jobs. Because a seven-day week is exhausting."

"Maybe just finish your current project and then stop doing it as work for a while. You can still paint when you feel like it."

"That's a good idea, I will do that. Not that I don't love talking to you, I really do, but why did you call me?"

"Do you remember my boss?"

"Yeah, you don't like him, right?"

"No, I don't, but here is the thing: He quit. Now I am the boss."

"You're kidding?"

"No, I am not."

"Maileen that's amazing! Congratulations! Oh, I am so proud of you."

"Thank you. I wa- welp. Work is calling."

"Goodbye, love you!"

"Love you too."

Alice was actually able to finish that last project and then just relaxed on her couch.

----------------------

Alice had the earlier shift again and walked in to see a young man, leaning against the counter.

"Hello, can I help you?"

"You must be Alice. I am Wyatt, today is supposed to be a day where I work and Nzinga decides if I will work here."

"Nice to meet you. Nzinga is already here then?"

"Hi, baby!"

Nzinga pulled the smaller girl in a loving hug.

"Can you show Wyatt the ropes?"

"Yeah, sure."

It turns out, Wyatt is very funny. He made the customers and Alice laugh, which got them bigger tips, he didn't mess anything up, aside from letting a fork in the dishwasher four times, but that just happens.

Nzinga who had just watched the two work was really happy, he would fit into their team nicely.

It all reminded Alice of herself a few weeks earlier.

Apparently in the next shift, there was somebody else that was trying out for the job but Alice didn't stay for too long, she had a "date" with Jaden, they finally wanted to clean up his space.