Stormy Eyes

Chapter Three: New Friendships

Saturday, my first day working at the small bookshop down the road.

I started my shift at nine this morning and it was slow to begin with, but as the day progressed the store became busier by the minute. 

The people who came in were all from different walks of life, it was obvious to see. There were different genders, different class types and different character types. Each one of them was polite though and each one of them had a kind of intelligence that radiated off of them. 

I'm not much of a people person, but these people are my kind of people.

Around eleven thirty I was joined on shift by another employee, who showed up in flowing jeans, a retro graphic design t-shirt, a denim jacket with paint splotches on the sleeves and leather boots. She had short, curly hair and dark brow eyes to match. She was holding a portfolio of some kind.

"Hey." She greeted friendlily. "I'm Amelia and you must be the new girl that Olivia told me about."

"Yah, I'm new." I laughed at her eagerness. "My name is Espen." 

"Weird name, but cool." She smiled at me.

"Thanks." 

"How has your first day been?" She asked as she pulled he apron over her head and took over for me at the coffee machine. 

"Enjoyable." I replied with a smile, while nodding my head.

"Pleasant right?" Amelia suggested. "It's like a world away from real life in here."

"Exactly."

"I'm going to miss it." 

"Olivia mentioned something about you and another employee leaving, do you mind if I ask why?"

"Andrew and myself." She explained. "Andrew just finished studying, so he's starting at his new job as a lawyer down town."

"Wow, a lawyer?"

"Yah." She smiled. "He's real smart."

I nodded as she went on.

"I too just finished studying. I'm joining an artist at the gallery down the road, she's going to be my mentor." 

"You're an artist?"

"Yup." She held up her portfolio that she walked in with.

"Could I see one?" Curiosity taking over control of my mouth.

"Sure." 

She pulled out a large A2 sheet of paper that had a detailed picture of a person's face on it, with multiple different colours used to create a tonal effect. There were free brush strokes of blues, greens, yellows, oranges, purples and so many other colour to create an energetic visual.

"This is amazing." I said with wide eyes.

"Thank you." She accepted. "It took me a while to complete." 

"I can imagine, but it was worth all that time."

She laughed shyly. 

After putting her portfolio back under the counter.

"When do you leave?" I wondered.

"Two months. Both myself and Andrew."

"Oh, that's soon..."

Amelia nodded her head in response, looking over at the coffee maker.

"What other days do you work here?" She asked, changing the subject.