FIRE | H.S.

Chapter 3

   "Thank you so much, Ava! You always leave my skin looking amazing," my client says as we walk out of the room.

   "You're welcome," I smile. "Just make sure the sun doesn't hit your face too much today and don't forget to wear sunscreen." She thanks me again and I go back into the room to clean up and prepare it for the next client.

   "Hey, do you have any hair appointments today?" Aurora, my other best friend, asks me.

   Aurora has been my best friend since high school. She's one of the reasons I'm here today. Aurora and her mom helped me so much when I left that house, they took me in and later helped me with an apartment. I'm extremely grateful. Aurora runs my second spa and Charles runs the first one. They both are hard-working people who always have my back and help me so much with everything. Even though they know how to run everything, I still like to come and work on the reports and payroll, just so I can take care of the "boring" part of the job. It also gives me more work to do in order to keep myself busy.

   "No, I only have facials and one massage," I tell her.

   "Good, that way you can go home and rest early," she smiles.

   "What is it with you and Charles wanting to send me home early every day?" I laugh, shaking my head while I finish preparing the room.

   "We just want you to rest, you always work so much, girl. Taking a break from time to time is very healthy, you know?"

   "You already know I like being busy," I say, shrugging.

   She comes over and gives me one of her famous bear hugs, "I know, sis."

   "Aurora," Carla appears in the doorway. "Your 12 o'clock appointment is here."

   "Oh, thank you, Carla." She lets go of me and walks away with Carla.

   I go walk around to make sure everyone is doing their job and feel pleased when I see every client and stylist with smiles on their faces or laughing as they talk with each other. There's always such a positive energy in both spas and it keeps me in a good mood all day. Maybe Charles was right and it's the crystals doing their job.

   "Ava, your 2 o'clock appointment is here," Carla comes into the office and lets me know.

   "Thank you, girl, I'll be right with her." I finish filling out the last report and then make my way to my client.

   I ask her to follow me into one of the massage rooms, then tell her I'll be back in a few minutes. I go to the storage room and look for the eucalyptus oil. If I remember correctly, this client comes because of back pain and this oil is quite good for this kind of massage.

   As I make my way back to the massage room, my phone rings in my pocket. The word "Neighbor" flashes on the screen. Hmm, that's strange.

   "Hello?" I answer.

   "Miss Van Allen, hello. I'm so sorry for bothering you, but I'm quite desperate at the moment and I was wondering if I could ask you a big favour?" His raspy accent fills my ears and I scrunch my brows in confusion. I haven't talked much to my neighbor, we have each other's number in case of emergencies, and his daughter gives me lots of cards but other than that it's rare for us to talk.

   "Oh, sure, what is it?"

   "I'm embarrassed to ask, but could you pick up Leilani from school today? I know it's a lot to ask and I wouldn't do it if I had another option," he rushes out and I hear a loud alarm in the background, his voice sounds agitated. "If you can't it's okay, don't worry about it, I can call her teacher."