Finding Amity

Chapter 15

"I just don't understand why you can't tell me." Pippa complained. "Obviously you did something to piss him off, I just wanna know how proud I should be."

Pippa had spent every day this week begging me to tell her what happened between Isaac and I. All she knew, was that Isaac left the party to go "pick a fight with the nerd" (which was me) then returned absolutely pissed. He drunk himself stupid by the end of the night.

Clearly the mention of his not-so-great reputation struck a chord. Despite desperately wanting to look deeper into that and investigate why the word was so triggering, I had more important things to focus on.

Todd called earlier this week to schedule an interview on Thursday morning. I spent all week practicing my answers to any possible question he could send my way, but only 15 minutes before I had to leave, did I realise I don't exactly own interview clothing.

I felt bile rise up my throat as I tugged down the skirt of the black dress I was wearing. It was a simple long sleeve dress that flared out from my waist. It wasn't exactly business-casual, but paired with some tights and ballet flats, I looked almost presentable.

Pippa grabbed my hand and squeezed. I turned to her and smiled.

"I can tell you're nervous." She noted. It was really sweet of her to go with me, even if it was only so we could pick up her car from Isaac's house on the way back. "Distract yourself by telling me absolutely everything that happened on Saturday."

"Nothing happened, Pippa." I groaned.

She was under the impression what happened was more of a argument or fight situation, instead of the almost-kiss, weird romantic tension event that had occurred. I couldn't imagine how infuriated she'd be if she found out.

The second the bus stopped, Pippa hurried off towards the tattoo parlour on the second floor to flirt with the apprentice she had a crush on, while I found my way back to Toy-Land, a fake smile plastered on my face.

"Hi, I'm Amity. I'm here for an interview." I beamed at the cashier, an older woman with chunky red and blonde highlights.

She instructed me to go through to the back office to meet Todd.

The back office was small and a little bit dingy. Boxes of documents sat on shelves that lined the top of the water-stained walls, the only furniture in the room being a small dining table, a pink mini-fridge, and a small computer desk squished into the corner where Todd was sat.

"Whats your full name?" He asked, getting straight to business.

"Amity Beth Harper."

"Date of birth?"

"30th of October, 2000."

"Work experience?"

"I don't have any, but I'm a fast learner and a hard worker."

"Okay." Todd nodded, standing up from his office chair that was being held together by shiny silver duct tape. "You've got the job."

"Wait, what?" I stuttered as Todd headed towards the back room door.

"Come with me," He instructed. "I'll show you how to work the register."

I guess not a lot of people had shown interest in the job opening.

My interview had lasted an hour in which I had learnt how to use the register, how to make price tag stickers, and I had my first real shift on Monday afternoon.

As I made my way up to the tattoo parlour, I pulled out my phone and called Cooper. I felt like we hadn't spoken in forever. We texted every now and then, but we both were overwhelmed with school work and hadn't had a chance to really catch up.

"Hey, Ames!" He answered. "Whats up?"

"I just got a job!" I squealed. "I am now a team member at Toy-Land and I start Monday."

"Really?!" He beamed. "I'm so proud of you, Ames. I didn't know you were even looking for a job."

"I wasn't really, I just saw the job opportunity poster in the window last time I was shopping and decided to apply then. But now I can get experience and earn my own money. I'm officially becoming an adult."

"Well," I could hear him gulp through the phone. "I was going to surprise you, but since we're talking now... I am flying up to visit you tomorrow."

I stopped dead in my tracks. "Shut up! Really?!"

"Is that a good "shut up"? You don't have any plans, right?" He questioned.

"Its a good "shut up". I'm free all weekend and so excited. I haven't seen you in forever." I rushed gleefully. "You get to meet all my friends and we can go to the Air and Space Museum! No one else wants to go with me."

"Sounds good, I can't wait."

We said goodbye and I ended the call, a unshakeable smile on my face. Pippa spotted me and ran out to greet me, noticing my cheerful mood immediately.

"It went well?" She asked.

"I got the job and also Cooper's coming to visit and I'm just having the best day ever."

"Me too!" She smiled. "Jareth just gave me a free tattoo!" She pulled down her top revealing three tiny stars side by side over the top of her right breast.

We really were very different people. I think that's why we made such good friends. When I was with Pippa, there never was a dull moment.