Finding Amity

Chapter 21

The second Cooper's taxi drove away, I felt the nausea of loneliness settle in. Even though I was still mad at him for the way he handled things with Isaac, I wished he could stay a little longer.

It also didn't help that I had my first shift at Toy-Land later today and I could really use some Cooper's inspirational affirmations. My knees bounced up and down during my lectures, annoying Hadiya immensely. The lecturer dismissed us and I sprinted out of the room and towards the dorm building.

I quickly showered and threw on the black uniform t-shirt I got at my interview, then hurried out to the bus stop. I did not want to be late for my first day.

The bus delivered me to the mall ten minutes later, giving me only five minutes to find my way back to the toy store.

"Amity!" Todd called out from the register. "Hop on the register, I'll go clock you in."

"Oh, okay." I mumbled with uncertainty, making my way behind the register.

Todd must've gotten distracted with something, because according to the Thomas the Tank Engine clock on the wall, he had been "clocking me in" for the past 2 and a half hours.

A couple people had come in, a man bought a set of tiny plastic animals, three teenagers came in and bought an arsenal of Nerf guns, and a woman and her daughter bought a set of Barbie clothes.

Todd came out at 6 o'clock to send me on my break, so I grabbed my wallet and headed out to find some dinner. I settled on a cheeseburger and fries and sat at a sticky table beside a fountain.

"Hey," Called out Dustin as he took the seat across from me. I quickly swallowed and smiled at him. I only ever saw Dustin in class so we didn't exactly have the opportunity or time to chat. "Why are you eating alone?"

I then realised I might look weird, chowing down on a burger by myself in a busy mall. "I'm on my break." I explained. "I work at, uh, Toy-Land."

"Oh, I didn't know you had a job."

"Well, we don't exactly talk often." I added. He nodded in agreement.

"Yeah," He sighed. "It really sucks that you're in the one class I TA for. When this semester ends, we need to start hanging out."

I grinned at the idea. Dustin grinned back, light dimples forming in his cheeks. He was impossibly adorable. "I would like that."

"I better get going, I have homework to do..." He stood up from his seat. "Toy-Land? Was it?" He asked. I nodded, pointing to the logo on my t-shirt. "I'll stop by next time I... need some toys." He shook his head at himself. "You know what I mean."

"Sure." I laughed. "Bye, Dustin."

His jet black hair bounced on his head as he jogged away. Once he was out of my sight, I checked the watch on my wrist. Luckily I looked when I did, because I had just enough time to shovel the rest of my burger into my mouth and hurry back to Toy-Land before my break ended.

I spent the rest of the shift making price tags and sticking them onto toys in the back storeroom.

By the time I made it back to my dorm, I only had the energy to stumble into my bed and tap out on the day.

"How was work?" I heard Pippa call out from her bed.

"It... uh..." I started as my eyelids fell heavy and my mind started to sleep. "Good. Good day." I mumbled just before I fell into unconsciousness.