My Better Half

Chapter 2- New (Awkward) Beginnings

Jack Third Person POV

Jack looked up and clapped eyes on the girl looking at him, stunned like it was her first day on planet earth. What was her deal? Why was she staring at him like that? She was probably just another customer, although she seemed a lot posher than the places regular clientele, and if he were being totally honest, more stuck up. Probably thought she was better than him or something. Pretty rich girls like her got on his nerves.

Still, he was polite when he was in "retail mode" so he flashed her a quick smile before heading inside. He went over to the counter and got to the back of the parlour, and greeted the manager, Sal.

Jack: "Hey, Sal! How are you?"

Sal: "I'm good, kid, I'm good. Good news, by the way, you're getting a little friend to keep you company on your deliveries starting today! We're trying to pick up the pace a little on our deliveries, so this could help!"

Jack: "I'm getting company? Oh..."

Sal: "Come on, kid, I know you're a bit antisocial, but this'll be good for you."

Jack: "Asocial."

Sal: "Huh?"

Jack: "I'm a bit asocial. Antisocial would be if I were violent or something."

Sal: "Keep that cheek up, and I'll be unbelievably antisocial to you, go to the van, smartass."

Jack rolled his eyes and went to go out the back door to the van. He knew Sal was just joking, they were pretty much friends even if Sal was his boss. Just before he left, he saw the snooty looking girl from earlier talking to Sal over the counter, probably just ordering. But then he let her through to the back. Why would he do that, unless...

Oh no.

Maria Third Person POV

"Thank you again, sir. I will try my best not to let you down, and not to be a burden to you."

Maria bowed as she took the uniform from her manager's hand with a smile.

Sal: "No need to thank me, miss, we are glad to have you here. And as for your work, it's your first day today so you will be working with your delivery partner, he is outside waiting by the van for you. He can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but he is a good kid, the same age as you I suppose. So, I guess you two will get along well. Okay then, off ya go!"

The manager flashed a toothy grin at Maria. She nodded and then went to change into her uniform. As she did so, many thoughts circled through her head.

In her mind: Delivery partner, the same age as me? Could it be?... Please don't tell me it's that blondie from before. I am doomed...

Maria walked out of the changing room with her uniform on and went up to the van outside. The blond guy from earlier was standing next to the van. Maria's fear came true after all... She tried to be as polite as possible and not show her frustration as she gave a little wave and a quick greeting.

"Umm...Hello."

Jack Third Person POV

Jack tried not to let his irritation show on his face, but to be totally fair, she didn't look all that pleased to see him either. She had said hello to him, and he decided for both their sakes, it would be better to play nice, so he responded.

"Hello, so you're the new girl?" No response. Jack decided to give her the benefit of the doubt that she was just being shy rather than being a bitch. Still, if she'd be short with him, he'd be short with her. "Get in the passenger seat, we're going to leave now."