The Beauty of One

Chapter 7

"Do you think you can make it today" Alex asks me through the phone.

Today was Saturday, He had called me two days ago to tell me I had gotten the job and i felt a small weight lift off my shoulders. I hoped that with this small job I could afford to pay my bills and send some money to my family.

"Of course" i tell him while pouring some cold milk in a glass.
I gulp it down and grab my keys.

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I had walked there since work didn't start at 9 and when i left it was 8:00.

When I got there Alex was stalking up some CD's and replacing some old ones.

"Hey" he said with a smile

"Hello" i reply as i make my way to him.
"So what shall I do Boss" I tell him

He chuckles and gives me instructions.

I was the cashier for today. Alex said that there would be another girl working here. She was the only one who hasn't quit.

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It was already 2:30 and only five people have come in here and out of the five two of them actually bought something.

I decided to look around, obviously no one needed to be attended.

I noticed some pictures near the back. They were of a little boy and a middle aged man, he had a small stubby beard and wore glasses.

I continued staring when I heard someone sigh. I turned around and Saw Alex behind me.
"Oh my gosh you scared me" I tell him
He had a small smile on his face but his eyes were sad and droopy.

I point to the little boy "is this you?" I say softy

He nods and presses his lips together to form a line.

"Is that's your father?"
I see tears starting to form in his eyes but he quickly blinks them away. "Y-yeah" he nods looking down.

"He um he died of cancer three years ago, this was his store." He tells me.

I nod slowly my mouth forming into a small o.
Poor Alex
I think to myself.

Resting my hand on his shoulder i ask him "You want to go sit down?"

He shakes his head "It's fine. It's just not very easy talking about this despite the fact that it happened almost 4 years ago"

I nod. "It's fine Alex"
I Hug him and he buries his face in my hair. "It'll be okay" I whisper. I've known him for such a small amount of time but every time I saw him he had a smile on his face. Seeing him like this was strange.
He quickly wiped away the tears as another girl walked in the store.
She smiled at us and walked towards our way.
"Hey Alex" she says.
"Hey" he smiles trying to avoid her eyes so she wouldn't notice how red his eyes were.

She smiles at me.

"hey I'm Carley"

She had short black, wavy hair and was a few inches taller than me and way more curvier than me.
She wore a small line of eyeliner that made her eyes Pop.

I shake her hand "I'm Emma, the new employee here" I say with a smile.

"That's great we need some people here. " she says while placing her things on a desk nearby.

"Hey Alex, do you mind if i borrow Emma for a sec"

He nods and smiles at me "You can go with her if you'd like."
I nod and follow Carley into a small office that i didn't notice When I got here.

She sits down in an old chair and signals me to sit next to her in another chair.
"Okay so I've been friends with Alex for a few years. I practically grew up in this store. The only reason i won't quit is because this place means a lot to me and Alex is my friend. Please please please don't quit. We need you here okay? Alex needs you here. It would crush him if they close this place down. It belonged to his father and.." She continues rambling and I see her start to panic.

"Hey, Hey Carley" I try to soothingly say.
"I'm not going to leave. I need the job plus I really like it here and Alex seems really nice and so do you. I won't let him down and I can see how much this place means to him"

I see her relax and i stand up.
"I won't leave. I promise" I say. She smiles at me and gives me a quick hug. "Yay" she sad while grinning.

We exit and we get back to work.

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Alex was feeling better and it was closing time.

I waved Bye to him and Carley as i left the small store.

I heard someone behind me and i turn around. I saw Alex.
"Hey" he says while catching his breath "you didn't bring a car?"

I shake my head "no, why?"

"I was wondering if you might want a ride home. Carley's boyfriend is on his way to pick her up so she'll be leaving soon too"

I think about it for a second but i nod
"Alright if it's not problem with you"
"Course not" he replies while getting his keys out.

We get in his car and he starts the engine. He pulls out his phone and sends a message.
"Just reminding Carley to lock the doors before she leaves"

He backs out and starts driving.
"So where do you live?" He asks as he looks straight ahead at the road.

I give him directions to get there.

In about five minutes we get to my apartment complex.

As I'm about to leave he pulls my arm gently, i turn back to stare at him
"Emma, I just wanted to thank you for working at the store. It really means a lot"
I smile at him "hey Alex it's not problem." I say sweetly.

"Well goodnight Emma see you tomorrow"
"Goodnight Alex" I say as I leave the car.

I get in my apartment and go to my room. I lay down and begin to drift off when I hear my phone ring.
I ignore it the first time but give up and get up to answer it the second time it rings.

I groan as I look at the screen that read Jennifer.

I answered and heard her voice from the other end
"Emma!" She squealed and I pulled the phone away from my ear to avoid damaging my hearing. (Even though I already have by playing my music too loud)
"What?, did someone die? What happened?"

She continues to speak, "No Emma," I can see her rolling her eyes at me, "There's this guy and he's the cutest guy I've ever seen and he talked to me. I'm so happy I don't know what to do"

"Jesus, Jenni. Talk to him I guess, just ask him about his day or his classes or something" i tell her.

"but that's boring. We have dance together and I was thinking of asking him to lunch tomorrow" I hear her say with a smile on her face.

"That's perfect. Just do that and then let everything happen naturally. Now let me sleep I'm tired as heck. I'll talk to you tomorrow"

"Oh fine. night Emma sweet dreams dork"

"Love You too" I say as I hang up and throw my phone on my bed.

I lazily rub my eyes as I lay down slowly and instantly fall asleep.