ONE

1422 Words
I lazily sat behind the cash register willing for something slightly interesting to happen. We hadn't had a customer in two hours and sitting behind the register in an empty shop was doing absolutely nothing for me. My sneaker clad shoe tapped impatiently on the stool, three more hours left to go on my shift before I could return home. The shop was old. The walls were white with pink flower wall paper covering it head to toe. There was hardly any walking room due to how large some pots were, and the smell was sickeningly sweet. So sweet in fact that it caused me to sneeze quite often. My boss, Penelope didn't even seem to notice the lack of clientele entering her flower shop. She was an overweight white woman who had all the correct signs of a budding cat lady. She even talked to herself. Frequently she reminded me of the crazy people on Hoarders, she had all of the signs minus the overlapping pile of crap. Instead of crap, Penelope had flowers. Quickly, I glanced at my phone to see if I had finally gotten the email I had been looking for weeks now. I had applied for a job in New York City with hopes that I could finally get out of Waterloo. It had been two and a half weeks and I was beginning to doubt my placement, but I needed it so bad. To my own shock, I saw the email address I had been waiting to receive. I didn't know how to feel, my heart kicked up a beat. This had to be a good sign, right? "What did I tell you about phones while you're behind the counter?" Penelope snaps. There are no customers so what is the issue with checking out phones? I smile sheepishly, "I am sorry Penelope. My cat is sick." I lied. I didn't have a cat, not in the slightest. But her face turned into one that held understanding, "I get it." She smiles, "Do you want to leave early?" she asked. I shook my head no; I need every cent of my pay I could get. Luckily, the cost of living in Waterloo, New York wasn't too expensive. But I was making moves to move to New York City, with my roommate, Willa. Penelope shoots me a quick smile, "I'm going into the garden to check on things." She said exiting. Quickly, I pulled my phone back out to read the email. To: Camilla Aurelia From: Leonard Baltazar Subject: Job Inquiry Hello Camilla, I would like to inform you that we would like to schedule an interview with you. On Friday, June 21st, 2016. Please email me with a confirmation by Monday, June 17th, 2016. - Leonard Baltazar, Manager at Red Hot I wanted to scream! I was one step closer to being able to move to New York City with my best friend, a dream that we had both had since we were young girls. I was absolutely thrilled. I quickly sent a confirmation email to the man while I mentally planned out my to-do list. It was possible. I would hop on the Greyhound Thursday and camp out for it. I bit my lip thinking of my plan. ~*~ Three hours later, it was ten o clock and we were finally closing. I had caught the last running bus towards me and Willa's flat. The bus stop wasn't near my flat, so I had to walk the rest of the way, something Willa also had to do. Willa was my best friend since we were younger, we met through a shelter where both of our mothers had to stay at due to financial hardships. Regardless, we had kick ass moms and I could never ask for a woman better than my mom, even though she was bat s**t crazy. Unlocking our door, I walked into the tiny government housing and closed and locked the door behind me, setting my keys on the foldable kitchen table. On the contrary, it was pretty fancy for girls like us. Even if to others this place was hell, Willa and I worked extremely hard on getting here which made our home all the merrier. "Willa, I am home." I called out. I turn around the corner to see Willa sitting on the couch watching some sort of game show, still dressed in her work clothes and her curly hair into a bun. "How was your day?" I asked. "Shit." She mutters, "I swear to God, I am going to kill Paul when I get the chance." Willa explained. Willa had a raspy voice, and she always had, it gave her a soft approach. Well, that and her tall frame and crystal blue eyes. Willa had a better paying job than me, one that was considered pretty high up in our small town, but nonetheless, we were still living paycheck to paycheck. Willa didn't even really want to move to New York City, she had dreams of a warm place where the sun always shined but she always stuck close with me. "What did he do now?" I asked while hanging up my coat in the closet. "He grabbed my ass." Willa said, "I almost punched him in the throat, but luckily I love having a roof over my head, so I pretended to be a dumb bitch." Something she was not good at. I laugh at Willa; "Well I have good news for you." "What?" "I got an interview for a club in New York." I smile with pride on my face. "You're nineteen, I thought you couldn't work in the club." "I won't be handling liquor. Perfectly legal." I smile a broad smile. "How are you going to get there?" Willa asked. "Bus." Willa turned her face up; "Your mom would kill you if she found out you were going way out to New York City, especially on a bus." "You mean we." Willa bit her lip, "About that..." I sat down her, "What?" Willa sat up, "Okay, I know you are very big about moving to New York, but our company is expanding to Seattle and I really want to take up that opportunity." I furrowed my eyebrows, "You hate your job." "No, I hate my boss. Plus, I am getting one hell of a bonus to move out there." Willa said, "On top of that I will not be working with Paul. It's this new guy." "Seattle is way across the country, that is not in the plan." I mumbled. "Not in your plan, but I told you many times that I don't want to move to New York. Seattle is the place for me." "It rains everyday, you said you wanted sunshine." "Hun, I am going." Willa said, her tone told me that there was no way I was going to be able to change her mind. "When?" "I got to be there in two weeks." Willa said. I frown; I wasn't well on my own. Being alone wasn't good for me and now whether I stay in Waterloo or go to New York City, I would be alone. "I want you to be happy for me. This is a big deal; don't you get that?" Willa asked. Yes, I understood. More money, Seattle, blah, blah, blah. "Good." Willa said, "I am going to bed, I have a lot of paperwork to finish up before I leave, and I have to leave early." "What's earlier than nine?" I questioned. "Some people wake up in hours that don't pertain double digits." Willa commented. I only stuck my tongue out at her and pulled out my old phone. I was tempted to call my mom and whine about my situation, but I chose not to. I couldn't be crybaby Camilla, I could do better than that. I only climbed in the shower and willed my body to relax. I had felt confident about moving to New York City when Willa was faux on board, but now I was a little nervous. What was I going to do in New York City? I sounded insane for even thinking I could survive out there in the Big Apple. Rent was extremely high, and I doubt being a waitress would ever be able to cover the cost. When I climbed out of the shower I wrapped my hair up in a towel while using another ratty towel to dry off. I'll be stuck with Penelope and her cats and flowers forever.
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