Saved by the Bad Boy

A Silver Lining

To Lacey's evident surprise searching for a job position had been quite fruitful. The coffee shop called Caffeine Central had called her the very next day after she handed in her resume and called her down for a chat and to go over her job description. To say Lacey was ecstatic would be an understatement.

"I mainly need you to waitress, take coffees or food to customers, bus tables and so on" Miranda the coffee shop owner told her. "If you are interested later on then we can discuss you possibly doing a barista course and learning that side of the job as well."

"That sounds great" Lacey said honestly "I do love learning new things."

Miranda's blue eyes twinkled. There was something about this quiet shy girl that had made her like Lacey instantly. "Now I know that you will be attending school when the summer ends" she said gently "so I would like to know if the commute will be too much for you or too long. As horrible as it sounds I do need someone who can still work after school hours."

Lacey nodded. "The school I hope to be going to is a half hour away by bus" she assured Miranda "I can still work several hours as late as you need me to and on weekends."

Miranda swept her brown hair back over her shoulder as she gave Lacey a long lingering glance. The girl was very eager, she thought with surprise, most applicants didn't show nearly as much enthusiasm as Lacey was portraying. It was like a breath of fresh air.

"I'm thinking a regular roster with permanent hours once your school starts up again would be more beneficial to you, especially in regards to study time and exams etc. Would I be right?"

Lacey's eyes sparkled "it would be fantastic to have but I don't want to put the business out or anything. I can work around a roster as long as it suits you as well."

"To be honest the hours I was mostly desperate in covering were after school anyway. I do have sLacome casual workers that I rotate through whenever somebody is too sick to come in or want time off and that but a permanent worker in the afternoons is very necessary with the business that comes from the kids walking back home and or wanting to study here rather than the library."

"Can I ask what the rate is?" Lacey asked a bit hesitantly not wanting to sound rude or pushy.

"Oh my goodness" Miranda exclaimed "how forgetful of me. The rate is $12 an hour plus any tips you make. I also provide two uniforms for you and you will get a dinner break as well, as you will be working till 10pm or slightly after to help with closing."

Lacey could barely keep the smile off her face. This was perfect. She wouldn't have to pay to stay in the dormitory if she was accepted and she could put the money aside for food and school supplies. Maybe even be able to save for a mobile phone. She frowned. Only if she made friends that is otherwise she couldn't really see the point in getting one. She shrugged and forced herself to listen to Miranda who had begun to talk again. 

"You'll get at least one day off a weekend and work Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Full days until school starts and then same days but different afternoon hours. I just need you to fill in this paperwork so that I can add your bank account to my payroll. Payday by the way is every Friday and I do it weekly because some of my other employees prefer it to pay bills and food etc."

Lacey did the paperwork in record time, handing it over the table to Miranda who placed it in her briefcase. Standing up in her heels she offered her hand to Lacey and shook it. "Welcome to Caffeine Central Lacey" she said warmly "I'll give you a phone call tonight and give you your hours then if that's ok?"

"Um actually" Lacey said nervously, panicking at the thought of Agnes or Johnathon picking up the landline "is there any chance you would be willing to write them down for me instead."

If Miranda was a little perturbed at this she didn't show it, gesturing for Lacey to follow her into the back office. She quickly scribbled down the hours and days on a slip of paper and gave it to her, Lacey hastily putting it into her purse. "You start Monday next week" Miranda said calmly "I will have your uniform waiting so you can change here or pick it up on the weekend before. Just ask the staff for it. What size are you anyway" she queried.

"Size 6" Lacey told her, squirming uncomfortably. Agnes had told her time and time again that she needed to lose weight and now Lacey was lamenting that she hadn't done so.

"Easily sorted" Miranda declared. "Now go and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and be a typical teenage girl"

Lacey gave her a small smile and waved as she headed outside, almost skipping instead of walking. She had done it. She had found a job and started her first step of becoming independent. Her first job ever! Her red hair swayed back and forth as she gleefully skipped her way back to the house, her focus so intent on everything that she had to do that she almost missed the fact that Agnes had returned, just seeing the car in the driveway as she walked past with her head still in the clouds.

A fuming Agnes met her at the front door, arms folded and a scowl on her face. Lacey's face dropped.

"Where have you been" she hissed as Lacey stepped inside "not only did you not leave a note to let us know but the house is a complete pigsty."

A few dirty dishes in the sink, crumbs under the dining table and a cushion from the couch sitting on the floor didn't exactly constitute a pigsty thought Lacey drily, wisely holding her tongue. Of course Agnes hadn't thought to clean it up herself, despite most of the dishes being hers and her father's. 

"I'll do it right now" Lacey said biting her lip and rushing into the kitchen.

"You better" Agnes snapped, "I have to go get ready for some friends who are coming over. Once you are finished go and put something more suitable on like a dress so you don't embarrass me" she added stomping up the stairs.

Lacey looked down at her trousers and shirt and sighed. At least Agnes hadn't asked her why she was wearing the clothes. She'd had to rush out after the phone call this morning and had completely forgotten about the dishes, instead dressing and almost running to the coffee shop.

Oh well, She finished the dishes and swept up, plucking the cushion up as she went along. With a scowl on her face she trudged up the stairs to look for a dress worthy of her stepmother's approval. She really needed to get out of this house, she was fed up of being told how to dress, what to wear, how she should speak and what they expected of her. It was starting to effect her in ways that she hadn't even imagined and it wasn't going to be too much longer before she completely had a breakdown and lost it.