The Geek Gets The Popular Girl

Chapter 3 - Working Late...Again

Malcolm's P.O.V.

I HATE MY JOB. I can’t get a Saturday off that I requested off 3 weeks in advance. The one thing I can say I enjoyed about today was my morning. I got up at 7AM, like usual, and went to spend time with my family. What can I say, I’m a family man. After my morning chores, making breakfast for my family, and chatting, I got some news I wasn’t expecting: my mom is having another child! Now, some 18 year old males would find that quite annoying, but I must say that I am so ecstatic. I love my siblings that I already have, and I cannot wait to have another one.  With that great news, I got in my car, and I was going to get some coffee. I love the Iced Malted Mocha, it helps me relax and soothe some pains that I have from my past. Unfortunately, today marks the 1 year anniversary of the worst day of my life, but that story is for another time. Only a few select people know the truth about my past, but I don’t share it with many people. Sure enough, when I walk in to the Caribou, I see the one girl that everyone knows. Brianna. She has the typical long straight brown hair, and brown eyes. Of course she doesn’t show them through those big rimmed glasses of hers, but I don’t mind. I love them, and they look very well on her. But, every since she lost her mom, and that Carly chick moved in with her family, she’s changed. It’s subtle, but I’ve noticed it. She’s more sad nowadays, and I want to do something but I don’t know how to approach her about it. All of that raced through my mind. All of a sudden, I was phased out of my trance by a buzzing in my pocket. Caller ID: Josh Davis. Of course, it’s my supervisor. I like him, he’s a great guy, but I just know he is calling about me coming into work.

“Hey Josh, how are you on this lovely Saturday afternoon?” I said calmly.

“Hey Malcolm, listen, we are behind by two weeks again, and I know you took the weekend off, but we need you here at the warehouse, ASAP” Josh said to me, with a tired tone in his voice

“What! Josh, this is the first Saturday I’ve had off all summer, I can’t come in today. You said I could have it off.” I said, more annoyed than I’ve been in awhile.

“I know, and I feel so bad about it, but we need the help, and Lolita asked to see you. She and Glenn miss you a lot now that you’ve stopped work for the summer.” He said.

I was thinking about how Lolita and Glenn actually would miss me at this time, it’s really sweet, you know? I couldn’t help but think about them.

“Well, if you guys really need me there, I can. I’ll be there in 50 minutes.” I said, with a sadness in my voice.

I sighed, stood up and put on my sunglasses, but I just stopped afterwards. I could see Brianna and Ashley over at the table by the door. They were looking at me, I could tell, because Brianna kept looking over towards my direction. I couldn’t help but think about those two, especially her. I feel so bad for what’s happened to her. Maybe there’s a way I could get to her without her knowing it’s me. I had an idea, and rushed out to my car. I picked up my phone, and sent Enrique a text.

Malcolm: “Hey my guy, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?”

Malcolm: “It’s important”

Enrique: “Anything for you man, what do you need?”

Malcolm: “You know how you know that one guy that has everyone’s info, like snap, insta, and number?”

Enrique: “Oh my, whose info do you want?”

Malcolm: “Now, its okay if you can’t get it bro…, But I need Brianna Forbes’s number…I’ll explain later. I need it before my break at 7 tonight.”

Enrique: “You’re working?!? OH MY. Yeah, I’ll get it for you, don’t worry. Chat later?”

Malcolm: “Of course, and thanks. I owe you.”

Enrique: “And don’t forget it, haha”

I always get a laugh from him saying that. It seems so genuine, but I always know he’s joking. I still make it up to him though, because that’s what friends do for each other. After I sent those texts, I left the mall parking lot and drove the 30 mile drive to work. Yes, I work in the city. It’s not a bad commute, I like the traffic, and seeing all the cars. The best part, working in the city has made me more culturally diverse, and made my work ethic even stronger than it was before. Before I knew it, I was at the exit to get off the freeway. I got off, got to the warehouse, and opened the door. Clocking in is my favorite part, because I get to sit at the computer and look at my time-card for a while until Josh comes by. I hate working on Saturdays, this one in particular. It was 101° and inside the warehouse was warmer. I just am glad I get to talk to Glenn and Lolita now.

“Hey man, what’s going on?” Glenn says in his cool and relaxed voice.

Glenn gives no f***s about his image, and everyone likes him. He’s a good guy, and he was retired until he got to meet my dad and work for the company. It was worth it.

“Hey stop being an asshole, don’t slow down the line.” Lolita said, trying not to laugh. 

She always liked having me around. She’s really nice, and had a better work ethic than 99.9% of people I’ve met. She always said that she liked me when I didn’t talk, and now I don’t shut up. She was joking of course, she’s kind of like a second mother to me. We just had our typical chat on the kit line, working hard and trying to make some progress for the next workweek. 

***

Time had passed, and by now it was 7PM, my break time. I went to my dad’s office (he wasn’t working thankfully) and I just sat in his chair. It’s a nice chair, and I enjoy the office a lot. I pulled out my phone, and thank god there was a text from Enrique.

Enrique: “My man, I had to work hard to get this number for you. You actually owe me, big time. Brianna Forbes - 761-915-0206 Good luck”

I can’t believe my luck, hopefully Enrique didn’t screw me over. Here we go. What do I say? Do I tell her it’s me? No. I have to be secret, that’s the whole point of this. How do I word it? “Hi Brianna, you’re really nice.” No, that’s too cliche. How about “How are you?” NO. i***t, that’s not going to entice any conversation. How about: “Hi Brianna, I really like you, and I hate to see you sad.” That’s better, but it needs more, a little bit of a push, something that’s genuine. “Hi Brianna, I really like you, and I hate to see you sad. This world could use more people like you.” Perfect, I hope it comes off as sincere.

“Damn it!” I yelped. 

It’s 7:48, I’m 18 minutes late from my break. Josh is going to be mad. I put the phone on the charger my dad has in his office, and rushed back down to the warehouse to finish my shift.