"Something about this feels better than any other time," he whispers in a rush.
"We're being wild," I gasp, feeling his hand grip the button of my jeans.
"Wild feels good. Really Good," Oliver says under his breath. I'm too distracted by his love...
Employee after an employee goes to the staff room to store their things before starting their work. I'm in the store's logo shirt. I packed it in a bag with a bottle of water early this morning. Today is very hot. My arms bulge at the sleeves of the shirt whenever I move to do something.
"Morning," Our boss grumbles tiredly. Some of us bother to reply and, others don't. This store isn't far from a mall outlet. We get pretty busy in the evening. A ding comes twice.
I look up at the two new customers, Summer, and her father. Her name came up after my football game the day they fought. Darcy and her father walked up to the counter desk, where a worker helped them. I'm standing at an array of shoes.
The worker at the counter points to me. I turn my back. I take out some shoes and pretend like I'm re-arranging them. The sound of them coming behind me made me realize they see right through my pretension. Summer is wearing a short knit sweater outfit. Her father is wearing a weird pair of sunglasses and a tracksuit that show his sunburn.
"Hey, Olive, you work here, right?" Summer asks. She's putting up an act that isn't doing her any good. I don't answer her because that isn't my name.
She answers her question, "Of course you do. We hope your family is okay with this storm coming. The person at the counter sent us over here because my dad and I need new sneakers for an event," she boasts. I look at her with a bored face.
"Well, you can look around and come back to me. We have a large selection of sneakers. I'm sure you'll find something unless you aren't bright enough to see that yourself?" My hand outstretches to push my hair back. Summer laughs dramatically. Her father pulls her close.
"He's funny. Your friend is quite lucky with him," Summer's father shakes his head. Summer's eye twitches slightly.
"No, she isn't. Let's go look for those shoes." Summer takes her father by the arm to the other side of the store. They can talk all they want. None of them know how Sarah and I's relationship. I continue through my shift fine until I'm back nearby them. It sucks that the thrown-around shoes and un-organized ones are right where they are standing.
My ears pick up Summer and her father's conversation. "Father, let me handle the talking when it comes to Olive, I mean, Oliver. I honestly hate he has to put up with Sarah. She goes around plopping her problems around like shit and, everyone can tell. First, it was beating up poor Juliet then she got her Mother on drugs. Nobody can control her because she's projecting her fucked up life onto others. Not to mention, Juliet was innocently accused. Oliver needs someone like Betty," Summer gossips.
A sick feeling gathers in my stomach just hearing them. None of that is true, right? We are a couple that talks shit out and make it work at the end of the day. Juliet did attack me because I'm with Sarah. She was jealous and upset. Am I denying the truth? I shouldn't have doubts. Doubts lead to insecurity. Insecurities lead to cheating or us breaking up. That's the last thing I need on top of moving for college on my own.
It's not like I can shake away this feeling anymore. Every dark thought about our relationship comes crashing into me all at once. I can picture all the fights that haven't happened. Sarah's face is all red and teary-eyed as she yells words that tear me apart. I'm insecure that our relationship isn't strong enough.
Summer and her father's words cause me to lash out as I have done before. "Just shut the fuck up already! Everyone always has something to say! You aren't us, are you!? Sarah is none of your concern. You can talk but you wish you were us. You're a sick friend for not telling her weed was in the food she ate," I turn menacingly at them. Summer's father furrows his brow.
"You didn't tell me that one of your friends didn't know? I don't want to hear anything else. This can't be tolerated now that you have a baby to raise. Haven't we talked about your rude behavior?" He folds his arms. Summer scoffs and hides her face from everyone's eyes. My boss whistles to get my attention. My chest is puffing in and out. Every breath I make is in confusion, hatred, insecurity. I'm getting a suspension.
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