Strings | colby brock

4

         The next morning I was running late, which wasn't a surprise. At this point it was basically apart of my routine. It was on the opening shift and had about fifteen minutes to get to work and the restaurant I work for is about twenty minutes away on a good traffic day. Clad in a cropped shadow hill hoodie, shorts, and an old pair of Nike Air Force 1's, I rushed through my apartment in search of my keys. I could never find them when I needed them.

          Los Angeles sunny days weren't something to be messed with. I was blinded by the bright light above me as I basically ran to my car. Caring more about my eyesight than being late, I slipped on my cheap sunglasses before driving quickly out of the parking lot. To my advantage LA traffic wasn't bad and I arrived at JoJo's with one minute to spare. (I know this isn't a real place so shhh)

         "You're late, again." Amanda mumbled tiredly. She got hired around the same time I did and always had to say something about everything I did. Quite annoying, to say the least.

         "Good morning, sunshine." I responded with a bitter smile. My fingers tapped away at the dusty keyboard we use to clock in— finishing just in time for my manager, Cole, to walk through the door. He smirked at me and I forced a smile to my face, rolling my eyes as he walked into the office. "Pervert." I mumbled to myself. Amanda snickered, which is the first time I had ever heard anything other than a negative comment leave her mouth.

         For it being a Saturday we had a busy day. Tips were piling up and satisfaction filled me. I'd like to say I was good at my job, or at least better than Amanda. Growing up I wasn't very much of a people person, but I always wanted everyone to like me. I became more outgoing throughout high school and learned how to talk to people— what to say regarding certain topics. It was rare that I had a customer complain, and when they did it was usually their fault, or something completely out of my control. Cole, being the perverted asshole he is, would always walk by me a little too closely and speak a little too vulgar for my taste. He is around 30, looks 50, and is married with a baby on the way. His wife is an absolute sweetheart and I couldn't fathom what she sees in him.

         Adrianna was waiting in our outside seating area when I left. She had her knees to her chest and her eyes glued to her phone, but she put it away and smiled upon seeing me. "Is Colby coming tonight?" She asks quickly as if she had been waiting all day to ask that one simple question.

         "I invited him, so I guess so. Why?" I wondered. Tonight I was invited to sing at a very well known coffee shop on the other side of Los Angeles. They were very picky about who they allowed to perform there, and the fact that this was my third time being invited was a big deal. Third times a charm, right? I noticed a smirk cross her lips and I rolled my eyes in annoyance. "Adrianna, stop. We're just fucking. Nothing more nothing less. I don't like him, he doesn't like me. For the last time, it's a no strings thing." I spoke exasperatedly. I didn't mean to be rude, but she has been pushing and pushing ever since I met him for me to date him. I didn't want that.

         "Fine, damn! I was just wondering." She mumbled. After a few seconds we both burst out laughing, calming down after a few seconds. Our friendship was something I never wanted to lose. We fought like sisters but made up almost instantly. I couldn't stay mad at her for more than a second, though she does often irritate the actual shit out of me.

         Adrianna burst into my apartment moments after I had arrived and announced she would be choosing my outfit for the night. I didn't mind considering I always god her to pick out my clothes anyway. She had amazing style. It's what she does for a living. For two years now she has been the clothing stylist for a pretty nice photography company that deals with a lot of top notch models and celebrities. I touched up my makeup in the bathroom mirror as she made an absolute mess of my closet.