Not Another Cinderella Story...

~Chapter 16~

~Chapter 16~

I burst through the doors of Kick Start Café panting.

"Sorry I'm late!" I say to Ms. San —Mia.

She stares at me in astonishment. "It's 2:55, your shift starts at 3"

"Yeah," I place my hands on my knees, breathing hastily to relieve my burning lungs and racing heart. "I kind of missed the bus because I was talking to my friend. It won't happen again." After a quick salute I rush to the restroom to change into my uniform. I wore a skirt today because it would be easier to change into my black pants, and since my uniform shirt is already a white button-up, I don't need to change it —just remove the tie. I drop the duffle bag containing my clothes in Mia's office and rush to the counter just in time.

2:57

"I like you," Mia says smiling at me. Her black hair bounced on her shoulders. "Here's your hat, and ID card. Swipe this when you come to work from now on, think of it like your teacher taking attendance. You don't swipe, you don't get paid. Got it?"

"Yes ma'am" I nod slipping the black cap on my head and rushing to swipe my card on the machine attached to the wall adjacent to her office. Next, I pull on a company apron swaying on some hooks and head back to where Mia's standing, except she's no longer there.

"Hi, I'm Tanika" The girl standing in Mia's spot says in greeting. "I'll be training you for the next few days, starting Monday you should be able to do everything on your own"

I know I said I'm a fast learner, but a few days...

"It's easy," She winks, noticing my worried face. "Come on I'll show you"

◊◊◊

Cool air conditioning welcomes me when I walk in the convenience store. Quickly I head to the pharmacy section. My shift at Kick Start wasn't bad, it was nice actually. Tanika is a college student who has been working there for three years now. My main job is to wait tables but since your roll can change depending on the shift, I might be responsible for closing the café sometimes which includes mopping the floors, flipping the chairs up on the table, making sure everywhere from the small kitchen they have in the back —mostly equipped with toasters and ovens to reheat pre-cooked items— to the bathroom is completely spotless. I could also be a cashier. The possibilities are endless.

I'm exhausted.

I grab two of the '#1 most trusted across the country' pregnancy tests, two Plan Bs and a pack of condoms —just in case. Courtney gave me her credit card yesterday when I was at her house. The plan is just for me to get the pregnancy tests but as her friend, I've decided that instead of sighing in relief if we find out she's not pregnant and go back to how we are normally, we should sigh in relief and give her some options to prevent their ever being a next time.

I didn't bother grabbing a basket because I thought I was just grabbing one item, now I regret it. The Plan B boxes are bigger, so I held them first in my left hand, then hold the condoms with the pregnancy tests on top. I don't even want to know what type of person I look like right now. Deciding I needed a reward for being this nice I walked to the chips isle close to entrance.

Hmm, spicy or mild?

"Ella?"

I turn my head to face Mr. Prince Charming himself: Henry.

I gulp. "Hey...buddy"

Please stay behind me, please stay behind me...

"You should get the one in the purple bag" He stands beside and grab the snack before looking at the contents in my hands and turning into a statue.

Heat rushes to my cheeks.

"Those look...nice" I refer to the chips in his hand.

"Uh...yeah," He avoids my eyes. "Well I'm gonna go now"

Seriously?

"Henry wait!" I rush forward, forgetting that I'm holding stuff in my hands. They scatter on the floor. I stooped to pick them up briskly and Henry reaches out to help.

We both grab the condoms. His face pales.

"I...they're not mine!" I quickly let the box go.

He arches a brow but doesn't speak.

"I'll go get a basket" I say, placing my hands on my cheeks to cool them down and making a beeline towards the thing I should've grabbed as soon as I walked in. I hope he doesn't think...

Now I know why Courtney didn't want to come.

He's standing with the items bunched together in his arms when I return. I hold out the basket and he drops them in. We stand in awkward silence.

"I know it's not my business but," Henry begins quietly. "Are you pregnant?"

I mentally curse Mike in my head.

"It's fine you don't have to answer" He continues tentatively, pulling me from my explicit thoughts.

"No, it's not mine I swear!" I grab his arm. I few heads turn in our direction.

I feel nauseous. 

Finally, we lock eyes. His impassive chocolate gaze morphs into a multitude of emotions before he asks, "Who...?"

I look down in defeat. "I can't tell you"

I want to disappear. I've never felt so embarrassed and humiliated in my life. I wish instead of Henry it was Margery, or Sage, or Sara, heck I would even be okay if it was Mike. My head swings back in frustration. Honestly, I would be mortified if it was them, but I don't really care what they think or say. For some reason, I don't want Henry to think— I mean why did I grab so much stuff anyway?! If it was just the condoms it probably wouldn't be too bad, but the pregnancy test and the Plan Bs... 

I bet he's thinking I'm not the person he thought I was. 

"It's okay Ella, I'm not judging you" His voice is low and tranquil, as if he doesn't want anyone to hear. 

"Argh" I grunt and weakly shove him before speeding to the cashier so I can get the hell out of here.

Wow, I think to myself as I hide behind my hair to prevent the guy working the register from getting a good look at my face.

He has a firm chest.

×××

A/N: What? A little secondhand embarrassment never hurt nobody, right?