~Chapter 1: Help Wanted
Beep
Beep
Beep
I groaned and slapped my alarm clock. I looked to the flashing red lights of my clock thet read 7:00 A.M. No girl should ever have to wake up at 7:00 A.M. on a Saturday. During summer! But, today was the day. The dreaded day I had to find a job because Dad had spent our savings on beer again.
He was the reason we were all cramped in this tiny apartment. He was the reason why Jake has to have two jobs. He was the reason why I had panic attacks. The reason why Emily can't go a night without a nightmare.
Our apartment has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room. Dad got the slightly larger room, Emily and I share the little room, that was only meant for one person, and Jake sleeps on the couch. We used to live in a large house, but Dad stopped paying the bills and we had to sell it. Now all we can afford is this tiny place.
I slowly slid out of my warm bed and placed my bare feet on the cold, wooden floors. I padded over to our shared dresser and pulled out a white sundress. It was strapless and hugged my slim torso tightly then flowed out to my mid-thigh. I grabbed my undergarments and tip-toed to our shared bathroom. Everyone had to use this bathroom.
I started the shower and gathered my towel from the small closet. I quickly undressed and stepped into the shower and grabbed my wash cloth from the rack. I spent 10 minutes in the shower before quickly dressing.
I wrapped my dark brown hair up into a towel and brushed my teeth. I let my hair down and pulled it into a side braid.
I began to run bath water for Emily. I headed back to the room to wake her.
"Em get up." I whisper-yelled at her while I sifted through the dresser for her clothes.
I repeated myself five times, each time louder than the last. I went back to the bathroom and turned off her water. I headed back to the room and grabbed a pair of jean shorts and a light pink tee-shirt for her. I walked over to her bed and shook her awake.
"Come on kiddo I have to look for a job today." I said picking her up.
I placed her on my hip and carried her to the bathroom.
"Wash up," I tell her "And meet me in the kitchen when you finish. "
She nodded her head yes and began to undress. I walked out of the little bathroom and closed the door. I walked to the living room where Jake slept, sprawled across the couch, and kneeled next to him. I gently shook his shoulders and he got up.
I walked to the kitchen and began to make toast, eggs, and bacon. I sat three plates on the table and wrapped another one in tinfoil for Dad.
I sat down at the table with Jake and we gobbled down our food. I got up and put my plate in the sink.
Emily padded into the kitchen with her wet, blond hair soaking her shirt. I watched the beads of water drop from her hair.
I grabbed a towel from the bathroom and returned to dry her hair off. Jake plopped his plate in the sink and headed off to take his shower.
I ran the towel against Emily's hair as she ate. I wrapped her hair up into a towel turban. (A/N: Sorry idk what word to use but if you don't get it, It's basically wrapping your hair up with the towel.)
I walked back to our bedroom and grabbed a new shirt for Emily. A purple v-neck with a picture of a Care Bear on it. I grabbed a comb and slid a few hair bows onto my wrist.
I looked at my alarm clock to see how long until the bus came. Only Dad is allowed to use the car so we have to take the bus.
8:14. Not bad. I walked back to the kitchen and let Emily's hair down. The long, blond locks reached her mid-back. The hair was gradually straight, but curled at the ends.
I had always envied her hair. While her hair was a shiny blond mine was a dull, dark brown. I loved the way her hair curled yet mine remained straight.
Her hair seemed to go perfectly with her wide, green eyes. We all had the same eyes from our mother. Jake and I had brown hair like our father. Emily and I both had light freckles like our mother.
I ran the comb through her hair and hummed a meaningless tune. I pulled her hair into two ponytails on each side of her head.
I helped her change her shirt and carried her plate to the sink. I would wash the dishes after dinner. We walked to the living room. Jake came out of the bathroom and pulled on a pair of old sneakers.
"Ready to go?" He asked looking at me.
"I'm always ready." I replied. "Em, will you go grab my white flats and your white flip-flops?"
"Yep!" She skipped over to our room.
"Where am I supposed to look for a job at? What place would even allow me to bring Em? What am I even qualified to do?" I fired my questions at Jake as soon as Emily was out of ear shot.
"We can look at the mall, they're always hiring at some store. I'm sure if you play the sympathy card any place would let you bring Em along. And you're qualified to sort clothes or work at a fast food place... or something." He said.
"But-" I stopped my argument when Emily came racing back into the living room.
"Here you go." she said handing me my white flats.
"Thanks." I said slipping them on. "Ready to head out?"
She pulled her shoes on and shot me two thumbs up. Jake grabbed his house keys from the coffee table. I pulled my tan purse over my body and let the strap lay against my hip. I opened the door and Em raced down the apartment building steps.
"Careful!" Jake and I called after her in unison.
She slowed her pace an jumped off of the last step. I followed behind slowly as Jake locked the door.
Soon we were all headed to the rotting bench that rested at the bus stop. One old woman sat on the crooked bench as we neared.
Jake and I kept Em sandwiched between us on the narrow sidewalk. She held each of our hands and giggled as she swung back and forth.
The old woman was feeding a few pigeons some seed and Emily squealed.
"Look, birdies!" She yelled.
The birds scattered at the sound of her voice. She 'Awed' in disappointment. Jake pulled Emily onto his hip and we waited for the bus to arrive.
"It's," Jake looked down at his watch. "8:27. The bus should get here soon."
•••3 Hours Later•••
We had visited all of the fast food places surrounding the mall, gone through the food court, and checked just about every little store that had a 'Help Wanted' sign. Nothing. No one wanted to hire me.
"I'm tired."
Complaining.
"My feet hurt."
So much complaining.
"I'm hungry."
You'd think it would stop.
"This is so boring."
I expected this type of behavior from Emily. The only problem? Every single complaint was from Jake. The 19 year old adult, male.
"I'm-" He began, but I cut him off.
"Alright we'll stop!" I said exasperated.
Emily cheer from his back where she clung to him like a monkey.
I eyed our surroundings. We were still roaming the mall and I had no clue what was here. A little book shop caught my eye. "Bundles of Books". It was a book store with a cafe inside.
"Come on." I urged them while walking to the store.
We entered and walked straight to the cafe. Emily scanned the little window of treats and wiggled down from Jake's back.
She peered into the glass and stared at a pink cake pop with white sprinkles.
"How can I help you?" The barista asked me. She looked to be around my age with green eyes and red hair pulled into a sloppy bun.
"Um..." I glanced up at the menu. "Can I get water and a ham and cheese croissant?" I asked.
"Sure, will that be all?" She asked while pushing buttons on the register.
"Em, what do you want?" I turned to Emily.
She looked up at the girl behind the register. "Do you have chocolate milk?"
The girl nodded and pushed more buttons.
"She'll also have one of those." I said pointing to the cake pop.
Jake stepped closer to me. "And can I get a water and a BLT?"
She fluttered her lashes at him and smiled. "Of course."
She looked at the register. "That'll be $7.97." I reached for my wallet, but Jake stopped me and handed her $10.
She gave him his change and a receipt then grabbed Emily's cake pop. Em happily munched away as we waited for the sandwiches. She looked around at the books in awe.
As we stood, a little sign caught my attention. "Help Wanted"
__________________________
I don't know if the story is good so if you want me to continue let me know! :)
So please
Vote!
Comment!
Share!
Follow!