Still standing at Lynn's front door, I blinked a few times. That was a little weird to be a part of. This was the second time I mentioned something about their parents, yet Lynn still seemed so upset. It was like it really affected her personally. Maybe I was just reading too much into it. Shaking the thoughts from my head I turned and headed for my car, hopped in and left.

Another ten-minute drive and I was back at my humble abode. Opening the front door I almost ran to my room... Almost. I'm too lazy for that. Really, I just speed-walked to my room then flopped onto my bed, sprawling out across it. I thought I was already tired before? Well, now it was like ten times worse. Honestly, I'm not even sure how I didn't pass out while I was at Lynn and Liam's. Even more surprisingly, I can't believe I didn't even feel it. Almost immediately after hitting my head on the pillow I passed out falling into a deep sleep.

~ ~ ~

I was sitting at the park watching everything happen around me. There were a few kids running around playing what I assume was tag or grounders or something. All the while, a few birds flew through the blue sky. I was just taking in the scenery for a while until I noticed both Lynn and Tony approach me. I looked quizzically at the two of them and they both outstretched a hand to me. Lynn had her usual kind and caring smile while Tony held his charming half smile. I looked over at my new friend before lingering my view on my boyfriend. Looking back at Lynn's lightly freckled face once more, I stood up. It looked like they were waiting for me to make a decision so I started to take a few steps closer to them both.

Glancing at each person once more, I made my decision and walked over to Lynn and grabbed her awaiting hand. Her smile grew so wide it looked almost painful. The taller girl brought me into a hug and with my head facing towards Tony, I could see him clench is fists. That didn't bother me though, I just shut my eyes and let Lynn's hug completely envelope my senses.

~ ~ ~

I open my eyes to see my blackout curtains staring back at me. A soft groan escaped my lips as I reached into my pocket to grab my phone. Turning it on, the time read 10:34 AM. I groaned again but much louder this time as I realized I probably wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep any time soon and it wasn't even noon yet. Even so, I placed my phone on my side table and and flipped over to try and catch a few more hours of rest. Settling comfortably back into my bed, I snapped my eyes open realizing yet another thing. I had work in less than half an hour.

"God dammit!" I stage whispered before getting up from my bed.

I mentally cursed myself my stupid job for not allowing me any opportunity to sleep in. Who even said I needed money anyway? Being broke and well rested would definitely be better than this. Good god how I wanted to just call in sick and crawl back in my bed to sleep the day away. I knew I couldn't do that though. If I did, I knew I'd try to do that every week and I didn't feel like losing my job because I wanted sleep.

*Maybe I can just skip school tomorrow,* I thought before sighing.

I didn't have time for this, I just quickly threw on my work shirt and a pair of jeans and sped to my car. Unlocking it and sticking the key in the ignition, I drove off to work before I was late and made a mental note to take a shower when I got back.

I was lucky enough to make it in just in time for my shift. Usually it took me about twenty-five minutes or so to drive here, but the roads were fairly empty that morning. I thanked the universe for allowing me to make it on time and assumed my position at the counter. Waiting for the customers that were usually very few and far between, I wondered why the heck I was even so eager to get to work today anyway. I'd probably have to stand here for another two hours before even one person came in.

Giving a sigh, I decided to just go on my phone for a bit until someone came in. It was really only me and sometimes the manager in here since we get so little business anyway. Seeing as I had nothing to do and no one to talk to, I decided it was a good means to text a few people. My first instinct was to message Damien. He always had some way to keep me entertained on days like this. I hadn't really talked to him outside of school in a while either.

Me: Hey Dame wyd?

I messaged dryly and placed an elbow on the counter, resting my face on my hand. About two minutes later I got a reply.

Drama queen: Dying of loneliness! How about you?

Me: dying of boredom lol
Wanna hang out at mine after I get off work? Would probably solve both our problems

Drama queen: No it won't 😣
And I kinda wanted to just wallow in my own self pity today. I'm up for coming over on like Friday if that's cool with you though? Are you inviting the others too?

Me: Yeah, I was gonna see if Natalie and Riley wanted to come over too. Tony's being annoying tho so I'm not asking him. I haven't really hung out with you guys outside of school since like last year tho so I thought I'd ask. Guess I'll push it back a bit though.

Drama queen: Sounds like a plan.
And aw you're not gonna invite your girlfriend uwu

Me: What are you talking about Damien? You know I'm straight

Drama queen: You know what I'm talking about
Lynn?

Me: Dude! I don't like her like that. And you KNOW Tony would lose his shit if he found out I invited her to my house and not him.
He's already riding me enough because of her no need for it to get worse

Drama queen: Alright, alright whatever. Anyway I'll be there. You better prepare yourself for magnificence!

Me: But I thought I told you Tony wasn't coming 😏 xD

I chuckled a little at my comment and waited a bit for Damien's reply to come.

Drama queen: Wow, I can't BELIEVE you went there. Girl you obviously need to get your eyes checked if you can't even see the I am PERFECTION

I rolled my eyes with a faint half smile playing on my lips. This boy was so full of himself. It sure was fun to joke around with him though, especially when it came to his vanity. I liked how he could always take a joke when it came to this kind of stuff. With that thought, I replied to his last text.

Me: Whatever helps you sleep at night buddy. Whenever helps
As I sent the message, I heard the jingling of a bell and knew someone had to have entered the parlor. Looking up from my phone, I noticed that my suspicion was correct and shoved my phone in my back pocket. Standing up straight, I smiled at the guy who had just walked through the door.

"Welcome, how can I help you today?" I ask, getting ready to take his order.

"Um, yeah, could I get a large pepperoni pizza, a sprite and a diet coke?"

"Alright, and I'm guessing that's to go?"

The guy nodded his blonde head, looking at me and he smirked.

"Yeah, and I think I forgot something in my order."

Just from the look he was giving me, I was pretty sure I knew what he was doing, but I thought I'd humor him for a little. Leaning down on the counter, I looked him in his green eyes with a sly smile.

"And what would that be?"

His smirk grew the smallest bit. "Your number."

He raised an eyebrow and I had to restrain myself from laughing. He really thought he was being smooth didn't he? I nodded my head and continued to do my job. Telling the guy his total, he swiped his credit card in the machine and I pulled out his recite, giving it to him. I then went to make his pizza and told him to grab the drinks from the fridge.

After he had everything, I pulled out a piece of paper and pen that were just lying around. Pulling off the lid, I began writing in a way where he couldn't actually see what was being put onto the page. Glancing up at this dude, I could see a cocky grin on his fairly well structured face. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing or smiling too much at my own actions, from what I gathered, I think it just made him think more of himself anyway. Finally finishing what I was writing, I slid the paper to him face down so he still couldn't see what was written. Lifting the paper from its spot on the counter I saw all his confidence drop then slight annoyance and anger fill his features.

"Bitch," he sneered before making his way out of the building with his food, crumpling up the paper and throwing it behind him.

Once he had finally left, I snickered and went to pick up the crumpled paper with the words, "I have a boyfriend" written on it. I threw it in the trash before walking back to my position once more.

That just put a smile on my face. Sure, he was pretty handsome, but with such a lame pick-up line did he really think he had a chance?

After that encounter, I decided to go back on my phone for a little bit. The first thing I saw when I opened up my phone was that Damien had sent the eye rolling emoji in reply to me. I decided to just leave our conversation at that though and moved on. Next, I decided to message Riley.

Me: Hey dude
Wanna hang out Friday?

I typed before going back to the waiting game. Oh how I just loved this game. Couldn't get any better than picking at my cuticles while I stood around doing nothing. About five minutes later, I heard my phone ding notifying me of Riley's reply saying,

Dependable dad dude: Yeah, sure. Want me to bring anything with me or...?

Me: Could you bring that homemade layer dip actually?

Dependable dad dude: Alright, see ya then

I answered with a "yup" then moved on to text Natalie basically the same thing. Really the only difference between the two conversations is instead of asking her to bring food, I had to almost beg her not to eat everything. I mean, damn. Sure I paint her as having a stomach for a personality, but it's pretty true. Natalie is a pretty cool person once you get to know her, you'd just have to catch her when she isn't stuffing her face full of food. Again, I'm still surprised she's so small and skinny when she eats like a hippo.

Speaking of eating, I was getting hungry from not having time to eat breakfast this morning. Too bad I still had about three and a half hours left of work. For what felt like the millionth time, I let out a groan. Man oh man I hated work and really couldn't wait until I got out of school so I could get a proper job. Even though I still wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life, I knew for a fact I wasn't going to stay working at that awful hole in the wall pizza parlor for the rest of my life.

The loud rumbling of my stomach pulled me out of the thoughts of my career path and I slammed myself down on the counter with another loud groan. *Just three and a half hours and I could go home, three and a half hours and I could get food and a nap. Just three and a half hours,* I kept repeating in my head.

The idea was that if I kept my mind busy on what I was anticipating, then time might pass by faster. Boy was I wrong. I mean, what gave me that bright idea. What I though was a good half an hour or so later, I checked my phone and turns out, I had only been spaced out for about ten minutes.

Since I felt like I was dying and needed something to keep busy, I decided it would be a good idea to clean a bit. Picking up the mop in the back, I dunked it in the water bucket and began to wash the floors starting in the back. I also took out my phone from my jeans pocket and turned on some music. First on the playlist was Misery Business by Paramore and I started mumbling the words. I then put my phone back in my back pocket and continued to mop.

By the time the chorus hit the second time, I was basically jumping around and dancing. Using the mop as both my dance partner and microphone, I looked like a complete fool yet paid no attention to the embarrassment I was making of myself.

"Whoa, well I never meant to brag, but I've gotten what I wanted now! Whoa, it was never my intention to brag, to steal it all away from you now! But God does it feel so good, 'cause I got him where I want him now! And if you could then you know you would, 'cause God it-"

"Hey, looks like someone's having fun," the new guy who just came in said.

I dropped the mop immediately and fumbled to get my phone from my back pocket to stop the music. Now standing at the counter was a chuckling guy and who I assumed was his girlfriend. I didn't even notice anyone come in until he said something and my face was definitely looking something comparatively similar to a tomato.

Composing myself in good time, I walked to the counter to do my job.

"Well don't let us stop your good time." He smirked and the girl with him giggled.

"Um, yeah, sorry about that..." I responded awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck.

The brown-haired guy brushed off what he had witnessed and got to ordering his meal along with his female companion's. After a bit more than fifteen minutes, the two had their food and before they left, the girl finally spoke up.

"By the way, your singing's not bad." she giggled again and her and they guy left the parlor.

I pursed my lips together and stared at the door a little longer. Making a mental note to never let that happen again, I picked up the mop once again and got back to cleaning the floors in silence.

After the next three hours and a bit passed by, I could finally go home. Luckily, somewhere during my time there, my hunger had reached a stage in its existence where it didn't really feel like I was hungry anymore. The hunger pains had numbed out of existence but I was still sure to eat as soon as I could. Being the lazy person I was, I decided to pick up McDonald's for dinner before heading home. I wasn't really the type to cook and couldn't be bothered to actually make my own food, so takeout was my best option.

About forty minutes later, I had made it home having already finished my food in the car. I really had nothing better to do for the rest of the day so I decided to set up my PS4 and play some Grand Theft Auto 5 for the rest of the day.