I descend the stairs with my hands up in my hair. As I enter the dining room, I finish putting my hair into a french braid. I notice dad sitting on the dining table with his laptop open in front of him, standing around him are mom and Owen but as soon as I enter, they straighten themselves and go to the kitchen. I narrow my eyes in confusion before taking a seat across dad.
"Hey dad, what're you doing home?" I ask. Dads eyes snap up to meet mine and I notice new wrinkles appear around his eyes along with dark eye bags. He cracks a smile before replying.
"Oh, I just thought I'd take a day off and catch up on any work I've missed." I nod my head just as mom comes from the kitchen and plops a bowl of cereal in front of me. My hand immediately goes to my spoon as I shovel in spoonfuls of cheerios into my mouth. We all eat our breakfast in silence and I'm the first to finish so I excuse myself and take my bowl to the sink. I grab my backpack from beside the stairs and make my way back to the dining room to bid my parents goodbye. As I step into the room, I notice that all three of them have the same haggard look on their face and feel guilt crawl the back of my throat as I recall my behaviour this past month. I plant a kiss on my parents cheeks and say,
"Bye, I love you!" After leaving the house, I open the door to my car and take a seat in the driver's seat. As I sit in the seat, I find it hard to insert the key into the ignition and turn it. The key falls from my fingers, I crouch down and with shaky fingers, I push it into its place. My hands fall back down onto the steering wheel as tears brim my eyes. Filled with self-loathing, I lean my head against the steering wheel, using my hand to pound on it, while wailing.
"Why? Why am I so weak? Why can't I do this? Why am I so...scared?" My cries turn into small whimpers as I continue. "Everybody moved on, but...but I can't." A hand on my shoulder startles me, I didn't even hear the door open. I lift my head and see my brother standing next to me. His eyes glisten too as sadness drips from them.
"It's okay. I'll drive." Owen says quietly. I sniff and try to hold back my tears but then continue to roll down my damp face. When I shake my head, Owen sighs and adds. "It's okay to have this small weakness. Everyone has one and you know what, you'll get over it soon. And Thea...you're the strongest person I know, never think that you're weak, okay?"I nod and walk over to the other side of the car. Once I have my seatbelt on, Owen backs out of our driveway. As he drives, I try to hide my puffy eyes using concealer. By the time Owen has pulled up in the parking lot, my swollen eyes have decreased but my eyes are still rimmed with red. Owen parks the car and turns to me.
"Have a good day! And remember, talk to me if you need someone to talk to. I'll always be here for you." I give his hand a squeeze and smile at him before getting out of the car. When I enter the University, I see groups of friends standing and talking while waiting for their classes. I smile at their happiness and hope that one day I will be able to smile like them without feeling sad. I grab a seat in the library and open up my Macbook to try and catch up on all the work I've missed while I wait for my first class today. With my mind focused on my overdue essay and music blasting in my ear, I drown out the real world. Before I know it, its time for class. I quickly pack up my stuff, and throw my backpack over one shoulder. In a hurry, I sprint to class and enter it just as the teacher enters. My eyes scan the hall as I try to find a spot and I notice that the only seats that are open is the row in the back of the class. I climb the stairs and take the seat closest to the end of the row. The professor starts the lesson as I dig in my backpack for my notebook and pencil case. I hear the door to the classroom open and my professor scolds the student for coming in late but don't lift my head as I take advantage of the moment. I pull of the notebook and pencil case before flipping my notebook open to a blank page. When I lift my head, the teacher is already done talking to the student and as I turn my head to look for them, I hear someone thump down next to me. I turn my head and stare at the hunched shoulders of the man in front of me. Noticing my stare, he turns towards me with a scowl etched on his face, and before I can say anything, he says,
"Don't fall asleep on my shoulder again, I won't be as nice as I was last time." As he watches me gape at him, his scowl turns to a smirk and he faces the teacher. I feel the weight of a stone in my stomach as I realize that not only did I sleep in bed with him, but I also drooled on the Jaxon Black's shoulder.
---
I let out a yawn and stretch my hands above me. My eyes wander around the library and I notice that its quite empty now. I look down at my watch and realize that its almost dinner time. I quickly pack up my stuff and shove them in my bag while using my other hand to dig in my pocket, trying to find my phone. And then I remember that my phone stopped working, I have to get a new one. I walk up to the librarian and ask to use the phone. Owen picks up on the first ring.
"Hey Thea!" I hear gunshots in the background and a cheer.
"Hey. Can you pick me up from uni?" I hear Owen sigh quiety before reluctantly replying.
"I'm at Jacob's house, can you ask Mom to pick you up please?" Saying a quick yes, I set down the phone and nod my head in thanks at the librarian.
I let out a sigh just as I step outside into the fresh air. The sky is a canvas of pink, orange, purple and blue as the sun sets. I feel the setting sun hit my face and my feet start moving on their own towards that path home. Walking gives me time to think, and thats exactly what I do. I think about the beautiful sky, school, food but I don't let myself think about Jenn. The path to my house takes me through town and as I pass a cafe, I see a NOW HIRING sign. I don't think much of it as I pass it but as I near home, I wonder if maybe its time for me to get a job. Maybe if I'm busy with work, I won't be able to wallow too much. This is my first time considering getting a job, I don't need the money, my parents are one of the wealthiest people in town becuase of the business they run, and I have good enough grades and volunteer experience that I can just get references from my teachers instead of employers. I twist the doorknob open and enter my house, my nose is immediately ambushed by the aroma of italian spices.
"I'm home!" I call out. Mom's head peaks out from the kitchen and she flashes me a smile. I run up to my room and quickly change for dinner before going to the kitchen to help my mom set up the table. I hear a cars engine shut off and just as I place the last plate on the table, Owen walks in. We all take our places at the table and Mom's the last to come in with a tray of lasagna in her hands. As we eat, Mom, Dad, and Owen start a conversation and I put in my input here and there. We all feel happy but for some reason I keep thinking that its all an illusion. After dinner, Mom brings in some ice cream and as we all quietly snack on our ice cream, I speak my thoughts,
"So...I was thinking of getting a job. What do you guys think?" Mom lifts her head up too quickly in shock but then a huge smile creeps onto her face. Before she can say anything though, Owen's suspicious voice rings around the dining room.
"You've never thought of getting a job, why now?" I look up at Owen and see a flicker of worry in his eyes but its replaced by a blank look before I can blink.
"I-I feel like I need something to take my mind off of everything, you know? I think getting a job will help with that." Owen starts relaxing and slowly nods and I take that as sign to continue. "I was thinking...hoping that you guys could give me a job at Romero's Fashion." The colour leaves my parents faces and I narrow my eyes in confusion.
"Honey, I think you should try expanding your searches and get more experience from elsewhere before you come to us. Obviously if you don't end up getting any interviews, we'd be happy to help, but since you're going to be taking the company after us anyways, its better if you get other experience first." Dad slowly tells me as though he's trying not to hurt my feelings. I nod once and then get up, collecting my parents and Owens bowls along the way, and put the dishes into the dishwasher. Aftering starting the dishwaher, I pass the family room and see my parents sitting on the couch with Owen. As I watch them laugh about something Owen said, I feel like an outsider. Shaking my head to rid myself of these thoughts, I climb the stairs to my room. Opening up my Macbook, I search up the cafe I saw and apply at the place. I spend the rest of my night trying to apply at any place I can.
---
I let out a yawn and sway a little when the bus comes to a stop. People shove past me as they hurry to get home, and I'm the last to leave the bus. As I slowly walk the rest of the 10 mins home, I pass the cafe with the NOW HIRING sign. I notice that the sign is gone now and let out a sigh. Its been two weeks since I got the idea of getting a job stuck in my head and I still have not gotten any interviews. As I near home, I think of telling my parents, they might be able to either help me or get me a job a Romero's. My phone rings with my hand on the doorknob, I was finally able to get a new phone a week ago after pestering my parents about it. Using my other hand, I pull my phone out of my pocket. The caller ID says its an unkown caller and my finger hovers over the pick up symbol as I contemplate whether I should pick it up or not. I slide the icon and put my phone to my ear while opening the door and kicking off my shoes as I enter the house.
"Hi, is this...Cynthea Romero speaking?" My eyebrows come together in confusion and I slowly reply back,
"Yes, thats me." I slide my backpack off my shoulder and put it onto the ground before throwing myself onto the couch and kicking my feet onto the table.
"Congratulations, you have been one of the lucky one to have been chosen to work at Sunset Cafe."