On my way, I did a little happy dance and twirl, I was as happy as a clam, I can't believe I've got a job, even though the pay was small it was still something, with that I can actually afford to eat at least once and get some new cloth. As I passed the counter, the guy whose name I assume is Pete had his back to me so he didn't notice when i passed.
When I got there I retrieved a cloth, I figured since it was almost noon it wouldn't be ideal for me to use a broom, I went back in and saw a man seated, his eyes were glued to his phone in one hand and was holding a cup of coffee in another, hot black coffee at noon? well I envy him I wish I could have a cup myself. I was the only one in my family who liked their coffee black. I decided to skip that table and clean the others.
"what are you doing miss" someone asked trying to pry the cloth out of my grip, I turned towards the person whose frown was still etched on the face it was the guy whom I assume was Pete.
"relax I work here now" I said as I continued cleaning.
"what?" he said still frowning.
I sighed "the reason I came yesterday was because of this" I showed him the piece of paper, he took it from me and scanned it, "he told me the spot was taken, I was about to leave then he called me back and offered me this job", I threw the rag on my shoulder and grinned "you are now looking at your new coworker, the manager of the cleaning department with only one member" I gestured towards myself "me".
He gave me a full blown laugh "well good luck miss manager" he said then turned to leave then suddenly turned back to me "you know it will be a shame if I have no idea what my coworker's name is" he said as he folded his arm and raised an eyebrow.
I smiled at him "its Leah and you are Pete right?" I asked
"how did you know?" he asked genuinely surprised.
"the boss told me how awful you are at cleaning when he gave me the job" I said with a smirk
He scratched the back of his head "yeah, I know I suck when it comes to that" he said then clapped his hands once "well I'll leave you to your business and I'll go do mine" he pointed towards the counter then left.
I didn't stop cleaning until all the empty tables and chairs where spotless, I looked to my right where the man was but the table was empty, I shrugged and went towards the table to clean it, when I was done I headed to the bathroom and noticed how filthy it was, I left and returned with a toilet brush and other stuffs, I scrubbed the toilet and the floor, washed the sink and cleaned the mirror. When I checked the time it was 8:45pm, I can't believe I have been cleaning for that long, I took off the rubber glove and cleaned my sweat with my wrist then left the bathroom to the equipment room grabbed a broom and began sweeping the shop, when I looked towards the counter Pete had closed the book he was reading took his jacket and threw it on preparing to go home, then it hit me hard, even if I have gotten a job I still have no place to stay, I was so focused on getting the job that I didn't stop to think about it, my heart fell to the pit of my stomach, Pete must have noticed my unpleasant expression because I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"what's wrong?" he asked with a frown, I took in a big breath exhaled through my mouth and forced a smile, "it's nothing" I said, he frowned unconvinced "are you sure?" he asked again,
"yes I'm sure" I tried to make the smile wider to look more genuine,
"alright if you say so" he said as he adjusted the collar of his jacket "so where do you stay? I could drop you off" he offered clueless, my smile dropped and I bit my lips, I think it is a bad idea to tell him about my problem I know he has other things to worry about besides I barely knew him, I shook my head "you don't have to do that, I can get home by myself" I said,
"are you sure?" he checked his watch "it's pretty late"
'"I know, but I can take care of myself thanks" I smiled at him,
"alright goodnight" he said as he left leaving me alone with my thoughts.