บท 4: Workaholic
"For the last time, I'm not going," Rylee said, frowning at the boy in front of her. "I told you, I'm working all day."
"Just call out! Come on, Rylee. When is the last time you had a day off?!"
Rylee rolled her eyes. It was hard to believe this guy was 23 and not 15. His apron was crooked, and his name badge seemed like it would fall off any second. Rylee nudged him with her cart of returns, trying to get around. But he held firm. "Do you want to get me fired? I'm not just playing hooky over a movie, Zane!"
He pouted, grabbing a couple paint bottles and helping put them away. "But it's the newest of the Star Portal movies! Isn't that worth the hype?"
"It's not like you're going alone. I heard Emma and Dean will be there. Don't guilt trip me," she sighed. Zane groaned.
"Great, I get to be the third wheel. And Dean always steals the popcorn," he sulked.
"I thought your other friend was going?"
"Nah, he is also plagued by WORK," Zane sighed dramatically and grabbed another armload of returns. They smiled at passing customers then scooted to another aisle to keep talking.
"Why don't you go some other time then?" She offered him a bag of sponges.
"It's opening weekend, Rye," he looked at her like she suggested he come to work naked. "If I don't go now, all the spoilers will be leaked by Monday, and then what's the point?"
"True," her eyes flashed with mischief. "And you can't get away with wearing your new Sergeant Carsten costume...."
"If I recall, someone owns TWO copies of season 7, and both special edition boxes sets. I may cosplay but you're a nerd too!"
"Okay okay, that's true," she held up her hands in truce. She straightened boxes of clay and pushed her hair from her face. "How about Tuesday after work we go hit some raids instead?"
He looked thoughtful, and finally nodded. "Deal. Kingsley Park, 5 o'clock. Bring a battery pack."
He snatched the remaining sketch pads from the cart and sprinted away before she could change her mind. With a laugh, she pushed the cart back toward the front of the store, secretly looking forward to getting out for once.
"You and Zane seem like you've hit it off," a pink haired cashier winked at her as she passed. Rylee laughed again.
"I see your gears turning Tara, so drop it. Can't I have friends who are guys?"
"I guess, but a BOYFRIEND would be a step in the right direction."
"Oh so liking video games immediately makes someone dating material? Come on, there is more to romance than that," she glanced around to make sure customers weren't approaching and went to refill the candy bars.
"For you, it seems like a prerequisite. It's been 3 years Ry. I just want to see you move onnnnn," she whined and leaned against the cash wrap. Her magenta lips puckered into a pout.
"Moving on does not mean attaching myself to the first guy who knows the Z of Legend theme," Rylee chided. "Trust me, I'm over that loser, but I'm not rushing to make the same mistakes again."
"How was him being a cheating a-hole your mistake?" Tara scoffed. Rylee glared at her and chucked the empty box at one of Tara's manicured hands. She swiped it to the side, and the shift lead gave them both a warning glance. They ducked closer to the displays, straightening more product.
"It's my mistake I fell for a cheater, or it's my mistake he turned into one. Pick your reason," she explained, ignoring her friends protective glare. She moved to the best shelf and continued. "I'm still cleaning up the pieces from this last fiasco. Sorry, I'm not in a hurry to try again."
"I guess, but I wish you would do something. Go on a date, hit a bar. You're 26. Live a little."
Rylee rolled her eyes. "And then who will be the designated driver when you get too tipsy at happy hour and need a rescue? One of us has to be an adult."
Tara stuck out her tongue, but a customer rounded the corner and they were forced back to their cash registers. Tara gave her a look that said the conversation wasn't over, but Rylee ignored it. They may live in the same house, but with their staggered schedules, it could be days before they managed to say more than a quick 'hello' to each other.
The two were college roommates, and when Blake left, Rylee was desperate to find an affordable living situation. In the end, they split the cost of the three bedroom apartment, the last bedroom full to the brim with discarded art supplies. Rylee offered to pay more for rent because of the mess, but Tara wouldn't let her. Then when Rylee tried to sell some of it to make more room, Tara stonewalled her.
"I won't let you do something stupid you'll regret. Get back on your feet, and we will give your business another shot without some lame jerk in the way."
Rylee protested, but to no avail. That was the sign of a good friendship though. The other knew when to protect you, even from your own ideas.
Working together was a new development though, and honestly, Rylee enjoyed it. Tara wasn't into art like Rylee, but her customer service skills made up for it. When Tara lost her job as a server, Rylee suggested the opening as a cashier. The only disadvantage was Tara's keen eyes exploited any interaction Rylee had with the opposite sex.
Rylee got a headache every-time her roommate began to nag. Once, Tara actually tried signing her up for online dating, only to be foiled at the last second when Rylee ran back home for a change of shoes. Now, the only thing keeping her at bay was Rylee's promise to enroll in speed dating at the upcoming convention. It was quick, it was safe, and hey, at least it was dating on her own turf.
Better than being hit on by some stranger on the internet, at least.
Rylee was relieved when she finally got to clock out, apron draped over her shoulder as she punched her employee number at the time clock. The second she escaped the break room, she pulled out her phone and clicked on the favorites link. A miniature forum stacked itself in the cell phone screen, and she navigated to the thread she had to leave the night before. She was already reading RogueOwl's update as she started her car, cranking the AC to clear the stale air.
'No fair, he knows I can't respond until tonight!' She thoughts, squirming with anticipation as she scanned the recent update. She hoped the restaurant would be slow so she could scribble some ideas on a napkin at least, before the itching muse in her mind grew silent. The feeling was familiar and comforting. The demand to do something, ideas flooding in every corner of her brain, it was intoxicating. When she did art, she would wake up like that, mind whirling at 3 am to sketch out a new piece of art. Now it only seemed to happen when she role played, but it was an outlet, nevertheless.
//Saw the post, love it, but can't reply until later!// She tagged RogueOwl then closed the window, putting her car into gear. The little station wagon lurched slightly as it took off, then she was cruising toward her second job. Her body was exhausted, but her mind was already thinking of plans, new plots to share that evening.
If only romance were as easy as role playing, then maybe she would let Tara have her way.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง