I turn the page to the next chapter, while writing notes for my History class. On Friday I have a test and I can’t fail. As I began writing more notes my mind drifts off to last night.
All day my thoughts have been leaving me. From the morning until now I can’t seem to focus on anything. During my Biology class I accidently wrote Alexander’s name on my paper instead of mine.
I honestly didn’t think it would have such a big effect on me, but it does. I keep thinking did I do the right thing or was I just too angry to see past the situation. Well, it doesn’t matter now what’s done is done and he may never come back to me and that’s something I will have to live with. A decision that I am now regretting.
It's just the look on this face.. did something to me. It was mixer of hurt and pain I hate hurting people so I try to avoid the situation as much as possible, but this one I couldn't.
Pushing the memories of last night out of my head I finish writing my Bio notes. Once I finish, I put my textbook and notebook in my backpack.
“What’s up Quinney baby.” I look to see Lyra striding over to me with a tall cup of coffee.
“It’ 3 in the afternoon why are you drinking coffee? Also your not allowed to drink in here.” I point to the sign on the wall behind me.
“Ewe who follows the rules. It’s never too early or too late to drink coffee Quinn.” She sits her bag down next to my chair while plopping on the couch.
“Whatever, what are you doing in the library? You always say it’s ‘as depressing as a funeral home’.” I emphasis the words by putting up air quotes.
“Came to see my most prettiest and smartest friend in the whole wide world, and I need a favor.” She softly says. I knew it she never comes to the library unless I’m in here and she needs something from me.
I hate doing favors for Lyra. Most people ask favors like, “can you babysit my child”, or “can you pick me up a loaf of bread?” Lyra is not like 'most people'.
“I don’t want to.” I turn around in my chair.
“Quinn please I need your help.” She swivels my chair back to her. I let out a groan of fustration.
I know that I may or may not soon regret this. “The last time I did a favor for you I ended up scrubbing your floors while watching your brother at 2 in the morning.” I cross my arms waiting for her to say something. Still to this day I have no Idea how I got there.
“Don't be so dramatic that was a one-time thing. I need you to write me a letter of recommendation.” I give her a shocked look, was not expecting that.
“For what? You already have a job.”
“Yeah, a boring job that pays no money. When I first started out at the clinic, I was a young, ambitious 15-year-old. Now all I do is clean animals and clean cages, it’s getting old. Yesterday the Doc said that he was looking for a new assistant to help him out in surgery and the pay is amazing. I already got a recommendation from Ms. Timmons now I need one from you.” I see her eyes sparkle up when she mentioned the assistant job. For a while now she’s been talking about the job, saying she couldn’t wait until someone quit so she could swoop in, now it’s her chance.
“Why do I have to write it I’m a friend, don’t you need an adult to write it?” She frantically shakes her head.
“No. Anybody can write the recommendation, plus you know me better than my own parents.” Her parents have no idea how wild and crazy she really is, it's a writ of passage to hide who you really are from your parents. If they knew how we acted when they weren't around they'd freak.
“What do I need to write?” I huff out.
“Just what you know about me, like my best qualities. I’m hard-working, dedicated, and outgoing.” She says honeyed. I give her the eye, letting her know none of that is actually true.
“Oh, shut up I am hardworking. When I need to be.” She mumbles the last part. “Just have it done by next week Monday.”
“Fine you owe me.” I use my stern voice.
“Totally. I got to go my mom needs me to help her with something at home, bye.” She grabs my head and kisses me on the forehead while skipping out the library. That coffee must be making her hyper because she never skips unless she’s drinking it.
Location: Ida’s Shop
I make sure my car is locked and walk into Ida’s shop. Walking in I don’t see her anywhere. This shop isn't that big, but for the life of me I’m never able to find her.
“Hey Ida I’m here.” I scream throughout the shop. She’s either in the basement or in her office.
“Quinneth? Is that you?” I hear a muffled voice come from around the counter. Looking over I see a crunched-up Ida looking through the drawers.
“Yeah, it’s me. What are you doing?” I questioned her.
“A couple months ago I bought some pens and put them down here, but I can't find them anywhere.” I walk over to the back the store and grab the pens from the shelf. She gets up from behind the desk to see what I was doing. I hand her the pens.
“You are a godsend Quinn.” She grabs the pens from my hand and sits it on the desk behind her. “I didn’t even say hi to you. Hi!” She says enthusiastically while grabbing me in a bear hug.
“Alright Ida you're cutting off my circulation.” I choke out.
“Sorry honey just missed you so much. So, what’s been happening?” She let’s go of me while rubbing my arms. For a dainty women she has the strength of superman.
“Just school and homework. I had homecoming last Saturday it was a blast.” Besides the whole Alexander situation, the night was amazing.
“Awe I wished I could've seen you go.” She pouts. For the last two weeks Ida shut down the shop to go visit her family in Vancouver. Ida has three sons William, George and Henry their actually all triplets and the only kids she had. William is a mechanic, George a doctor and Henry is a published author very established careers. Between the three brothers they all have 10 kids.
Since Ida is running the shop, she doesn’t have enough time to go visit her sons and grandkids. I was the one to convince her that she should take some time off and go visit them. Reluctantly she gave in and went, obviously she had a good time.
“Enough about me how was the trip? Didn’t Crystal turn 6 yesterday?” I asked leaning on the counter.
“Yeah, she did excellent memory. We all went down to the beach and they look me out to eat at the local restaurant in town. It was truly a fun time I can't wait to go back.” I can see the excitement in her eyes.
“Glad you had fun.” I give her a side smile.
“You too. Hey, I’ll be in my office doing the bookwork call me if you need anything.” She pats me on the back and walks to her office.
Since there's no one in the store right now I pull out my book from school and began reading it. I particularly don’t like to read books much, I prefer the movies. Our teacher has us reading “The Giver”, by Lois Lowry. It’s pretty interesting so far.
“Is that you bones?” I look up to see Claire walk in the store. Her light pink hair is tucked behind her ears while her nose piercing glistens in the sun. You could say Claire was a little bit on the radical side.
“When are you going to stop calling me that?” I say putting my bookmark in my book. The reason she calls me bones Is because the first time I started working her it was during the morning. There were some new packages that came in and I had to carry them to the back and I struggled carrying them to the back. Claire made a joke that I was more bones than muscles gaining me the nickname bones.
“When you stop being weak..bones.” She flashes her pearly white teeth while leaning on the desk in front of me.
“What are you doing here? Can’t get away from work?” I say joking with her.
“Nah, I left my phone charger here and I couldn’t come and get it because Ida was out of town. Hand it to me please?” I go through the bucket and hand it to her.
“So irresponsible of you. I expect more from a college student.” Claire goes to the University of San Francisco. She wants to be a computer engineer.
“Says the high school student.” She sneers at me. “Haven't seen you a minute we have to hang out.”
Since my schedule Is wide open from having no social life, I have all the time in the world. “Definitely hit me up.”
“You got it.” She gives me a thumbs up.
Before I’m able to say anything, I hear someone come in. “Welcome to Ida’s shop.” Looking up to see who it is a look of shock overcomes me. It’s the girl that Myers was talking to across the street that one time. She has some nerve coming in here.
“I’ll let you do your job; I’ll call you sometime this week or like 4 weeks from now I have no perception of time.” She ruffles my curly hair while walking in strides towards the door while waving to the girl. Before walking out she turns to me, “Oh and bring Lyra with you that girls a hoot.” She chuckles and leaves me with the girl.
I’m going to put all feelings aside and do what I’m here to do, my job.