Fayette

I jolt awake as the sound of the bell rings through my ears. I rub the sleep out of my eyes as I gather my stuff together. I’ve gotten everything gathered together ready to leave the room when the teacher stops me.

“Ms. Light, do you mind staying after class for a couple of minutes?” My Creative Writing teacher Ms. Blue asks in a soft voice as she looks at my tired face.

“Yeah, sure. What for?” I ask in a tired voice as I haven’t really fully awoken yet.

“Fayette, this is the fourth time you’ve fallen asleep in this class this week, and you love creative writing. Is there something bothering you’re sleeping schedule that is causing you to fall asleep in my class?” She asks and I shake my head as I’ve explained this same problem to eleven other teachers this week.

“No ma’am, I’ve just had to pick up a few more jobs to pay some bills is all, and I’ve had a few late nights. Sorry to bother you Ms. Blue but I’m fine, no worries.” I say as I give her a kind, forced smile that everyone falls for. She smiles happily as if she’s just solved my problem and I’ll do better from now on.

“Okay dear, go on now. No need to stay here any longer, try to get a little bit more sleep okay.” She says and I nod my head in agreement.

“Of course Ms. Blue.” I reply as I step out of the doorway, heading to the lunch room with a frown on my face. I’ll have to try not to fall asleep in her class as often or she’ll start to talk to the other teachers. I yawn as I put my books into my locker and head outside towards the tree I sit at for lunch. I pass by the group of cheerleaders who return my stare for a glare, as I roll my eyes in return. Seems as if there is nothing out of the usual. My mood lifts a little bit more as I see my tree, but drops as I see a certain football player that gets on my nerves. I fast walk to his direction with a glare upon my face as I’m ready to give him a piece of my mind.

“Ah Hello Forgotten Fayette, almost didn’t recognize you there as I’ve forgotten about you since the last time I saw you.” He says cockily as he usually does when he sees me, seems he didn’t forget the same phrase he’s used to greet me for the past four years. Stinking prick.

“What do you want Ashton? I don’t have any time to deal with your stupid ship today okay, so why don’t you speed the speech up and get to the point, okay?” I ask as I sigh in annoyance and he just rolls his eyes in return.

“Your ex said to tell you that he’s with Kenzie now. I’m just the messenger today, not the sender.” He chuckles as if he’s just came up with the best joke of the year.

“And I would care, why?” I ask in confusion as he looks at me with a gleam in his eyes.

“Oh, I don’t know. Well that he’s definitely found better than.” He says as he looks me up and down “You.” He finishes and I roll my eyes.

“Yeah, sure because a fake blonde with plastic surgery and implants is perfection, I’ll take that into consideration then. Oh and be sure to tell him that lyres are perfection too, because Kenzie slept with his older brother at Ty’s party last Friday, and they were both sober when it happened. Okay.” I say as I sit down and look at his flabbergasted face with annoyance.

“You can go now messenger boy. Thanks for your service.” I mutter as I close my eyes in exhaustion.

I internally smile as I hear his footsteps walk away from me, but for it to only drop as I hear more footsteps walk closer to me, stopping at the end of the path, right in front of me.

“Yes?” I question with my eyes still closed as I realize that I might not get any sleep after all.

“Vicki said to tell you you’re working all three of your shifts tonight because she needs your help with the tables and drinks.” The voice says and I open my eyes in disbelief.

“Are you serious, is she serious, I have other jobs I have to do tonight not just hers, I can’t just put all of my work into her job for tonight.” I say as I look at Denice is surprised disbelief.

“Not my problem girlie, figure it out, or you might lose the job. Vicki has given you some slack, more than the others have gotten. She understands your situation, but its work. Sorry babe.” She says as she turns to walk back down the path towards her car. I groan as I realize my situation.

“Great, just great.” I mumble as I get up from my spot and walk down the path like Denice did just moments before. I’ll have to miss the rest of school today to do my other work shifts so I can do all three of my shifts for Vicki tonight to prevent getting fired.

“Ugh, why today. I just wanted some sleep.” I mutter to myself as I walk towards my Biology partner Rain who is the only one in the whole school who is nice to me.

“Hey Rain.” I say as I walk in front of her table, making everyone at the table turn towards me with confused looks.

“Yes?” she asks in a soft tone.

“Can you pick up my work for the rest of my classes today and tomorrow? I won’t be in till Wednesday, if that’s cool with you.” I question with my head down as the stares get too much for me.

“Yeah, if you don’t mind me asking, why won’t you be in?” she questions and I look at her with my forced smile thing I give to people to believe me.

“Oh, I just have to check up on a few things at my job, and it can’t wait unfortunately.” I say with a forced chuckle and a fake smile. She smiles and nods in understanding and laughs with me.

“Yeah of course, you need a ride?” she asks and I immediately shake my head.

“No, I’m fine, it’s not a far walk. Just to Vicki’s so not very far.” I say and she looks at me with surprise.

“That’s on the other side of town, about an hour’s walk from here. I’ll just call my brother to come pick you up, it’ll be no problem I swear it.” She says as she gets out her phone and dials a number and ignores my disagreement.

“Rain really you don’t have to.” I start to say but get cut off by her talking.

“Hello, Yeah I’m fine, no, I need to ask you a little favor. At school, yeah I know, her names Fayette. A friend, okay, thank you. Bye, love you.” She replies and hangs up.

“He said he’s not too far from here so it shouldn’t be a problem. He’ll be here in a few minutes, so let’s head outside. I’ll be right back, it’ll be quick I swear.” She says and stands up to walk with me outside.

“You really didn’t have to do this Rain, the walk would be no problem, I do it every day after school.” I say quietly with my head down.

“Everyday? Man I would never have to exercise again if I did that. Anyways, it’s no problem friends help each other.” She says in return with a smile in her voice.

“Friends?” I question in confusion.

“Yeah, we are friends right?” she turns to look at me for confirmation.

“Yeah, I guess.” I say in surprise. She then turns her head towards the car that just pulled in.

“Oh, he’s right there, come on I’ll introduce you to him.” She says as she skips towards the black Porsche that just pulled up. I hurry to catch up to her and watch as the side door opens and she throws herself at the person who stepped out of it.

“Whoa, okay now Rain, some heads up next time.” A deep voice with black hair says as she steps back with a grin on her face. She turns to look at me and gives me the same grin she gave him.

“Ero, Fayette, Fayette, Ero.” She spits out as she spins her head back and forth from the both of us in excitement. He looks at me with his green eyes and I blush.

“So this is Fayette. Nice to meet you, I’m this weirdos brother.” He says as he hold out a hand to greet me with. I put my small hand into his big one to shake as a greeting but end up gasping in surprise as I feel tiny little shocks upon my hand from touching his hand. I pull my hand back in surprise with wide eyes. Ero looks at me with shock and Rains demeanor gets even more excited for some reason and she looks at Ero with glazed eyes.

I look at the ground in discomfort and confusion as I feel out of place.

“Uh, why don’t we get going?” Ero asks with a slight tremble to his voice. I quickly agree.

“Yeah, I’m in a hurry.” I mutter as I walk past Rain with Ero towards the car. I turn around to look at Rain right before I get in the car and give her an actual smile.

“Thanks Rain, I’ll see you Wednesday.” I say as I then turn to get in the car’s passengers side.

Ero pulls out of the school, and we sit in comfortable silence before he breaks it.

“So, where do you work at?” he asks and I look at him and answer.

“Vicki’s Diner, downtown.” I mumble out shyly as I look at his face with a blush on my face. It’s not my fault he’s insanely attractive.

“Vicki’s, Vicki as in Vicki Donovan?” he asks in surprise and I nod.

“Yeah, she’s my boss. You know her?’ I ask quietly as he turns to look at me with a smile.

“Yeah I know her, she works with my friend’s uncle or something. We eat there for lunch sometimes. What days do you work there?” he asks and I look at him in confusion but answer anyways.

“Every day usually, unless I’m not needed for a shift but I still have other jobs to do when I’m not needed for a shift. Like right now, I have three shifts tonight with the diner so I decided to take them early.” I say in a half lie as it’s not really why I left early.

“Nice, well I go there often, so the next time I’m there I’ll ask for you. What do you work as for the diner?” he questions curiously and I almost laugh at his cute face.

“I work as a waitress, but sometimes I work the register when it’s not so busy.” I say and turn to look out the window. We sit in some more silence while he drives for a bit until he breaks it.

“Alright, here we are.” He says aloud and stops the car in the parking lot. I turn to look at him with a grateful smile.

“Thanks for the ride Ero, see you.” I say as I open the door to step out, only to get stopped by the door lock locking into place stopping me from getting out. I turn to look at him in confusion, but stop when I hear him explain.

“I need to be able to contact you to pick you back up later when your shift ends.” He says and I look at him in confusion.

“Oh, no that’s fine.” I start to say but he stops me before I can continue.

“No, it was my deal with Rain, she said for me to drop you off, and then later pick you up to take you home.” He replies and I shake my head but then sigh as I look at him and know I’m not going to get anywhere with him, so I just reluctantly agree.

“Okay, but only for today. “I say and hand him my cheap flip phone so he can copy my number in to his phone.

“Text me when your shift ends, so I can pick you up, okay.” he states and he hands me my phone back. I nod my head, not bothering to tell him that I have some other jobs I have to do after.

“It’ll be late.” I warn him and he nods his head with a shrug.

“That’s fine.” He says as he unlocks the door with a gleam in his eyes. I shake my head at him as I open the door, getting out. I walk towards the diner door and chuckle at Rain’s brother’s childish attitude.

I walk through the door and look around to see if Vicki is around. Not seeing her I head towards the back anyways, to start my shift. I put my stuff up and walk towards the closet to grab my outfit, and go change into it to start working. I walk out towards the front with my note pad and start working, getting ready for my three shifts to finish, so I can go work my other jobs for tonight.

It was around six when I get off my shift at Vicki’s and get ready to walk towards my other jobs when a buzz stops me. I look down at the flip phone in confusion until a thought hits me of giving my number to Ero. I look at the text and roll my eyes in amusement. Seriously Rain’s brother is inpatient.

I sigh as I start the walk towards the bar, about a fifteen minute walk from Vicki’s Diner, pushing away the feeling of dread.

I can hear the loud music outside the bar as I walk towards it. I open the door and step inside, sidestepping the drunks, and clumsy lightweight girls that were clung to them. I walk towards the bar and look for my coworker to see where I’m working at for the night. I’m looking around the crowd from behind the bar, and jump at the voice in my ear from behind.

“What’s up sugar mamma?” Tomi says and I turn around with a smile on my face.

“I’m good, how about you sugar daddy?” I ask and laugh as his face scrunches up in disgust as he rethinks about something.

“Horrible, walked into Chase’s apartment to find him with some girl, both of them stark naked, like Arya Stark naked.” He says and I giggle in amusement.

“Tomi, that’s gross, but horrible. I hope you dumped his sorry butt.” I say in return as I start to wipe the bar down.

“Oh, I would be stupid not to. Eh I always knew he wasn’t gay, I just wanted to see how long it took for him to figure it out. Two months I dated him, poor dude.” He mutters and I laugh and sigh as I go to serve the people who just walked up. Only to have Tomi stop me with a solemn look as he points towards the back where the boss’s office stood.

“Boss wants to talk to you, said it’s important. Sorry babes.” He says as he sees my face of horror.

“Great, he only wants to talk when I’m doing something wrong.” I mumble to myself as I walk towards the back and take a breath before I walk in.

I open the door and walk inside.

“Fayette, glad to see you.” Boss says as I sit down in the chair in front of his desk.

“So why’d you ask for me?” I question in anticipation of what he has to say. His face gets solemn as he looks at me with a sad look in his eyes. I already knew what he was going to say. It was bound to happen.

“I’m afraid we have to let you go Fayette, our cuts just got smaller and you only work the bar, so we had to let you go.” He says as he hands me an envelope with my name on it. My check.

“Here’s your paycheck for the week, I’m sorry Fayette.” He says as he stands up, as I do too.

“It’s okay Fred, it was bound to happen, and we both know it. I’ll just go job hunting tonight with my extra time.” I say as I walk out the door past him and head to go put my stuff up.

“Hey girlie, why the long face?” Tomi questions and I turn towards him with a grimace.

“Fred had to let me go.” I mumble and turn to hang up my uniform.

“Seriously, you need this job Faye, your brother.” He trails off and I give him a small smile.

“I’m going to go job hunting tonight to see if there is another place near to work at, don’t worry Tomi, I’ll be fine.” I say as I head for the door with Tomi trailing behind me.

“Okay, but call me if you need anything girlie. Okay.” He says and I nod.

“Of course.” I say as I hug him and pull back.

“Bye, see you.” I say as I walk out the door to the club and head down the road a bit of a ways away before I hit the ground with my foot.

“Ugh!” I shout into the empty abyss of roads.

I look down at my phone and sigh in exhaustion.

“Screw it.” I say to myself as I pick up my phone and dial Ero's number.

“Hello?” he asks and I grimace. Here goes.

“Can you come pick me up at the downtown bus station? I got off earlier than expected.” I lie through my teeth into the phone as I walk towards the bus station, that’s just up ahead.

“Yeah, I’ll be there soon.” He replies and hangs up the phone.

I look at the screen of my phone to check the time only to see that’s it’s nine. I sigh as I sit down on the bench waiting for Ero to show up. Tears roll down my face as I silently sob. I really needed this job, but life happens and you have to deal with it. I’ll have to get up early to look for another job, to get enough sleep for school the next day. I wipe the tears off my face as I hear a car pull in front of me. I look up to see Ero’s Porsche and walk towards it with a frown. I open the door to hop in and look at his face with a small smile.

“Thanks, I got off earlier than I thought I would.” I say as I close the door and he speeds off with a grin on his face.

“No problem Faye. You okay?” he asks and I grimace.

“Truly?” I question and he looks at me with a look in his eyes.

“Yeah, truly.” He asks and I shake my head at the thought of today’s events.

“No, I got fired from my other job. I really needed that job, so now I have to get up early to go job hunting.” I tell him as I rub my eyes as sleep throws itself at me.

“Why’d you need that job, don’t you still work at Vicki’s?” he questions and I nod.

“Yeah but I have some problems that I was left with and I have to work for the money to pay for the situation.” I say as vaguely as I can and he nods.

“Well if you need a job, my mother’s looking for someone to take care of some kids. It pays well, if you’re interested.” He says and my head shoots up.

“Seriously, oh are you sure she wouldn’t mind, I mean are you sure she isn’t looking for someone else to do it?” I question and he shakes his head.

“No, she won’t mind, your Rain’s friend anyways. You can meet her now if you’d like.” He suggests and I shake my head.

“No, I don’t want to waste your time.” I say and he chuckles.

“Trust me I have nothing better to do. You can talk to her over dinner. I’ll even drive you home afterwards.” He coaxes and I give.

“Okay I guess I can.” I tell him and he grins.

“Great, I’m sure she’ll love you.” he says as he speeds off towards his house, I’m assuming. I look at him for a few moments but then look away and shake off the weird feeling going through my body.

I look at Ero one last time and shake my head with a smile, turning my head to look out the window, staring the stars in comfort.