It's Not As Easy As It Looks, chapter 8
So I was at another party, only there wasn't any alcohol involved just soda and juice. I sat myself down on the couch, just getting comfy for the first time that day when 2 minutes later the doorbell rang. I moaned in frustration and walked to the door, opening it up to 4 friendly faces.
"Hey everyone!" I smiled and let Billie, Mike, Tré and Morgan in.
"We all got you something" Morgan smiled handing me her present.
"Open it" I nodded and unwrapped the present, I smiled and laughed a bit.
"A fondu set?! That's so awesome" I said hugging Morgan as Mike gave me his present.
"It's off me and Brittney, she wants to meet you sometime"
"Likewise" I smiled as I opened the present.
"A smoothie maker.. God I love smoothies" I laughed and set it down, before Tré nervously approached me.
"Here you go doll" I took the present, I opened it up and was faced with an empty box, I looked up.
"An empty box?"
"Nope, but whilst you was opening that, 3 men just went round your garden and put a Jacuzzi in" I squealed and ran outside, jumping up and down when I saw the 3 men installing the hot tub, I swivelled round and Billie was holding a large box with holes in it, I immediately knew what it was and gasped.
"Oh my god! You didn't!"
"Didn't want?!"
"Get me a pet"
"Maybe" He smiled and handed the box cautiously to me, I opened it up to be greeted by 2 bright blue eyes staring at me.
"Awwwwww! Oh my god Billie!" I looked to see if it was male or female.
"She's so cute! Thank you so much!"
"Hey no problem, I knew you missed home and your cat, so she should be a great substitute" I smiled and nodded picking up the 6 week old kitten and placing her delicately into the palm of my hand.
"What ya gonna call her?" Megan asked.
"Hmm" I thought.
"Uh.. Haushinka" I smiled as put Haushinka down lightly on the grass.
"Aw.. After one of our songs" I nodded and Mike clapped.
"Yeah man! We rock!" He shouted jumping up and down, Tré dragged me off away from the group, he looked at me in the eyes.
"I'm sorry, it was wrong to do that to you, I guess I felt a little lonely now that Stevie dumped me, I mean she came up to me when Holly had dumped me and helped.. I feel so.. You know empty without her.. And your just cool.. Your right, we should just be friends, but I want Stevie back in my life"
"Aw you two will see through the cracks" I said patting him on the shoulder.
"I hope so.. I love her so much"
"Tell her that"
"I don't know.. Seems as if she doesn't love me anymore"
"And why did you go to kiss me?"
"Because you're a really cool person, your cute and funny" I blushed.
"But I know I can never have you because we're just friends"
"And you love Stevie, okay? Got that? You love her.. Tell her that, she'll come running back to you" I smiled and walked back outside to see Morgan cradling Haushinka.
"Hey, whazzup?" I laughed
"What was that all about?"
"Gah I dunno, I was just playing the relationship guru again" I smiled nervously as Billie nodded and walked inside to Tré, I sat down on the garden bench, I stared at Mike who was staring at Haushinka.
"I miss Gravy" I frowned.
"My cat.."
"I know.. Why did you name it gravy?" I laughed squinting my eyes as the sun blinded them.
"I dunno.. It's cool.."
"Yeah" I said glancing off into nowhere when Mike's phone rang, I looked up as he picked it up.
"Hey Britt... Yeah sure.. Okay see you in a few.. Love you too" He smiled, but to himself.
"Gotta go now, sorry"
"Aw it's okay" I smiled standing up as we hugged.
"Bye bye" I waved, and when Mike left, Billie and Tré came back out in the garden.
"Aw.. I mean look how small his claws are.. Aw" I smiled as Morgan put him on the outdoor table.
"He's so adorable" I stared at the kitten stroking and playing with it every few minutes, Tré and Billie sat opposite us.
"See I knew it was a good idea to get her a kitten" Billie smiled to Tré, he nodded slowly.
"I'm gonna go, I'm gonna see Stevie"
"Good luck buddy" I smiled as he opened his arms, I stood up and hugged him.
"Tell her how you feel" I whispered, he nodded and left.
"Oooh this is like that song, it's just the 3 of us"
"It's 2 dumbass" I laughed as Morgan fake cried.
"That's why I said like"
"You shouldn't have said party.. More like mothers meeting" Billie smiled.
"Hey I'm 24 I don't know what's a good time" I joked.
"Blonde's have more fun" Morgan laughed.
"Morgan.. No one here is blonde" She just giggled, I smelt her breath, she had been drinking alcohol.
"Mooooorgan!" I moaned.
"Wow.. I'm not the drunken one for once" Billie smiled, I rolled my eyes at him, before helping Morgan up - the alcohol finally seeping through her system and making her losing control of everything.
Me and Billie had managed to get her inside, I contemplated whether to take her back to the hotel, but I could hardly leave her by herself as the 16 year old started to become more drowsy and less tipsy.
I lay her down on the couch and sighed, I looked to Billie who was smiling.
"Why you so happy?"
"It's funny"
"What is?"
"I dunno" I rolled my eyes before glancing to my calender, it was the 23rd of December, I hadn't actually realized it was so close to Christmas.
"Wow 3 days till Christmas, yet I'm still working"
"I'm not, hooray! But we have a Bullet In A Bible premiere in London on the 12th of January" I nodded, as Billie looked around the house.
"I guess I ought to go.."
"Okay then, bye Billie" I smiled as he nodded and left, left me all alone with a drunk sleeping 16 year old.
***
I woke up curled on the chair next to the couch to find Morgan still sound asleep. I rubbed my eyes and walked over to her, gently shaking her so she would wake up.
"W-what do you want?" She asked sleepily.
"You need to go to the hotel.. Well you could stay here.. I suppose" I smiled as she sat up.
"Don't worry I'll look after the place" I hugged Morgan and walked towards the door, I stopped and turned around.
"I'll be back like 5"
"Okay!"
***
The cab journey was peaceful. I watched as many pedestrians struggled with their many bags, over doing the Christmas shopping, but they all had smile's planted on their faces. Christmas to me was family and since I had abandoned mine I was all alone over Christmas - even if I did have my friends, it wouldn't be the same.
I walked into the building, awaiting the elevator when someone stopped me in my tracks.
"Hey are you Jennifer Walker?"
"Yes.." I said, as a man roughly 6 foot towered above me in a business suit.
"Well Wade is with his family for Christmas, his wife has just had a baby, and he wants to spend good quality time with them, in the mean time I will be your new boss, and let's just say you have not given me a good first impression since your 3 hours late"
"W-what?!" I said nervously, turning my head to look at the wall clock, I muttered a sentence full of colorful words under my breath when it read noon.
"Sorry"
"Why are you late?"
"I dunno.."
"Well if your late one more time, there will be no use to make pathetic excuses, because you'll be fired!" I stood back a little as I watched my new boss's head turn a violent shade of red.
"I said I was sorry! Jeez"
"Don't take that attitude with me!"
"Whatever" I said as the elevator opened, I stepped in and watched the doors closed, shutting out all the new problems my life was facing.
***
It was five thirty, and I was glad to leave the building, I just couldn't take the thought of being fired off my mind, I knew soon as I got home I would set my alarm clock to 6 am.
I leaped inside the cab, no longer worrying about facing Christmas alone, but just awaiting till Wade got back from spending time at home.. But if he got to spend time with his family.. Then why couldn't I spend mine at home with friends?
I walked into my house, thinking it was way too quiet, then I heard loud rumbling, I opened up my living room door and saw that a new stereo had been placed beside my television and was on full blast, with Megan, Mike, Tré, Billie and two random woman dancing there, my eyes were as wide as dinner plates that practically smashed to the floor, I stood still not quite believing what I was seeing, as Megan turned around jumping in her skin she turned the stereo off, like a kid that was grounded from using one and me once again taking the mother figure shook my head at Megan.
"You have a party in my own house whilst I'm not there?"
"Well.. You see, you said you wouldn't have a non alcoholic party.. So we had one without you" I raised an eyebrow at Tré.
"Why not your house then?!"
"This house is cooler!" I groaned and rubbed my forehead.
"Ya know what? Just play the god damn music, I'm taking a nap" I threw my bag down on the floor hard and stormed up the stairs, they had no respect, it even seemed as if they didn't even care, I didn't at that time, I had too many problems bugging my ass off.
I lay my head down gently onto my bed as I rubbed me forehead, 10 minutes later the bed sunk down as I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder.
"Are you okay?" It was Mike.
"Yeah.. Just tired" I said groggily, Mike sighed.
"That's not why is it?" I sat up and rubbed my eyes.
"No, if I'm late tomorrow I get fired"
"Pfft, why would Wade do that?"
"Wade's on bloody vacation.. Left me with an asshole of a boss"
"Oh" Was all Mike could say, he smiled.
"Just have some fun ok? Come down stairs and drink away your problems" I laughed nervously.
"After what happened last time?"
"We'll close off the stairs or something"
"Your really determined to get me pissed aren't you?" Mike shrugged and laughed.
"Okay, fine, I'll get pissed, but if anything happens, I'm blaming you" I smiled as I poked Mike.
"Let's go then" I pushed myself off the bed and walked down stairs.
"Hey Jen!" Morgan smiled.
"I kept the house nice and tidy and even spring cleaned!"
"Your not drunk?"
"Eh? Me? Nooo, I have to keep an eye on you"
"Why thank you oh guardian angel, but I am 24"
"And you do have stitches on your head"
"And you will have if you don't join in the fun"
"I'm not going to win am I?"
"Against me? You never stand a chance" I laughed, I walked into my kitchen and took out a bottle of vodka.
"Hey.. Anyone up for shots?!"
***
My alarm clock rang out happily, I woke up holding my head as I set the button to snooze, smiling to myself as my head hit the pillow, a reminder hit my head.
'If your late one more time your fired! '
I quickly got up to look at the alarm clock, it was 9:45, I had 15 minutes! Shit! I had forgotten to re do the alarm time on my alarm clock!
I rushed and took a shower, brushed my teeth and put my clothes on, I shoved a piece of badly burnt toast into my mouth and locked all the doors, I stumbled out onto the street where my cab was waiting, I ran into it.
"I guess your going where you normally go"
"Yeah, quickly!" I shouted, feeling my head throbbing due to a massive hangover, I held my stomach as I had the urge to throw up.
"You okay back there?"
"Uh.. Yeah.. Stomach bug" I lied as I watched many more people with shopping trying to get all the little things since it was Christmas eve.
I ran into the building when I bumped into a person.
"Do you have any manners?" My annoying boss spoke.
"Yeah, musta left them in the cab" I smiled pathetically as he glanced at the clock and smiled.
"Come into my office" I followed him into a small office, he sat down on a leather recliner, I stood looking at him, I was shaking, he pointed for me to sit down and I did.
He was busy writing something down on a piece of paper whilst I glanced around the room biting my lip, when all of a sudden the man handed me the piece of paper and an envelope.
"Merry Christmas" He smiled, I read the letter, tears welling up in my eyes.
I was officially unemployed.
"Why? I was only late twice"
"Yeah, and every other single time, this is a job not school, plus your attitude is appalling"
"I hate you" I said through gritted teeth as the man waved and laughed, I ran out of the building and stopped by the doors, my bottom lip started to tremble and I felt tears stroll down my cheeks, I placed a hand over my eyes and sunk to the ground, my back hunching over as I cried harder, I realized without a job I wouldn't be allowed to live in America, I would have to move back to my crappy old place in England.
I got my phone out and dialed a number, pressing the mobile to my ear gently, I wiped my tears and listened for the other end to pick up.
"Hello?"
"H-hey, is the Raych?"
"Sure is, who am I speaking to?"
"J-Jenni, Raych you have to help me, I'm in trouble"
"What?! Hang on I'll be round your ho-"
"I don't live there anymore, I live in America, sorry I didn't tell you, I've been really busy"
"America?! Well okay, how can I help?"
"I just got fired from my job, I probably won't be able to keep my house.. So I was wondering if you could sell my house in England and send the money over"
"I don't think I can sell your house, I think you have to, can't you come over and sell it?"
"Uh, I'm in London in February for Bullet- shit no I'm not, I haven't got that job anymore, fuck.. I don't know what to do"
"Can you call me later hon? It's late over here and I have to put Lily to bed"
"Okay, bye"
"Bye" I heard the phone click and I put my mobile back into my pocket, I stood myself up and hailed a cab, funnily enough it was the same one that always took me to work in the mornings.
"Home already?"
"Yeah" I said quietly as I looked at my shoes for the entire journey, the driver who knew where I lived dropped me off, but before I left I sighed and told him to take me somewhere else.
***
I opened up the cab door and shut it lightly, I walked over the pebbles and onto the warm and golden sand, I took off my shoes and socks and made my way to the sea's edge, where I sat down and let the water tickle my toes.
"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" I turned my head and saw Billie approaching me, I quickly turned away and wiped the tears from my face.
"Not anymore"
"Huh?"
"I got fired"
"Why?!"
"Because I was late again"
"Alright, I'll just phone up Wa-"
"No, he was on vacation, I had a sub boss, a really fucking horrible sub boss, and Billie I don't know where I stand on this planet anymore, I mean I don't think I could afford the house over here and I don't wanna move back to England, life really is a game isn't it? And I think I just lost my last life" I put my hand over my face and started to cry again, Billie sat down next to me and held me close like a 4 year old who had just hurt their knee.
"Things will get better, this is just a test, you will get a better job, have anything in mind?"
"Well, I was thinking the zoo, but the paycheck wouldn't be enough" I smiled, as Billie nodded.
"Maybe you should ask there then, surely it's enough money for you to live in the house, if not, you can always move in with me, I'm all by myself" He laughed.
"Yeah and I would bug the hell out of you, plus I wanna see if I survive this test"
"Okay but remember, you have a helping hand here" Billie smiled as he pointed to himself, I nodded slightly and sighed.
"I should get home.."
"Which home?"
"The one over here, America is my home now, I don't want to go back to Cannock"
"Aw well, I'm not forcing you but I think you should go over there and sell your house"
"It's hard though.. I can't even think about going back there.. Revisiting old memories"
"How about the gang go together with you?"
"No, I'm not dragging them away from their homes, it's not fair on them"
"Me then.. And Morgan, so you can have girly conversations" I hung my head down, thinking, if my two friends were there, I would feel safer, I would feel better and happier.
"Okay.. I'll go and sell my house, but you owe me one Armstrong!"
"One what?"
"I don't know.. Anything"
"Er.. How about a kiss" I blushed and looked to my side down the beach, knowing my face was a definite shade of beetroot.
"A friendly kiss of course.. I'm not hitting on you or anything" Thanking God at the time, I turned around and smiled.
"Okay, you DON'T owe me" I winked, Billie smiled and put his arm around my shoulders.
"Are you okay now?"
"Yeah.. I think so.. Thanks" I smiled, biting my lip.
"No problem, now let's go, my ass is all sandy"
"Okay sandy ass.. HEY! I can call you Sandy now" I laughed as Billie shook his head and we walked off down the beach making each other laugh, as friends do.
"Hey Billie?"
"Yeah?"
"Who were those two random woman dancing in my house the other day?"
"Er.." Billie bit his lip as he ran off and I chased after him, I stumbled over as he walked up to me, breathing heavily and offering a helping hand.
"So..?"
"I don't know.. Tré invited them"
"Billie.."
"Oh alright, they were two random people from the street"
"Really?"
"No"
"Oh whatever"
"Hey it's Christmas tomorrow!"
"Uh.. Cool.. What did you get your sons?"
"Stuff.." He said in a low voice.
"You haven't got them anything yet have you?"
"No.."
"Hey everyone!" I smiled and let Billie, Mike, Tré and Morgan in.
"We all got you something" Morgan smiled handing me her present.
"Open it" I nodded and unwrapped the present, I smiled and laughed a bit.
"A fondu set?! That's so awesome" I said hugging Morgan as Mike gave me his present.
"It's off me and Brittney, she wants to meet you sometime"
"Likewise" I smiled as I opened the present.
"A smoothie maker.. God I love smoothies" I laughed and set it down, before Tré nervously approached me.
"Here you go doll" I took the present, I opened it up and was faced with an empty box, I looked up.
"An empty box?"
"Nope, but whilst you was opening that, 3 men just went round your garden and put a Jacuzzi in" I squealed and ran outside, jumping up and down when I saw the 3 men installing the hot tub, I swivelled round and Billie was holding a large box with holes in it, I immediately knew what it was and gasped.
"Oh my god! You didn't!"
"Didn't want?!"
"Get me a pet"
"Maybe" He smiled and handed the box cautiously to me, I opened it up to be greeted by 2 bright blue eyes staring at me.
"Awwwwww! Oh my god Billie!" I looked to see if it was male or female.
"She's so cute! Thank you so much!"
"Hey no problem, I knew you missed home and your cat, so she should be a great substitute" I smiled and nodded picking up the 6 week old kitten and placing her delicately into the palm of my hand.
"What ya gonna call her?" Megan asked.
"Hmm" I thought.
"Uh.. Haushinka" I smiled as put Haushinka down lightly on the grass.
"Aw.. After one of our songs" I nodded and Mike clapped.
"Yeah man! We rock!" He shouted jumping up and down, Tré dragged me off away from the group, he looked at me in the eyes.
"I'm sorry, it was wrong to do that to you, I guess I felt a little lonely now that Stevie dumped me, I mean she came up to me when Holly had dumped me and helped.. I feel so.. You know empty without her.. And your just cool.. Your right, we should just be friends, but I want Stevie back in my life"
"Aw you two will see through the cracks" I said patting him on the shoulder.
"I hope so.. I love her so much"
"Tell her that"
"I don't know.. Seems as if she doesn't love me anymore"
"And why did you go to kiss me?"
"Because you're a really cool person, your cute and funny" I blushed.
"But I know I can never have you because we're just friends"
"And you love Stevie, okay? Got that? You love her.. Tell her that, she'll come running back to you" I smiled and walked back outside to see Morgan cradling Haushinka.
"Hey, whazzup?" I laughed
"What was that all about?"
"Gah I dunno, I was just playing the relationship guru again" I smiled nervously as Billie nodded and walked inside to Tré, I sat down on the garden bench, I stared at Mike who was staring at Haushinka.
"I miss Gravy" I frowned.
"My cat.."
"I know.. Why did you name it gravy?" I laughed squinting my eyes as the sun blinded them.
"I dunno.. It's cool.."
"Yeah" I said glancing off into nowhere when Mike's phone rang, I looked up as he picked it up.
"Hey Britt... Yeah sure.. Okay see you in a few.. Love you too" He smiled, but to himself.
"Gotta go now, sorry"
"Aw it's okay" I smiled standing up as we hugged.
"Bye bye" I waved, and when Mike left, Billie and Tré came back out in the garden.
"Aw.. I mean look how small his claws are.. Aw" I smiled as Morgan put him on the outdoor table.
"He's so adorable" I stared at the kitten stroking and playing with it every few minutes, Tré and Billie sat opposite us.
"See I knew it was a good idea to get her a kitten" Billie smiled to Tré, he nodded slowly.
"I'm gonna go, I'm gonna see Stevie"
"Good luck buddy" I smiled as he opened his arms, I stood up and hugged him.
"Tell her how you feel" I whispered, he nodded and left.
"Oooh this is like that song, it's just the 3 of us"
"It's 2 dumbass" I laughed as Morgan fake cried.
"That's why I said like"
"You shouldn't have said party.. More like mothers meeting" Billie smiled.
"Hey I'm 24 I don't know what's a good time" I joked.
"Blonde's have more fun" Morgan laughed.
"Morgan.. No one here is blonde" She just giggled, I smelt her breath, she had been drinking alcohol.
"Mooooorgan!" I moaned.
"Wow.. I'm not the drunken one for once" Billie smiled, I rolled my eyes at him, before helping Morgan up - the alcohol finally seeping through her system and making her losing control of everything.
Me and Billie had managed to get her inside, I contemplated whether to take her back to the hotel, but I could hardly leave her by herself as the 16 year old started to become more drowsy and less tipsy.
I lay her down on the couch and sighed, I looked to Billie who was smiling.
"Why you so happy?"
"It's funny"
"What is?"
"I dunno" I rolled my eyes before glancing to my calender, it was the 23rd of December, I hadn't actually realized it was so close to Christmas.
"Wow 3 days till Christmas, yet I'm still working"
"I'm not, hooray! But we have a Bullet In A Bible premiere in London on the 12th of January" I nodded, as Billie looked around the house.
"I guess I ought to go.."
"Okay then, bye Billie" I smiled as he nodded and left, left me all alone with a drunk sleeping 16 year old.
***
I woke up curled on the chair next to the couch to find Morgan still sound asleep. I rubbed my eyes and walked over to her, gently shaking her so she would wake up.
"W-what do you want?" She asked sleepily.
"You need to go to the hotel.. Well you could stay here.. I suppose" I smiled as she sat up.
"Don't worry I'll look after the place" I hugged Morgan and walked towards the door, I stopped and turned around.
"I'll be back like 5"
"Okay!"
***
The cab journey was peaceful. I watched as many pedestrians struggled with their many bags, over doing the Christmas shopping, but they all had smile's planted on their faces. Christmas to me was family and since I had abandoned mine I was all alone over Christmas - even if I did have my friends, it wouldn't be the same.
I walked into the building, awaiting the elevator when someone stopped me in my tracks.
"Hey are you Jennifer Walker?"
"Yes.." I said, as a man roughly 6 foot towered above me in a business suit.
"Well Wade is with his family for Christmas, his wife has just had a baby, and he wants to spend good quality time with them, in the mean time I will be your new boss, and let's just say you have not given me a good first impression since your 3 hours late"
"W-what?!" I said nervously, turning my head to look at the wall clock, I muttered a sentence full of colorful words under my breath when it read noon.
"Sorry"
"Why are you late?"
"I dunno.."
"Well if your late one more time, there will be no use to make pathetic excuses, because you'll be fired!" I stood back a little as I watched my new boss's head turn a violent shade of red.
"I said I was sorry! Jeez"
"Don't take that attitude with me!"
"Whatever" I said as the elevator opened, I stepped in and watched the doors closed, shutting out all the new problems my life was facing.
***
It was five thirty, and I was glad to leave the building, I just couldn't take the thought of being fired off my mind, I knew soon as I got home I would set my alarm clock to 6 am.
I leaped inside the cab, no longer worrying about facing Christmas alone, but just awaiting till Wade got back from spending time at home.. But if he got to spend time with his family.. Then why couldn't I spend mine at home with friends?
I walked into my house, thinking it was way too quiet, then I heard loud rumbling, I opened up my living room door and saw that a new stereo had been placed beside my television and was on full blast, with Megan, Mike, Tré, Billie and two random woman dancing there, my eyes were as wide as dinner plates that practically smashed to the floor, I stood still not quite believing what I was seeing, as Megan turned around jumping in her skin she turned the stereo off, like a kid that was grounded from using one and me once again taking the mother figure shook my head at Megan.
"You have a party in my own house whilst I'm not there?"
"Well.. You see, you said you wouldn't have a non alcoholic party.. So we had one without you" I raised an eyebrow at Tré.
"Why not your house then?!"
"This house is cooler!" I groaned and rubbed my forehead.
"Ya know what? Just play the god damn music, I'm taking a nap" I threw my bag down on the floor hard and stormed up the stairs, they had no respect, it even seemed as if they didn't even care, I didn't at that time, I had too many problems bugging my ass off.
I lay my head down gently onto my bed as I rubbed me forehead, 10 minutes later the bed sunk down as I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder.
"Are you okay?" It was Mike.
"Yeah.. Just tired" I said groggily, Mike sighed.
"That's not why is it?" I sat up and rubbed my eyes.
"No, if I'm late tomorrow I get fired"
"Pfft, why would Wade do that?"
"Wade's on bloody vacation.. Left me with an asshole of a boss"
"Oh" Was all Mike could say, he smiled.
"Just have some fun ok? Come down stairs and drink away your problems" I laughed nervously.
"After what happened last time?"
"We'll close off the stairs or something"
"Your really determined to get me pissed aren't you?" Mike shrugged and laughed.
"Okay, fine, I'll get pissed, but if anything happens, I'm blaming you" I smiled as I poked Mike.
"Let's go then" I pushed myself off the bed and walked down stairs.
"Hey Jen!" Morgan smiled.
"I kept the house nice and tidy and even spring cleaned!"
"Your not drunk?"
"Eh? Me? Nooo, I have to keep an eye on you"
"Why thank you oh guardian angel, but I am 24"
"And you do have stitches on your head"
"And you will have if you don't join in the fun"
"I'm not going to win am I?"
"Against me? You never stand a chance" I laughed, I walked into my kitchen and took out a bottle of vodka.
"Hey.. Anyone up for shots?!"
***
My alarm clock rang out happily, I woke up holding my head as I set the button to snooze, smiling to myself as my head hit the pillow, a reminder hit my head.
'If your late one more time your fired! '
I quickly got up to look at the alarm clock, it was 9:45, I had 15 minutes! Shit! I had forgotten to re do the alarm time on my alarm clock!
I rushed and took a shower, brushed my teeth and put my clothes on, I shoved a piece of badly burnt toast into my mouth and locked all the doors, I stumbled out onto the street where my cab was waiting, I ran into it.
"I guess your going where you normally go"
"Yeah, quickly!" I shouted, feeling my head throbbing due to a massive hangover, I held my stomach as I had the urge to throw up.
"You okay back there?"
"Uh.. Yeah.. Stomach bug" I lied as I watched many more people with shopping trying to get all the little things since it was Christmas eve.
I ran into the building when I bumped into a person.
"Do you have any manners?" My annoying boss spoke.
"Yeah, musta left them in the cab" I smiled pathetically as he glanced at the clock and smiled.
"Come into my office" I followed him into a small office, he sat down on a leather recliner, I stood looking at him, I was shaking, he pointed for me to sit down and I did.
He was busy writing something down on a piece of paper whilst I glanced around the room biting my lip, when all of a sudden the man handed me the piece of paper and an envelope.
"Merry Christmas" He smiled, I read the letter, tears welling up in my eyes.
I was officially unemployed.
"Why? I was only late twice"
"Yeah, and every other single time, this is a job not school, plus your attitude is appalling"
"I hate you" I said through gritted teeth as the man waved and laughed, I ran out of the building and stopped by the doors, my bottom lip started to tremble and I felt tears stroll down my cheeks, I placed a hand over my eyes and sunk to the ground, my back hunching over as I cried harder, I realized without a job I wouldn't be allowed to live in America, I would have to move back to my crappy old place in England.
I got my phone out and dialed a number, pressing the mobile to my ear gently, I wiped my tears and listened for the other end to pick up.
"Hello?"
"H-hey, is the Raych?"
"Sure is, who am I speaking to?"
"J-Jenni, Raych you have to help me, I'm in trouble"
"What?! Hang on I'll be round your ho-"
"I don't live there anymore, I live in America, sorry I didn't tell you, I've been really busy"
"America?! Well okay, how can I help?"
"I just got fired from my job, I probably won't be able to keep my house.. So I was wondering if you could sell my house in England and send the money over"
"I don't think I can sell your house, I think you have to, can't you come over and sell it?"
"Uh, I'm in London in February for Bullet- shit no I'm not, I haven't got that job anymore, fuck.. I don't know what to do"
"Can you call me later hon? It's late over here and I have to put Lily to bed"
"Okay, bye"
"Bye" I heard the phone click and I put my mobile back into my pocket, I stood myself up and hailed a cab, funnily enough it was the same one that always took me to work in the mornings.
"Home already?"
"Yeah" I said quietly as I looked at my shoes for the entire journey, the driver who knew where I lived dropped me off, but before I left I sighed and told him to take me somewhere else.
***
I opened up the cab door and shut it lightly, I walked over the pebbles and onto the warm and golden sand, I took off my shoes and socks and made my way to the sea's edge, where I sat down and let the water tickle my toes.
"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" I turned my head and saw Billie approaching me, I quickly turned away and wiped the tears from my face.
"Not anymore"
"Huh?"
"I got fired"
"Why?!"
"Because I was late again"
"Alright, I'll just phone up Wa-"
"No, he was on vacation, I had a sub boss, a really fucking horrible sub boss, and Billie I don't know where I stand on this planet anymore, I mean I don't think I could afford the house over here and I don't wanna move back to England, life really is a game isn't it? And I think I just lost my last life" I put my hand over my face and started to cry again, Billie sat down next to me and held me close like a 4 year old who had just hurt their knee.
"Things will get better, this is just a test, you will get a better job, have anything in mind?"
"Well, I was thinking the zoo, but the paycheck wouldn't be enough" I smiled, as Billie nodded.
"Maybe you should ask there then, surely it's enough money for you to live in the house, if not, you can always move in with me, I'm all by myself" He laughed.
"Yeah and I would bug the hell out of you, plus I wanna see if I survive this test"
"Okay but remember, you have a helping hand here" Billie smiled as he pointed to himself, I nodded slightly and sighed.
"I should get home.."
"Which home?"
"The one over here, America is my home now, I don't want to go back to Cannock"
"Aw well, I'm not forcing you but I think you should go over there and sell your house"
"It's hard though.. I can't even think about going back there.. Revisiting old memories"
"How about the gang go together with you?"
"No, I'm not dragging them away from their homes, it's not fair on them"
"Me then.. And Morgan, so you can have girly conversations" I hung my head down, thinking, if my two friends were there, I would feel safer, I would feel better and happier.
"Okay.. I'll go and sell my house, but you owe me one Armstrong!"
"One what?"
"I don't know.. Anything"
"Er.. How about a kiss" I blushed and looked to my side down the beach, knowing my face was a definite shade of beetroot.
"A friendly kiss of course.. I'm not hitting on you or anything" Thanking God at the time, I turned around and smiled.
"Okay, you DON'T owe me" I winked, Billie smiled and put his arm around my shoulders.
"Are you okay now?"
"Yeah.. I think so.. Thanks" I smiled, biting my lip.
"No problem, now let's go, my ass is all sandy"
"Okay sandy ass.. HEY! I can call you Sandy now" I laughed as Billie shook his head and we walked off down the beach making each other laugh, as friends do.
"Hey Billie?"
"Yeah?"
"Who were those two random woman dancing in my house the other day?"
"Er.." Billie bit his lip as he ran off and I chased after him, I stumbled over as he walked up to me, breathing heavily and offering a helping hand.
"So..?"
"I don't know.. Tré invited them"
"Billie.."
"Oh alright, they were two random people from the street"
"Really?"
"No"
"Oh whatever"
"Hey it's Christmas tomorrow!"
"Uh.. Cool.. What did you get your sons?"
"Stuff.." He said in a low voice.
"You haven't got them anything yet have you?"
"No.."
