Above My Head., chapter 4

"Good morning." I greeted Billie. It was early in the morning and the sky was turning a faint blue and the sun was crawling up to signal everyone in town it was morning.

"Good morning Vick." Billie yawned. His brown hair was messy and he was sporting black Converse, jeans, and a dark green shirt. I smiled at him as we watched the sun come up from where we sat.

"Whatcha' doin' here kids?" A voice bellowed behind us. I turned around and saw a scrawny security guard. Actually I don't call them security guards; I secretly dubbed them NPWP (Nosy People With Power). He was holding the keys to the mall in one hand and a flashlight in the other. I stood there in utter shock. "Are you kid's deaf? I asked what you're doing here."

"They're here to work." A kind but stern voice said to the guard. Billie and I turned around and saw Mr. Pendle standing behind us with stern eyes.

"They're with you?" The NPWP asked. He had that look in his eyes of not trusting anyone.

"Yes." Mr. Pendle said in a firm voice. "Now if you don't mind, they have to get working." Then he turned to us and smiled. "Come on you two. We have a long day's work ahead of us." We got up from our sitting positions and followed Mr. P into the mall. I had the urge to stick out my tongue at the NPWP, but decided not to.

I've never been inside the mall this early. We could hear our footsteps echoing and bouncing all over the empty building. Janitors were cleaning the tiled floor until it sparkled for the people who will step all over it. Usually I have been inside in the crowded afternoons or during the special sales day that start at nine o'clock in the morning, but today was different. No hassle of people or awkward smells of perfume; it was a perfect scene.

We got to the music shop and Mr. P got out his jingly keys out of his pocket. They were so many and all opened a door with its secrets. He selected a copper-like key from the key-ring and used it to open the store's locked security gate. Then all of us entered into the dark, cool store. Mr. P then searched for the switch and when he located it the whole store flooded with light.

"Now listen up you two." Mr. P said. "I don't want any funny business from you. Also be on your best behavior at all times." Then he gave us each a name pin. They were a glossy red and had our names engraved in white letters. "Keep these on while you re in my store. Be courteous to our customers and help them any way you can. Do I make myself clear?"

We both nodded. I was eager to start work at my favorite shop. It was much better than what my mom had planned for me. She wanted to send me to a summer camp. I refused to go. Mr. P went on explaining what has to be done in the store such as stocking items and making it presentable.

"Okay then." He announced. "Billie and Vikki, get to work!"

Billie and I made our way to stock room to get stock. Mr. P had handed us a list of what needed to be restocked. Picks, clarinet reeds, music books, and so many more items needed to be restocked in the store.

The stock room was overflowing with musical items. Shiny flutes in their cases, waiting to be rented to someone who will play sweet melodic tunes on them. Music books waiting to be opened and practiced everyday. So many wonderful things in there that it made it seem like heaven to me.

"Hey Vikki," Billie said breaking the silence. I stopped m exploring and turned my attention to him. "Can you help me with restocking the guitar strings?"

I smiled. "Sure, I'll help." I responded.

We each took a box of containing strings and headed out into the store. Screams and chatter filled my ears as I walked into the store. The mall day had officially begun. Peoples' footsteps were heard all around the mall. Buying gifts, returning merchandise, meeting up with friends; this was all done at the Mall.

Billie and I stocked the strings upon their metal display rack. I don't know why, but I felt happy working. Weird., I thought and went back to placing guitar strings. We went on through the workday helping customers, stocking more merchandise, and cleaning. Before we knew it, it was lunch time.

"Well done!" Mr. P praised us. "You two deserve a long break." I agreed for I was tired. I finished up shining the trumpets on the display and helped Billie with his task of setting up mandolins in glass cases. Then we headed out.

We went to the entrance of the Mall and sat on the planted pots. The sky was a nice shade of light blue. The Sun was shining overhead and some grey clouds were accumulating in the sky. It's probably going to rain,I thought. Then I see a figure walking up to us. It was Mike. I started to feel warm inside and my head was spinning with emotions.

"Hi Mike." I finally managed to say. "What's up?"

"Nothing much really," He responded. "Just thought I'd come and see Billie and you." Then he turned to Billie. "Your mom told me you forgot your lunch." He handed a brown paper bag to him.

Billie opened the bag to find a salad, a soda, and some marshmallows. He smiled and began to eat his lunch. Mike and I smiled at the site of seeing him eat. "Want a marshmallow?" He asked me and Mike as held up a bag of marshmallows. I took one from the bag and popped it into my mouth and Mike did the same as well. We all sat there for some time and talked.

I guess I have friends now. I thought as I bit into another marshmallow. Maybe something more than that. I looked at Mike and Billie, and thought how good it was to have friends again.