STEPHANIE'S POV
"But we can do it together..!!" I whined to Kayla, my best friend of 8 years, as we walk down the sidewalk to the bus stop.
"And...?" She retorts.
"And... working together will be fun!" I chirp up thinking I've almost convinced her.
"Let me think.....no."
"Why??!!" I plop down onto the bench as she smooths down her skirt and sits.
"Because I have perfectly good paying jobs now."
"Kayla, you are 20 years old. Walking dogs, house-sitting, pet-sitting, and baby-sitting are not good jobs."
"It's enough to pay for the necessities."
"Well...with this job you can pay for more than necessities and things you want." I grin.
"Exactly how much is this job paying exactly?" She looks at me from the corner of her eye and an eyebrow raised.
"How about...." I lean in and whisper into her ear "90 dollars an hour?"
"Oh my gosh what?!" She snaps her head my way and I'm actually surprised she didn't get whiplash.
"Yeah! You know what we can do with that kind of money?!"
"Travel the world!" She answers as she jumps up from the bench.
"Buy our own food and clothes!" I follow her lead and we grab hands.
"Move in together!!" We cheer together as we begin to jump up and down excitedly.
The bus arrives in the middle of our celebration and as the doors open the driver looks at us like we're hooligans.
Which, when we're together, we are.
After we board the empty bus, and sit on opposite sides so that we both have a window seat, I begin to stroll down memory lane.
I first met Kayla in 7th grade, we were both 12, more specifically Orchestra class . We both played the cello.
We weren't friends and never talked, until "Bring Your Parent To School Day" arrived.
Both Kayla and I brought our moms to class, and moms being moms, they started to chat up a storm.
Mrs.Harris and my mom kept comparing Kayla and I, they found out we had a lot in common.
One thing led to another and we soon began talking more, even getting in trouble during Orchestra class.
8 years later and both now 20 years old, we're still best friends. I wouldn't change it for the world.
"Stephanie?" She waves a hand between my face and the window, getting my attention.
"Yeah." I turn and see her concerned face as she leans over the aisle seat.
"I called your name like 6 times." She stands back up into the aisle of the bus.
"Oh sorry." I get up from my seat and walk to the front of the bus.
"How much, sir?" Kayla appears behind me with her wallet open.
"All pretty ladies ride free." The
50-something year old male winks at us.
"Oh my god" I groan in annoyance and grab the wallet from my blushing best friend's hands.
Slamming a 5 dollar bill onto the dashboard and grabbing Kayla's hand, I pull her down the stairs and out the bus' doors.
"Pervert" I scold him before continuing to pull Kayla down the campus sidewalk towards the mathematics building of our college.
10 minutes later, we make it to our Linear Algebra classroom. I finally let go of Kayla's hand and she leans over trying to catch her breath.
"W-what was...t-that about?" She asks between pants.
"Really? Are you really asking me that?!" I cross my arms and plop down into my normal seat and Kayla carefully sits next to me.
"Yeah...? I mean we could have rode free."
"God, Kayla..." She cringes "Sorry, gosh Kayla...you're innocent christian mind sometimes gets on my nerves.
"What does that have to do with the free bus ride?" She ask confused
"He was flirting with us, that means he wanted some." I retort.
"Wanted some what? Was he hungry?"
"More like thirsty." I roll my eyes and mutter loud enough for her to hear.
"What?" I uncross my arms and turn to look at her very confused expression.
"He wants to have sex with you." I say slowly
"EW!! But he was like 50 years old and I'm not having sex until marriage." She exclaims causing our other early classroom peers to turn our way. I blush and put my head face down onto the desk to hide.
I turn my head so that I'm looking at her.
"I know that's why I had to stop you from accepting."
"I'm sorry..." She looks down, ashamed.
I sit up and grab her hand giving it a squeeze.
"It's not your fault, It's how you were raised. I'm glad you don't know about the hardships of the world and how sinful and corrupt society really is."
"So about that job.." She starts
"Well...now that you've agreed than we can go and start after school. Since the party is today."
"Can't wait." She smiles.
As if right on time, the teacher enters and begins the lesson.
After Linear Algebra Kayla and I part ways and agree to meet up in the cafeteria and head to our soon-to-be new jobs.
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I sit at my table in the corner of the college cafe and munch on a plate of chicken nuggets.
"Steph!!" I look up from the book I'm reading and see Kayla waving at me from across the room.
Almost all the students are staring at either her or me.
I look away,embarrassed, as she trots over to me.
It's funny because in middle school and part of high school, Kayla was the shy, quiet one and I was the loud, enthusiastic one. I guess we changed each other as we got closer.
She stops across the table in front of me.
"Are you ready to go? I mumble quietly without looking at her.
"Yep! Let's go!" She exclaims causing all the students and staff to look our way again.
Wanting to get out as fast as possible, I jump up and speed walk to the exit, Kayla bounding behind.
We make it outside after, what feels like forever, and I take a deep breath.
"Let's get going." I turn to my to face Kayla, who's standing next to me. She grins a big grin and we head to the bus stop.
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Climbing onto the bus I send Kayla to the back of the bus and whisper our drop-off location to the bus driver, who thankfully is a kind African-American woman, before also heading to the back to sit.
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KAYLA POV
Stephanie and I get off the bus and she immediately begins to walk down the sidewalk.
I skip to keep up with her as she stops in front of a big black gate that leads to a street lined with huge houses, maybe mansions!
"Woah" I gasps
"Yep." Steph responds as she swipes a card through the slot by the gate and punches in a code.
The gates doors open and she walks through. Me, being the polite girl I am, wait until the gates open fully before following after her.
When I catch up to Steph she's standing in front of a big white house(or mansion, I'm not sure)
"W-woah." I say between gasps of air from running.
"Next time just walk through." She looks at me from the corner of her eye with a smug smile before walking up the huge driveway.
I follow and stop behind her as she rings the doorbell.
Some calm, soothing ring goes off through the house.
"Coming." A woman calls from inside.
After a few seconds a petite woman with blonde curly opens the door. She's wearing a pink dress with a lighter pink apron tied around her waist.
"Hello, Mrs.Anderson." Steph smiles
"Stephanie!!" The woman, I now know as Mrs.Anderson, pulls her into a bear hug. "It's great to see you again!"
"Great to see you too!" She hugs her back with almost just as much force before pulling away.
"So I'm guessing you're here for the job?" She ask hopefully.
"Of course, and..." Steph turns my way "I brought my best friend to work with me."
"Why hello, nice to meet you." We shake hands.
"Nice to meet you too." I reply. We part hands and Mrs.Anderson turns back towards Stephanie.
"Well come in, coming." She walks back inside the house as we follow not close behind. "Jeremy, Stephanie's here!!"
Mrs.Anderson leads us to the kitchen. We lean against the counter as she walks over to a naked cake that has yet to have frosting put onto it.
"Stephanie!" We both turn to see a Brunette male with broad shoulders entering the kitchen. He's wearing a light blue button up with his sleeves rolled up and navy blue slacks.
"Good afternoon, Mr.Anderson." Steph greets the man formally.
"Oh no, there's no need for formalities." He replies as he brings her into the same bear hug as Mrs.Anderson did.
"Call me Samantha." Mrs.A turns from the cake.
"And call me Jerry." Mr.A finishes.
"Okay well, this is my best friend, Kayla." Steph motions towards me, I walk over to Mr.A and Shake his hand.
"I hope a birthday is't to overwhelming for your first day. Especially considering how big it is." He holds be back by my shoulders.
"Of course not, Mr.A. we're happy to be the servers of the party." I defend.
"And maids of your household" Stephanie adds.
"Well we are eternally grateful, thank you girls." Mrs.A answers.
"Well than, why don't we have Samantha take you two to change and I'll finish up making the party food."
"Ok." I answer
"Sure." Steph says.
Mrs.A leads us upstairs to a HUGE master bedroom and hands us some maid uniforms.
"Once you're both done changing than come along to the kitchen and start serving the food, okay?"
"Yes,ma'am."
"Yes, Mrs.A" We answer before she leaves the room.
STEPHANIE'S POV
"Oh my god!" Kayla exclaims while jumping around the room. "How the heck did you find a job like this?!" She grabs my shoulders and shakes me, still not able to stand still.
Well, I was at Walmart ans Jeremiah, their 10-year-old son, ran into me. He was crying and told me he was lost, so I helped him. Then afterwards Mrs.Samantha and Mr.Jeremy asked to treat me to dinner.
I take off my Blue jeans and crop top hoodie as I continue.
During dinner they asked me about myself and found out how good with children I was.
I pull the black maid over my head as Kayla does the same with her white one.
We talked for about 5 weeks or so and then they offered me the job of working for Jeremiah's 11th birthday. I accepted immediately but they said they needed 2 maids.
I finish pulling on the dark blue almost knee-high boots and tie my blue apron around my hips. Kayla ties her light blue apron around herself and flattens her skirt to sit on the King sized bed to put on her boots.
I pull my hair up into 2 buns and fix my bangs so that I have it only on the right side of my forehead.
"Let's head to the kitchen now." I say as Kayla finishes pulling her hair into two ponytails on each side of her head and putting her bangs on the left side of her forehead. We leave after putting on our matching chokers and earrings, and we continue talking as we walk back to the kitchen.
"Aawww, you two look spectacular!!" Mrs.Samantha compliments once we walk through the kitchen entrance.
"Thank you, ma'am." We say in unison as we bow with our hands clasped in front of us.
"Now what did I say about calling me Ma'am? It makes me sound old." She retorts.
"Apologies, shall we start serving?" I apologize.
"Yes please, the cake will be done in an hour or two."
"Okay, Mrs.A." Kayla replies, we walk over to the now food filled counters and each grab to platters of appetizers before heading down the huge hallway to The Celebration Room.
The Celebration Room is a huge ball-like room that has an arcade room, a ball pit room, a long table going from one side to the other, and a stage.
Kayla and I make it to The Celebration Room and stop at the door.
"Now Kayla, behind this door is a mass riot of 9, 10, 11-year-olds. I know you're not as good with kids as I am but are you sure you can handle this?" I cautiously ask her.
"I'll be fine, Steph. Now open this baby up." She reassures.
"Okay.." I slowly open one of the double doors to reveal little kids playing , running, and making a mess of things. Along the occasional adult in the corner to avoid the void of mass destruction.
"Damn..." Kayla whispers from next to me.
"Did you just...?" I turn to her wide-eyed. She's always been a perfect little angel, NEVER and I mean NEVER HAS SHE EVER CURSED.
"Uh, no!" Her face turns to sheer horrified when she realizes what she this said.
"It's fine girl, I really don't care what you say around me." I chuckle as we bring the appetizers to the long, pink table clothed table.
Once we sit down the food I tell Kayla to continue bringing in the rest while I make an announcement. She nods and makes her way back through the sea of children as I walk up the few steps onto the stage.
I walk behind the curtain and flick the lights on and off until I hear nothing but silence and a few whispers. Walking to the front of the curtain I tap the microphone before speaking.
"Hello guys, gals, and non-binary pals." I begin "We are so happy that so many people can make it for the 11th birthday of Jeremiah Anderson." I motion towards the end of the table that doesn't hold the appetizers to show Jeremiah with his best friend having a tea party.
I use remote I'm holding and move the spotlight over him. He stands up showing that he's wearing a short pink dress with silver sequins that stops at his thighs, some white and silver flats that also have sequins, and a silver accessory in his long brunette hair.
He stands up showing that he's wearing a short pink dress with silver sequins that stops at his thighs, some white and silver flats that also have sequins, and a silver accessory in his long brunette hair
HE'S SO ADORABLE!!!
Cheers, applause and whoops flood through out the room. Jeremiah curtsies and spins around.
EEEHHH!! HE'S TOO CUTE!!
After Jeremiah sits back down I move the spot light back to me and continue.
"Now my friend and I are bringing in some delicious party favors and in about 2 hours the cake will come. Feel free to doddle about." I spot Kayla come in with some platters and almost trip over a car toy before catching her balance. Chuckling I continue, "We have an arcade, a ball pit, and board games. Adults there is tea and snacks if you would like to join Mr.Anderson in the tea room down the hall." I gesture towards each room as I announce them and than the exit as I speak to the adults. "HAVE FUN!!"
I finish and walk back behind the curtain to put the remote and microphone up and turn the light back on before leaving to help Kayla with the rest of the platters.
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1 HOUR LATER
KAYLA'S POV
Stephanie and I have finally finished bringing out the platters of appetizers.
MY FEET ARE KILLING ME!!
I don't see how Stephanie's able to still be standing.
Currently I'm having a tea party with the Birthday Boy while Stephanie mingles around the party. Jeremiah and I decided to have a little interrogation against each other.
"Listen kid,I've known Stephanie for 8 years I know more about her than you ever could." I say before taking a sip of my tea in triumph.
"Well did you know as a kid she used to talk to her stuffies and tell them all her secrets?!" He slams his hands on the table, menacingly.
"Well...no." And it's true Stephanie never told me she talked to her stuffies.
"Exactly, and I've known her for almost 8 weeks, therefore I am her best friend." He retorts as he sticks his tongue out.
"No, I am." I argue.
"No, I am." He replies.
"I am."
"Am not."
"Are too." We slowly begin to stand up to intimidate each other.
"Are not"
"Are too."
"Hey, hey, hey" Stephanie appears in front of us causing us to end our back and forth. "What is going on here?"
"This Midget is trying to say he's your best friend" I point at Jeremiah before sitting down and taking a sip of my tea.
"This old lady is trying to say she's your best friend." Jeremiah retorts.
"Well...who should I choose?" She rubs her chin in a mock thinking pose.
"Oh, come on!" We both complain.
"How about this, you're my young, gay boy best friend" She gestures towards Jeremiah "And you're my older, straight girl best friend." She points to me.
"Well..." We turn to each other
"Well...?" She looks expectantly at us.
"Okay!" Jeremiah and I shake hands in agreement.
"Now Jeremiah, I suggest you go up to the stage and announce that your cake will soon arrive." Steph points to the stage.
"Yeah!" He jumps up from his seat and kisses Steph's cheek before sticking his tongue out at me and sprinting to the stage.
I pout and Stephanie laughs as we head out the door and to the kitchen to retrieve the desert.
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STEPHANIE'S POV
"Okay, so the way we're going to do this. You'll be on the left side of the cake while I'm on the right." I explain to my 'girl' best friend "We'll each hold it with one hand and our other hand will be on our hips. Got it?"
"Okay...okay, got it" I notice Kayla breaking out in a sweat, totally contradicting the cool setting, as she stares at the cake.
"Ummm..Are you okay?" I wave my hand in front of her face to get her attention.
"Yeah..just a little nervous." She turns to me with glassy eyes as she rings her hands together.
"Nervous?!" I exclaim "Look Kayla if you don't want to or can't do this than I can just carry the cake by myself." I take her hands in mine and slide my thumbs across her knuckles.
We stand like that as Kayla calms down.
"You're right! Let's do this!!" She shouts after about 3 minutes.
Smiling Kayla and I pick up the cake, walk down the hallway, get our pose, and walk through the double doors (each opening a door).
Cheers, whoops and applause are heard throughout the grand room as we carry the cake over to the table, where everyone sits, and sit it down in front of Jeremiah.
We all sing 'Happy Birthday' to him and he blows out the candle.
"And thank you Steph and Kay" He turns to us with his arms open.
Kayla and I pull him into a hug as everyone else cheers "Thank you!!"
I'm glad we accepted this job, I wouldn't trade it for the world.