Lotus

© 2021 by Ireland Rea. All rights reserved.

After four long hours of helping every customer, I could see. Shelving books, sorting returns, and cleaning restrooms that usually Anthony does, but was nowhere to be found once Mr. Ross stated it needed to be done.

I made my way to the decent size breakroom plopping in one of the chairs, tugging on my shoestring that held my hair in place trying to loosen the tightness that was starting to give me a headache.

Pulling out my salad I brought for lunch and the regular-size bottle of ranch dressing. I saw a missed call from my mom.

Pouring ranch all over my salad until it was completely smothered, shoving some in my mouth I heard my mom pick up.

"Hey, where have you been I called three times?" she greeted irritably.

I sighed, shoving another fork full, wiping my mouth with a napkin.

"My bad I've been busy at work. I just got on break I didn't feel my phone vibrate."

"Alright just listen out next time. Did you take the bottle of ranch? I told you to stop doing that. I had to use the oil dressing."

I sheepishly looked at the ranch bottle sliding it back in my bag.

I mumbled in inaudible chewing.

"Nah I don't think so did you look in the fridge?"

"Whatever I just was calling to ask if you can walk Maliq to baseball practice. I don't want him going by himself."

I could already hear someone in the background calling her back to work, which showed why she was rushing.

"I'm pretty sure he could make it mom, he's walked that many blocks on his own before."

"Yeah well, you know I don't want him waiting out there all idled. That's when all the other kids like to hang around I don't want him getting caught up. Try to get away earlier alright?"

The finality in her voice showed there was no questioning it.

"Yeah I'll go, I'll be a few minutes late though I get off at 6:00."

Most of the inner city kids went to a different school, but some were able to put their smarts to good use and join Forrest Middle. Different schools but the same friends. So it was regular for each school's children to run into each other on their way home or wherever they hung out at.

"Okay, I'll text him I'll be there by 4:30."

She replied quickly and rushed off the phone, which I wasn't surprised about.

Shooting my little brother a text telling him where to meet me, I swiftly finished the rest of my food and chugged my jug of water.

"Wassup Adanni."

Anthony greeted walking in, carrying his lunch. He slid in the chair across from me smiling. I looked up glancing at all the other empty tables he could have sat at.

"Sup, Hey I got to leave a little early would you mind counting my drawer?"

If it was anyone else I wouldn't have asked, but one thing Anthony is is reliable. Many times I left something valuable here and he got it to me with all expenses intact. I appreciated him for that.

"Sure wassup where you gotta go?"

He narrowed his eyes examining me like he was trying to figure me out. Boy if you don't.

I rolled my eyes in reply negro is always in my business.

"Gotta get my little brother. Oh, let me get one"

I rushed out eyeing the chocolate chip cookies he pulled out of his bag.

He chuckled passing me one, which I swiftly snatched thanking him and unwrapped biting into the soft chocolatey goodness.

I happily hummed to myself continuing my game of Subway Surfers enjoying the last 20 minutes of my break.

"So when you gone let me take you out?"

"What do you mean?"

I hissed my tongue as I ran into the back of a train. He needs to gone, I've been trying to beat my high score for three days now.

"I mean, I doubt you've been anywhere besides work and home."

He hummed out biting into his sandwich he got from the cafe. That spot makes amazing food I tell you.

I bobbed my head pursing my lips.

"First of all. I do go places and I don't want to go anywhere with you. All you gone do is take me around a bunch of people, and half of them you probably messed with; so they're gonna be looking like they got a problem they want me to fix."

Thinking back to when I first started working here he convinced me to go to a club with him and a few of his friends. We went strictly as friends, of course, I thought it would be fun, I even invited Saniyah who of course brought Terrence which made it a whole group thing.

To sum it l up I almost dragged a girl that day and Saniyah of course was gonna jump in if need be. One of his old hoes had a problem with seeing him with somebody else, so she decided to step up withthe few girls she was with.

If it wasn't for Anthony literally tossing me in the car and Terrence dragging Saniyah’s loud ass away, they would have got the problem they were looking for. I chuckled at the memory Niyah is totally my Ride or Die.

"Nah ain't nothin' like that I'm talking about a real date with just us."

He leaned forward flashing me the same smile he's been giving every woman that walked in here.

Which worked based on how much stuff they ended up paying for. His commission is gonna be off the chain.

"Nah I'm straight."

I chuckled, getting up to toss my trash. I heard his chair scrape against the ground.

I turned to see him walk closer than he should be. He smirked looking straight into my eyes, trying to get all serious, I'm not gonna lie my heartbeat picked up a little. Nope heart I'm good.

"Aw Dani come on I'm serious, At least give me a chance, you know me."

I took a breath, taking his offer into deep consideration. It would be fun and it's not like he's not good company. Thinking back on all the fun night shifts we had. One thing we did always have was a good time.

From his goofy attitude and my sarcastic one we made a pretty fun duo; he's definitely a nice guy, and if you ignore his flirty ways he's an amazing friend. But that's one thing I wanted to keep him as. A friend.

Taking a large step back I looked up at him.

"Look, you know I'm not looking for that right now, and besides I enjoy our friendship, it's one of the few real ones I have."

I watched as his smirk faltered and slight hurt reached his eyes which he quickly recovered from. He nodded his head and backed up walking back towards his lunch.

"Alright." he nodded slowly.

"Well you know I'm here if you need me."

I gave a small smile in return.

"Yeah I know, thank you."