Chapter 9

I couldn't help but sigh in relief as I walked out of Weran Hotel with the copy of my contract and my dark blue uniform.

It took them a few days but eventually, I got the job. The manager, Caleb Jenkins, told me that over the past few years since they founded the hotel, most of the employees would be teenagers during the summers.

At first, I was afraid to speak up but once Caleb had let me know that all I needed to do was breathe and get my head right, I could feel my anxiety burn down.

Even if Caleb was around twenty or twenty-five years older than me, after I got comfortable in my place, it felt like I'd been talking to an old friend. He was open and friendly during the entire interview which was a relief considering how problematic my first job interview had been.

It was great to know that not every manager was a piece of shit. They were just outnumbered, unfortunately.

To celebrate the first good thing that has happened to me since I'd arrived at Cannon Beach, I decided to have a drink and just let myself relax.

When I walked through the doors of Weran Hotel, I heard heavy footsteps catching up with me.

"Hey, sorry…" an unknown voice cut through the silence that's fallen upon me.

I stopped walking and turned to the voice. To my surprise, I was faced with a boy who could be around my age. He wasn't much taller than me, he had quiff-cut butter blonde hair that reminded me of those old punk rockstars from decades ago.

He had a right eyebrow ring that suited his face and contrasted his dark eyes. His right arm was almost full of tattoos and represented many things on the same skin.

"Yes?" I asked, unsure what to say or do.

"Would you give me your number?" He blurted out and my eyes widened.

That escalated quickly.

Since I've never had this kind of pick-up situation with a complete stranger, I didn't know whether to cuss him out or just walk away.

"No?" I asked unsure how to react.

He furrowed his eyebrows then groaned and burried his face into his hands.

"I suck," his voice was muffled behind his hands.

"Indeed you do," I said, looking around if anyone could hear this awkward conversation.

"I'm sorry… I just… I got scared," he admitted and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Did I scare you?" I asked in a confused way.

"Maybe you did."

"But I didn't even say anything," I tried to defend myself while my brain was storming. The thoughts just wouldn't stop racing inside my head.

Was this just a prank with his friends? They were probably recording us and I'd be the most ridiculous person online.

This was something that I could imagine myself getting into. Sometimes I had too much bad luck that the most unbeliable things could happen to me on a daily basis and I wouldn't even be surprised or startled anymore.

This nonsense seemed something that also would happen to me.

"I didn't want to be inappropiate…" he tried and dropped his head. He seemed more nervous than I ever could be in that moment.

"Truth be told…" I lowered my voice. "You actually were."

He seemed crushed by my words but not in a disturbing way. More like he was tired of him screwing things up.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I'm so sorry… That's not what I had in mind when Caleb sent me after you."

Just when I was about to take a step back so that we would have a safe distance between us, I stopped midway and moved my bag.

"Caleb sent you?" I asked, narrowing my eyes because of the sun.

"Yes," he nodded. "I practically ran down from the seventh because Mr. Beckett didn't want to let me into the elevator."

I almost laughed at his explanation but I remembered he was nothing but a stranger, so I kept a straight face.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because Mr. Beckett doesn't like anybody," he explained. "Elderly people are just like that… Impatient, irritable, challenging, and… old."

"I was asking why did Caleb send you after me," I corrected myself and he clicked his tongue.

"Oh, my bad," he said and looked around. "He didn't know that I was still inside after he'd interviewed you… He told me that you'd be with me for your first week until you learn everything."

I nodded, releasing my breath. It wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be. He just happened to be my colleague who most likely had some social anxiety. Or he just didn't know how to cooperate his mouth with his brain.

"I'm Perkyn," he reached his hand toward me, his black bracelet moving an inch. "Perkyn Adaway."

I took his hand and shook it gently.

"Heddy Lopez," I introduced myself.

"Hi, Heddy," he gave me a warm smile. "Sorry for jumping at you like that… Sometimes I just don't function normally."

"That makes two of us then," I gave him a little laugh. "So, you want my number, huh?"

"I just wanted to ask it because I wasn't sure if you'd know where to come or where should I look for you on Monday… Just forget it, I can wait for you at the entrance."

I tried not to smile at his attempt to use the right words and expressions but he just really didn't know how to do it.

I wondered if Perkyn Adaway has always been this introverted or shy around people or just around girls generally.

"I think I'll arrive a little before eight." I let him know and he nodded.

"Before eight," he echoed and looked away. "Okay, I hope I won't forget it."

"Do you want me to write it on your hand?" I teased him, enjoying his struggle with words.

"I would have been happier if you'd text me the details," he winked.

"Yeah, right."

"But this works too. I won't forget, I promise." he promised as he took a step backwards.

"You better not," I pointed my finger at him. "I've been told that I am unforgettable. Maybe in a bad way but still."

"I find that very hard to believe," he answered and I could feel my cheeks heat up. I was lucky that it was already hot, so he wouldn't notice my reaction.

I cleared my throat and put a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Aren't you a little hot?" He asked, staring at my hair.

"You're telling me that I'm not hot in general?" I asked and he shook his head.

"You know what I mean," he smiled and I tried not to stare at his dimples.

"I forgot my scrunchie." I admitted in an embarrassed way and he nodded.

"I'd give one if I had one, sorry," he said and I scoffed.

"That's okay,"

Perkyn stepped beside me and took my hair's sight in while I tried not to turn my head away in the most obvious way. I probably looked horrible, other wise he wouldn't have been staring at me like that.

I hated that in the most important introductions, I always found a way to embarrass myself.

Sometimes it was my hair, my face, or just my lack of communication skills.

"Do you know where should someone go who just had a job interview and doesn't have a scrunchie to tie her hair up in this hot mess?" I asked and he raised his eyebrows.

"I might know a place where the employees use the air conditioner so much that you'd probably freeze," he admitted and my eyes lighted up.

"And would you tell me the name of this place?"

He put his hands into his jeans pockets and his gaze fell to the ground under his feet.

"Only in one condition,"

"What is it?" I asked.

"You'd let me be your drinking partner in this hot mess of an afternoon," he said and gave me a half smile. "It would be a crime to enjoy this weather and job alone."

I had butterflies fly in my stomach from the smile he had just given me. Why would I say no to him?

I came here to have fun and finally be myself and loosen up.

Who on earth would reject someone who happened to be handsome and had the personality of a golden retriever?

"Only if you buy me a drink," I continued and he gasped.

"So, you want my money… All right then," he nodded and bit into his lower lip.

"This is the rule if you want to be blessed by my appearance," I shrugged. Not that I was someone who'd only accept an invitation if I didn't need to pay but I was really curious to see how would he react.

"I'm not a religious person but there is no way I could ever say no to this blessing," he accepted my offer with a cute smile on his lips.