The Misadventures of Daria Pigwidgeon (7 page)

Then he smiles. I smile. A horn blares.

We both turn and glare at a car trying to get around Chance. Who was, for all intent purposes, standing in the middle of the parking lot. Laughing has never felt so good. Now who’s blushing? Not I, says the girl laughing at the boy jumping away from an elderly couple driving a Prius.

The car drives past and winds up parking on the other side of the lot. Not that I was watching. My eyes are all for Chance. I see a trend beginning here. His eyes are lighter than normal with laughter. His cheeks have a fine shine of a blush just grazing the sharp angles of his cheekbones. Some would be embarrassed by almost being rundown by an old person, but not Chance.

I can see it in the way he continues to skip back to the restaurant. His arms lifted up in question. Smiling, he waves me over to join him. Cautiously, I check both ways before I cross the street. And make sure I give him a knowing smile as I do. Never have I ever been so bold. Never have I ever had so much fun over something so simple.

Holding the door open for me he says, “After you rabbit.”

Smile still firmly in place, I skip across the threshold. A whisper in my right ear almost causes me to stumble.

“I’ll get you back for mocking me. Just you wait.”

His breath is warm on the back of my neck, it sends chills down my spine. Before I can wonder if he’s playing or being serious, he spins around my prone form and faces me. He’s smirking. I’m speechless. Is that a flirtatious smirk? Or am I losing it?

His smirk takes on a sinister tone in a flash then is replaced with a bright smile. He was totally just playing me. Oh it is
so
on. Never make deals with demons. We always win in the end. Trust me. I know this stuff.

I’m about to call him on his bluff, when he turns away and saunters over to the checkout counter. He says something to a boy on the other side of it. That’s when I realize we’re not in my perfect little world with just the two of us. No. We’re in a full restaurant (on excuse me, a sub shop, same difference) where I’m supposed to be looking for a job. Learn to focus Pigwidgeon.

A shouted version of my name draws my attention from Chance’s backside, to the dining room in the other direction. And there is Ashley, Chance’s sister, sitting with a group of girls. Where my experience with boys is pretty slim to none, my experience with girlfriends is pretty much nil. So basically, when she gets up and runs over to me, my hackles rise up. I quickly swash the urge to zap anyone that touches me. This is good because, in the next instant she has an arm wrapped around my shoulder.

Leaning into me she says, “I’m so glad you made it. Sorry I bailed on you. I hope Chance wasn’t too terrible.”

Terrible, um, that would be a no. “Oh. Not at all.” I mutter.

Not that she really hears me, because she is pretty much talking over me.

“I of course, only remembered after dinner, that I promised Jane that I’d meet her this morning. She’s having boyfriend problems. And as best friend, it’s my job to convince her she’s not certifiable.”

I nod in understanding. But in reality, I have no idea what she’s talking about. Do girls always talk this fast? My only experience is with my older sister Raina, and in between the torment, we never talked liked this. Maybe I should talk like that, super-fast with an excited lite to my voice.

Then again, maybe not.

Chance calls out, cutting off his sister’s next intake of breath before another tirade. I gratefully turn to him, and see that he’s waving me over. The boy he was talking to is staring at me. So I guess this is it then. My first attempt at a job interview. Please, let me get it. I just hope someone is listening to my weak prayer.

Easing out from under Ashley’s arm, I shift in the general direction of the counter. Trying to not seem like I’m blowing her off or anything, when I sort of am. She simply flashes me a bright smile and gives me a double thumbs up. And as fast as she ran over, she flitters back over to the table with the other girls.

Alone, I have no other reason to not head over to the counter. But it doesn’t mean I have to rush. So I don’t. And it not only lets me clear my nervous thoughts, but also to check out the guy Chance was talking to. In a weird way he kind of looks like the love child between Harry Potter and The Hulk. In that he is all bulky muscles, but then his face is oddly soft. He is another one with pretty blue eyes.

Unlike Chance though, this guys are hidden behind round black rimmed glasses. His hair is a dark mop that is trimmed like a skater’s motif. He might be somewhat intimidating looking, but I find an easy smile gracing my features as I step up to them.

“Rabbit this is Toby Reed.” Chance says as he points from me to the Potter-Hulk, and then points from him to me. “Toby, this here is our newest resident. And job seeker.”

Toby takes one look at me and a fine blush stains his cheeks. He fumbles with his glasses, that I know couldn’t have been crooked. Instantly, I can sense that it’s a nervous gesture. But what is making him nervous? Surly not me. Why would I make anyone nervous? It would be understandable if he knew I was a demon, but no one knows that.

I glance at Chance to see if maybe he notices anything funny out his friend. He was already watching me, so I didn’t have to like flag him down. He winks, and then turns back to his friend.

Okay then. No help there.

Shifting my gaze back to Toby, I notice he’s no longer there. Startled, I search out for him. And when I don’t find him, I can’t help being impressed by his light footing. I never would have guessed. Before I can turn away in thinking I’m not getting a job here, he pops up from the floor.

I jump back about a foot away and make a ridiculous squeaking sound. Chance laughs. Toby looks guilty. All I can think is how in the world did that boy fit under the counter? And why would he want to? That’s when I see a bundle in his arms. It looks like maybe a shirt and a hat, but I’m not sure.

I’m about to turn to Chance and ask him about his friends mental health, when the boy chucks the bundle at me. I have to quickly step forward to grab it. Once it’s in grasp, I give him a raised eyebrow.

Chance sidles over to me, puts an arm around my shoulder and says, “Looks like you’ve got the job kid.”

My gaze goes to him briefly, eyebrow still raised. Seriously? That’s it? No interview or anything? I turn back to toby, who seems to blush more than I do. What? Does he judge his interviewee’s based on looks alone? Not that I’m complaining.

“I do?” I ask them both.

Toby nods.

Alrighty then. “So, um, when do I start?”

Toby shifts back and forth and bites his lower lip.

I suddenly don’t feel so nervous.

“How about right now?” He stammers.

Scratch that. I’m nervous again.

Good thing Chance still has his arm around me, or I’m pretty certain I’d fall to the ground. Getting a job is one thing. But starting now with no mental prep? It’s totally panic attack time.

A demon who is scared of first day of work.

I’m a loser.

A loser that granted has goosebumps from the touch of a cute boy, but a loser none the less.

Gulp.

***

Dressed in a too big maroon shirt that smells like burnt bread and a visor that pinches my temple, I try not to hover too closely to Toby. This is the second time he’s shown me how to wrap a sub. I still can’t figure out how to fold the corners. You’d think it’d be simple for me to accomplish something so mundane. Especially if I can live in a house full of demons and survive to tell about it. But alas, I’ve been conquered by a lopsided roll.

Sighing, I follow Toby to the register and watch admiringly as he rings up the customer. I have yet to try this part, but then I’ve only been here for a couple of hours now. Honestly, and I think he’s embarrassed to say this, but I’m sure he’s scared to let me near the register. After dropping my fair share of subs, I don’t blame him. He probably thinks I’ll drop money and short change someone. I think that too.

As I mimic Toby’s pleasant smile to the hundredth anonymous customer, I happen to look over to the dining room. To the only customers that were nice enough to stick around, long after they throw their garbage in the trash (and not everyone does that fyi – I’ve already had to clean numerous sticky tables). Those being Chance and Ashley. My new favorite people in the world.

Most of the friends that were with Ash when I first got here, already left. Save one, who I think might be the prized Jane. The one she slummed Chance on me for. Not that I mind in the least. The two of them are poring over magazines and laugh every so often. I feel a pang seeing them like that. It makes me long for my sister.

Not in that way though.

Just in a way that makes her family. Out of them all, she was the only one that never really threatened me with bodily harm. Not that I ever really gave her the chance. Maybe it was because she was only a year older than me, but whatever the case, she seemed different. Or I could just be wishing for something that was never real. I did steal a lot of her reading material though. So maybe it’s the magazines I miss. How weird am I? Missing magazines.

Toby slams the register drawer causing me to break from my thoughts. He moves back down the opposite end of the rectangle that makes up out five foot working space. At the end of it is the back room where there are freezers, shelves, sinks, and prep counters. I got the special ‘tour’ when I first clocked in. It’s a lot to take in. But it’s not overwhelming. At least Toby isn’t making it that way at least.

As I follow him into the back (where he no doubt wants to re-show me how to operate the meat slicer – something that hold no excitement, whatsoever) I glace over to Chance. I still can’t believe he’s stayed all this time. It’s not like he’s doing anything either. Other than bothering his sister and her friend, this consists of throwing wads of straw wrappers through his fingers like a football. He looks up then, and catches me watching him.

He smiles. I blush.

Earlier while Toby showed me the ropes, Chance gave the most hilarious commentary. It definitely helped downplay my panic. In a way it helped Toby ease up too. He hasn’t blushed at me for a whole forty minutes. Of course, that could have something to do with the fact that he doesn’t look at me while he talks. After the grand ‘tour’ Chance left me to get down to work, or what I’m calling a lucky non-disaster. Since then he’s been slouch in the booth beside Ashley.

He gives me a quick wave, before flicking a paper wad the size of a quarter at the back of Ashley’s head. I turn away with a laugh just as she screams in rage at him. Boys. Such trouble makers. Cute trouble makers though. Even if they act like they’re in adolescence. I meet Toby around the back, and sure enough, he’s stationed by the meat slicer.

Putting on a bright smile for him, I step up to him and pay attention as he tells the basics of not slicing of a finger. Good stuff to know. I happen to like all of my fingers where that are. Thankfully it only last a few moments, and by then another customer comes in. Indicated by a little annoying bell over the door. Needing all the practice I can get I hurry to take the customer for myself. As Toby told me earlier this is a light afternoon, meaning tomorrow night it’ll be packed in here.

Fighting the urge to fade from everyone’s thoughts like a rolling fog, I round the corner leading to the front. Only to find Chance and Ashley leaning against the dome glass covering the food. I notice the girl Jane is missing, and realize she must have made the door jingle. A rush of relief courses through me as I hurry over to them

Ashley gives me a bright smile as I reach them, but I notice she looks a little bummed too. Then I notice that Chance holds the same look. I know they must be ready to tell me they are leaving. It’s definitely understandable. Who wants to hang out with a girl they just met at her job, being bored as all heck. I’m bored and I’m the girl. So their yah go, my first friends wanting to ditch me. I guess it was a nice run though.

“Hey rabbit, we’re going to take off. Will you be all right to get home later?” Chance says as he rests his hands over the dome glass, bringing him closer to me. “I could come back after tossing Ash and her Janie at home.”

No, yes, no. I don’t know. I don’t want to be a bother, but I wouldn’t mind spending more time with him. Even if they are more awkward than not. I don’t say any of this though and why would I? I’m sure I already come off as a weirdo. At least he’s nice enough to ask. That makes me like him all the more. And feel oddly normal.

Looking away from his gaze I say, “No it’s all right. I can make it home. It’s closer than I thought. But thanks though.”

With my eyes no longer on Chance, I find Ashley instead. She keeps looking back and forth at her brother and me. Her expression is one I can’t read, and a funny little smile plays across her lips. Am I being obvious in my liking of Chance? If she notices something, then does he? He doesn’t seem like he does. I imagine he’d be slightly horrified and probably avoid me if he knew I was seriously crushing on him.

“Sorry I’m stealing away your chauffer, but Jane and I rode in with the other girls. Since they left already, we go when he does.” Ashley intercedes.

I nod, not bothered in the least.

A tapping on the glass bring my gaze back to Chance, as he says, “Are you sure?”

Sure of what? That I mind they leave? Yes I mind I want to scream, don’t leave me alone, I’m scared. Then I remember he meant the ride situation. Oh. Well, that can’t be helped can it. They’re not my family. They’re not even really my friends. Just acquaintances, which I can’t let, do favors for me. Owing someone is never good. Especially a demon. I used to trust favors, from my own family no less, and that never ended well.

“I’m sure. Thank you for bringing me in today. And staying after.” I say with a smile at both of them.

I feel like I’m saying the final goodbye and it feels like lead inside. Then the bell over the door rings out and an actual customer comes through. Backing away from my neighbors, I address them with a bright fake smile. I don’t really look at them and only really half hear what they say, but it’s good enough to start making their order. I glance up after a moment, to find that my neighbors are waiting for me to finish up. Clearly I was mistaken about them leaving feeling like a real goodbye. Guess I’m a little melodramatic.