Chapter 2: First Jobs
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Cabernet told us that we had a little while to be teenagers before he would make us get jobs. He made us get jobs even though we wouldn’t have to pay rent, it was his responsible side coming out.
Jam and Robin took full advantage of their free time. They were almost never home, which amazed me, since none of us had cars or money When they were home it was just to sleep.
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“There are some job openings at the book store.” Cyanna told me.
“Do you not want to spend you ‘teen time’ goofing off?” I asked her.
“No. I’m not used to this much free time, there’s no possible way for me to spend it.” She folded the newspaper up and set it on the table, “Why, do you not want to get a job yet?”
“Oh, no. I just want to hang out with you, and if you’re getting a job that’s what I’ll do.” I hadn’t meant to make her blush, but I did.
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The interview was that day. We were going to ask Cabernet to drive us, but his lady friend from the previous night had slept over, and they had not gotten up all day. We didn’t want to break the rules. They were quiet, so we assumed they were asleep, which meant we would be breaking two rules by asking for a ride, and that could push us into the paying rent zone.
Since taxis were too expensive we decided to walk to the book store, and it was a nice day, anyway, so the walk wasn’t half bad.
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The sun was shining, but it wasn’t beating down on us. The wind helped keep the temperature down, but it wasn’t strong. It wasn’t spring yet, so it was an unusually warm day, it was perfect circumstances.
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We talked about everything and nothing on the way there. It wasn’t a particularly meaningful conversation, in fact it was completely and utterly meaningless, but it was one we enjoyed because we enjoyed all conversation together. It didn’t have to be special, because we were best friends. We could have said nothing the entire time and we still would have enjoyed the walk.
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The interviews were quick, and easy. The even told us that we had been the only two people to apply for the jobs, so we were guaranteed the positions. They told us work would start the next morning, but since they were only part time jobs they would end before 2:00. It sounded like a great introduction to the working world, exactly the beginning position that I needed.
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She asked for a copy of my transcript and my resume, which I had written up at school. She asked me a few basic questions, which I easily knew the answer to. The interview was a breeze, somehow. It felt like a dream.
When I was done Cyanna went in, and I waited for her. I avoided eye contact with everyone else in the store and her interview was quick as well.
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As soon as we walked out the doors Cyanna wrapped her arms around me. For the longest time I had felt uncomfortable when she hugged me, but she did it a lot and eventually I got used to it.
“Should I be this excited about work?” She asked, smiling.
“I don’t know, I’ve never had a job before.” I told her.
She responded with a small giggle. “From what I’ve heard, it shouldn’t be as fun as I’m making it out to be in my mind.”
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The walk home was the same as the walk there. I enjoyed Cyanna’s company, and she enjoyed mine. She had a smile on her face the whole time, as did I. I caught it from her, she was a generally cheery and happy person. I think that’s why she got me to open up. It was something I sensed the moment I met her, and I hadn’t ever felt it with anybody else, which, I think, was part of why I was so socially awkward. I felt like I was expecting other people to have the same affect on me as Cyanna did, but they didn’t.
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When we came home Cabernet had woken up, and he was on the couch with his newest girlfriend. I couldn’t remember her name, but I knew it didn’t matter, because soon enough I wouldn’t be seeing her around anymore.
She gave us a friendly wave and I smile as we walked in, but immediately turned her attention back to Cabernet. I assumed she was some kind of model, it seemed as though all of Cabernet’s girlfriends were.
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Usually we hung out in the living room, but when Cabernet moved out there we would move into Cyanna’s room, unless Robin was home, then we went to my room. We were the most flexible of everyone in the house, and we avoided conflict the most.
“Where do you think Jam and Robin are right now?” Cyanna asked me, sitting down on her bed.
“That’s a hard question.”
“There’s not all that much to do here, especially things that don’t cost money.” Cyanna looked up and to the left, she tended to do that when she was thinking. I tended to notice little things about other people, it was a bit weird, but I couldn’t help it.
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“They could be at the beach.” I suggested.
“I suppose. That seems unlikely, though. The beach is a nice, peaceful place to hang out, that’s not Jam and Robin’s style.” The way she put an inflection on style made me think she was being sarcastic.
Sarcasm was on of the many life skills that Cyanna had to teach me over the years. I didn’t really understand it at first, and used to get tripped up when people would use it. I still couldn’t use it correctly, but at least I could tell when others did.
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It was dark before we saw them again. Cabernet had ordered pizza long before, and it was cold, but they ate it anyway without complaining. His girlfriend had left before the sun set, and without anyone his age to be with he had become bored and gone to bed. Jam and Robin basically snuck in.
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But they came in before curfew, and though Cyanna and I were in both in our beds we were awake, and could vouch for them should Cabernet have asked. He didn’t, of course, because as much as he pretended to care, he didn’t enforce rules he didn’t follow when he had been our age.
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Sometimes I would keep myself awake until they got home, because I wanted to be their witness. I wanted Jam to like me, even though I didn’t really like hanging out with him. I wanted to practice doing things for other people that didn’t necessarily benefit me, because Cyanna had told me it was a useful skill to have. Jam probably never even noticed, but I did it anyway.
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I didn’t sleep all that much, because I was nervous for my first day of work. When I got up I didn’t feel rested at all.
Jam was still asleep, flaunting his unemployment. I didn’t want to wake him up, so I snuck out of the room and into the bathroom to change.
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Cyanna was waiting for me in the living room when I came out. She didn’t take very long in the morning to get ready, but somehow she always looked nice.
“Let’s go!” She said, standing up from the couch when she saw me.
I gave her a weak smile. She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the door.
“Come on. It’s going to be fun! Besides, we already got the jobs you can’t back out now.”
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I didn’t say a word the whole way there, I was too nervous. Interviewing hadn’t been that bad, because there was no guarantee that I got the job until it was over, but once I got it I had to go, and be in public.
When we got to the building I wanted to turn around and go home. I didn’t care about making money, or spending time with Cyanna, I just wanted to go home. When I tried to turn around she grabbed my arm and yanked me in the door. It was the employee only door, on the sketchy back side of the building.
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“You aren’t leaving, Cardinal.” Cyanna told me, “I’m not going to let you.”
“It’s okay, I really don’t need to be here.” I tried to loosed her grip on my arm.
She let go, and gave me a sad look, “I guess if you want to go, and leave me here... all alone, you can.”
I bit my lip and took a deep breath. Just like almost every other first in my life I had Cyanna there with me, and I would be okay. “Fine.” I told her, even though I was far from fine.
