After Simpson gave me my schedule, and I gave him my uniform measurements, I was off to find two things; An apartment and , a job to pay for said apartment.
I thought it best to look for a job first. No one was going to rent an apartment out to an unemployed teen. I been through this twice before, but this was the first time I've ever had to go on a job hunt in a different country. Even though it was just Canada, I felt a wee bit intimidated.
I parked my old and sort of beat up 1967 CS Coupe in front of a clothing store. Maybe I can get a job quickly. That way I can focus on getting a place to live. I mean I'm charming, I'm organized (when organization is mandatory), and I'm a people person. How hard could getting a job here be?
Turns out it's really hard. Apparently being a seventeen year old, who lives on her own, and has little job experience is not what people in today's job market are looking for. I went to seven places, one of which the guy practically talked me into a boredom coma, and this one chick had hairy pits and was sweating profusely, even though the store was probably one like 70 degrees, but the worst part was that she smelled like ham, and I mean warm, moldy, left out on the sidewalk in the sun for three days ham.
I was almost at the end of my rope. It looked as if I was either going to have to spend the money I'd saved over tour to stay in a hotel, or I was going to be sleeping in my car for the next few days. But then something amazing happened. I saw the most beautiful thing; a help wanted sign.
I looked inside the building called The Dot, and saw that it was a totally normal place. So I rushed in at the thought of money in my wallet and never having to see ham pits again.
I approached the tall guy with shaggy blond hair that was working behind the counter. The place only had a few people inside, so he wasn't busy.
"Hi, my names Evy. I saw that help wanted sign in the window, are you still looking for someone to hire?" I got right to the point.
"Yea, actually we are. You're the first person to ask about it." He smiled at me.
"How longs it been out there?" I questioned.
"Almost two weeks?" He slightly chuckled.
"So does this mean I have a job?" I smiled trying to contain my joy.
"Yes it does" he said, I extended my hand for him to shake, like we were closing a business deal.
"Thank you so much…" I hadn't caught his name.
"Peter, don't mention it. Your still in high school right?" he asked while releasing my hand.
"Yes I am. Is that going to be a problem?" I asked horrified at the thought of losing a job that I had only held for thirty seconds.
"No not at all." He sensed my inner freak out and tried to calm me down. "Come in tomorrow morning at 7. I'll teach you how to open up and do prep work, you can leave at 8 so you make it to school on time. Then come back at 4 and I'll train you till lets say 7?" I nodded my head excited. "We can discuss your days tomorrow."
I smiled widely at my new 'boss'
"Sounds great. Thank you so much Peter…" I turned around to leave, but I saw a stack of newspapers on the edge of the counter. "Do you mind if I take one of these?" I asked Peter, holding up the paper.
"No not at all." He looked up from drying a coffee cup.
"And do you mind If I hang out here for a bit. I need a place to sit and search for an apartment." I smiled pleadingly.
"Sure… wait you looking for an apartment? How old are you?" he asked a bit surprised.
"I'm seventeen, but I've live on my own. It's a long story, best saved for another time." I sat in a chair that was directly adjacent to the large wall of clear glass.
"Benn there sister." He joked. I could already tell that I was going to get along swimmingly with Peter.
I had searched all afternoon, but only had three apartment in my paper circled. I looked up from my paper for the first time in hours to see that the once desolate place was now teaming with life. School must have just gotten out. I came to the brilliant conclusion after seeing that all the people were actually teenagers and all still in uniform.
I paid little attention to the noisy teens and just returned to my apartment hunt, that is until someone disturbed me.
"What's up Chuck?" I looked up to see the boy from earlier; Eli.
"How did you know my last name?" I smiled suspiciously.
"I didn't, it was just a quirky greeting. Your last names Chuck?" he asked slightly surprised and amazed, more amazed. I nodded my head yes. "Wow, I think I'm going to call you that from now on." I laughed at his casual approach to someone he had just met. "So Chuck… Whatcha doing?" he smiled childishly, and bent over the table to look at my newspaper.
"Well if you must know…" I faked annoyance, which caused him to smile. "I'm searching for impartment." I healed up the newspaper that was coated in my awful handwriting and three large black circles.
"Really? Are you here with you parents or something? Is your dad going to be pissed when he comes back and finds me in his seat?" he joked. I laughed lightly, starting to like him for more then just his face.
"No, no parents. Just me looking for a place to call home." I circled another possible place in the paper.
"Wait, you live by yourself? How old are you?" he questioned just like Peter had before him.
"Why is that always peoples first question? Do I look like I can't take care of myself?" I wondered aloud. Eli gave me a look that said "I asked a question missy, and that was not an answer." "I'm seventeen, but I've been living on my own since I was fourteen." His jaw practically hit the table.
"Why?" was his next question.
"I'm in a band, a band that really likes touring. You see my father isn't able to go with me on tour so I go it alone. And because he's afraid of me becoming a egotistical diva I have to drop the tour for school, then when summer come I'm out." I explained.
"So your only here temporarily." He said as more of a fact then a question.
"Maybe, who knows if I like it here then maybe I'll come back next year." Although I highly doubt that. High school blows, no matter where it is. I thought after I finished my sentence.
"So what's the name?" I didn't understand his question.
"The name of what exactly? You'll have to elaborate"
"You said your in a band. What's it called? Maybe I've heard of em" He smiled excited. I just laughed at him.
"I doubt you've heard of us, were more popular in the states." I continued to chuckle lightly.
"We'll I won't know unless you tell me the name. So tell me the name Chuckleton."
"Chuckleton?" I raised my eyebrows at the nickname he had just given me. He gave me that "Answer the question Missy." look again so I caved. "Failure of The Fearless." I finally answered him.
He stroked his chin, pretending to be deep in thought.
"Yep your right never heard of em" a smiled spread across hid features, and it soon was followed by laughter, which in turn caused me to laugh along with him.
I heard the bell that was on the door right, a sign that someone had just entered the slightly crowded coffee house. A girl with very short reddish brown hair come up behind Eli.
"Hey, are you ready to go?" She asked him. He turned around, looking a little surprised at the girl being there.
"Uh yea. Lets go." He sat up and got ready to leave, before remembering something. "Wow. Eli Goldsworthy, where are your manners." He said to himself. "Claire this is Chuck. Chuck this is my girlfriend Claire." He introduced me by my nickname. I kindly extended my hand for her to shake. She took it and shook it quickly.
"Actually It's Evy. He insists on calling my by my last name.' I smiled at her warmly.
"Or Chuckleton, Don't forget about Chuckleton." He laughed.
"Well it's nice to meet you Claire."
"You too. Are you new here?" She asked, probably already knowing the answer was yes.
"Yep, just enrolled at Degrassi today." I nodded my head.
"Well then I guess we'll see you tomorrow then." She smiled kindly at me, and I smiled kindly back. Even though inside I was a little miffed. I mean here I was with an insanely hot guy, thinking that we were flirting and then BAM! His girlfriend walks in. Well I guess there will be other guys at Degrassi.
"Yea see you guys tomorrow." We waved goodbye to each other, and then they left.