Situations and Devastations
Its 12:45pm and Jazmine and Cindy are just walking into the food court entrance at the Woodcrest mall. Jazmine is dressed in her" Fruitorium" uniform and Cindy is dressed in her "McWuncler's " uniform. Both friends are none too happy to be there because they've been getting shitty hours at their jobs. Cindy had given her best friend a ride because their hours were the same today: 1:00pm to 4:00pm. In the 14 mins. They have to clock in the 2 friends commiserate with eachother…
"Man this is some old bullshit!" Cindy exclaims, a small fire burning in her bright blue eyes, "these sorry ass summer jobs we got is barely worth the gas money."
Jasmine responds to her irate friend "I feel you girl but hell shitty as they are at least we got jobs a lot of people aren't as fortunate as us, times is hard."
Cindy scoffs "is that you or Huey talking?"
Jasmine laughs and says "Hey you spend enough time with someone their views and ideals start to rub off on you."
Cindy lets out a frustrated sigh and says "Shiiit, deep down i know you both are right girl but they're bullshit scheduling just be frustrating me sometimes, i must sound so fuckin selfish right now to you huh?" Cindy looks into her friend's emerald eyes with worry. Cindy could give a fuck usually about people's opinion of her but she always held value in Jazmine's view of her.
"What you said doesn't make you selfish it makes you human Cindy my love, besides if you were a selfish bitch you wouldn't be feeling the regret you do right now about complaining about the shitty hours we both get" Jasmine reassured her bestie, her eyes filled with empathy and love.
Cindy's eyes mirrored those of her homegirl's and she marvels "When did you get so wise heffa? lol"
Jazmine simply shrugs checks her watch and says "we gon' hafta finish this heart to heart later trick" we got exactly 2 mins. to clock in!"
Cindy says "oh shit! love you bitch, we'll talk on our 10 minute break!"
Jasmines waves bye to her blond friend as they both walk briskly in opposite directions of the food court. Both friends manage to punch in on time to begin their shifts. "Things aren't sooo bad." Jasmine thinks to herself "My manager Mr. Merryweather says i'm the best employee they have and there has been buzz that i maybe getting a promotion to assistant manager."
Jasmine breathes deeply to relieve herself of any stress and tension, walks to the cash register, greets her her first customer this shift with a bright smile and says " "Welcome to Fruitorium, what can i get for you today?"
Cindy at the same time greets her first customer this shift with a fake grin that she hoped looked genuine and says "Welcome to McWuncler's, would you like to try one of our real fruit smoothies with your meal today?"
The customer seemed to have bought her act cause they told her what they wanted and complimented her on her smile. Cindy dutifully thanks the customer for choosing McWuncler's to dine and gives them their change and their food while flashing another dazzling and utterly fake smile.
Cindy's aquamarine flash up to the clock on the wall, it reads: 1:10pm. "Fuck! this is gonna be the longest 3 hours of my life!"
The first hour drags on for the 2 friends and when they meet for their ten minute break Cindy is red faced and bewildered, she thanks her friend for getting her one of those all natural sodas made with sparkling water. Jazmine knows that Cindy's fave was The peach/mango fusion one. Cindy hands her overwhelmingly serene friend her only weakness when it came to junkfood...a McWuncler's apple pie, Jazmine thanks her friend, she only allows herself to indulge once a week. They chat a bit while eating and drinking.
"Shit! who knew 3 fuckin hours could go so slooow?" Cindy said with an "i'd rather be playing basketball" look.
Jazmine looks at her friend and says..."yeah but it could be-"
Cindy finishes her friend's irritatingly optimistic reply "i know i knoow alot worse"
Jasmine smiles warmly at her friend and says while walking back to her job "time's up sis, just think of 4:00pm!"
Cindy face palms her friend with an amused grimace on her face while walking back to her job and says "wish it were right now!"
It's fifteen minutes after 3 and the 2 friends are counting the seconds till punch out time, When they notice a young girl that they guesstimate to be about Riley's age or maybe slightly younger walking behind who they assume is her mom, and her 2 toddler siblings. Both girls notices immediately that she's very lovely, but looks to be new to town and she gives off the demeanor of a scared rabbit. They both think with amusement that Riley would be drooling over her. Little do Jazmine or Cindy know that they will have a breif encounter with the new girl in the last 40 mins. of their shift.
"Come along Candace!" Miriantha Hawkin's shouts to her neice in law,"what stores would you like to hit up first for your back to school shopping? Would you rather shop for school supplies or clothes first?"
Candace Lianna Hawkins blinks twice at her aunt and says "hmm? oh uhm...whichever" rather absentmindedly.
Candace's mind was elsewhere she didn't really feel like going on the outing today but Aunt Miriantha insisted because they had just enrolled her in Wuncler High School last week and this week was the last of summer break.
This morning Aunt Miriantha smiled brightly at her neice and exclaimed "We're going back to school shopping today! Get dressed and ready young lady!" Plopping on Candy's bed and lightly smacking her neice on her thigh.
Candace wiped quickly at her tear stained face before lowering the cover on her saying "I'm not really feeling up to shopping today, can't we do it later? i really just want to sleep."
"Forever...like mom" Candace thinks and tears form in her eye which she quickly wipes away, Candace looks away from her aunt ashamed for showing emotion, she missed the numbness she felt on the afternoon upon first hearing the worst, most devastating and life destroying news of her life
"we're sorry but you're mother sustained severe head trauma from the car accident she was in, we did the best we could but...she's gone."
Upon hearing the doctor's news of her mother's death Candace had a complete mental breakdown she Screamed "NOOOOO! WHERE'S MY MAMA? I WANT TO SEE HER!" She tries to shove the doctor out of the way and run to the ER room where they had rushed her mom into.
"No this stupid doctor is WRONG he had to be!" The doctor grabs her before she can make a run for the ER room and she screams again but this scream is an unintellible bellow of ultimate suffering after that she passes out and collapes into the doctor's arms.
Candy doesn't remember much after that except that during the funeral she didn't cry or show any emotion at all, Corlianna Belle Hawkin's friends co-workers and family thought it strange that her daughter just stood there like a statue while they lowered her casket in the ground.
The kind ones simply thought to themselves "everyone copes differently, the poor girl is obviously devastated maybe even in shock." the cruel ones thought...and sometimes would whisper amongst eachother...whats her problem? her mom just got buried and she didn't shed a single tear nor did she show any anguish at all! Does she even have a heart?
Candace didn't care what either group of people thought at the time because she thought the numbness she acquired was lovely and just what she needed. "The one person i loved more than anyone in the world, who i loved more than my own life is gone! I never want to feel again" Candace brooded "Soon as you start to love someone they leave you."
Candace hated herself for resenting her mom for dying, but she did a little. She hated the asshole who was texting while driving that caused the accident that took her mom away from her .
"My mom's dead and all he got was a broken leg!" she recalled her 13 year old self yell out at the doctor who tried to save her mother's life. "i hate him" she seethed her blood boiling and angry tears streaming from her face.
"Candy!" her aunt says snapping her fingers in the dazed looking girl's face, this breaks the girl out of her overwhelming recollections.
She looks at her aunt and says "I'm fine with whatever you think we should shop for first."
Her aunt studies her face with a look of concern and distress, maybe we should try getting a quick bite to eat first sweetie, you scared me for a moment there, I thought you had gone catatonic!"
She takes a quick look around the food court then looks back at her neice with the frightfully haunted eyes and asks "what're you in the mood for?" Miriatha's twin toddlers tug on her hands and exclaim in unison "Gleeful meals!" Then Marquis says "with a boy toy!" and his twin sister Mayeisha chimes in "with a girl toy!"
Candance and Miriantha both laugh at the too adorable little twins, Miriantha gave her chidren a stern look which Candace could clearly tell she was using to disguise a smile and said " Only if your cousin wants something from McWuncler's too...and you have to ask her nicely if she agrees."
Both twins stare at there older cousin with pleading, adorable puppy dog eyes and say in unison "Pweeease Candeee!"
Candy throws up her hands "how can i refuse those little faces? Ok McWuncler's it is!" The twins jump up and down and rushes to hug her legs, one on each.
Aunt Miriantha says "okay you 2, lets find a table while Candy buys our food."
She gives Candace a $50.00 and she whispers in her her hear "Get our drinks from, Fruitorium, their sparkling, flavered waters are just as delicious as soda and much healthier, i'll keep them distracted while you get our drinks from there, they won't know the difference, and don't you spill the beans shhh!" she says with a wink.
Candace giggles and say okay and i watch my aunt take each twin by their tiny hand and lets them pull her to the table they want to dine at.
I walk up to McWuncler's and i notice the pretty blond girl at the cash register is gazing at me intently. I instantly feel self conscouis and want to retreat but i will my self to walk up to the counter.
The blond girl dutifully says "Welcome to McWuncler's, would you like to try one of our new real fruit smoothies with your order today?" With a bright smile plastered on her face that didn't quite reach her sparkling Blue eyes.
Uh...no thank you Candace responds absently while looking at the Menu above her , avoiding her intense glare at all costs "Uhm, can i get 2 gleeful meals, one with a girl toy and one with a boy toy A double Mcwuncler cheeseburger and a small fry and a grilled chicken ceaser McWuncler salad?"
Will that be all? Said the pretty girl with the bright, insincere smile.
"yes , thank you." Candace replies cordially.
"That'll be "$12.29 thank you for choosing McWuncler's to dine, here's your change, please wait for the 3 digit number on your receipt to be called."
While still smiling her head off. I nod and move to the side waiting for the food,
Five minutes later, another McWuncler co-worker bellows out "#213:2 gleeful meals boy/girl a McWuncler ceaser salad, a double McWuncler cheeseburger and a small fry."
I hold up my hand and say "thats me" he hands me the bag of food and i make a quick beeline to the table where my aunt and twin cousins sat. Having an uneasy feeling that the pretty caucasian girl was still glaring at me with her intense Aquamarine eyes.
Upon arriving at my aunt's table and, my aunt unloading the food onto the table, Mark bellows out "Where's my dwink? Quite indignantly, like clockwork his twin sister Mayeisha chimes in "Yeah, where's our dwinks Candee!" Miriantha quiets the loud pair and says Settle down you 2, Candy is going back for the drinks cuz her hands were full carrying our food.
Miriantha distracts my twin cousins by singing the twin's favorite pre k song "head,shoulders, knees and toes" the twins squeal with delight as they each try to concentrate and point to the proper body parts in the song.
In their distraction i head for the "Fruitorium" only to encounter another intense gaze from a pretty, Honey complexioned girl with strawberry blond,curly locks, which seemed to be the same texture as my Onyx brown locks.
I think to myself not again! as i walk up to the pretty girl at the Fruitorium cash register. She smiles brightly at me but this one seems genuine and almost...caring? She says "Welcome to Fruitorium what can i do for you today?"
Candace smiles, a bit reassured by her kind smile and says "Hello may i please get 2 small strawberry flavored sparkling water beverages, in blank clear cups if you have them and 2 large sparkling water beverages, one peach/ mango and one strawberry?"
She said "That'll be $15.45, will that be all?" she asks smiling at Candace with a sweet bright smile. Candace smiles back and says "yes, thank you" she hands the Green eyed girl a twenty.
She says "Here's your change , i'll get you a cup holder!"
Candace smiles brightly and says "Thank you so much"
She says "No problem", prepares Candace's drinks and come back with them secure in a cup holder.
She says "Thank you for choosing Fruitorium for your beverages."
Candace gives her a friendly nod and walks back to the table where her aunt and her twin cousins dine, all the while feeling as if The green eyed girl was staring at her just as intensely as the Blue eyed girl had...Little did Candace know, how important these 2 girls would be her in life.
It's 4:00pm, Cindy and Jasmine both clock out of their shifts at McWuncler's and Fruitorium...
Cindy asks her friend "You need a ride home? cuz i was gonna go to the basketball court if you don't mind getting home a little later."
Jazmine gives her friend a tired smile and says "naw girl, i'm beat i just wanna get home and take an hour nap before getting ready to go over to Huey's, don't worry bout me i'll call my mom to get me, she's home."
"Okay, love you trick, see you at the meeting." Cindy says hugging her friend, as she walks through out the food court exit of the Woodcrest mall she chucks the dueces at Jazmine and winks, then leaves and heads for her car.
Jazmine shakes her head and smirks as she watches her crazy best friend leave, she takes out her cell and dials her Mom's cell.
Sarah Dubois picks ups "Hey sweetie, you need me to come pick you up?" Jazmine replies "Yes, thank you mama."
Sarah Dubois picks up her car keys and puts her deposition back into her attache case to go over later, "i'm on my way sweetie, i love you." Jazmine smiles and replies "i love you too mom, i'll be waiting in front of the entrance of the foodcourt." After hearing her mom say "ok" i'll be there soon Jazmine disconnects the call.
While waiting for her mom to pick her up, Jazmine's thoughts wander back to the new girl that had ordered drinks where she works:
Jazmine's POV of Candace: "Hmmm, i wonder who the new girl is, she's very lovely but she looks so scared and sad.
If she attends my school i think i'll befriend her and take her under my wing...i always wanted a little sister. She went over to McWuncler's before she got drinks from me, i hope Cindy didn't scare the girl too much lol
Riley would prolly go into player mode if he saw her lol,
she has lovely chocolate brown smooth skin, her dark brown hair seems to be the same texture as mine, hmm i wonder if she comes from a mixed heritage as well?
Her almond shaped deep brown eyes are beautiful, she has a petite slender frame, with curves where they should be...yup Riley would be all over her, ugh i just hope he treats her with respect if he meets her, not likely though..."
Jazmine's thoughts dissipate when she see's her mom's Red Lexus turn into the mall entrance. Sarah Dubois parks in front of the entrance to the food court, gets out of the driver's seat and hand the keys over to her daughter and says "i thought you might like to drive us home since you have your permit."
"Yet still no car" Jasmine says pointedly to her mom as she slides into the driver's seat of the Red Lexus As they both close the doors buckle up and Jasmine puts the key into the ignition turns it and starts to drive home.
"Tom and i were gonna take a certain, green eyed 17 year old to the dodge dealership this saturday to look and see if we could find a nice vechicle within our budget but if said 17 year old is gonna keep making sarcastic retorts about her current car less state i may have to discuss with my husband about canceling our little outing." Sarah Dubois warns her daughter.
"Point taken mom" Jazmine says while smiling, "I'm sorry and thank you!"
Sarah gently tugs her daughters ponytail and says "That's better!" with a warm smile.
The Dubois women pull into there driveway at 4:15pm
Jazmine jumps outta the driver seat give the keys back to her mom hugs her and says "Thank you! thank you! thank you!"
Sarah giggles and tweaks her daughter nose and says "You're welcome sweetie, You're father and i are so proud of the young lady you've become."
"Mom at around 5:50pm i'll be heading over to Huey's house for a 6:30pm meeting, Cindy and Ceaz are going too, is that okay" Jazmine asks her mom.
"That's fine by me and i'm sure your father will have no objections." Sarah says.
Jazmine runs to the door of the Dubois residence turns back and says "Thanks mom im gonna go take a nap before i get ready for the meeting at Huey's tonight"
Sarah smiles and nods at her daughter and replies "okay sweetie, set your clock radio so you don't over sleep!"
Jazmine smiles brightly at her mom and says "ok" before unlocking the house door and running upstairs and into her room.
Jasmine sets her alarm clock radio to wake her up at 5:15pm, then the exhausted teen takes off her fruitorium apron and falls onto her bed, feeling too lazy to take off her khakis and red polo work clothes , the teen manages to kick off her work sneakers before falling fast asleep.