Late update :c

SIXTY-FIVE

My phone was ringing again.

Hand on my throbbing forehead, I stood up groggily and trudged towards it, -"Yeah?"

-"Jean? Are you alright?"

I was a bit surprised to hear Marco's voice and not my father's. I didn't even checked who was calling me before I answered, -"Uh... yeah, I am."

-"I though something happened. You didn't answered me yesterday."- He said, his voice full of worry.

Oh, so it was him, -"Yeah, sorry. I was kind of tired."- I apologized, stretching my body and yawning.

-"You just woke up?"

-"Mjum."

He gasped, -"Oh no, I'm so sorry I woke you up!"- He said quickly and apologetically, -"I'll hang up so you can sleep a bit more!"

I chuckled. That was so sweet and cute, -"It's alright, Marco,"- I won't lie to him. He did woke me up, but when I saw the hour on the clock, it was only natural that he called. It was ten in the morning and I have work soon, though I don't know if that was his reason for calling me, -"In fact, I kinda needed the call."

He laughed, -"I see,"- He added and now, he sounded even more worried, -"You said you were tired and you sound fatigued. How was work yesterday?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. My head began to ache at the memory, -"Quite wearying, actually. It's a long story I'm not gonna spare you."- And so I practically vented out everything that happened yesterday, even Thalia's comparison with Mom. He listened to me, supported me and gave me advise on how to deal under pressure, deal with others and how to keep control. I forgot almost all of them and just decided to think about him on times like those. Seriously, just hearing his sweet, mellowy voice made me feel better.

-"I know it's not easy, but you have to keep trying."- He said.

-"Yeah, I know,"- I started clothing up for work after putting the call on speaker. Pulling my jeans up, I tripped and almost fell if I hadn't hold onto my drawer, -"Can't give up now, right?"

-"Exactly and Jean, you should talk to the other janitors."- He added.

-"What would I tell them?"- I knew I had to apologize to Thalia, but why should I talk to Harry?

-"They all despise their work because of how people treat them and it shouldn't be like that,"- He continued while I combed my hair, -"You should be a team and work together. You have to rally them. I know you can do it, you're a natural leader."

I scoffed. Shit, it's been so long since I've heard that leader thing from him -or Reiner. Uff, I've lost count of how many times he talked to me about that, -"You really think that will work?"

-"Yup, a motivated employee will work better and produce more."- He assented.

That actually made sense. Neither of us were motivated enough to work yesterday, especially Thalia. Even though Harry didn't express it, I knew he was uninterested in his work too, and all because of some assholes. We all probably signed in because we needed the job asap, -"I dunno, Thalia's a hard ass."

He chuckled, -"You were a hard ass too, Jean."

I almost choked. Me? A hard ass? Also, that was unexpected from him, -"Woah, freckles, slow down,"- In spite of myself, I was laughing, -"What do you mean by that?"

He giggled, -"You know what."

I did know, and he was right. I was a hard ass with him at first in school and he managed to get trough. I get his point; if he went through me, I could go through Thalia, -"Damn, was I that bad?"- Looking at the clock, I realized I was fashionably late for work.

He giggled, -"Not really, just a bit stubborn -well, you still are."

-"Hey!"- I exclaimed, laughing out. He laughed too and after a few seconds, I cleared my throat, -"Hate to ruin the moment, but I, uh, have to go. Love you."- It felt weird saying goodbye to him to go to work. Fuck, I feel so old.

-"Okay, be careful."- After saying 'love you too', he hung up and I rode off to work.

Fortunately, today was Sunday and people tend to take breaks to relax in their homes, so the gym wasn't so full and -surprise- today wasn't so stressful. Harry and Thalia seemed to feel the same and it became clear that Sundays were their favorite days. Since they were a bit relaxed, I decided to apologize, -"Hey, guys, I, um..., wanted to apologize for yesterday."- We were eating in the usual launch room and none of us had said anything until now.

That was actually directed to Thalia and she knew. She looked up at me, arching an eyebrow.

-"For... yelling like I did."- Now that I think about it, she should apologize too, but it didn't mattered. I was apologizing and whether or not she wants to beg off too, that's her decision.

Harry didn't speak and even though he didn't partake on the argument yesterday, he nodded a bit shyly, trying to hide his eyes.

Thalia just shrugged and I decided that's best than nothing.

-"Also, you shouldn't let these people treat you like shit because of your work."- I added, pulling my basin out of the microwave and placing it on the table.

-"What?"- Now I had her full attention.

-"You heard me,"- I replied, sitting down and looking at them both, -"That goes for you too, Harry -for all of us."

-"What are you? Some kind of chevalier?"- Thalia mocked.

-"No, I'm not, not even close. I'm just suggesting you not to take these people seriously. Just ignore them and flip them off, because if we keep worrying about what they think or what they'll say about us, we'll never complete what we signed up for,"- I watched their expression; Thalia was attentive, carefully listening to my words, but she tried to hide it. Harry was nodding, agreeing with me with a bit of awe in his eyes, -"You know they're just trying to topple us, right? As a team, I mean, and we shouldn't let them. We have to show them that our work is just as important as theirs and that we deserve respect for it."

Thalia laughed out loud after a few seconds of silence, -"This whelp barks loud, but doesn't bite."

-"Hey, I'm serious."- Her statement annoyed me. I'm no pup.

-"Sure,"-She shrugged indifferently, -"Well said, but you're all just talk."- She waved us off and stormed away.

I shook my head. Well, I tried, but she has a harder ass than mines a few months ago. Still, her ignorance and indifference just encouraged me more and when I started working, I put more impetus and the results were more efficient. Some guy threw some empty bottle to the floor? No problem, I picked it up and dumped it. When it became sequential, I knew there was something going on, so I faced the bastard who was throwing them on purpose and spoke up. Of course, like all of them, he said that it was my job to keep this place clean and pick up shit like that. "A man is known for his work", is what he said. He practically said I was trash and I didn't liked it at all. Let's just say the quarrel got tense and I had to be dragged away after forcing the guy pick his trash -or trying to, he didn't do it. My superiors didn't liked it one bit, but after explaining them why I did it, some one them understood. Other's didn't. Those others said the same thing: "it's your job".

I was given another chance, which involved keeping an eye on me, after lecturing me not to disturb the customers. I didn't liked it, but considering that's the best I'd get from these assholes, I dropped it and continued to work. Double time. Same impetus and all, mixed with a bit of anger. Apparently, it was contagious. Harry joined me a few minutes after that hassle. -"That was brave."- A quiet voice spoke beside me. Harry?

-"Huh?"- I turned to face him after dumping a stuffed sac outside. Imagine my surprise, he was the one who spoke, -"Oh, you think so? It was nothing, really."

He shook his head, eyes carved on his full sac he was struggling to drag, -"It's not 'nothing'. You stood up for us... and for m.."

I didn't quite heard that last part. He speaks so lowly, -"What? I didn't catch that."

-"N-never mind..."- He stuttered and when I strode towards him to help him with his sac, I though I saw him blushing.

We worked together afterwards, dividing our work and covering more areas. Thalia watched us from the corners with a scowl on her face. I ignored her and continued my work.

Later that evening though, that same, cocky jock was throwing empty cans of coke again. He was provoking me, I can feel it in my gut and when I made my way towards him, Harry stopped me, giving me a concerned look. Holy shit, for a second, I saw Marco's face in his, I swear. He reminded me of Marco so much right now, trying to dissuade me from triggering another fight like he always does, -"It's gonna be fine."- I replied.

And so help me, his lips fringes curled in disagreement, just like Marco. He somehow figured out how easy it is to tick my temper off.

I don't know how much time has passed by as I just stared at him, seeing Marco instead, and considering he wasn't Marco and this was probably weird (for both of us), I turned my head abruptly and kept walking. Again, I faced the jock and sure enough, he was waiting for me, -"What, Litter?"

There goes my tolerance. Bye, bye, pal, I though as I gritted my teeth at the nickname, -"Your parent must have really loved you, you know, teaching you manners and all."

He just laughed, not affected by my comment in the slightest, -"Yeah, well, at least they didn't trash me."

My teeth screeched, -"Oh yeah?"- My parents never treated me like trash. I stepped closer to him, -"That's really heartwarming, mommy's baby, but I hope she didn't pampered you."

He stepped closer to me too, -"You're jealous, aren't you?"

As we kept shooting insults at ourselves, I observed him and calculated my odds of victory if we get to fight. He was brawny, sure, but not as tall as me, so I had advantage. His arms were longer though, so his grip on me (if we get to that) might be more effective. I've noted before that he's just as competitive as I was, so maybe I could exploit that? What would Marco say, 'play with words'? I certainly don't want to get fired so I took a shoot at it, -"How about this? If I reach one hundred push-ups, you pick the can up and dump it."- There was a mob of people around us and I figured he'd love to bent down and pick up the trash in front of them.

He eyed me and nodded quickly, -"Sure, whatever, it's not gonna make any difference. You're not capable,"- I looked down at myself. I did looked incapable, the shirt was huge and it made me look fat, but when I took it off (a bit slowly, just to show off), his eyes widened a bit, obviously not expecting me, a janitor, to have these abs. Also, a few girls ogled me and whistled. Shit, I really hope Marco's not around, -"One hundred and twenty-five."- He spoke.

I scoffed and just shrugged, -"Fine."- Disregarding dallying, I knelt and prepared myself; legs stretched back and arms beneath me, my body's weight on them. I breathed in and out several times and began to countdown. I knew I wasn't the only one counting, I heard murmurs and whispers around me, the crowd taking count. I opted to ignore them and concentrate on my arms and legs. Around the fifteen push-up, they began shaking and my breathing hindered. The key for exercising was to keep breathing in and out in a normal pace, never faltering, to last longer. On the one hundred push-up, I was sweating madly, literally making a pool beneath me in which I'm sure I'd sink my nose in with each descend anytime now, -"Twenty! Twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three...!"- The countdown was louder now, -"Twenty-four... twenty-five!"- They cheered as I struggled to stand up.

When I did, someone threw a small towel at me out of nowhere and with my quick reflexes, I caught it and dried my face and neck. I then gazed at the jock and smirked; his mouth was gaped and yet he was speechless. I saw ruction and astonishment in his eyes though, -"Damn you..."- He muttered as I gestured towards the can.

He rolled his eyes, knelt down and dumped the can. The placed was buzzing with 'oh!'s and 'shit's. The guy's face was splattered in red as he stormed off, all fluttered. I was laughing to myself lowly, ignoring the girls asking for my name and phone number when I saw an unmistakable guy pass by the front door with an unmistakable brown box in his hands.

-"Marco...?"- I murmured, my breath stertorous.

And just then, someone approached me from behind and poked my shoulder, -"Jean..."

I turned back and spotted Harry, fidgeting his fingers nervously while looking down. He wanted to tell me something, but couldn't face me somehow. He seemed like he didn't wanted to be in this mob, but he had to.

Needless to say, I was more focused on Marco and the fact that every girl in this room was around me right now. He was looking for me, confused at the ruckus, and when he spotted me, his eyes glistered, but then narrowed me when he realized the situation I was in. Shit, shit, shit, I'm so screwed! This is exactly why Marco didn't wanted me to work here -and maybe because it really is dangerous out there, but it was mostly because of the first reason.

I paddled my way through the crowd, refusing the girls' petition, my eyes carved on Marco and fuck me, he had that same expression he always makes when he's jealous (like last time we discussed about this). His cheeks lit up and wrinkled, fluttered at the amount of girls around me. Well shit, I am bare chested in front of them, all sweaty and panting.

-"Alright, alright, settle down,"- It was only when the man who owned the gym, our boss, spoke that I realized he was there all this time. This is the first time I've seen him here. There were a few framed photos of him around the walls, -"Customers, return to your routines and my employees, back to your duty."- He clapped his hands pretty loud.

The room cleared and few girls portrayed a cellphone with their hands, whispering 'call me' before they left. Then, my boss approached me and my body went stiff, -"And you are...?"- He had his hand on his back as he observed me.

Awkwardly, I tried to reach my shirt without having to bent much, -"I'm, um, Jean. Jean Kirshtein. One of the janitors. A p-pleasure, sir."

-"Ah, you're the new one,"- He nodded and gestured towards the puddle of sweat, my sweat, -"You'll clean that, won't you? That is yours, after all."

I then realized he had been here when I forced that jock to pick up the can of coke, -"O-of course, sir."

-"That was impressive, by the way. I didn't expect one of my employees to pull off one hundred and twenty-five push-ups,"- He paused, a smile forming on his lips and I knew he wasn't done, -"Nor that first and the yesterday's deed."

Well, shit, -"I'm sorry for the trouble, sir..."- I was gonna say 'it's not gonna happen again', but I can't make any promises.

He laughed, -"At least you're honest,"- Was I the most readable guy here or what? -"Do you appertain a sport team?"- I noted how he skipped that latter topic. He may approve of my actions, which I think he did, but that doesn't mean he'll accept it if I keep scaring his customers away.

I nodded, -"School's soccer team."

-"I see. Let me guess; Keith Shadis?"

I laughed lowly, surprised he knew my P.E teacher, -"Yeah, how do you know him?"

-"That's a story for another time, Kirshtein. We should speak sometime. Stay out of trouble in the meantime, alright?"

I laughed lowly again, looking down at myself and then back at him, -"We'll see."- I probably shouldn't talk like this to my superior, but I'm not lying. It's better if he's aware.

-"I'll keep an eye on you."- He warned and left.

I gulped and picked up my shirt. Damn, what a bad way to appear in a first meeting with your boss, but shit, I can't do anything about it now. I made my way towards a very fuming Marco, -"H-hey, what are you doing here, freckles?"- I spoke casually, smiling broadly and scratching the back of my neck nervously.

He gazed at the brown box in his hands, pouting his lips.

I cleared my throat and opened the box. Yup, donuts, -"Aw, sweet."- I said as I pulled a chocolate donut.

Suddenly, he sighed, -"Why are you all sweaty?"- He demanded.

My eyes widen as if a beam just struck me. I was still shirtless, -"Uh,"- Come on, I can't lie to him. When he came in, I was surrounded by girls, bare chested and sweaty. Really, the image wasn't comforting, but I'll tell him the truth, -"Some push-ups. Why?"- And yet, I felt like teasing him, piss him off and see what will happen.

-"Why?"

I shrugged, biting the donut and swallowing a chunk full of chocolate, -"Why not?"- I spoke, mouth full. That sounded as if I did it to show off and have every girl's (and guy's) attention.

Like I hoped, he furrowed his brows and shook his head. He knew I was teasing him, but he was still mad about it all, -"Or to get attention from others?"

I chuckled at his emphasis on 'others', -"Maaaybe."- I licked chocolate out of my lips.

His face hardened as he huffed and took a step back towards the main door.

-"Hey, hey, wait,"- With the donut on one hand, I reached for him with the other one and gripped his arm, stopping his tracks -"Listen, I'm just kidding. I just love to piss you off,"- I neared my face to his and kissed him in the lips, a bit unchaste. The face he made before kissing me back told me I shouldn't anger him anymore. When I parted from him a bit, I whispered, -"I love you."- And stepped back to put on my shirt.

-"Mjum."- He didn't answered right away and I knew he was still pissed off at me.

-"I'll call you and tell you all about it, okay? Recess's over,"- I said and pecked his lips, -"Thanks for the donut and for visiting me."

That made him smile a bit and I sighed in relief. After I left, I returned to work and noted how odd Harry was acting around me, like a child, like he wanted to approach me and say something, but chickening out in the end. I didn't payed much thought, he's always acting odd around everyone.

Later that evening, when I was about to leave, -"Um, Jean?"

I turned to face Harry, -"Oh, hey, everything alright?"

He nodded as his eyes traveled around shyly, -"Um, I...,"- He stuttered and gulped, fidgeting with his fingers again, -"It's n-nothing... just wanted to tell you goodbye."

-"Oh,"- I muttered, getting a bit awkward myself, -"See you next weekend then."- I waved my hands and rode off. Weird.

At home, I quickly called Marco and left him on speaker mode as I took a bath, washed my teeth, etc. We talked about the whole 'doing push-up for girls' thing and made sure I was just competing with a guy so he could pick a can up. At first, he didn't believed it, but he softened eventually and I was glad he trusted me. We chatted about random stuff until he mentioned something I totally forgot about (because I wanted to forget it!).

School starts tomorrow.

Jean's so clueless xD