AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I guess I’ll have to play it slow.
CHAPTER 8
Ihave a post that pops off a few days later. I get more likes on it than I’ve gotten on any other picture, and as I walk into work, I have four new DMs from guys I don’t think are bots. My posts are actually reaching people! I don’t have time to check what they’ve written though, because Eric is waiting for me right by the doors of the store.
“Good morning,” I say, not liking the expression on his pudgy face. His glasses are sitting low on his nose, making him look like an angry little school librarian.
“Well, that’s debatable, isn’t it?” Eric remarks and glares at me. I frown, wondering what his problem is.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, my heart starting to pick up speed.
“Let’s go into my office,” he responds and gestures for me to follow him. He doesn’t wait for me to answer; he just starts walking off. I hurry after him; he’s pretty fast for someone so short.
Eric tells me to close the door behind me when we walk into the tiny room he calls an office, and I sit down on a wooden stool in front of his desk.
“So,” I say and clasp my hands together, “what do you want to talk to me about?”
“Sophie,” he starts solemnly, “how long have you been working here?”
I think back, and I’m horrified at the answer. “Almost seven years.” God, this was just supposed to be a temporary thing after high school. Something to do while I figured out what I want to do with my life. I can’t believe it’s been seven years already.
“Seven years,” Eric repeats, “and do you think it’s been a good seven years?”
Where is he going with this? “Sure, I mean… yes. It’s been fine.”
“Yes, I thinkfineis a good way to describe your time here,” Eric speaks with a nod. “You are a perfectly fine employee. No more, no less. But over the past few months, I’ve really noticed a decline in your performance.”
“Look, if this is about me being late a few times, then—”
“It’s not just that,” he interrupts. “You shelf things in the wrong place, you take too long completing simple tasks, and you can sometimes be quite snippy with the customers.”
Only when they’re being idiots, I almost say, but I hold my tongue. “Okay, I’m sorry. I’ll do better.”
“That’s just the thing,” Eric replies. “This isn’t the first time we’ve had this talk, is it? You haven’t improved despite being written up several times. I think I’ve given you a fair amount of leeway, Sophie. I’ve given you plenty of chances to improve. But I’m afraid that comes to an end today.
Shit.This can’t be happening! Not now.“Are you firing me, Eric?” I hear a slight tremor in my voice, but I don’t care. He can’t fire me! I just bought a really nice tripod for my camera. I can’t afford to lose my income!
But my boss slowly nods his head. “I’m afraid I am, yes. This just isn’t working out anymore. You can collect your final paycheck at the end of the week, and I expect you to turn in your keys then as well. You can go home now, Sophie.”
“But who will cover my shift?” I ask.
“I’ve hired a new girl,” Eric says. “I think she’ll fit in great here.”
Oh my god. I just got fired! I’ve never worked anywhere else in my life, and I never went to college! There’s no way I’ll be able to get a job somewhere else. Who the hell would hire someone like me? I don’t even know where to begin looking for another job. There aren’t very many options in town. Am I going to have to do some crazy commute? Or worse, move altogether? I’ve always lived here, and even though I give the town a lot of crap, it’s my home. I don’t want to leave.
I run into Lacey on my way out. She winces when she sees my face.
“So, it’s true?” she asks. “He fired you?”
“You knew about this?” I ask, sounding a bit harsher than I had intended.
“I didn’t know, honest! I’m sorry, Sophie.”
“Yeah, well, sorry doesn’t pay the bills,” I mutter. “Damn it! I don’t know what to do.”
“You could go back to school,” Lacey suggests. “This could be a blessing in disguise.”
School? With what money? “Yeah, maybe,” I respond quietly, “or I’ll have to start selling feet pics online.”
