I do not miss being back on this campus; yet alone behind this cash register at the bookstore.
I walked into the bookstore and clocked in for the day. Natasha already is behind the counter, setting up inventory on our downtime.
“Hey, Rosie,” Natasha said before she continued stocking up the shelves. “Excited to be back?”
“Excited isn’t the word,” I said, dropping my bookbag and coat underneath our counter. “But anything beats going back home for the break.”
“I mean, that’s why you go away for college,” Natasha mentioned. “To get away from your home.” I nodded, sighing as I looked at the time on the clock. Time to open this damn store up.
“Well besides being back, I went and saw your performance at the lounge the other day for welcome week. You killed it up there,” I said, trying to change the subject. Natasha smiled at me before saying anything.
“Thanks, girl. It’s been a rough couple of weeks after Rodney and I broke up.” I nodded my head, understanding that the poem she read at the showcase the other night was very much about him. Why are all guys literal dogs? Not even; dogs actually give you unconditional love.
“You’re better off without him,” I added, looking down at my phone after feeling it vibrate in my pocket. Another text from Prescott.
“How are you and Prescott doing?” Natasha asked. I looked up and put my phone back in my pocket.
“We’re good; I went to his place after the showcase,” I recalled as I grabbed a couple of sweatshirts to fold for our store display. “Spent the weekend at his place and shit.” It was true; I did go to Prescott’s place after Natasha’s performance… well after seeing a bit of Micah’s stupid performance while I waited for Prescott to pick me up. Prescott noticed something was off with me that night even after trying to convince him I was fine. I was fine when I wasn’t on the same campus with the biggest asshole ever.
“Will be here on campus picking you up more now that you guys are on good terms?” Natasha asked. I looked at Natasha, annoyed at where this conversation was going. Natasha knew that Prescott weren’t ever officially together, but she made it apparent that to her, Prescott and I being on good terms meant that I wasn’t complaining about what I was to Prescott.
“Yeah,” I simply said, avoiding Natasha as much as possible. Thankfully, our store manager, Nicolette, comes out from the back and walks toward Natasha and I.
“Good Morning, ladies,” Nicolette greeted. “For today, I’m going to have Natasha upstairs to deal with the book shipment that’s coming in a few. Rosie, you’ll be at the register until Tyler comes in at 12.” Just my fucking luck. Nicolette turns around toward the staircase leading upstairs. Natasha stuck her tongue out at me as she followed our manager. Little bitch.
I sighed and started to organize the inventory in between ringing the customers up. That’s really the one good thing about working register; the time passes faster if you throw yourself into a task that takes up most of your shift. Of course, it’s not always that easy; especially when you see the one person you want nothing to do with.
Micah Kamalani.
He walked into the bookstore, not looking at who was at the counter like he usually does. He just walked to the back and upstairs to where the textbooks were. Maybe it’s best that I work down here for the day… until—
It’s not too long before I see Micah come back downstairs with a pile of books in his hands. Ringing the people in front of him was making me nervous; I felt like I was going to puke the cold brew I had this morning. He’s just another student, Rosie. Fuck that dude.
Micah finally walked up to the register and placed his books on the counter. He didn’t say anything, which wasn’t like him at all. No snarky remarks? No banter that seemed like it was written for a mediocre coming-of-age love story?
“Are you renting any of these books?” I asked, scanning the books to the register.
“No,” Micah said. “Purchasing.” I didn’t say anything back; I continued to scan the books. I didn’t want to be the first to bring up the showcase the other night. He knew I was there and I knew he was there, obviously. I’m just surprised that he hasn’t said anything to get under my skin… yet.
“Your total is $357,” I said to Micah. He took his card out of his wallet and swiped it across the pin pad. I watched him as I bagged his books up; something was definitely wrong with Micah. Did he get some life-changing news or something? Someone died? Kalia left him or something? Even Kalia wouldn’t make him feel and look so–
“My books?” Micah called out. I snapped back to reality, seeing the receipt come out of the machine. I ripped it out, placing it into the bag. I handed Micah the bag of books. “Thanks.”
“Have a good one,” I said, trying to upkeep my customer service gig despite not wanting to for Micah. Micah didn’t say anything, he simply nodded and began to walk away. “You’re gonna need it.”
“What was that?” Micah stopped and said, looking back at me. Did I really fucking say that shit out loud? “Bitches need to mind their own business.”
“Bitches?” I spat back, angry that he would even call me a bitch in the first place. “The only one acting like a bitch is you.”
“I suggest you shut the fuck up before someone makes a complaint and you’re out of a job,” Micah said, leaning into the counter.
“I suggest you back the fuck up before ‘this bitch’ calls Public Safety on your ass,” I spat back, looking at Micah straight in the eyes. He doesn’t say anything back to me right away. “Have a good one.” Micah rolls his eyes and steps away from the counter, walking toward the front of the store.
“Tell Prescott he needs to control his girl, or whatever you guys are,” Micah snapped back as he left the store. That asshole is lucky I’m at work. I sighed and called the next customer up front.
“Are you looking to rent or buy these books?” I asked the customer in front of me, looking out the storefront as Micah walked away.
Letters From Liz. 