Page 9 of Shattered

She was quickly jerked out of her thoughts by her favorite Newbie-Asshole.

“Seriously, move,” he repeated. When she didn’t even blink in response, he got even more frustrated. “You are staring at the screen, and I need to get there. Either do something productive or move out of my way.”

“Asshole,” Sam muttered under her breath. It came out before she’d even processed the thought. She didn’t care, though. It was clear he thought the same of her.

She wasn’t putting up with this tonight. She had too much on her plate already.

*******

For as bad as she felt, the night went pretty okay. A few good tables and a decent amount of money from tips. Best of all, she hadn’t had to interact with Newbie-Asshole since Jess was working the bar and handling all the drinks. Now that she thought of it, she hadn’t even seen him since her shift started. Maybe he’d been clocking out earlier at the kiosk. That was the most welcome thought of the night.

At the end of her shift, Sam decided to order from the kitchen and sit with Jess to eat at the bar while they closed up. It seemed like it was always the two of them left for closing. She didn’t mind. Jess was pretty cool and loyal. She knew because, during one ridiculously slow night a few weeks back, Sam had ended up spilling her whole life story while praying the rain would let up and someone willing to drop a massive tip would walk through the doors. She had never really told anyone except Kristin about her life, but something about Jess was so motherly and comforting, she couldn't help but confide in her.

“What’s been up with you tonight? You’re not your normal happy self.”

“Am I normally a ‘happy self?’” Sam asked with creased brows.

“No, I guess not.” Jess laughed as she put away a few more bottles. “But you’re still not yourself.”

“Just a bad day in class. Things didn’t go how I’d planned.” Her answer was vague, but Jess wasn’t the type to let something like this go. She just stared at Sam until she spilt the beans. “I failed this stupid lab assignment. It won’t really affect my grade too much, but I’m pissed.”

Jess cocked her head to the side before responding, “You’re kidding me, right? You’ve been in a funk all night because of one stupid lab assignment? One that won’t even affect your grade.” Jess looked up then and motioned to a woman standing at the hostess stand, signaling that she would be out shortly.

“Who is that?” Sam questioned, but then went still in wide-eyed shock before Jess could reply. “Wait. Is that Gwen?” When Jess didn’t say a word, Sam knew she had her answer. “Oh my God, Jess! She’s gorgeous!” Sam added with a smile.

“I know. I know,” Jess stated through gritted teeth as if she was worried Gwen would overhear them. “She is way too good for me, but hell if I’m planning on letting her slip away.”

Sam then laughed as Jess sent Gwen a quick wink, causing the other woman to turn a bright shade of red.

“You didn’t tell me y’all were officially a thing now.”

“I don’t know if we are,” Jess said as she dried off the last few glasses in the rack. “But I’ll tell you the details once they get juicy enough to tell.” Jess wiggled her eyebrows and Sam laughed.

“Deal.”

“Now. Back to more important matters.” Jess cleared her throat as if she was about to state something poetic or profound. “You need to live a little, girl.”

“Shut up.” Sam rolled her eyes. “Jess, it’s more than that. My entire college career is based on good grades and my scholarship. If I lose that, I’ll be working in a restaurant when I’m thirty. I don’t want that.” Jess’s eyebrows raised slightly at the statement. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just not the plan I–”

“Little Miss Perfect is upset because something didn’t go her way? I wish my life was that much of a fucking cake walk. Let me guess, you made a bad grade on your spelling test?” Newbie-Asshole said as he slid onto a stool a few spots down from them and dug into his own meal. He didn’t even make eye contact.

Sam. Was. Done.

“Are you really this much of an ass, or is this some type of shitty, tough guy persona you’re trying on? Maybe mind your own goddamn business and stay out of mine.”

Jess became frozen with shock.

“Sam!” Jess whisper-yelled at her.

But Sam didn’t care. Newbie-Asshole could go straight to hell for all she cared. They hadn’t even really worked together, and she was already done with him. Her next thought was spent making a silent promise to never again interact with him.

“Jess, I’m out. Sorry, I don’t feel like staying anymore. Are you good if I leave?” Jess nodded in understanding as Sam stood.

“Wait,” Jess quickly stated as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a tube of the peppermint roll on Sam had let her borrow earlier.

“What’s that?” Newbie-Asshole asked as he took another bite of the meal in front of him.

Sam wanted to roll her eyes. She almost didn’t respond. She decided then that she would be perfectly fine if they never spoke again. Maybe it was just so she could have the chance to insult him again or maybe it was to feel the contentment of getting the last word in but for whatever reason, she turned toward him and answered. Her voice had lost its punch but her words still landed a lethal blow.

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