Texting

ALANA

"Faster, faster!" My senior clapped her hands as she shouted the words at us. I kneaded the dough with more ardour, as fast as my arms would allow. Cooking was a full-on workout. Whoever didn't agree, clearly had never seen anything in life yet.

The big-ass steel bowl made a loud, ear-pounding noise, as if shouting at me for abusing it. Sorry, bro. I can't have Ms Ateş kill me for being late.

"If you want to keep your jobs, move faster!" she slapped a rolled booklet back and forth on her palm, willing us to not stop to even take a breath.

I looked around and surely everyone was stressing their pants off. The woman needed to chill. This wasn't a competition. Still, I kept silent, and kept my head down, focusing on the task at hand.

She would have never tasted dumplings like mine before.

. . .

I was taking a rest away from the kitchen, fanning myself when my phone beeped. Fishing around my bag, I finally found it wrapped in the blanket.

Unknown: Found apartment. Suitcase in car. Get when leaving.

Immediately, I realised who it was. Knight. Grinning, I crossed one leg over the other and typed out a response.

Me: I'm sorry, I don't understand gibberish.

Unknown: Don't joke around. You know it's me. Tell me when your shift is over.

I pouted; what a mood killer.

Me: K.

I know what you're thinking. 'She's such a kid' and all that. You are right. Congratulations.

How did he have my number, anyway? Did he go through my bag while I was in the bathroom? Wow, it's not like I needed privacy or anything. Is that how he found the address to my apartment?

Scrolling up, I added him into my contacts. Mean Person.

I would only change it once he stopped ordering me around.

Sighing, I got up to get back to work.

. . .

Approximately two hours later I was done for the day and sweating in places I'd never sweated in before. My hijab clung in the most irritating way to my neck. I just hoped I didn't smell bad. While walking in the corridors, I tried sniffing myself and . . . lo and behold. I smelled of shrimps. Which was not a good thing.

I searched my bag and found some weird flowery perfume and dared to spray only once in either armpit. It was making me vomit-ty.

I checked my text messages when I reached the lobby. Knight had left me on seen. Literally. Still, since he'd told me to inform him before leaving, I quickly shot him a message.

Me: Free

Hah! See, I could act all nonchalant and cool too.

Mean Person: I'll be down in 5. Wait by the main entrance.

I shoved the phone into the pocket of my coat and abided by his commands.