Premier Shift

it was the day. Alice slammed one of the boxes shut that she was taking products out from in the back while counting inventory. Her mother had chided her earlier since she was off her game considering she got a glimpse at the employees that would be coming in for the week. Noah's name was on the list, bright on the next day which left a sour note in her mouth.

She truly didn't mind that he was working with her. In fact, it may be a good thing since she would be able to keep an eye on him, but still, she would have to be stuck around him for another four hours. That already sounded way too delightful all in itself considering that she had been dragging her feet since they seemed to be stuck by glue even in class.

Alice slid another glance to the door, wondering when he would come in since there were five minutes left before his clock-in time, but she knew that he would be on time despite already having doubts. She knew that he wanted the job but didn't want to question more about his background.

She really should though, but he was a tough nut to crack. If she were to ask him, she wasn't even sure that he would tell her. All that she knew about him was that he was from a powerful technology company, he had an older sister (information that she gathered from other people), and that his grandfather was in the hospital. 

The little parts that she did know were that he couldn't drive well (information that she gathered from their first photoshoot) and that he liked to eat her leftover foods, so she had to assume that he liked cold foods. He also liked to take naps, but other than that, he was truly a mystery that was still topping the charts.

Noah must have seen the competitive flare in her eyes when he first walked in, and he hitched his thumb over his shoulder. "Should I head out?"

She waved him in. "No, no. Come in. I have to work you so hard."

Noah sighed as he brushed past her with his backpack slung over one shoulder and his tie carelessly pulled from his neck. He looked a bit tired, but she couldn't blame him since she was also beaten after their long day of testing that took place for their next large exam session for the last exams for university at the end of the school year that was approaching.

From her knowledge, it would make sense that he also went to cram school, but she also wasn't sure. Most families with the resources would, so there was a high chance that Noah was working hours after a whole day of being at the academy before taking off to the cram school late at night after his jobs.

Jobs, plural. She did tell him to quit his other jobs if he was working at the convenience store, but she was also understanding of the fact that most people just can't drop their work on other people. She asked him that as she showed him to the back of the employee room she was sure that he watched her running back and forth through.

"Did you quit your other jobs?" Alice asked nonchalantly as she took his briefcase from the table since he was putting on the convenience store apron. She started laughing as she took him in with the tacky red layered over his formal clothes of the university that he didn't bother taking off. 

She had gone home to change since she didn't like working in her uniform since she had already been working in those clothes throughout the day at school. She was in a cream sweater now with a dark denim skirt to keep her dressy and feminine feel.

Alice looked over at his white button-up shirt that was untucked. Then again, he likely didn't have time judging by his wind-swept hair.

As Alice reached up to pat down his head, secretly locking away the fact that his hair was as soft as it looked, he shook his head. "No, I wasn't. Sorry, Alice."

"It's fine," Alice said as she leaned back.

"It was the mover job since those guys need the extra help."

"That's fine," she repeated again. "I like them. I'm sure they treat you well."

Noah huffed out a breath. "They're all crazy."

Alice snickered. "They go well with you. Anyways, you look great. Now it's show time."

She moved over to the computer that was located in the corner of the room where employees could clock in that was also next to the sofa and small refrigerator that was filled with snacks.

It was a place that her parents made her when she was younger for long days at the shop with her parents, and now stuck with all the employees being appreciative of it.