Car wash

Noah changed into the clothes Rick had given him. The fit was decent—just a little loose around the shoulders, but comfortable enough. He looked at himself in the mirror, smoothing out the wrinkles in his shirt. It was strange wearing someone else's clothes, but at least now he didn't smell like a pile of old laundry.

Liam leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Not bad, kid. You finally look like a functioning human being."

Noah sighed. "I wasn't that bad before…"

Liam smirked. "You smelled like a goddamn sewer rat. Don't even try to deny it."

Ethan chuckled as he grabbed his keys. "Alright, enough. We should get going. Noah, you ready?"

Noah nodded, still feeling a little nervous. "Yeah."

As they stepped out of the apartment, the cold morning air hit them. The streets were relatively quiet, with only a few people out and about. Noah shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to shake off his nerves.

Liam threw an arm around his shoulder. "Relax, kid. It's a car wash, not a battlefield. The worst that can happen is you fuck up and spray yourself in the face with a pressure washer."

Noah groaned. "That doesn't really help…"

Ethan chuckled as they made their way down the street.

The three of them walked through the city streets, Liam cracking jokes the entire time.

Liam sighed dramatically. "Man, I still can't believe you actually got a job. Thought you were gonna live off of us like some freeloader forever."

Noah gave him a deadpan look. "I never asked to live off you guys."

Liam grinned. "Yeah, yeah. But come on, aren't you excited? You get to be part of the workforce! Break your back for minimum wage! It's the dream, Noah!"

Ethan smirked. "You're not exactly selling it well."

Liam shrugged. "Hey, I just think it's hilarious that Noah's first job is at a car wash. Kid looks like he's never washed a car in his life."

Noah frowned. "I know how to wash a car…"

Liam raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? When's the last time you washed one?"

Noah opened his mouth, then closed it. "...That's not important."

Liam and Ethan burst out laughing.

As they turned the corner, Noah's nerves started creeping in again. What if he messed up? What if James regretted hiring him? He had never worked a job before—what if he wasn't good at it?

Liam must have noticed the shift in his expression because he nudged him. "Hey, relax. James isn't a hard-ass or anything. Just don't break anything and you'll be fine."

Ethan nodded. "And if you do mess up, well… at least we'll get to see James yell at someone other than us for once."

Noah let out a small chuckle. "Thanks, guys… I think."

They finally reached the car wash. The place was a bit run-down, with faded signage and a few dents in the metal walls, but it had a certain charm to it. Cars were lined up outside, waiting to be serviced. Employees were moving around, some scrubbing down vehicles while others handled the machinery.

As they stepped inside, James was already waiting for them, arms crossed.

James looked Noah up and down. "So, the kid has finally arrived,huh?"

Liam grinned. "Yup. Fresh meat."

James shook his head. "Alright, Noah, welcome to hell."

Noah stiffened. "Uh—"

James smirked. "Relax, I'm messing with you. Come on, I'll show you around."

Liam stretched. "Welp, our job here is done. Ethan and I will be at the café next door. Don't get yourself fired before we get back."

Noah rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the confidence boost."

Liam and Ethan walked off, leaving Noah alone with James.

James led Noah through the car wash, pointing things out as they walked.

"Alright, so here's where we do the pre-rinse," James said, gesturing to an area where a worker was hosing down a car. "It's simple—just spray off the dirt before sending it to the wash tunnel."

Noah nodded, watching as the water blasted away the grime.

James continued. "Over there is the tunnel where the automated washers take over. We don't have to do much there except make sure the soap levels are good and that nothing gets jammed."

They moved to another section. "This is the drying area. We do a quick wipe-down to make sure there aren't any water streaks. Some customers are picky about that."

Noah listened carefully, trying to take everything in. It wasn't complicated, but it was a lot to remember.

James stopped at a stack of folded uniforms. "You'll need one of these eventually, but since we haven't ordered yours yet, just wear something you don't mind getting dirty for now."

Noah nodded. "Got it."

James leaned against the counter. "So, why'd you decide to work here anyway?"

Noah hesitated. "I… just needed a job."

James smirked. "Fair enough. Just don't slack off. It's not the hardest job, but it's still work."

Noah straightened up. "I won't."

James nodded. "Good. Now, let's get you started with something simple."

James led Noah to the pre-rinse station and handed him a pressure washer. "Alright, here's where you start. Just aim and spray. Try not to get yourself or anyone else soaked."

Noah took the pressure washer, gripping it tightly. He aimed it at the car and pulled the trigger—only for the powerful stream of water to bounce off the car and spray directly onto his shoes.

James burst out laughing. "Well, at least you didn't hit your face!"

Noah groaned. "Off to a great start…"

James patted his shoulder. "You'll get used to it. Keep going."

Noah refocused and tried again, this time angling the sprayer correctly. The water hit the car properly, blasting off the dirt.

James nodded in approval. "There you go. Keep that up, and you won't be completely useless."

Noah couldn't help but smile a little. "Thanks… I think."

---

After an hour of training and practice, Noah was starting to get the hang of things. He wasn't perfect, but he was learning.

James checked the time. "Alright, that's enough for today. You'll start your real shift tomorrow. Be here on time."

Noah nodded. "I will."

James smirked. "Good. Now go on, your babysitters are probably waiting for you."

Noah laughed a little and headed out.

As he stepped outside, he saw Liam and Ethan waiting for him near the café. Liam spotted him first and grinned. "Hey, look who survived his first day of work!"

Ethan smirked. "Did you break anything?"

Noah sighed. "No, but I almost sprayed myself in the face."

Liam burst out laughing. "I knew it! Classic rookie mistake!"

Ethan chuckled. "At least you didn't flood the place."

Noah rolled his eyes but smiled. "Yeah, yeah. Let's just go home."

As they walked off together, Noah felt a small sense of accomplishment. He had a job now—a real one. It wasn't much, but it was a start.