*Mandi’s P.O.V.*
I closed my eyes, willing the tears not to come. How was I going to pay for groceries? Pay the bills? Pay the rent? I was barely making enough money for any of those things as it was. How was I supposed to support myself without a job? I could barely hear Mr. Johansson saying my name.
“Miss Brandt? Miss Brandt!” His snap took me from my thoughts and I just nodded.
“Yes, I-I understand.” I said quickly, turning my back as I walked towards his office door.
“I’ll send you a check for your hours this month.” He said and then the bastard had the audacity to smile and say, “I’m glad to see that you’re leaving on such good terms.” Good terms? Too drained from our ten minute conversation, I only nodded again before walking out of his office, feeling self-conscious. It felt like everyone’s eyes were on me. Like they knew, like they were watching.
I went to my desk, glad I never kept very many personal items here anyway. I closed my eyes again, rubbing my temples, before picking up my things and leaving. I knew now that everyone had to be watching. Someone leaving in the middle of the work day? Not even lunch yet? Of course I figured they’d guess why I was leaving, on the verge of tears. Walking out of the lobby of the phone company, I was about ready to hail a cab when I figured it was just a ten minute walk to my apartment, why waist the money I desperately needed? Besides, I needed the exercise anyway.
I lugged my heavy briefcase with me as I walked, longing to get a cup of coffee, even from the cheapest place, but I knew that I had to save every penny I had because I was running low as it was. I felt a tear escape my eye and I cursed myself. How did this happen, one may ask? Well, apparently they cut the people who have been working for them for the shortest amount of time.
Bullshit.
I finally made it to my apartment building, heading up the elevator. I unlocked my door and threw my bag to the ground, finally letting it all out. I couldn’t call my parents for help, since they were living out of the country. I didn’t have any siblings or other family members I could ask. I silently sobbed as I looked around at the already crappy apartment. It was a total shithole. The furniture was crap and the wallpaper was peeling, revealing the crumbling brick underneath. The floor looked as if it would break any moment. The appliances and lights went out constantly. The hot water took at least fifteen minutes to work, leaving me to shower in freezing temperatures in mornings where I would be late for work.
I heard my phone in my briefcase and I tried to compose myself enough just to breathe properly. I took it out and saw it was my best friend since freshman year of high school, Alli Fuentes. I answered
“Mandi!” She cried out and I gave a small smile, hearing her sound so happy. “Girl, we haven’t seen each other in so long, we should go out tonight! Dinner or clubbing or something.” I was about to agree, thinking it would be refreshing but then decided against it, seeing as drinks were expensive and dinner was never cheap.
“I can’t right now, Alli, I-I have work I have to do.” I closed my eyes, feeling more tears spill over.
“Well, okay, honey, if you say so.” She sounded disappointed now. “Call me soon, though!” We said our goodbyes and hung up.
I know I should have told her the truth, seeing as she was my best friend, but I couldn’t I didn’t want her pity right now and I didn’t want her to feel as if she had to do something about it. I stood up and went to the refrigerator, seeing there was a left over salad. I sighed, taking it out and walking into the living room, flopping down on the crappy brown couch that looked like it had been around since the fifties or sixties.
I looked around, knowing I had to go job hunting tomorrow bright and early.