Chapter Text
Sunlight spilled through the thin curtains, casting a soft golden hue across the cramped apartment. Outside, birds chirped cheerfully, their songs echoing through the summer air. It was the kind of morning that begged to be appreciated – cool, calm, and impossibly beautiful.
But Alexis Leslie couldn't care less.
She groaned as the light hit her face, turning away with a scowl and blindly reaching to yank the curtains shut. Darkness returned, and she returned to the comfort of her blankets, burrito-style. Her bed was warm, her pillow cold – perfect. She could lie here forever.
That is, until her eyes flicked to the clock on her nightstand.
7:15 AM.
Her heart dropped.
Shit.
She was supposed to clock in 15 minutes ago.
With a panicked squeak, Alexis untangled herself and rolled out of bed – only to overshoot and land on the carpet with a hard thud. “Ow.” She winced, rubbing her elbow before scrambling to her feet. No time to complain. No time for anything.
Still half-asleep, she stumbled to her closet and yanked the doors open. Clothes flew over her shoulder as she searched for her uniform, tossing anything questionable into the laundry basket behind her. Eventually, she managed to throw on her wrinkled white dress shirt, black pants, and a pair of mismatched socks. The coffee-stained apron came next, followed by her beat-up sneakers that had definitely seen better days.
A glance at the clock: 7:25.
She cursed again under her breath and bolted to the bathroom. A rushed attempt at brushing her hair left it only slightly less chaotic, and within seconds she was grabbing her backpack and racing out the door.
Her lungs burned by the time she reached the bus stop. She was a second too late. The doors hissed shut, and the bus rolled away without her.
Alexis stood there, panting, hands on her knees as she watched it disappear down the road. Waiting for the next bus would take at least twenty minutes – time she didn't have. So, with a frustrated groan, she took off running towards the cafe.
By the time she arrived, her legs felt like jelly and her lungs like fire. She pushed open the cafe doors and was immediately greeted by the calming scents of coffee and vanilla. The cozy atmosphere, the murmur of early customers chatting over pastries, almost lulled her into peace.
Almost.
Dragging her feet, she made her way to the back, threw her backpack into her cubby, and took a moment to catch her breath. She dusted off her apron, tried to compose herself, and reached for the door to the front counter–
“Miss Leslie. You're late… again.”
The voice cut through the air like a knife.
Alexis froze. She didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
Slowly, she turned to find Miss Brooks standing behind her, arms crossed, deep hazel eyes narrowed with disappointment. The kind of disappointment that felt worse than yelling.
“Heeeeey Miss Brooks,” Alexis said, flashing the most awkward, toothy smile she could manage. “You look… radiant today. So good. Love what you did with your – uh – face. Is someone calling me? I think I hear someone–”
“Office. Now.” Miss Brooks's voice was sharp and cold.
“But–”
“Now, Leslie.”
Miss Brooks didn't wait. She grabbed Alexis by the sleeve and all but dragged her through the hall.
Inside the office, Alexis stood awkwardly in front of the desk while Miss Brooks rifled through a few papers, then slowly turned to face her.
“Alexis,” she started, her tone deceptively calm – too calm. “You have been late every single day for the past week. That is more tardies than you've had in the entire six months you've been here.”
Alexis opened her mouth to protest, but Miss Brooks raised a hand. The gesture alone shut her up.
“I'm not in the mood for excuses,” she said. “You're sixteen, Alexis. You're young, but I expected more from you. We're short-staffed as it is, and now we're down another.”
Alexis blinked. “What do you mean? Down another–?”
Miss Brooks didn't hesitate. “You're fired.”
The words hit harder than Alexis expected. Like being slapped with cold water.
“Wait – what? No, no, no, please! I need this job. There has to be something I can do – anything. Please!”
Miss Brooks didn't flinch. “If you want to do something, pack up your things. Ten minutes.
And just like that, she was gone.
The door clicked shut, leaving Alexis alone in silence. Her knees nearly buckled as she sank onto a nearby chair, her mind spinning.
What am I gonna do now?