ALEXAKIS.I was standing in front of a run, watching Claire go against Motty. It was obvious that he was holding back for her benefit and Claire knew this as well and it made her more furious. And also careless, because her swings went wild and her punches didn't pack as much strength anymore. She was breathing hard, focusing on Motty's hands and not his feet or eyes. I frowned, wondering if that was the only thing that was bothering her. She had come into the den this morning, ready to spar with anyone. But the guys had all been preparing for the series of fights happening throughout this week and so she spent that morning watching us fight against each other, getting more irritable at the moment. "You're going easy on me." She snapped at Motty when he slapped her fists away, instead of blocking them and following with a fake hook. She grunted again when Motty smiled at her instead of chastising her outburst with a jab to her middle. I frowned too, Motty could obviously read how wor
ClaireThere were not many people at the shop. I guessed everyone just cooked up whatever they wanted at home and had no time to walk or drive all the way here to eat or get coffee, or maybe it was just not yet their rush hour. I walked into the building and went to drop my bags in the locker room and also change my shirt to the company's.Judith walked in to meet me. She had been on the counter earlier but I was absent-minded."Hey girl, what's up?" She asked, leaning on one of the lockers and a folded arm and gum in her mouth, as usual."Good morning, Judith. I'm fine." I placed my bag in the locker and walked towards the door in her direction, heading out. "I'm sorry I didn't see you there when I was walking in, just so many things in my head.""That's fine, what's your name though?""It's Claire, just Claire.""Claire, just Claire, nice to meet you." She laughed and I giggled. She seemed nice and I was hoping it wasn't all a front."So, where's everyone, Judith? I thought this pla
ClaireWork had ended in a very low mood. The rush of customers we got had reduced and everyone was getting exhausted by the hour. I was counting down to the last 30 minutes I had to spend there. This was not a job I enjoyed doing, I just needed the money to fuel my dreams as most people do.Growing up, I always had the idea that 9-5 pm should not be the ideal job for anyone. They can do what I'm doing now but should only be seasonal. I felt people that gave 9-5 jobs should be arrested because it was a lot of hours for the peanuts that they were going to pay their workers at the end of the day. They were selfish, superior and demanding people, except for the ones that had coffee shops like this and were just trying to make an honest living. There was a TV set in the shop and anyone was allowed to operate it, so I took advantage of that. I liked watching cartoons and music videos, so that was what I did. Customers that came in when I was watching cartoons always wondered who the child
EVIE.I put my head outside the window of the car, taking in the lively breeze as it danced in sync with the waves in my hair. It was a bright and sunny day, a day to prepare for my upcoming graduation.I overheard about a shop in my hometown where all the latest designer gowns were and I wanted to see it for myself, but I couldn't because I didn't go home for a break like the others and now had to go shopping in the less than stellar boutiques inside campus. I was currently walking out of a shop, disappointed once again when none of their wares met my taste. A guy walked past me, staring weirdly, and I could tell that my frustration was evident on my face. I looked down the road, realizing that I had gone through most of the shops lining the street. Letting out an irritated huff, I took out my phone, swiped a notification of a missed call away and pulled open my Uber app, quickly ordering for a ride that'll take me to Main street. I quickly typed a message to my Mom, letting her kn
ClaireEvie had returned home and nothing was exciting about that. I wished degrees lasted longer. I had so many more chores to do just because she was around, and I had to cook more when she was around and make snacks too for when her friends came visiting which was a regular occasion. Whenever her friends came around, they would use me to do their errands and make jokes at me too just to make me feel miserable. The only escape I had was my job, just a few hours of being away from that house which was worth it. "Are you okay, Claire?" Judith asked me. My hands were on my face as I leaned on the counter staring into space for so long."Huh…? Yea, I'm good," I said, taking back control of my reality and standing up straight."You've been looking so gloomy and stressed these past few days. Are you sure all is well?""Yea, it's just a lot of family stress. A lot has been going on with my sister being back in town and I guess it's telling on me.""Yep, it's so evident." She demonstrated
AlexakisI woke up with a very strange feeling like there was a force acting on me; it was surreal. I stood up and walked about my room, seeing if that would make me feel any better but it wasn't working. I felt the force pulling me to the cave, but my body was still in my apartment.I decided to dress up and head for the cave. It was still so early in the morning and people were barely up. The atmosphere was so cool, and I loved it out here. I kept feeling pulled until I got to the cave.Claire was already there and I wondered what she was doing here so early. She looked at me in confusion like she didn't expect to see me there either but I ignored the look because I saw a figure in the bushes. I thought the figure must have followed her there, intending to harm her but stopped when it saw me.I couldn't think of the right thing to do at the moment because I was caught in between thoughts. I wanted to stay with Claire and speak with her as that might have been what pulled me to the c
Alexakis"Can I take you home?" The person asked as his head popped out from the side window, it was Marcus."What the fuck!" I exclaimed with all the strength I could muster, and Marcus started laughing. "Calm down, little Missus. I'm just... just playing around." He choked on his words a bit, and stepped out from the car; Angelo's car, putting out his arm over my shoulder and walking with me side by side."The boss is angry," I whispered."Oh yea, he lost some shipments some days ago and he's been very angry since then, putting pressure on everyone because of how much money he lost. It's been very tough and you wouldn't want to be around him now tho."I sighed. That was crazy to hear. No wonder he was so pissed, and this wasn't even the first time it was happening."Angelo thinks there's a spy within us, maybe someone was watching us, all his activities and is the one spoiling our affairs."Immediately he said that, I thought about the person that had been following me and how that
Claire."Claire! Table 12 needs a coffee!" Judith shouted for the second time. My head had been spinning round and round in circles and I couldn't think straight. I quickly poured the coffee into a mug and placed it in a saucer. I started walking towards the table but my legs still felt heavy and the pants I had put on weren't making it any easier. It was so tight, and I remembered wearing it because I thought it would have a big role to play in sucking up my emotions and making me feel good somehow so I could focus on work, but I guess I was wrong. I missed my step as I almost approached the table and the coffee spilt from my hand, pouring onto the person's cloth. I wished I had disappeared after that happened, but my body was still there. The manager was around observing all this while, and I was guessing the last days at my job were drawing closer by the minute."Shit" The woman exclaimed. She was a very pretty lady and she looked English, so it baffled me when she cursed because