Mom doesn't know why I keep working at that bookstore. While she did acknowledge my need of gathering some extra earnings other than my pocket money to fix my laptop, now she feels like keeping working there is pointless.

I mean, I disagree with her. Even though she does make a lot of money with her job as a realtor, she's still a single mother and I don't want her to make extra sacrifices for me. I want to earn everything with my own efforts. A concept not everyone seems to understand very well.

Still, my mind is set in stone. I want to keep working at the bookstore. Not only because of my love for literature, but also because it's a well-paid job and I can find some peace from the relentless peer pressure I have to face at school.

This is why even this time I'm having an easy time dismissing her claims. This doesn't mean that I don't take her opinion into account, I mean, I usually listen to her and do what she tells me to, but I can't just give up on the bookstore job. I shouldn't insist too much on this topic and yet find myself doing so.

I can't really wait to be there.

***

It turns out the book shop is closed due to maintenance, so I basically have the day off. This is bad news. Even when I don't have to work, I like going there to find new books to read. A bookworm's life isn't always all sunshines and rainbows, after all.

I'm ready to head back home or, at least, call Mom to ask her if I have to stop by the grocery shop when I hear commotion on the other side of the street. I'm not the type who gets involved in fights or tries to break them down. I'd feel useless in such a situation. People pick on me because I don't like pointless arguments and prefer taking a back seat most of the time. They like seeing me as weak.

This time, however, is different. It really looks like this argument isn't over anything that can be sorted out in a matter of minutes. It must be serious. As soon as I reach the crossroads, the traffic light turns green and I walk forward. Then, I turn left. I stop by a dismissed telephone cabin when I overhear a long string of profanities coming from a few meters near.

"You really think you can snoop around my boyfriend, bitch? You'd better stay away, or else-"

"Excuse me, little miss, if I asked him if I could borrow his fucking notes! Like, seriously, he isn't your toy! Get a fucking grip-"

"Jenna, don't test my patience, okay?"

"Sorry, Your Highness, I didn't know coming close to your boyfriend would be a crime..." I overhear Jenna groaning. "Fuck off, Marietta."

Now that I've recognized the two of them, I wish I'd actually minded my business. Jenna and Marietta are both in my English Literature, IT and Spanish classes. I also have several other classes in common with Jenna, and a couple more with Marietta.

Those two girls really dislike each other. Not only did they quarrel over a guy, who turns out to be none other than Marietta's boyfriend, but they also have completely opposite attitudes towards me. While Jenna is nice and friendly to me, being actually one of the few people who don't treat me as their punching bags, the same can't be said about Marietta.

She hates me, but I can't make out why. I doubt it's because of my grades, since hers are also quite good. It's not a matter of popularity either, because she's one of the most popular girls at school, while I'm obviously the most overlooked in my grade. I wish I could ask her face to face why she dislikes me without being laughed at, but it's much easier said than done.

Anyway, when Jenna approaches me, I'm relieved and glad that she does so on her own. Marietta storms away to the other direction, meaning that she doesn't really want to waste her time and energy shunning me as usual. Better for me.

Jenna notices my pensive glance directed at nowhere in particular and asks me, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the shop? You're going to be l-"

I stop her. "Actually, it's closed for maintenance, or this is what the sign at the entrance said. Hopefully, they'll open back by Monday."

"Oh... So, I guess you have some free time now, right? Why don't we go shopping?" she suggests, much to my confusion. I'm tempted to turn down this offer, but I'll feel guilty if I reject. Also, I don't have much better to do at home and Mom could use some true alone time. After all, she has dealt with me for nearly eighteen years.

To convince me further, Jenna plays one of her usual cards: bribery. "If you come with me, I'll buy you two extra chocolate bars," she says indeed. She knows chocolate is one of my guilty pleasures. I mean, who doesn't like it?

Anyway, that's enough to convince me to follow her to her car, ready to hit the shopping street.

***

According to Jenna, shops are the best places to meet new people. While I'm skeptical of this theory, I have to admit that I did meet people I've never crossed paths with before at the bookstore. On the other hand, I suspect she means that I'm supposed to find love while passing by racks of clothes.

Love is a delicate topic for me. I'm not the kind of girl who approaches other people that easily. Plus, most of my schoolmates see me as plain and dull. I don't know if they say so only because they have a superficial mindset or because I do have something that sits wrong with them.

Anyway, I'm only here to take a look at the shop windows and daydream about what to buy, budget wise. (If it were for Jenna, though, I should spend the money I earn without caring about budget limits because, in her opinion, I "deserve a little treat every once in a while.")

The moment we stop by the first window, Jenna already drools over a pink and white floral dress she claims to have seen on a magazine. She really wants it, her wistful glance never lies, yet the price tag is a major obstacle. I shudder as soon as I read it: 280 dollars. A little too much, at least in my opinion.

"Shall we move on?" I ask in attempt to take Jenna away, but she doesn't relent. She really wants it. Who am I, anyway, to judge her for how she spends her money? Unless she uses it to buy pot, of course.

I give up and let her buy the dress, under one condition: three chocolate bars and a pack of Doritos.

***

"Did you have fun shopping?" asks Mom, whose smile spreads good vibes and happiness all over this place. I nod, satisfied at the bargain I obtained with Jenna earlier this afternoon.

Mom goes on. "I'm glad you had fun even when the store is closed. I've been worried about you a lot lately." I feel like she's about to cry anytime soon. I don't want her to cry. I want her to be happy.

"Mom, don't worry about me. I'm fine." I hope these words are enough to reassure her. Even if they don't, this won't stop me from showing her my love for her.