"I'm hired? Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome Miss," my new manager, an older woman with grey hair in a tight bun and deep frown lines between her pale brows, says in a monotone voice as she manages a smile and places my resume on the round pastel pink table in front of me. "Orientation is Monday at 10 a.m. Please," she pauses to look me up and down. "Don't be late."

"Of course, I'll be here Monday 10 a.m. sharp," I assure her with a gentle smile while slipping my resume back into my folder. I'm not sure why she gives such a warning when I arrived early today, but I suppose it's better to be direct about expectations regardless.

After that, the days pass by in a blur of soap bubbles, dollar bills, and whirring sticky machines. Conveniently, the mall is only a twenty-minute walk from home. When I'm not handling transactions, I spend most of my time mopping the lobby, the space behind the counters, as well as restocking toppings, and ensuring the frozen yogurt machines are functioning properly.

My manager, Lenore, rarely smiles, and I'm beginning to suspect that even my efficiency isn't enough to soften her grouchy temper towards me. I've found it best to just give her a "Yes ma'am" and continue working.

It's been quite busy this past week and a half, as the mall in our city only recently opened a few months ago. To save time for my classes I come in four days a week-- from morning till afternoon. Joel and Sloane aren't the happiest about how it takes up most of the weekend, but they're proud of me for finding a way to make money early.

Up until now, the only other person working these shifts with me was Lenore. I could hardly believe my eyes this morning as I walked in to see that absolute hunk of a man himself— dressed in full uniform— standing attentively next to Lenore while she shows him how to work the cash register.

The short sleeves on Darren Banks' starch mint green work shirt are tight around his smooth biceps. I swear, I nearly have a nosebleed being able to see the gracious outline of his six-pack.

His soft eyes meet with mine as he looks up. Recognizing me, he flashes a coy smile and nods. Lenore looks up, and I quickly change my expression from what I'm sure is starstruck to a more serious one.

"Good morning," I chirp, unable to take my eyes off him. I'm like a moth drawn to a flame at this point.

"Morning, Rain," he muses.

"Mm, I see you two know each other," Lenore looks between both of us. Is that a smile I finally see on her face? It seems like I'm not the only one starstruck. "Rain, why don't you show this handsome young man around? Teach him how everything's done. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to come to me, Mr. Banks. I'll be in the back."

Whoa, she's never talked to me that much. I still remember how bored and curt she spoke when it was my first day. Either way, I'd ensure that Darren was up to speed on everything.

"I didn't expect to see you here," I said while smiling when Lenore left.

"Neither did I, but it's a pleasant surprise," Darren responded. "Honestly it's great to know someone around here, it makes things a lot more comfortable."

He could say that again. "Ditto. Is this your first job?"

"Yeah, you?"

I nod. "I've been here a week and a half now, but it's only been the manager and me. We could really use your help around here."

***

"Oh, you really didn't have to," I say flustered, as Darren Banks sets down a box of hot pepperoni pizza. It's after our shift, and we're sitting in the mall's shiny and bustling food court.

"Please, I wanted to," Darren says while taking his seat in front of our red and white checkered table. "It's to thank you for showing me around today and being patient even after I made a few mistakes." He chuckles lightheartedly while scratching his head.

Gosh, he is so adorable. He could make more mistakes and I wouldn't even care. As long as I'm the one standing by his side ready to help, I'm happy.

"I didn't expect to get this job so easily," Darren says, opening up the box and handing me some napkins.

"Easy? That was hardly my case," I scoff while taking the napkins. "I kinda had to make my resume last minute, I didn't think I'd need one for here but I'm glad I brought it in case."

"Oh yeah, I made one too. She didn't even ask for it though. She pretty much said I looked like a good fit, asked me what times I would be available, and that was that."

"Oh.. that's weird. She asked me tons of questions."

"Maybe she needed to make sure her first worker was qualified," he shrugged.

"Maybe..."

We each take a bite of our slices and my worries instantly fade away. The pizza heavenly! They're so warm out of the oven that they're practically dripping.

I steal a glimpse of him looking up at me with radiant dimples on each side of his cheek. Feeling caught, I smile shyly and look away quickly. Haha.. no I totally wasn't just flat-out gawking.

It suddenly dawns on me that I, Rain Wilson, am sharing pizza with the Darren Banks, at the Sun Twist Mall. Is this.. a date? Could it actually be a date?

My heart is beating so fast. Instead of asking him that, because that would be crazy, I ask rather stupidly, "So what is one of the richest kids in town doing at a part-time job here?"

Darren just kind of stares at me, and I nearly choke after realizing what I've just said. "Uh, I'm sorry if that was offensive. I didn't mean to offend you, I just..."

Darren laughs gently. It's a bit reassuring. "Don't feel bad. I think everyone should try a part-time at least once."

I nod while taking another bite. Ugh, I can feel my cheeks getting red.

"By the way, Rain, were you on your way to Mr. Dacus' classroom the other day we ran into eachother?" He asked before taking a bite of his pizza.

He remembered that? "Yeah actually. Why?"

"Correct me if I'm wrong," he narrowed his eyes dubiously while shaking his index finger, "but I'd say you were asking for a letter of rec from our teach."

"Wow, you must be psychic. So you're competing for the Willowburg Merit scholarship too, aren't you?"

"I see we've got another psychic," Darren jokes. "What brings you to work here?"

"If I don't win the scholarship, I might not be able to afford college. You know how it is," I take a sour sip of pop. Although, I'm not sure he can imagine what it's like to not have your future set in stone. "At least with this job, I can save enough money to pay for my first few years."

"That's smart," Darren tilts his head sympathetically and smiles. "It's good that you're thinking ahead."

Don't get me wrong, I'm still fangirling about how he called me smart. One thing still struck me strange from this whole encounter. Why would he be competing for the scholarship if he could easily pay for school without it? I mean, it hardly seemed fair. Only one student from Willowburg High can win the Merit Scholarship. Why does he feel the need to compete for this once in a lifetime award when it means taking away the chances for students like me, whose parents can only afford the bare necessities?

I gulp down a knot of silent anger. It's not like his parents didn't care about him, either. They'd cared enough to buy him his very own latest luxury model to drive to and from school a few years back. I find myself subconsciously fiddling with a hole in my jeans, which leads me to envy him for being able to sport brand new high-quality clothes every year.

Sighing, I raise an eyebrow and say, "I never would have thought a wealthy guy like you needed to compete for a scholarship."

"You sure do like throwing that word around, don't you?" I'm surprised to see him blush. Now it is he who takes a sharp sip of pop. He sets it down a little roughly and I jump.

"Don't assume you're the only one who should be working. Though I suppose you have a valid reason to ask," he finally manages to look at me. "Rain, you seem like a trustworthy gal. Can I trust you?"

His eyes seem so sorrowful, I can't help but soften up and nod even after that biting remark. "You can tell me anything, Darren."

He smiles gently but turns his head away. He bites the inside of his cheek before talking nostalgically, "Remember that sweet little Corvette I used to drive around?"

I blush. Did he know I was watching him? Wait, of course not! With a flashy car like that, anyone would be paying attention. "Yeah, what about it?"

"Well.. I wrecked it."

"Come again?!"

"I'd gone out to a party one night. Admittedly, I drank more than I should have. It was stupid to drive out that night. Before I knew it, I was getting carried into an ambulance."

"Damn right it was stupid, were you ok?"

Darren looks at me with an expression I've never seen before. I don't know if it's good or bad, but he continues.

"Yeah, I just had some minor injuries. Nothing major. Anyway, I'll never forget the look my dad gave me when he came to pick me up," Darren studies the table somberly. His voice gets a bit lower. "He got so angry that he decided to cut me off. The car would no longer be mine. I'd have to pay for college and everything myself. The only thing he provides is shelter, food, y'know, the basics."

I drop my shoulders, finally feeling the heat of the moment leave my body. "Wow.. that's.. that's terrible." I suddenly feel ashamed for thinking I knew everything about him right off the bat. "I'm sorry, I had no idea."

He takes a deep breath, shrugging off the intense mood he'd set. "That's why I'm working. And that's why I'm competing for that scholarship."