Unfamiliar Territory

Chapter Four �" Unfamiliar Territory

 

            I slid my jacket on over my white t-shirt, and closed the front door, pulling my keys from my pocket to lock it.

            “Hurry, we’re going to be late!” Josh yelled from the passenger side of my car. I rolled my eyes. That’s exactly what I told him twenty minutes ago when he refused to wake up and get off of my couch.  I ran to my car and got in, slamming the door behind me. The car started up with a growling sound and soon we’re on our way to Hank’s Gas Station.

            I glanced over at Josh during a red light. His head was leaning against the back of the seat and his eyes were glued to the road ahead of us. I could officially say this is the longest I’ve seen him go without speaking, which doesn’t say much since it’s only been fifteen minutes, but still.

            “Are you alive over there? Still hung over, huh?” I asked him, as the light turned green. The trees and houses passed by as a blur outside the car windows.

            “A little, but I was mostly just lost in thought.” He said, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

            “Must be unfamiliar territory then,” I said as we pulled into the back of the gas station. I glanced over at him one more time, as I opened the car door and got out.

            “What?” He asked, giving me a confused look. I laughed at his tired, yet confused expression.        

            “My dad once told me that the only reason people get lost in thought is because it’s unfamiliar territory.” I told him, thinking back to when my dad went through this whole philosophical phase and gave me a new quote or saying everyday. This was one of them, and one of my favorites just because it was so funny and easily used to insult people, like Josh.

            “That’s really rude, actually.” He said, giving me a dirty look and opening the door to the gas station and walking in, letting the door slam closed behind him. And he thinks I’m rude? I followed him into the shop and headed behind the counter after clocking in.

            “You two are both late!” Katie shouted, as she emerged from the back room. I roled my eyes, as Josh started to argue with her about whether we were late or not.

            “No we weren’t! We were here and clocked in two minutes before our shifts started!” He said with a victorious grin on his face. Katie checked out times and then made a pouting face.

            “Fine, you’re right.” She huffed, before grabbing her bag and walking out the door, not muttering any form of ‘good bye’. I shrugged it off, and leaned back in the chair in the corner, letting Josh work the counter for now.

~*~

            “If you don’t like your job, you don’t strike! You just go in every day, and do it really half assed. That’s the American way.” Josh said, taking another bite of his pudding.

            “Did you just quote the Simpsons?” I asked him, raising my eyebrow, and handing the lady across the counter her change. She gave me a sympathetic look and then glared at Josh. I had to keep myself from laughing as I told her, “Have a nice day!” She took her change and slowly made her way back to her car and pulled out the gas nozzle.

            “Yeah, I did. How’d you know?” He asked, licking the pudding off of the back of his spoon.

            “I’ve seen the show before, you know. Did you have to scare the first customer of the day off by arguing with her about ‘strikes’? I mean, seriously, she was like fifty two; she shouldn’t have to put up with you first thing in the afternoon.” I said, tossing him a bag of chips as I carried the box out of the back to restock the shelves.

            “Well, too late. What’s wrong with you anyway? You’ve been crabby all morning.” He said popping the chip bag open and tossing a few in his mouth. I could hear the crunch of him chewing from across the shop.           

            “Chew with you mouth closed, will you? And nothing, but I might be in a better mood if didn’t wake up to you on my couch this morning.” I said sarcastically, as I rearranged the sodas in the freezer. I regretted not wearing a sweater as the freezer spilled cold air over my arms.

            “Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy seeing my face this morning! And nope, sorry, I can’t.” He said chomping exaggeratedly on the handful of chips he just threw in his mouth. I pretended to gag, and threw the empty box at him.

            “You’re disgusting. You could at least do some work, at your, you know, job.” I told him sitting cross-legged on the floor. We definitely need to get another chair back here.

            “Maybe I would if you’d quit bitching every ten seconds.” He said standing up and dusting the chip crumbs off of his lap. I scowled at him, knowing I’ll probably be the one to clean it up later.

            “Well, maybe if you actually did something, I wouldn’t b***h so much.” I said in a calm, yet bitchy voice, as I grabbed the broom and shoved it at him. “At least clean up your own mess,” I told him. He glared at me, but took the broom and swept up the crumbs. Finally, a victory, too bad it’s probably the last one; that stubborn jerk.

~*~

            I bent down to tie my shoe laces, before I made my way out to my car. I shivered as the unseasonably cold wind whipped my hair around my face. Just as I was standing up I heard footsteps behind me.

            “Can I catch a ride home?” Josh asked, stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets. I should give him a ride, since I drove him here, but really, I don’t want to.

            “Don’t you have anyone else you can ask for a ride? What about Katie?” I asked him, trying to be nice about it, but not really.

            “She just got to work, what do you think? And no, no one else can give me a ride. It’s you, or I walk.” He said bitterly, clearly knowing what I’m up to.

            “Oh okay…” I was cut off by a girl’s high-pitched shouting.

            “Joshua! Hey, where are you going?” Burgundy shouted from her truck as she pulled into the lot beside my car. Josh smirked at me, and cocked his head, before walking up to the driver side of Burgundy’s truck so she could give him a peck on the cheek. I rolled my eyes and started for the driver’s side of my car.

            “Hey, Clair, never mind, I don’t need a ride.” He shouted, giving me a mischievous grin. I got in and closed my car door and headed home.