Welcome to Modish Wear (Chapter 3)

Nick tried to slam the office door, but it had one of those slow door closers, so it could never shut quickly. Nick almost broke the door while throwing his anger into an inanimate object. He stormed out of the back room, his breathing heightened. Nick saw Hana in his peripheral vision as he strutted down the sales floor like a rushed runway model.

“What happened?” Hana called out.

“I’m working in Southwood now. Screw Victoria and Screw my ex. Screw everyone.”

“Bring pepper spray,” Shelby hollered. “You’re going to need it!”

“Shut up, Shelby, your roots are showing!”

Nick stopped to realize his current situation: He had to transfer to another store because someone ratted him out. He scanned the store, similar to how a helmsman viewed the vast ocean on their boat. “Who’s the snitch?”

He felt like he couldn’t trust anyone as gossip always flew around like a bee determined to pollinate every flower in its sight. Nick stared at Shelby Saunders. She wore purple-rimmed glasses and a high ponytail, and her smile yelled, “I’m exposing your deepest, darkest secrets for a twenty-cent raise.” Nick glanced in Chester’s direction near the men’s denim wall. Chester Bradley had caramel skin, gauges, and a black t-shirt; he always wore some sort of black t-shirt to every shift. Chester was one of the few straight men to ever work for the company, and Nick wasn’t sure if Chester let the information slip. A rule that almost every sales associate followed: Never EVER share information or pictures on social media of another co-worker to a manager. Especially the store manager.

Hana ran over to Nick, who was approaching the entrance of the clothing establishment, “This isn’t fair. I don’t want to work here without you.”

“I wonder who told Icky Vicky about my stupid rant.”

“Maybe it was…ya know.”

Nick looked perplexed, “Who?”

“Your ex.”

Nick hadn’t thought about the blatant possibility that his ex and boss had told his other boss about the incident. The video probably hurt his soft-boiled ego, and he couldn’t wait to put his ex-lover in the retail slammer. He probably made Victoria feel sympathy for his situation while shifting blame and sprinkling smugness. Nick imagined the conversation:

“Oh, Victoria, I was taken advantage of by my subordinate. I told him to stop, but he couldn’t resist my bulging calf muscles and contagious charm. I’m a beloved manager here, I help us receive great results. I’m not even gay. I have a girlfriend who tells me what I want to hear and loves tentacle porn.”

Nick swore he saw her write that as an “interest” on her social media. Or maybe it said, “loves anime.” There wasn’t much difference to Nick.

“He doesn’t even deserve me to say his name or be identified as my ex. From now on, he shall be called ‘clearance shirt.’”

Hana chuckled, “That’s so stupid, I love it. And I love you, Nick.”

“I love you too, Hana. If I don’t survive this, tell my mother I’m sorry I never gave her grandchildren. I looked forward to all the ways I could have embarrassed them.”

“I’m not telling her that. You’re going to be fine.”

They hugged one last time before Nick exited the premises and started a work experience that would change his life forever.