MERRITT #2
The money isn’t anything incredible, but the majority of my shifts are quiet, and it gives me time to study and work on my personal essay and application.
I burst through the doors of the campus bookstore approximately two minutes before I’m scheduled to work, and yet it still earns me an icy glare from the older woman sitting behind the desk.
It’s not that she hates me, per se. I think she just hates everyone, honestly.
She’s pushing eighty if I had to guess, and I think if I still had to deal with a bunch of students at that age, then I’d probably hate the world too.
Very fair.
I quickly round the counter and set my backpack on the empty shelf before turning to Mrs. Jarvis.
“Just in time,” I say, smiling brightly as she pins me with a stare over the tops of her wired glasses.
I can practically taste the disdain rolling off her. It’s honestly kind of impressive how she’s managed to achieve such a patronizing stare without even speaking.
She glances down at the gold watch on her wrist, then slowly lifts her gaze back to mine. “Seemingly so. I’ll be leaving, then. Please be sure to shelve the new textbooks we received yesterday.”
I nod, keeping my smile firmly in place despite the urge I’m resisting to roll my eyes.
Of course she’d leave that to me.
I get that it’s part of my job, and I’m happy to do my job, but she also always leaves the tedious things for me to do.
“No problem. I’ll get it done.”
She purses her lips. “And this time, please be sure to double-check your work. I found a title out of its correct order last week.”
Fuck, I’m way too tired for this.
Instead of flipping her the finger, which I would absolutely love to do, I force a wide smile and nod. “Absolutely, of course.”
I need an award for the restraint I’m currently possessing.
Thankfully, she leaves without giving me any more shit, and the second the doors shut behind her, my shoulders sag in relief.
I try to remind myself that as mean and bitchy as Mrs. Jarvis is, she’s probably just trying to survive. Just like me.
Tonight’s my late shift, the one night of the week we stay open until 8:30, so I pull my phone out of the pocket of my jeans and text Elliott.
He should be getting off the bus any minute from school.
ME: Hey loser. Just reminding you that I work late tonight, so it’ll be you and Annabelle until about 9:30. There’s pizza and chicken nuggets in the freezer so take your pick. Oh, and don’t forget your homework. You’ve got a social studies test next week.
I tuck my phone back into my pocket and start unpacking my backpack behind the front desk when I feel it vibrate.
That was quick.
Pulling it back out, I swipe my finger across the screen.
BUTTNUG2000: Super wild concept I know… but I can take care of myself. I’m eleven weirdo. Not two.
BUTTNUG2000:
BUTTNUG2000: Don’t need a babysitter!!!!
ME: Hey, forgive me for wanting to keep you ALIVE. If it were up to you, you’d survive on pickle chips and Dr. pepper. Plus, you love Annabelle so try and keep the buttnuggetness to a minimum, k?
BUTTNUG2000: How else do you think I got this smart? Dr. Pepper and Chicken Nugs
ME: Idk, probably the fact that I make you do your homework, or you don’t get to play Xbox? Whatever you wanna call it though
BUTTNUG2000: Gotta go. Lots of homework to do
ME: Mhm. Love you Elly Belly
BUTTNUG2000: Love u too Merry-go-round
My little brother is the only person on the planet who can get away with calling me anything other than my actual name, and he knows it.
I have some weird pet peeves like… when people give me nicknames.
I loathe it.
And with an uncommon name like mine, people do it constantly, like my full name is too hard for them to remember, or it’s just easier to shorten it.
Even Stella and Maddie call me Merritt, and they’re my best friends.
Elliott’s just been calling me that since he was a baby. It was easier for him to say Me-rry than Merritt, and it kind of just stuck. I’ve always been Merry to him.
Now, he tries to come up with a thousand different ways to use it.
Today’s is apparently Merry-go-round.
I laugh as I pull up the group chat with Stella and Maddie before I get to work, attempting to catch up on the messages I missed.
There is an ungodly amount, per usual, so I quickly read through them.
Majority are talking about how we’re counting down the days till we’re all able to be together again, and Stell’s new piercing.
STELL-Y: I can’t even believe I got my belly button pierced. imagine when my parents find out lol
MADS: Your dad might have a coronary. He’s def gonna turn that shade of red like when you got a D in math our freshman year. Remember?
STELL-Y:
STELL-Y: Don’t remind me
MADS: Fuck it. It’s so hot, and you rock it babe
STELL-Y: Thank youuuuu. Imagine if he found out I like boys and girls
MADS: Sooooo scandalous
MADS: Where is Merritt? It’s been 84 years since she’s responded
STELL-Y: Probably studying… Or working…Or in class
I smirk, tapping a quick response.
ME: Which is exactly what you two should be doing
ME: Hiiiii, it’s me… jessicaaaaaa
MADS:
ME: Sorry, i was in fact in class. Fighting for my life. At work now, but I’m so tired I might die & no energy drink
STELL-Y: Want me to doordash you one??
ME: You’re the best, and ily but no it’s okay. I only have a few hours left at the book store then I can go home
STELL-Y: Did you have your beloved fossil at least?
MADS: Don’t make fun of our little y2k angel
ME: yes I have my ipod. I don’t leave home without it, duh. The only way I’m making it through the rest of the night
STELL-Y: You’re like the only person I’ve ever met that still uses wire headphones, Merritt
ME: That’s because they’re RELIABLE
MADS: She’s not wrong
ME: Gotta go to work but I’ll FT when I’m home. Love you byeeeee