New Hire.

The words rolled around in Anthony’s head as he stood in front of the manager after the man had just let him know that they had someone new on the team. Just great… Anthony’s mind supplied sarcastically, pessimism always winning out as he tried his best not to scowl more than usual. Probably another incompetent worker. One more set of hands to clean up behind. He suppressed his urge to roll his eyes when the bossman added further insult to injury by telling Tony that he was the one who was supposed to be training them.

Him. Mr. ‘If I have to say, how can I help you today? one more time I’m gonna quit on the spot’? He was supposed to show somebody the ropes? How to give ‘service with a smile’. What a joke.

“Why the hell can’t the other guy just do it?” He heard himself protest, mind half distracted with dread and annoyance and the need to be anywhere else but this soul crushing job, the manager’s eyes sliding to a distant point over Tony’s shoulder, the younger man twisting his torso to follow his gaze to where they both watched as the other staff member whistled to himself, headphones in and obnoxiously using the broom as a guitar in between sweeping piles of dirt under the cabinets.

“Right…” Tony answered his own question, pinching the bridge of his nose with the beginnings of a headache, a sharp exhale leaving him. He didn’t get paid enough for this. Babysitting, listening to annoying tourists yap about their day or their plans—how was it Tony’s fault? Whatever—let’s just get this over with, he soothed himself, reminded that it was just another day. It’d be over in 8 hours, and he could crawl back into the comfort of his room.

“New hire… better be worth the effort.” He muttered under his breath, walking back to his post behind the counter as the coworker finished up his work and went to punch out. Anthony rolled his eyes, ignoring the overly rambunctious farewell as he passed towards the door, Tony hunching in his spot and glaring harder into the magazine in front of him. Hurry up and go… he thought to himself, nodding tersely as the manager let him know this new hire would be here soon. Great. The sooner the better. Sooner he could get back to his bed and his music.

The door jingled as it opened, Tony sighing to himself. A customer already? He didn’t want to have to put on the fake customer face while the manager was here… his glare snapping towards the door before it stopped on the person standing there, wearing the familiar Gorewood Gas polo. Oh.

Oh.

He knew that face… seen it a ton of times. It’s… it’s Anon. He hadn’t seen them since high school. He swallowed, a lump suddenly in his throat. He had to work with Anon? That Anon? The one he made a fool of himself in front of every day? He thought he’d see them again at some high school reunion ten years down the line—not here! Stood here looking every bit the loser he felt like—working some dead-end job, running on an energy drink and a lack of sleep.

And now… Tony had to train them? His high school crush? How the hell was he supposed to do that without looking like an idiot? Maybe he was enough of a loser that they didn’t even remember him. A part of him hoped that was the case, even if it would be a massive blow to his already nonexistent ego.

“Uh… Hey.” He greeted awkwardly, cringing at the way his voice raised in pitch a bit, cursing the way his pulse kicked up. “You’re… new hire? Anon? You’re with me tonight. It’s… Tony.”