New Hire.

The words rolled around in Anthony’s head as he stood in front of the manager after the aged and cranky 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 useless fucking idiot like Johnny. One more set of incompetent 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 French a curb at high speeds’? He was supposed to show somebody the ropes? How to give ‘service with a smile’. What a fuckin’ joke.

“Why the hell can’t Johnny just do it?” He heard himself protest, mind half distracted with dread and annoyance and the crippling need to be anywhere else but this soul crushing dead end job, dead end town dead end life, 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 Johnny whistled to himself, headphones in and obnoxiously using the broom as a guitar in between sweeping piles of dirt under the cabinets and the slushy machine

“Right…” Tony answered his own question, pinching the bridge of his nose with the beginnings of headache, a sharp exhale leaving him. He didn’t get paid enough for this bullshit. Babysitting a grown man that was older than him, listening to bitchy annoying tourists yap about their day or their plans or their inability to follow a fucking map. How was it Tony’s fault the world was full of dumbasses? Whatever- let’s just get this over with. he soothed himself, reminded that it was just another day… one more shift in the memories of a billion others like it. It’d be over in 8 hours, and he could crawl back into the comfort of his dingy little room at home… provided his mom didn’t come barging in wanting his help with something.

“New hire… better be worth the effort.” He muttered under his breath, walking back to his post behind the counter as Johnny ‘finished up’ his work and went to punch out, practically running. Idiot’s probably itching to jerk off or something Anthony rolled his eyes, ignoring the overly rambunctious and ‘bro’-coded farewell from the redhead 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 and close his eyes and pretend he didn’t live here. Or at all.

The door jingled as it opened, Tony sighing to himself. A customer already? He didn’t want to have to put on the fake ass 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-… holy shit- it’s Anon. He hadn’t seen them since high school. He swallowed, a lump suddenly in his throat. Fuck… he had to work with Anon? That Anon? The one he made a fool of himself in front of before Chemistry 2 every day? Tripped over his tongue every time they looked at him? He thought he’d seem them again at some Gorewood High reunion ten fucking years down the line- not… not here! Stood here looking every bit the loser he felt like- working some dead-end job, stomach full of takeout and running on an energy drink, 2 hours of sleep, and a truck load of sarcasm.

And now… Tony had to train them? His- fuck, for lack of a better word, 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 suck dick and hit like a sledgehammer to his already nonexistent ego.

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