❝ I bite my tongue, it never hurt so bad

Keep wanting you to cross that line

I keep tryna get you to react ❞

- Keke Palmer, Jeremih, Enemiez.

"I still can't believe you're getting a job so soon," Kaleb said in misery as we got into his car after school. We were going to check the bakery out. "And you'll probably be working on Saturdays."

"Yeah, thanks to the friendly and hot Kendall," I faked a grin.

"We always hang out on Saturdays," he said quietly.

He was right. If he wasn't with his basketball guys or doing something with Sydney, I was over at his house or he came over to mine and we would see movies or just talk and do fun stuff. Sometimes when he didn't want to be a complete ass, we would go on a ride to wherever the gas could take us to and fro. We would sing on top of our lungs to songs by Khalid because we were die hard fans, then we would walk into La Taqueria for tacos because Kaleb was in love with them.

I let out a breath, this was going to be so hard and I bit my lower lip.

"But hey, we aren't so sure I'll be working on Saturdays yet," I felt my face light up.

"Rae, if anything, bakeries open mostly on Saturdays. I mean, it's Saturday," he said.

"You're right," I sank back into the passenger seat beside him.

"Hey, I'm sure we would work something out if at all you have to work on Saturdays," he started to turn the key in its ignition and was about to pull away from the school's parking lot when I heard Sydney call, "Kaleb!"

"Oh, come on," I groaned, rubbing my temples as I sank even lower in the seat. I wanted to avoid her for the whole day, all because I wasn't in the mood for her drama on the first day.

Kaleb shot me an apologetic look before getting down to talk to her, but that didn't mean I couldn't hear their conversation.

"What the hell, Kaleb," I heard Sydney say.

"Are you okay, Syd?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I just don't know what she's doing in the car."

I rolled my eyes inside the car. What was with her?

"I promised Rae I would take her somewhere," he explained.

"Where? Where are you taking her, Kaleb?"

I groaned, pushing the door open and coming out, "It's none of your business where he's taking me."

She raised an eyebrow at me, "Stay out of this," she looked back at Kaleb, "So?"

I grabbed my bag from the front seat and slung it over my shoulder, "You know what, Kaleb? We should probably go on Saturday. Better yet, I can go myself."

"You should, because we've got plans for Saturday," Sydney shot and I rolled my eyes and started to walk away.

"No, Rae," Kaleb spoke, "I promised you I'll take you to go check the place out and I will, so you should get back into the car," he looked back at Sydney, planting a kiss on her lips, "I promise you, I'll make it up to you. I'll call you tonight?"

She rolled her eyes before mumbling an 'okay' and then glared at me as I got back into the car.

"I'm sorry about that," Kaleb said in a quiet voice as he pulled away from the parking lot.

"She annoys the hell out of me," I let out a breath, adjusting in the seat, "But then, I hate being the cause of your arguments sometimes.

"She just needs reassurance that there's nothing going on between both of us, Rae, that's all," his eyes didn't leave the road.

"But that's stupid, we were best friends before she came along. Didn't she notice that before she said yes to you? She's so—" I stopped myself and bit my tongue so I didn't say anything extremely insulting against her. Sometimes I wanted nothing but to call her all sorts of names but I knew it would hurt Kaleb. I knew he really liked her, so I just let out a breath and rested my head against the window.

"Layers?" Kaleb looked at me.

We turned to look at the bakery again. The building was somewhat large and it had bright lights showing inside. I wouldn't deny, it was a cute shop.

"Why would it be called Layers?" Kaleb looked at me.

"Well, cakes have layers, don't they?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Ooh," he said in realisation, "But hey, there are other more creative names to call it."

"Alright, Mr. more creative, let's hear the names you have," I folded my arms.

"Uh... what about... confection connection?"

"Nah, not really," I shook my head.

"Cake Time?"

"Psh, that sounds cliche," I rolled my eyes.

"Artsy Tartsy?"

"Sounds kindergartenish."

"Cake O'clock?"

"Ew," I cringed. "That's worse. Let's get out of the car, Kaleb."

It was his turn to roll his eyes so he pushed his side of the car door open. We both got down and walked into the bakery.

"I don't know what to say," I told him, biting my lower lip.

"I got you," he said before walking up to the counter with me following behind him. A lady stood, her eyes roaming the almost scanty bakery as she tapped her long fingernails against the counter. She has a tag on her too that said, 'Hi! I'm Sky.' along with a smiley beside it.

"Hey there, I'm Sky, what can I get you?" She asked, her grey eyes twinkling as she looked right from Kaleb to me.

"Uh, nothing at all. Actually, we're high school students and we're wondering if you're hiring. If there's any work one could do as a part time job," Kaleb said and I looked at the lady who squinted at him, "Do you have a résumé?"

Wow. Looks like Tanner was serious about this résumé thing.

Kaleb looked at me, unsure, and I shook my head, "No, not at all. I have no professional experience or anything."

She hesitated, "Right," she nodded slowly. "Just a part time job?"

I looked at Kaleb before nodding, "Yeah."

She took out a notepad and pen, "What's your name?"

"Renée. Renée McCann."

"What school do you attend?"

"Ridgeview High," I answered.

"What days would you be available for? Except Saturdays, that is," she looked at me.

"So, I don't have to work Saturdays?"

"Well, it's not exactly necessary since you're a student. Only some Saturdays you may be needed. If we're going to a job, yes, you'll have to start on Saturday, but every other Saturday might be an off day for you."

I listened with rapt attention.

"So, what days would you be available for?"

"Uh, after school. Everyday, except Wednesdays because I have club activities."

I was a member of Girl Up. There were more than 1,900 clubs registered in different states, but a girl Charlotte had been the one to start the club in our school. We raised thousands of dollars every year to support programs that empower teen girls and hosted celebrations on International Women's day or international day of the girl. We participated in fundraising challenges and a whole lot more, and of course, Sydney was a member of the club as well.

YAY.

"Right, so, every day of the week except Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays," Sky said to herself as she wrote them down. She looked up shortly after, "Great, you should drop your email address, just so you know if we accept to take you as a part time worker.

"Alright," I went ahead to give her my address then she looked at Kaleb, "What about you? Are you also looking to get a job here?"

He shook his head, "No, I'm not. But it seems like a nice place, though."

She smiled, "Thank you, and I have to say, it was quite sweet of you to come here with your girlfriend."

While Kaleb smiled to keep from laughing, I shook my head, chuckling, "No, he's not my boyfriend. We're best friends."

Pink rose to Sky's cheeks as she let out a low laugh, "I'm sorry, I had no idea."

Most people didn't.

"It's fine," I told her.

People would assume Kaleb and I were dating, and before Kaleb started dating Sydney, we would play along with it because it just seemed funny to us, but now, I made the correction.

We walked out of Layers and I felt quite satisfied. I still didn't like the idea of working, but I remembered me and Tanner's agreement on if this didn't work out after a week.

By the time Kaleb dropped me at home, Tanner was back from work.

"Hey, little one. How'd the first day go?" My big brother engulfed me in a hug, kissing the top of my head, a gesture I loved.

I shrugged, throwing my backpack on the couch before landing beside it, "It was alright. Nothing new. You're home early, what's up?"

"In other words, 'why are you home? Get out' ," he looked at me and I laughed.

"Of course, that's not what I meant. It's just rare."

"I didn't have much to do, so I got the rest of the day off, and hey, did you check out the bakery Kendall talked about?"

"It's called Layers. Kaleb and I went after school to check it out "

"Yeah? How is it?"

"It's pretty okay. I gave my email address to this lady behind the counter. Said I'll know if they take me."

"Well, let's see how that goes? If it works out, then you have Kendall to thank."

"Uh," I got up from the couch, looking at Tanner before kissing his cheek, "No."

Then I walked to my room gallantly.