❝ One day I'll be snoozing peacefully

But surely not today, surely not today❞

- Alessia Cara, Not Today.

The week flew by and I was so happy when Saturday came. I was so sleeping in today. I pulled my fluffy covers to my body and I snuggled under it, letting out a soft sound.

"Don't you have a job you should resume at today?"

Tanner's voice rang in my ear and my my eyes flew open. He leaned against the door, a smile on his face.

"I totally forgot," I rubbed my eyes, sitting up on the bed, "I thought I could sleep in today."

"Bet you did, but you want to to give a good impression on your first day at work, don't you?" He walked over to my bed and sat on the edge.

I sighed, "I guess."

"Remember we have an agreement. If this stresses you out, you're quitting. Last thing I want is you telling mom or dad how I plan on killing you."

I chuckled, "Which reminds me that I haven't spoken to neither of them all week."

"Make sure you do when you get back, and make sure you also do your laundry when you get back."

"Uh, I was kinda thinking you'd be sweet enough to—"

"Don't. Don't even complete that statement, Renée," he laughed and I roll my eyes, "Well, excuse me now, I have to go to the bathroom."

"How does my presence stop you from going to bathroom?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I sleep half naked," I grinned sheepishly and he chuckled, "So? What is it I've not seen? I used to bathe you when you were younger."

"Oh wow, I mean, it's not like I've not grown since then or anything," I said sarcastically.

"We can't be so sure," he said in between laughs and I threw my pillow at him, "Go away!"

Still laughing, he got up from the bed, making his way out of the room, "Hurry up in there and come down for breakfast."

I let out a breath when he left, raking my fingers through my hair and getting off my bed. I walked into the bathroom and spent my time freshening up before coming out minutes later to get dressed. I picked out jean shorts, a black crop top. I took a jacket for just in case and slipped on my black Vans me and Tanner had gotten together. It was super comfortable and could go with all my clothing. After grabbing my sling bag, I made my way to the kitchen where Tanner stood, smiling to himself.

"Jeez, do you know how you look right now?" I pulled out a high stool from the island table.

"Huh?" He looked at me, lost.

"Nothing. You just looked possessed standing and smiling to yourself."

"Oh, yeah," he handed me a plate and put a few slices of chocolate pancakes on it.

"Why were you smiling?" I asked, curious.

He shrugged, "I just remembered something."

"What?" I pressed.

"Renée, will you eat your food?" He didn't look at me.

"Okay," I shrugged and grabbed the tube of caramel sauce, pressing it to my pancake and taking a bite of it.

"Tell me now," I said, my mouth full.

"You know, Kaleb was right about the way you eat."

I chuckled lightly, "Come on Tanner, I just want to know what got you smiling like that."

He turned his back to me, "One time in third year, Kenz and I were walking back to the apartment. She was mad about something and when I was talking to her, she was on her phone, so I snatched the phone, laughing and she tried to get it back, and she started laughing too, then she had snot shoot out of her nose, then I started laughing harder, I didn't see that there was a brick in front of me, and I pretty much tripped over it and fell and she couldn't control her laughter, even though she still had not running down her nose. There."

By the time he was done with the story, I burst into laughter. He turned to face to me, his body shaking with laugher too.

"That's about the cutest, most embarrassing and funniest story about you two," My laughter reduced to uncomfortable chuckles.

"Trust me, there are about a million more," he smiled to himself

"What happened, Tanner? What went wrong?" I asked softly and his demeanor changed. He wasn't smiling again and he looked down, shrugging, "I think you should eat up, sweetie, time's flying already."

I wanted to push it, but I just couldn't. He looked so upset, so I just nodded and took a bite of my pancake.

"Is Kaleb coming?" He asked me when I was almost done eating.

"No, I have to go alone," I told him, remembering he had plans with Sydney. I downed my cup of cold coffee and got up from the stool.

"I have to leave now, in fact. I love you."

"Have a good day, sweetie. Be good. Love you!"

I pushed the door to Layers open and let the smell of freshly baked pastry fill my nostrils. A few people sat; some with their families, some with their friends, and some alone.

"There you are!"

I looked at Sky and smiled, "Hi Sky."

"I'm glad you showed up. How are you doing today?"

"I'm great," I rubbed my hands together.

"Great, so come with me," she motioned for me to follow her and she led me through the middle of the bakery to the counter, behind the counter and finally into a room of racks. The atmosphere of the room was cool and it smelt of cakes. So sweet.

"Okay, so, the manager's not in right now, but she was the one who said we could use a part time worker here. Right, this is the cooling room. Everyone comes here, either to check on the cakes or to cool off after dealing with some customers who could be tough," she said and I was amused so I chuckled.

"You'll get to the behind the counter. Mostly attending to customers. That, and coming in to check on the cakes, which is actually everyone's job," she chuckled. "So, I'll give you a recipe book and guide book so you can identify types of cakes which will help you know how long they're meant to stay in the cooling room."

"Got it," I nodded.

We made our way out of the cooling room and she said as we walked, "With time, you'll get used to everything and how we work here. Definitely, you've got the benefit of getting free pastries and ice cream and what not."

I giggled and followed her to the counter where a few other workers stood.

"Zuri, Marnie," she called over to some ladies who walked to where we stood. "This is Renée, she's a new worker. Part time worker. Renée, these are Zuri and Marnie, they work along the counter as well."

We exchanged hello's and passed smiles to each other.

"If you need help with anything you can ask them and they'll help you out," Sky said and they walked away.

A guy approached where Sky and I stood, a small try in his hands. He looked youngish but I knew he couldn't be my age. His hair was brown and in an ivy league haircut. His eyes danced as he walked and I couldn't tell if it was out of excitement about something or that was just the way they were.

"Ooh, new worker," he wiggled his eyebrows, his face dropping on me, "She's cute."

Sky rolled her eyes playfully at him, "Nolan, buzz off."

He chuckled lowly, ignoring her as he looked at me, "Hey, I'm Nolan."

"I'm... Renée?"

"Welcome to Layers. If you need anything, you should come to me," he grinned.

His grin made him look boyish. Honestly, how old was this dude?

"No, she won't be coming to you. She has Zuri and Marnie for that," Sky didn't look at him as she tried to fix up the counter by wiping it with a cloth.

"Well, they're ladies. If she needs a guy's help, I'll be more than ready to help," he grinned again and I smiled lightly at him.

"Nolan, what do you want?" Sky sighed, peering into the tray he held, "And why on earth haven't you glazed those donuts yet?"

"Yeah, that's why I came actually. I was wondering if you could ask Tammy to do the glazing?" I kinda already have a lot to do today."

"What makes you think she doesn't have a lot to do today as well?"

"Trust me, she doesn't, she's been on to her boyfriend since she got in" he said and Sky waved her hand tiredly at him, "Right. You can go now."

"Welcome again, Renée," Nolan smiled before walking away.

"Don't mind Nolan. Likes to act bigger than he is. I have to warn you, though, that he has an eye for ladies, so you might know how to act around him. He's a charmer too, so that might not help."

I chuckled.

Oh, she didn't know me.