New Job

MIA'S POV

I woke up from Jaret's voice bossing my mom and remembered he would stay home in the morning. Mom is going to work now.

"Shit!" I jerked off my bed.

"Good morning," Davon greeted. He looked so fresh already. I could smell my shower gel all over him.

"Davon! You need to go now. I'll meet you outside when I'm done preparing myself," I pushed him near the window.

"Why?" his body stiffened, refusing to move.

"Because Jaret is back. If he sees you, we're dead. Wait for me in the woods. I'll bring some breakfast. Go!"

Davon slowly crawled out the window, staying low. He went to the bushes and continued into the woods. I felt relieved immediately.

I went to the door and unlock it when mom suddenly came in.

"Mom!"

"Jesus, Mia! Don't startle me like that!" Mom was taken aback, seeing me standing by the door, "And why are you still in your pajama?"

"Sorry, mom. I woke up late."

"Packed your food before I go to work. Jaret is here," mom urged.

I followed her downstairs. Luckily, Jaret was still in their room, changing his clothes. Mom gave me the sandwich she had prepared for my lunch.

"Mom, can I pack more? I will search for jobs today; you know how hungry that is. Roaming around the street."

"Okay, go and pack everything you need, and please hurry. You know Jaret disapproves of that," Mom packs Oliver's lunch. I quickly pulled out a zip-lock bag and packed some food for Davon.

I wouldn't be doing this if I still have job. But if I kept taking money from my savings, I wouldn't have anything left for me when I moved out. One more year, and I'll be off by myself.

I would have gone to school there if I had relatives in the city, but I don't. Rent is expensive, not to mention my food and other necessities budget.

Unlike here, everything is free, and mom pays my tuition fee. I just worked, so I don't need to rely on her for other stuff I need to buy.

"Are you that hungry later?" mom was surprised to see the food I had packed. It's suitable for three people.

"Big appetite, mom. You know how strolling could lose all your energy. Plus, getting stressed out."

"I have never heard of that before, but if you say so. Now put that away before Jaret comes down," mom smiled. I made myself a sandwich for breakfast and ate it in my room.

I bathed hurriedly and rode my bike into the woods. My class will start after lunch. Davon and I still have plenty of time to talk while he eat.

*******

"Davon!" I called out, searching for him.

I remembered I told him to wait for me in the woods, but he wasn't there. Did he go to his grave already?

I was about to leave when he jumped in front of me from a tree. I screamed my lungs out and spanked him.

"What the fuck, Davon! Don't scare me like that!" I breathe out, calming myself. My heart felt like it would leap out of my chest anytime.

"I'm sorry. I was watching you and thought you were about to leave."

"If I get a heart attack, you'll be trapped in the notebook again, forever!" I walked away, riding my bike.

"Mia! I said I'm sorry!" he followed me, and I let him walk for a few meters as punishment for his actions.

I stopped at the hillside. It was one of the picnic areas in town. Other bystanders were around, but the hillside was packed during the weekend.

I let out my beach scarf and laid it on the grass. Davon sat beside me while I took out the bag.

"Here," I gave him the bag of food I had packed earlier. Of course, I left some for lunch.

"Thanks," he ate it all as usual. Werewolves have a big appetite. I'm surprised Davon still maintains his figure despite consuming protein constantly.

"What are your plans for today? I'll have class after lunch, but here," I handed him a small sling bag with food and water, "Your lunch."

"You know I can hunt for food. I don't want you to get into trouble for me."

Davon heard my mom. He was listening close by while she urged me to pack food hurriedly.

"Don't worry. I am being careful."

"But you can't do that forever, Mia. Maybe I could find some job and help you out."

Speaking of a job, I don't have one at the moment. Where would Davon work? He is not familiar with how a human does their thing. He might get in trouble being with my kind.

"First, I must teach you about humans. You may have acquainted them in the past, but things are different now."

"Sure. When do we start?"

"Well, you know the basics about humans. Today, what you need to do to be equipped is to go to school, which is impossible."

"Why impossible?"

"Because school needs money, and to have money, you need to work. And the first step in school is the nursery, where kids like five years old attend."

"Then teach me."

Davon is right. I can home-school him for now because I am still searching for a new job, but my schedule will be tight after that.

"Okay."

My phone suddenly rang. It was Theo.

"Theo, what's up?"

"Meet me at the public library now, and hurry," Theo ended the call.

"Davon, I need to go and meet my friend Theo at the public library. I think it's about the job he is referring to. Are you going to the grave?" I folded my scarf and took my bag.

"Can I go with you? I could blend in a while waiting for you."

"Fine. But you're huge. You will not fit on my bike, and it would be awkward if someone saw you riding with me.

"I'll be right behind you," Davon insists.

"Are you sure?"

Davon nodded. I ride my back going to the town's public library. I didn't see Davon behind me, but I knew he was somewhere.

Theo was at the entrance when I arrived. I looked back and didn't see Davon. I hope he's not lost.

"Mia! Come on! My friend is waiting inside."

Theo's friend, Alona, resigned from the public library. She's moving back to the city with her family. I'll be the one to replace her. Alona introduces me to the supervisor, Mrs. Maggie Olsen.

She's a sixty-year-old woman who seemed very friendly. The government assigned her as the public librarian in our town. This means I will be under the government's payroll as a casual employee.

"Nice meeting you, Mrs. Olsen," I reach out my hand. I have a glimpse of Davon entering the library.

"Pleasure is mine, dear," Mrs. Olsen shook my hand.

She took my information, wrote it down on paper, and returned to her office. Alona will be the one to give me instructions about my job before formally resigning.

My job was simple. I'll watch the library, arrange the books, take care of the guest, list all the borrowed books and collect fines when it overdue.

"Mrs. Olsen is very understanding. She prefers a working student to get a job here to help them. Just make a call in advance if you can't attend. Make sure to save your colleague's number," Alona instructed.

"Copy that."

"One of the perks of working here is free books. You can borrow anytime, and the salary is good. The government pays well for casual employees. So, do well. You can start tomorrow."

"Thank you so much, Alona. I need this job. You are an answered prayer."

"You're welcome. If you excuse me, I still need to finish my shift today. Good luck, Mia."

I hugged Theo, thanking him for the job. He met Alona in one of his online games, and they became friends. I'm glad there are benefits you can get from playing online games.

"Alona said Mrs. Olsen lives alone in her house at Hems Street. Her husband died of illness."

"Do they have kids?"

"No. Just her and her pet cats."

"Oh, that's sad," I glanced around and saw Davon had gone out. I could bring him to the library tomorrow and let him read books to help him learn more about humans.

Theo went home. It's still early for school. Before, I hung out in their house while waiting for our schedule. Now, I need to find Davon.

I rode my bike back to the hillside. He suddenly showed up, running beside me. Since Davon will be staying for a while, I need to do something and help him find his family.

He can't go on like this forever. Hiding, searching for his pack, and waiting. Nothings happen.

"You got the job!" Davon held me close. He was happy for me and supported me all the way.

"You know, Davon. I could search for your family online. It's been how many decades. They may have records now. They could be somewhere doing business or have families with humans."

"Online? Show me."

I told him we could search on my laptop at home or I could do it in school where Wi-Fi is available. He doesn't understand and ignores it.

"Mia, I want to work."