BURNING OUT

I hurriedly entered the hamburger shop and made my way towards the locker room in a hurry. My stomach twisted when I realized I was late again. Great, just great. I just hoped my asshole boss wouldn't find any reason to fire me.

I couldn't afford to lose this job, not when I was barely keeping my life together.

"Hey Amelia" my co-worker, Anna, smirked looking at me. For some reason, she never likes me and that was all because of our asshole boss. She always seemed to enjoy my misfortune. I hated that she had a thing for Mr. Lloyd, our boss, the same man who made my shift a living nightmare.

Forty-five, lecherous, and the kind of guy who made every interaction uncomfortable. And yet, Anna would move mountains for him and make my life a living hell.

"Hi," I responded timidly hoping that will make her get off my back. But boy, I was so wrong.

"You've decided to come late again. Do I need to tell a little birdie to convey this news to Mr. Lloyd?" Anna stated with mirth in her eyes, seeming pleased with herself.

"Anna...don't. What do you want" I pleaded, desperation clear in my voice. I couldn't lose this job.

Losing this job would mean failing school, missing rent, and letting my parents sink further into their addiction.

I'd already barely slept the last two nights, juggling three jobs just to scrape by.

The locker room swung open and there he was. Mr. Lloyd, leaning against the frame with that smug , self satisfied look, like he owned the world and had a tight leash on his employees. Specifically, an employee like me.

His gaze lingered too long, cold and calculating, scanning me as if he could read every line on my face.

"Late again, Amelia?" His voice was oily and it made my stomach coil in a knot.

"I hope you are not slacking off in your other little jobs....or school. I'd hate to see a smart student like you drop out you know..." He purred, satisfaction evident on his face.

I swallowed hard, keeping my gaze down, praying I wouldn't say the wrong thing. My hands shook slightly as I clutched my locker strap. Every nerve screamed that one misstep would ruin everything and that is a luxury I couldn't afford.

"Y..Yes, sir," I whispered, clutching my locker door like it was a lifeline I couldn't lose.

He smirked, taking a step closer.

"Good. I'd hate to think you are slacking or resorting to other motives to earn money" His gaze lingered way too long leaving no room for misinterpretation like they always did.

Anna leaned against the wall, clearly enjoying the show. I could feel her amusement like the way my nails were digging into my palm.

"Maybe you should take a break, Amelia," shevsaid, voice dripping with false concern. "I'm sure Mr. Lloyd would understand if you needed...special attention for your, uh...other jobs."

It doesn't take a genius to realize that Anna was enunciating that, I was in fact a whore. I could have retaliated but the last thing I wanted was to give him a reason to make me lose everything I was barely holding on to.

As much as Mr. Lloyd liked me, he also liked Anna because Anna gave him wanted. Among my other jobs, this is the one that actually pays well. And I wasn't going to lose it because I couldn't seal my mouth shut.

I swallowed hard and turned to look at him, forcing my voice to be steady.

"I...wont be late again, sir."

His smirk deepened, satisfaction glinting in his eyes. "See that you don't."

And with his threat, he walked away, Anna hot on his tail.

I took a deep breath and walked towards the counter after changing into my work uniform.

"I'm having a hamburger and a coffee. Bring them over." Some old man not far younger than Mr. Lloyd commanded from one of the tables.

"Coming right up." I responded and got to work.

After I was done, I passed the food to my other co-worker, Ben to deliver the food.

A minute later, he came back with the order still in his hand.

"What happened? Doesn't our customer like it?" I questioned Ben softly.

"I don't think it has anything to do with the order. He said he wants to be served by you" Ben muttered.

This wasn't the first time customers asked me to do this. I blamed it on my attractive figure. I wished I had come to this world as scrawny. Maybe then, perverts would leave me the fuck alone.

I took a deep breath and took the tray away from Ben with a strained smile forcing myself not to grimace in disgust after I turned to look at the middle aged man who was licking his lips in a lewd way.

"Be careful" Ben whispered to me and made his way to take my place at the counter.

He was the only one here who gave me an ounce of safety. He actually liked me as a human.

I steadily made my way towards the table and greeted the man.

My hands trembled as I set the tray down. The man at the table didn't even look at his burger; instead, his hand snaked out, reaching for my thigh.

With a jolt of pure adrenaline, I hissed and slapped his hand away before he could make contact. I didn't stay to hear his protest.

I bolted for the washroom, the fluorescent lights blurring as I locked myself in a stall and collapsed against the door, sobbing until my throat felt raw.

​After the tears ran dry, I retreated to the sanctuary of the locker room. My stomach groaned as it had been days since I’d had a real meal. I pulled a crushed protein bar from my bag, my only means of survival, and washed it down with lukewarm water. Exhaustion, heavier than my fear, finally won.

My eyes fluttered shut.

​I woke to a skin-crawling sensation, a heavy hand cupping my breast through the work uniform I was wearing.

​I lunged upward with a gasp of pure terror, my hand flying out in a sharp, stinging arc that connected squarely with a man's cheek.

As the fog of sleep cleared, my heart plummeted. Standing before me, nursing a reddening face, was Mr. Lloyd. I scrambled backward, my back hitting the lockers with a cold thud as horror washed over me.

​"Oh... You slapped me?" Mr. Lloyd asked, his voice low and dangerously calm as he rubbed his jaw.