The end of our shift was drawing near. I was exhausted. I broke the rules by taking my bear ears headband off as it was squeezing my brain. Or felt like it anyway.

Amy frowned at me again for the millionth time. “Are you going to stay grumpy forever?”

“Maybe.”

Amy sighed. “Look. If going out with Jerry is going to give you this much heartburn, just call him and cancel. You don’t really even have to give him a reason. Honestly, I really think you could use some fun. Spare me any lecture about not enjoying those dates when we were in high school.”

I readjusted my headband. “Sure. I’ll admit that was fun. We were experimenting. Doesn’t mean I want to be a girl or actually like boys.”

Amy got her face right up into mine. “Bullshit! You told me straight on you wanted to be a girl. Not too long ago you were having fond memories of your dates with Ethan!”

I started doodling on one of the order pad even though we were told not too. “Knock it off, Amy. That’s when we were kids.”

Amy grunted a laugh. “Hate to break this to you, Scotti. You’re nineteen. You’re hardly an elder statesman. This is more about your dad than you. Fuck your dad and be you!”

Shocked, I scowled at Amy. “You can’t just say that about my dad! I mean, he’s like my dad. I have to give him some respect since I wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for him!”

Amy shook her head. “That’s great. Hooray for you existing. But Scotti that’s all you’re going to do is exist. Be you, Scotti. You gotta grab that brass ring by the balls!”

I narrowed my brows at her. “I think you’re mixing metaphors. But I get it. I shouldn’t live Dad’s life. The thing is, he’s paying for it all.”

Amy laughed. “Tell Dad thank you and then go out with Jerry. What Dad doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

I frowned at Amy. “That’s like lying to him.”

Chuckling, Amy asked, “Did you promise your dad you wouldn’t date Jerry?”

“Well, no.”

Laughing, Amy exclaimed, “Sounds good to me!”

I frowned at Amy. “You don’t seem to have a lot of ethics.”

Amy frowned back at me. “And you have too many. Look. If going out with Jerry is something you just can’t bring yourself to do, then don’t. But I think you should have some fun. You’re not marrying the guy.”

“True.”

Two girls dressed in the Pink Bear uniform entered the restaurant. Our shift had finally ended. Amy and I ran out to her car and climbed in. She drove me back to the dorm.

“See you tomorrow morning!” exclaimed Amy as she drove away. Exhausted, I started walking to my dorm building. I might just go straight to bed even though it’d be really early.

Just as I was about to press the elevator button, the door opened a girl stepped out. She looked at me for a moment, grinned and asked, “Do you work at Pink Bear?” I desperately wanted to say something smart-ass since I was wearing the Pink Bear uniform.

I said, “Yes. Great guess.”

She giggled and asked, “I’m trying to find a job. Are there any openings there?”

I nodded. “Apply on-line or in person.”

She pressed further. “Is it hard work?”

I chuckled despite being dead on my feet. “Depends on what you think is hard. You’re on your feet all day. You can’t sit down. Sometimes you’re so busy you can’t remember your name. You have to wear this dress and this silly headband with the ears and make-up.”

She smiled and said, “Thanks.” I shook my head as I watched her scamper away.

I stood in the elevator a full minute before I realized I hadn’t pressed the button for my floor. I’d pushed the button for the first floor, which I was already on. The door finally opened on the correct floor and I stepped out. I sighed.

“Hey Scotti!” waved Larry. He was sitting in the common area with two of his buddies.

“Hey guys. What’s up?” I asked staring down the hallway to door to my room.

Larry grinned. “We were just about to head out to go see that Tommy Kincaid movie, No Time for Samurai. Hey, would you like to go with us?”

Actually, I did want to see it. He didn’t say, but it’s probably the movie Jerry is taking me to. I said, “I would like to see that, but honestly, I’m really tired. I’ll probably do some studying and then go to bed.”

Larry laughed. “Study? Girl this is college! You’re supposed to be having fun!” Why is everyone telling me to have fun? Must be a conspiracy or something.

I flashed him a smile and said, “Thanks for inviting me. But I should study. I have a test coming up.”

Stan – I think – said, “Girls don’t like action movies. They like romance. You should ask her to see Fifty pairs of shoes – Part deux; the Shaming..”

“Oh, I loved the first movie.” I said. Amy and I saw it while I was dressed as a girl.

Looking surprised, Larry said, “I thought girls loved Tommy Kincaid!”

I shook my head. “I like Tommy Kincaid. I like Nathan Adams better, but that’s not the reason I’m declining your invitation.”

Larry frowned. “Still clinging to that studying story, eh?”

Chuckling, I said, “I do have to study!”

Larry laughed. “Okay, okay. Maybe next time.”

I nodded. “Have fun, guys.”

I managed to get into my room and lock the door. I fell on my bed and exclaimed to myself, “Boys drive me crazy!”

To be continued…