it imagines.

mike.

"shit, shit, shit,"
i murmured as i scrambled around for my clothes,
hurrying to pull them on.
the sun slowly began to seep through my curtains,
indicating i was about forty-five minutes late to my new job.
i hurried to slipped my shoes on which caused me to fall down a few steps.
but i was in the kitchen now,
even if my limbs were throbbing.
"went to work."
i wrote for my worry of a mother,
then hastily headed out of the door.
the cold air bit my skin,
and the dew settled around me,
making me shiver.
but the frigidness didn't last long.
i sped down the street in my bike,
my limbs screaming with strain.
but i couldn't stop until i reached the farm.
when i arrived,
i threw the bike down and heaved for breath.
but i pushed through and walked up to my new boss.
"y/n, nice to see you. you're late."
his voice was thick with seriousness,
making me cower away some.
"i know. i'm sorry, sir. i, uh, woke up late.
i mumbled,
looking behind him to see a kid about my age working.
"mhm. don't let it happen again."
"yes-yes sir."
i followed him into the stable,
smiling at the kid as i approached.
"this is mike. mike, this is y/n. he will be showing you what to do today. now, i expect your full attention. both of you."
he demanded,
leaving the two of us to work away.
"hey."
the kid smiled,
sticking his hand out in friendly greeting.
"hi."
our hands fell together,
making the nerves in my bod run wild in response.
but i shrugged it off and kept my smile still.
"okay so,"
the boy began
walking around the stable with his hands out in introduction.
"welcome to your new job on the hanlon farm."
***
"time?"
i asked mike,
leaning against the nearest railing for a breath.
he laughed then looked to me with a sympathetic look.
"only ten minutes since you last asked."
"oh, god,"
i groaned rather dramatically.
mike and i both laughed as one before he said,
"first days always the hardest. wanna go get something to eat? so you can, you know, take a breather?"
"that would be awesome, yes."
i began walking toward our bikes with him,
feeling a throb in each of my muscles.
when we began pedaling,
the wind whistled in my ears and cooled my sticky face.
i knew by now that my hair was curling from both the heat and perspire against my skin,
that beads of sweat were gathering at my forehead,
and i was a little embarrassed to look so messy in front of a boy who looked rather flawless.
but i pushed the thoughts away and reminded myself that i was getting paid for work,
not for being cute.
mike guided me into the sub shop and recommended different things to me.
in the end,
i settled for the same thing he ordered in simplicity.
"that'll be nine eighty-four."
mike and i both reached for our money,
ready to pay for our meals,
until he laid a hand to mine.
the skin beneath his touch was warming up by the second.
"i'll pay."
"oh no, mike, let me-"
"hey, hey. gotta show thanks somehow."
i smiled at him then nodded,
following him to the dine in tables.
"so tell me about yourself, y/n,"
mike spoke,
his teeth biting onto the straw in his drink.
i swallowed before answering,
"well...there's not really much to know."
"really? you look interesting enough."
"dunno. guess it takes some questioning to know."
mike and i both laughed.
"alright, y/n. don't worry, i'll ask all the right questions one day."
***
"alright mrs y/n. you're free to go now,"
his grandfather announced with a smile,
ending my shift for the day.
i mentally let out a cheer,
but kept my composure professional.
"thank you for today. see you tomorrow."
i smiled at him,
turning on my feet.
i picked up my bike,
getting ready to head out,
until i heard the calling of my name.
"y/n! wait up!"
i turned around to see mike heading towards me,
a smile bright on our faces.
"hey, you,"
i greeted.
"hey,"
he panted,
"what do you say you and i go on a date saturday?"
he asked.
"all the right questions, huh?"
i teased.
mike laughed sheepishly then scratched the back of his neck in what looked to be a nervous habit.
"i mean, unless you don't want to. i totally understand! i ju-"
"it's a date,"
i interrupted,
leaning over to kiss his cheek.
"see you saturday, hanlon."