Changing Shifts

Who: Olivia and Mya
Where: The diner
When: Early morning

Olivia was apprehensive to go to the diner, but felt like it was necessary. She couldn't just stop showing up for shifts, even though she had yesterday and today. She didn't know if Brian would have talked to Mya about it or not. But she couldn't put it off. Mya'd given her a job when she desperately needed one, so she at least deserved notice and an explanation. Tense, Olivia walked into the diner and headed directly for Mya's office, not bothering to look around at the staff, or the kitchen. If Brian was there, she'd probably bolt so she wanted to avoid seeing him if possible. She knocked quickly on Mya's door, deciding to give it five seconds before she turned and ran out.

Mya had given Brian the morning off, letting him soak up a bit of extra birthday, she had paperwork she'd been slacking on anyhow. She was sitting behind her desk, her hair pulled back and held up precariously with a pencil when the door knocked. "It's open." She said, which was obvious because the door didn't even lock.

Olivia pushed open the door, peeked in, and stepped inside to shut it quietly behind her. "Hi, Mya... do you have a minute? I wanted to apologize for not coming in yesterday, or today." She stood in front of Mya's desk, feeling fairly guilty about it. "I don't know if you... talked to Brian or not."

Mya gestured to the seat as she looked up with a small smile. "Olivia… Brian mentioned you needing some time off but didn't tell me why." She also didn't ask, but from the look of the girl and that familiar nagging feeling- she needed help.

"I do. I'm leaving today actually... for a couple of days. I have to head back home to take care of some things." Olivia sat reluctantly and paused before continuing. "My dad died... I should be back by Saturday. And when I come back, I... need my shifts rearranged, otherwise I don't think I can work here anymore."

She could feel the sadness over the loss of her father, but also pain and anger. Both feelings were very normal for someone who'd lost someone but somehow they felt… different. "Of course, whatever you need." Mya said pushing the papers to the side and leaning forward a little, giving her attention wholly to Olivia. "You always have a job here, however you need to work it." She told the girl. "And if you need someone to talk to… there's an open ear as well."

Olivia nodded, though she didn't speak to Mya that much. She wasn't sure how much she could, or would, actually divulge to her boss. Especially since Mya and Brian were close. "I don't want to work anymore shifts with Brian. So if you could schedule us opposite from each other, I'd be fine with that."

There was tension when she said Brian's name, something had happened between the two- that's what was causing the anger and some betrayal. "It shouldn't be a problem." Especially if they got the new manager they wanted. "Would you mind if I inquire as to what happened?" Mya asked; her tone wasn't one of trying to pry, but more trying to understand in the hopes of helping.

Her smile was tight and humorless at Mya's question. She was somewhat surprised Brian hadn't told Mya about it - but why would he? Olivia didn't feel comfortable telling her everything so she took a breath and shifted somewhat in her chair. "Family issues. Conflict, I guess. He withheld some information from me for awhile, that... I can't work with him anymore. If I do, I won't be comfortable and I'll have to quit."

"I wouldn't want that." Mya said softly. "We'll do whatever – I'll do whatever I can to make things comfortable for you." She said. "Olivia, I want you to know something." Mya said, she knew Olivia had a lot she was dealing with and it couldn't be good to keep it all inside like she was. "I want you to know that no mater what, you can come to me; whether to rant to, to talk to, to cry on, whatever you need you can come to me. It doesn't matter what it's about… or who."

"Thanks, Mya." She appreciated the gesture, but she could barely talk to the people who were suppose to be close to her. And Mya was still close with Brian, which put her a bit on edge. "I just don't want to bring my personal problems into the places where I work, which is why I'm requesting the change. I really appreciate your understanding about in regards to it. I promise when I get back things will get much better."

"I understand." Mya nodded. However she knew that Olivia was still keeping things in and it was those types of feelings that caused the most pain. She didn't want to force the girl to talk, but she did want to encourage her. It didn't work on everyone but sometimes her guiding 'vibe' encouraged people to talk, she'd just have to direct it to Olivia, if she felt like she could open up and still didn't want to then that's what would happen. "My job isn't really to only run this diner, but also to make sure that all my employees and anyone else who enters the doors are treated with respect, comfortable and free of any worry. My door is always open to you if you need it and I wish you a safe trip, just let me know when you would like to be put back on the schedule and we'll work it so you don't work with anyone you don't feel comfortable with."

Free of any worry. That was something Olivia was constantly striving for. She just hadn't achieved it yet. She wondered if she ever would. She shifted in her seat again, wondering what it would be like to talk to an actual woman. She had plenty of men in her life and no female friends whatsoever. She hadn't had a female friend since Chicago and that had ended horribly. Not that she could consider Mya a friend. Mya was her boss. Still, she felt comfortable with her regardless. She had since the first day Mya hired her. "I'll be back on Saturday," Olivia confirmed and went to rise from her seat. She hesitated briefly. "It's just... do you ever feel like when you're close to getting your life on track, something constantly happens to derail it?"

Mya laughed a little. "Constantly. Of course that's the way things work. The important this is being able to pick yourself back up and get back on the track." She told the girl, a little please she'd started something.

"Okay, say you try that, and you keep getting knocked down." Olivia rubbed her palms over her knees, eying Mya closely. "I mean, how're you suppose to deal when you've not really got one constant in your life to turn to?" She had no clue why she was talking to Mya about this stuff. All Olivia knew was if she continued to hold things in, she might end up having a nervous breakdown if she couldn't find answers that made her feel better. "There's only so many times you get knocked down before you just want to lay there and never move again."

"And sometimes you have to… but you have to realize something, and I know it's hard because it's happening to you… you're not the only one. You have people who care about you and who will help pick you up, sometimes you just have to see them- and not be afraid to ask for help." Mya said, a lot of people had these worries and issues, the causes were always different but the feelings were always the same; loneliness, lost, scared, tired- they made a very bad combination. "I know it can be hard to look to the positive, but that's exactly what you need to do when life gets like this. They have all sorts of sayings that have turned into jokes but you know they do hold good points… when life gives you lemons…"

Olivia nodded. She had a few people, she supposed. It was just tough when the people you began to trust and grow close to turn out to be someone you don't really recognize. "You're right... I know I should look for the positive." And she was trying. Really hard. She didn't think she could get out of bed in the morning otherwise. "Thank you, Mya. I appreciate... everything. Really. Not everyone would be as understanding."
Mya shook her head. "No need to thank me." Although it did feel nice to hear the words. "It's my job to help people." She said softly.

With a small smile, Olivia stood from the chair. She had one other place to go before trying to hitch a ride out. "I'll come talk to you when I get back," she promised. At least she knew she'd have one job waiting for her when she came back. Babylon, she had no clue, but she supposed she'd find out.

Mya stood politely as Olivia prepared to leave. "You take care of yourself." She said with a soft smile. "And I'll see you when you get back."