for ididntrun

[spikedbats]

[ When handed the ultimatum by his father, Steve had hoped to be able to get away with another summer spent as a lifeguard at the pool. It would have been fine, he would have a little bit of breathing room before he decided what to do come September when he wasn't among the rest of the college bound kids going to classes.

But when Billy Hargrove showed up, that plan had gone right out the window. Instead, Steve turned to Starcourt, and applied to every possible job. Just like the string of colleges he applied to, all of them turned him down. Not even his mother's name could land him a job.

Until Scoops Ahoy got back to him. The caveat? The damn uniform he'd have to wear. But, a job is a job, and Steve's dad was placated long enough to leave him alone for the rest of the summer with promises to check in.

And so begins the longest summer imaginable, because of course Dustin had to go off to his genius camp, leaving Steve to get guilt tripped by the pack of rascals hassling him for free ice cream and, once they learned they can sneak through the employee break room down a long hallway right to the cinema to avoid paying for a movie, well...Steve was doomed.

But not nearly as doomed as having to serve his fellow classmates and make up excuses for why he didn't get into college while simultaneously trying to flirt with the cute girls. All while Robin Buckley marks down his progress (his shame) on a whiteboard. He just has to keep reminding himself, this is better than having to deal with Billy all summer.

It's Robin's turn for a break now, leaving Steve to man the counter, and Steve is so close to abandoning the hat in hopes that maybe having his hair on display will help with the ladies. But then he remembers the district manager likes to pay visits unannounced and the last thing he needs right now is for the only job willing to give him a chance to find a reason to fire him. So, he stands in his stupid sailor ensemble with his stupid sailor hat, and he waits for a customer. Any customer at all. ]