Ikher woke with a start to his phone vibrating around the nightstand. He fumbled several times before he managed to grab and flip it open.

  “Hello?”

  “Yes, is this... Ick-her Why-bar-ah?” a tiny feminine voice asked.

  “That’s me, yeah,” Ikher said, sitting up and rubbing his face.

  “You put in an application at Shape Shifters. I was wondering if you wanted to come in for an interview?”

  “Oh yeah. Absolutely,” he said, hopping out of bed and looking for his clothes. “I can come down now if you like.”

  “Oh, well, yes, I suppose that could work. Can you be here in... thirty minutes?”

  “Sure can.”

  “Excellent! I’ll see you then. I’m Peggy, I should be at the front when you come in.”

  “Awesome. Thank you!”

  He got dressed, ate something quickly, and skated up to gym. Dropping his skateboard at the front doors, he entered and found the front desk. The short pig tailed brunette behind the desk perked up as he approached.

  “Hi! How can I help you?”

  “Are you Peggy? I'm Ikher. You called this morning about the interview."

  "Hi, yes," she said, glancing under the desk. She grabbed Ikher's application and grabbed a pen. "Are you okay with doing an interview right here? The trainers are using the break room for a meeting."

  "Yeah sure!"

  "Awesome! Okay! What certifications do you have? We take NASM, AFPA, and ISSA,” she asked, leaning on the counter.

  "I... don’t know what those are," he shrugged. She blinked and shook her head.

  “I’m sorry, weren't you applying to be a trainer?”

  "Oh! No, I was wondering if you had anything like front desk or sales or something."

  “No. I’m sorry," she shook her head and frowned. "We only have openings for two trainers and a nutritionist." When Ikher's shoulders dropped, she pointed the pen at him "You can get one of the certs over a long weekend. I could give you some resources if you wanted to look into them.”

  “Ummm, yeah, sure,” Ikher shrugged. "Could be fun."

  “Excellent,” she bounced and turned around, gathering the pamphlets. Ikher glanced around, tapping his fingers to music emanating from the closed classroom. The two trainers inside were yelling at their boot camp class.

  “Here you go! That's all the info for the certs we take. You can pick which one you might like best."

  “Thanks!” he said, taking the brochures. “Is it okay if I look around?”

  “Of course! If you need anything, come find me,” she said, sticking her small hand out, which he shook. Flexing his hand from her strong grip, Ikher wandered the gym.

  The first floor had all the equipment and exercise areas, upstairs had locker rooms, showers, and offices. On his way out, he noticed one of the mounted TV’s playing a football game between Spain and Russia. He stopped and watched, remembering the watching matches with his father.

  “You see that ludicrous display last night?” a voice asked and he turned to see a taller sweaty well-built man with a shaved head standing next to him, arms crossed, watching the same screen.

  “Huh?”

  “The soccer match?" the man said, pointing to the TV. "You were enthralled so I figured you might have seen last nights.”

  “Oh, nah. I just moved here, I don’t even have a TV yet.”

  “Ahhhh,” the man nodded and ran his hand towel over his head. As he turned to look at him, Ikher noticed his eyes were the same brown as his skin. “Do you like soccer?”

  “Oh, yeah. Haven’t watched since leaving college, but I’m hoping Spain makes the World Cup next year.”

  “See,” the man said with a sigh, shaking his head. “Spain's always trying to walk it in.”

  “Okay that’s harsh.” The man laughed and extended his hand. “I’m Eric Leday.”

  “Ikher Ybarra,” he replied, shaking his hand.

  “Ybarra? Okay. I see why you’re a Spain fan,” Eric said, pointing and nodding at him. “Hey, if you don’t have a place to watch, come down to my bar. We always have the matches on. The food and drinks aren't bad either.”

  “Bet! Where is it?”

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  “You know where the laundromat is, couple blocks down?” Eric asked, jerking this thumb behind him. “I’m opposite that.”

  “The place that wraps around the corner of the building?”

  “That’s it,” Eric said, smiling and pulled his towel out. “I’m gonna get back to it. See you soon?” he pointed at Ikher as he walked away.

  “Definitely,” Ikher nodded. He glanced up at the TV, realized it was later than he thought, and hurried home to finish his fence.

----------------------------------------

  Ikher finished the fence restoration that afternoon and was admiring his work from the park path when Nancy pulled up for her run. She started jogging but slowed to a stop when she noticed the fence.

  “Ikher, this is excellent,” she said, taking it all in. He took a drink from his jug of water and turned to her with a big smile.

  “Hey, thanks Nancy!”

  “You're welcome,” she nodded, still examining the fence. “This kind of quality shows you care about what you do.”

  “What’s got you in such a pleasant mood today?” he asked and her laugh was deep and genuine.

  “My family’s business is construction. I’ve seen my fair share of restorations. I know good work when I see it,” she smiled.

  "That means a lot. Thanks! Would you like some water?" he asked, raising his jug which made Nancy recoil. "Not from this. I have cups and glasses inside."

  “Oh, no thank you. I don’t drink when I run,” she said, making him take a step back.

  “That’s insane. You can get cramps or heat stroke,” he shook head and held up a hand before she could reply. “Stay here. Let me get you some.”

  “No really-“ she started to protest but Ikher set his jug down, went into the house and came back with a glass of water. “I’m fine, really. Thank you though,” she protested, but he held out the glass. Nancy crossed her arms under her chest and glared at him.

  “I can be stubborn too,” he laughed, sitting the glass on a fence post next to him and crossing his arms. “We can have a staring contest but then you won’t get your run in.”  

  “I can start my run now and leave you here with your water,” she stated, raising her chin. Her stare giving him the feel of being interrogated by his mother again.

  “Yeah... you could,” he said, shrinking under her gaze. “But, that would be pretty rude though and I don’t think you’re like that,” he said, offering the glass again.

  “You don’t know me that well.”

  “Yeeeah, but you haven’t left yet. It’s decent water,” he said, taking a small sip. “Mmmm. See.” She glared at him for a moment longer before shaking her head with a sigh and taking the glass from him.

  “Am I released?” she asked, handing the glass back half full.

  “Yep. Til you get done with your run. I’ll have a fresh glass for you then,” he said, swinging the glass in his hand as he leaned on the fence post. She shook her head again before she started down the path into the park. Ikher grabbed his water jug and headed inside, figuring he had time for a quick smoke before Nancy came back around.

  “Shit,” he cursed, opening his dresser drawer as he had sold most of his remaining stash. He could easily get more from his friend in Newfield. Problem was, he had no car and taking public transportation with a large amount of drugs was never smart.

  Ikher knew two people with cars he could ask: his mother, who hated the smell of weed and Candace, who was super pissed at him. Tapping his phone on the dresser, he weighed the options until he sighed and dialed Candace’s number. It rang until it went to voicemail.

  “Hey, it’s Ikher. Call me back. Let’s talk,” he said, flipping the phone closed. He wasn’t halfway down his hallway before his phone rang.

  “What?” Candace blurted when he answered the call.

  “I was wondering if you wanted to come over and we could talk.”

  “I don’t know. Do you want me to come over?” He opened his mouth and then closed it, thinking about her question.

  “Umm, yeah. That’s why I asked.”

  “Yes, but do YOU want ME to come over Ikher?” His brows furrowed together at the question. “Or do you want some other bitch to come over?” she said, saving him from having to answer.

  “You,” he said, putting his hand on his forehead. “That’s why I called you.” There was silence on the line. He waited, but there was no answer. He pulled his phone away and looked at it to make sure the call was still going. “Candace?”

  “What?” He shook his head and threw his hand up in the air.

  “Are you coming by?” he asked and waited. Silence again. “Candace?”

  “Yes!” Candace exhaled on the phone. “I’ll come over.”

  “Awesome. See you soon,” he said but she had already hung up. He figured she would be down for a pickup if he smoked with her afterward, but he needed to get cleaned up first.

  By the time he showered and changed, he figured it was almost time for Nancy to be back around. Grabbing a glass of water, he headed out and sat on his stairs. It wasn’t long before she came along, walking to her car. She turned toward him when he cleared his throat. Her head dropped to the side as she glared at him.

  “Must we do this?”

  “I’m afraid you must suffer hydration,” he grinned, getting off the stairs and walking over to her. “I mean, I guess you could always use the other lot in the park,” he shrugged with a grin as he handed the glass over. Nancy stared at him for a moment before rolling her eyes and taking it. She drank half the glass in one go again before handing it back to him.

  “I just might,” she pointed at him.

“But then where would you get your evening banter?”

  “Good night Ikher,” she said with a chuckle, shaking her head. The street lights came on as she got in her car and left. He noticed Candace's car parked in front of Janine’s driveway, her inside watching him.

  Ikher waved her over, but she didn’t move so he Ikher walked over to her car. She stared at him from inside, her mouth twisted to the side. He pulled her door handle, but it was locked.

  “Hey, you coming in?” he asked. She glared at him for a moment before opening the door into him.

  “I thought you wanted me to come over,” she said, slamming her door.

  “I do,” he said shaking his head and holding his hands out.

  “Ok. So, who was that?” she said, pointing to where Nancy had driven. “Are you giving water to strangers now?”

  “Oh! Nah,” he waved her comment away. “That’s Nancy. She parks in front of the house, so she can run in the park.” Candace threw her hands up and stalked towards his house. Ikher caught up with her. “What? I gave her some water, so she didn’t get dehydrated,” he said, catching the door as she thew it open.

  “Why is it always a woman Ikher?!” Candace yelled, as he closed the door behind him. “Why are you always trying to be some Prince Charming?! Oh, let me give this bitch some cake, and this skank needs some water!!”

  “I’m just being polite. You’re blowing this way out of proportion,” Ikher said with a sigh. A knock at the door drew both their attention.

  “This is exactly what I’m talking about! Who the fuck is that?!” Candace yelled, her fists balled at her sides. Ikher shrugged as he took a step over and opened the door, doing a double take before he recognized Janine.

  Her usual mass of curly hair gone, replaced with thick braided twists slung over one shoulder. Her sparkling silver lipstick and eye shadow stood out against her dark skin. She wore knee high boots, black sequined jeans, and a black corset top nearly spilling over with her cleavage.

  “Hey, your friend’s car is-“Janine started.

  “Why is that fat bitch here again?!” Candace yelled. Janine’s eyes narrowed and her fists clenched as she looked at Ikher.

  “Oh shit,” was all he could manage before Janine pushed him aside.