Helena's Retail Hell

This. Was. Mind numbing.

Helena had always heard that the job market could be brutal after college, and on a certain level, she was glad to have some kind of guaranteed income. But as she rang up constant items, and forced countless customer service smiles, it was hard to feel grateful.

She should be in the big city! With a grand job! Not back home, in the middle of nowhere, at her dad's clothing store.

It was a humble little shop, like everything in this town. Been in her family longer than she had. The selection was... Fine, but not exactly stocked with the season's hottest items. Repetitive music played overhead, the clock droned on, and customers came and went.

At the very least, Helena found the work easy. Too easy.

"...So then, I'm walking along to my job interview and-- SNAP! My heels BREAK! Can you believe it?"

Meredith, one of the local housewives, rambled on. Helena only mumbled in agreement, while absentmindedly scanning her items. Why do people feel the need to make small talk, as if telling an inconsequential story will get them a discount?

"...So I take them off, but I don't want to get my socks dirty, so next thing I know, I'm barefoot in this office--"

"Do you want your receipt?" Helena interjected.

Without waiting for a response, Helena printed the paper, and as she did so, she took off her shoes. She paired them together. Placed them in a box, then did the same with her socks! Neatly folding them as if they were any other socks on the shelves.

She placed gave Meredith her items, and her footwear, and nodded. "Have a nice day."

"Oh-- Yeah, I should be going. You too, sweetie! Have fun today!" Meredith beamed, walking out of the store, without even acknowledging her extra baggage.

Helena slumped against the counter, checking her phone. God, the day was barely over. She checked her messages, scrolled through social media, begging for anything even slightly interesting... When she finally took notice of something.

She glanced down, and blinked, as her pink-painted toes rested on the carpeted floor.

"Uh..."