working early {open}

[grace]

Grace sighed lightly, tucking a stray strand of pale blonde hair that had escaped its ponytail behind her ear with one hand. She currently had a large boa constrictor around her shoulders, its head resting in her left palm. The reptiles weren't doing very well in the heat, it was too much. In fact, all the animals seemed a little more lethargic than usual. Except the pygmy puff cage, they were rolling about, chattering and giggling like usual. And breeding at a pace faster than mice or rabbits, they were reproducing faster than they could sell them, and as there wasn't much physical difference between males and females, it was difficult to sort them to prevent more litters.

Grace took the large snake, whom she had been ironically referring to as Tiny into the back where she'd prepared a pool of tepid water to help him cool off. The snake gratefully coiled into it, she could practically see the relief in his eyes. If only it were so easy for her to forget about her own problems simply by taking a bath... Though it did become easier to shut out memories of the event when she was working, hence why she had been taking so many shifts. Early ones were her favourite, she wasn't at all phased by getting up when the sun was a thin blood red sliver on the horizon, she liked the quiet of tending to the animals before the shop opened.

They also kept her out of the house. Grace hadn't seen Caleb since school ended, and was very keen on avoiding him. They hadn't formally broken up, and Grace was dreading the idea. After what had happened, she couldn't stand to be with him anymore, but she was afraid of what he'd do, especially if a breakup was her idea. Sighing again, Grace reached into the water, lightly running her hand down the snake, who looked to be in utter bliss. Catching a glimpse at one of her arms, Grace bit her lip. She hadn't worn a sweater to cover her scars, it was too hot, so ugly they were... At least the animals didn't care, even if people saw.

Though the ones on her legs did remain covered, as they weren't allowed to wear shorts, but that was just fine with her. "Easy life, huh?" Grace said quietly, knowing that she was alone in the back with the snake. Tiny, of course, did not respond, but instead laid there lazily, beady eyes fixed on her. She'd give him a few more minutes, not wanting him to get too cold, before she went on to, likely, fruitlessly segregate the pygmy puffs by gender. Grace looked up from the shallow pool when she heard the door open, she had thought she was the only one on the pre-opening shift...

Outfit