That Burns Worse Than A Curling Iron To The Ear

When I was in high school, I went to vo tech (vocational-technical school) for cosmetology. This means that half of my school day took place at a technical school that catered to multiple high schools, and the other half was at my regular high school.

In my vo tech class, there was a girl who absolutely hated me. I don’t know what I did to her that was so bad. She just decided that I deserved all of her ire. I was relieved that she went to a different high school than me, but we both stayed in that same vo tech class for three years.

I did well in my cosmetology class but ultimately decided that the field wasn’t for me. I am now the baker at a chain bakery/cafe, and despite how annoying certain coworkers are, I really like my job.

I work exclusively in the back, but one day, I am walking past the registers when I hear someone say my name. You guessed it. It’s [Mean Girl]! It has been about five years since graduation at this point, and we are both surprised to see each other.

Unfortunately, she hasn’t changed a bit.

Mean Girl: “You’re working here now? I knew you I’d never see you in a salon.”

Of course, I’m annoyed, but I like to think that I actually have matured since high school.

Me: “Yeah, it wasn’t for me. I’m the baker here. It suits me better.”

Mean Girl: *Laughing and rolling her eyes* “I guess some people just can’t handle the big leagues.”

It is at this point that the friend she’s with, who has been watching [Mean Girl] with disgust, speaks up.

Friend: “You mean Big Lots*? The place you just got fired from?”

[Mean Girl] turned bright red, and I headed back to my section before I started cracking up. I’ve seen the friend back a few times but not [Mean Girl].

*Big Lots is an American discount retail chain.