Chapter Text
Ava has never been particularly insecure about her body.
In fact, she has found herself in love with her body for years. Though it may sound odd, when you’re paralyzed for 4 years, you’ll also have a greater appreciation for your body. At the age of 7, a drunk driver crashed directly into the taxi she and her mother had taken to the airport to fly home from their vacation in Portugal.
When she came to consciousness two things were apparent, her mother was gone as well as any semblance of control of her body. For years Ava found herself filled with dark thoughts of loneliness and the aching longing for something more. When Jillian Salvius walked into her room one day, a spark of hope flashed and soon the hope became a chance at regaining mobility.
Ava didn’t believe in any higher beings, but damn did she believe in the good that people have. After several surgeries and years of physical therapy, at the age of 18, Ava had regained most if not all mobility. Sure, some days she still woke up with back aches and yeah, her writing wasn’t the neatest but she learned to live through the small mishaps.
So Ava loved her body. She loved the way her fingertips could feel the softness of a blanket and the rough exterior of a basketball. She loved the way Jilli - sorry, her mom’s hugs felt, strong and reliable. She loved the feeling of running her hand through Michael’s hair especially after he had showered, cuddled up watching a movie with the giggling 11-year-old.
Ava loved her body but when Camila entered their dorm that Friday night, announcing her grand plan, Ava wondered for a split second if she needed more than just love for her body.
“Hooters?”
“Okay, I know it sounds crazy, but they’re offering a three thousand dollar bonus after the first 75 days!” Camila exclaimed while thrusting the flyer to Ava.
Ava and Camila were notorious for their get-rich scams. Okay, they’re not scams, they’re more like ideas that they dump as soon as they have achieved enough money or one of them declares they no longer like it.
For example, the time they made other students in their college pay to use some of the study rooms in the library even though they were free but hey, it’s not their fault others didn’t put in the research. One time they even got Mary to pay, not their finest moment but it was at a discounted rate.
Or the time they started selling snacks and drinks to professors in-between classes since many claimed they didn’t have time to eat before heading to their next class. Turns out price gauging didn’t cut it and soon their little business lost customers.
They’ve had their fair share of weird ideas but something about Hooters felt, icky.
“Cams, my little mastermind, my tiny hacker-.” started Ava.
“Aren’t we the same height?” replied Camila only to be cut off by Ava.
“-my adorable companion. Hooters? You want us to work at Hooters? Don’t get me wrong, we’ve got banging bods but do we really want middle-aged men to look at us on the daily?” Ava didn’t mean to sound rude but they already had a long list of ideas on how to make money and Hooters was not once brought up. Was stripping? Yes, but Hooters?!
“Aves, my little diva, my tiny halo-” started Camila.
“Okay, we are the same height, don’t do that to me,” Camila laughed before she proceeded.
“It’s only 75 days! We gain work experience, make money and maybe run into some hot guys, what’s the problem? We need the money, please Ava!”
Did they need the money for anything important? No. But Ava and Camila knew they needed the money for something crucial, something Jillian wasn’t going to simply hand out money for. Concert tickets to see Taylor Swift.
“In 75 days, we both will be three grand richer and that’s not including the wage and tips on top of that!” Ava couldn’t help but shrug. They needed the money and what harm could working for a place like Hooters really be?
“They better have security guards,” said Ava as she read through the flyer. Sure enough, the flyer mentioned security guards. Huh, not sure if that’s reassuring thought Ava.
“So? Can we please go? It says they’ll have interviews next week.” Ava couldn’t help but grin at Camila.
“You know what? You’re right! We’ve got the bodies, I’ve taken like three self-defense classes and who knows, maybe someone hot will walk in.” Soon enough Camila squished Ava in a hug. How bad could it be?
XX
How does one dress for an interview for Hooters?
Camila and Ava found themselves wondering hours before their interviews. Camila suggested the basic interview outfits, a cute blouse, and some nice slacks that curved just the right amount to show off their asses. Ava argued they needed to show off more, show the interviewers the goods. A push-up bra with a tank top over it. Cute almost tight denim shorts to accentuate both their legs and their asses.
Mary laughed for five minutes straight.
“I’m sorry, I just-I-you guys look like you’re going to two completely different places.” Ava and Camila sized one another up.
“Are we not just selling our bodies? Show some more skin!” said Ava while gesturing at Camila’s pants.
“I can still be professional and cute Ava. You’re over here with your shorts about to burst!”
“That’s the point!”
“OKAY! How about tank tops and some nice jeans?” suggested Mary as she rifled through Camila’s drawers.
“Business on the bottom, party on the top! I see you, Mary,” Mary shook her head at Ava’s enthusiasm and handed Camila and Ava jeans. “Go, try these on, and for god’s sake stop trying to put on the hat Ava.”
“It’s a fashion statement!”
“The statement being don’t hire me.” Ava gasped and threw the baseball cap at Mary with a huff. The hat was cute, sue her for wanting to add a spunk of her personality into the outfit.
Camila came out first, looking at herself in the mirror. She hummed to herself once she felt good in the outfit.
A loud clattering came from the bathroom. Mary and Camila turned their heads towards Ava who stumbled outside the bathroom.
“I don’t know how, but that sink got in my way.” Mary shook her head for what felt like the fifth time that day. She loved both of them but they always seemed to find themselves in a new scheme and this one was one of her least favorites.
“I still don’t understand why you want to work for a place filled with gross old middle-aged white men who believe getting handsy should still be socially acceptable,” stated their older friend.
Ava looked through the mirror at Mary, “What can we say, we’re driven by money.”
Camila laughed at Ava and then faced Mary, “It’ll be okay, it’s just 75 days and then we’re free.”
“Plus, look at us! These bodies cannot remain hidden, they must be released to the wild!”
“The wild being gross men who can’t take no for an answer?” replied Mary as she watched them grab their items.
“No, cute college guys who live within the area. I might just fall in love,” Ava sing-songed as she grabbed her wallet and keys from her nightstand. She took one more look at herself in the mirror and nodded her head, she looked good.
Camila came up behind her and placed her head on her shoulder.
“We’re hot, if they don’t hire us I say we spread a rumor that we found a thumb in their food.” God did Ava love Camila.
“Alright ladies lets get going, I have to go to the gym soon and I will not be held up by this,” and with that, they walked out of their dorm and into Mary’s car. Camila ran to the front seat shouting,” Shotgun!”
“Mary, tell her that’s not fair, she got shotgun last time!”
“No can do baby Halo, you know the rules,” Ava glared at Camila jokingly only to be met with her sticking out her tongue in response. The baby halo nickname came to be when in a drunken stupor, Ava claimed to be an angel. The joke may have been brief but Mary was to make sure everyone still remembered.
Mary drove them to the restaurant, only 5 minutes away. Camila and Ava spent the whole time preparing for the interview, well more like Camila practiced, Ava just kept saying their bodies will be more than enough to get the position.
“If there are any creepy men just punch them like I showed you guys.”
“Yes, straight for the throat, and if that doesn’t work, gouge their eyes out,” proclaimed Ava as she slipped out of the back seat. She watched Mary shake her head before releasing a sigh and eventually nodding to herself.
“Just be careful and call me if there’s an emergency.” Camila and Ava smiled at one another. Their dynamic with Mary was a fun one. Sometimes Ava thinks that this is what having an older sister must be like. Someone willing to help you with the craziest of ideas while still remaining slightly irritated with every decision they made, Ava loved it.
“And if we see any hot waitresses we’ll make sure to show them your picture,” Camila proceeded to show Mary a picture of the three of them. Once more the older of the three sighed, “I’m not even going to comment on that. I’m gone,” and drove off.
“We got this right?” Camila’s voice came out quieter, almost nervous as if it finally dawned on her what they were doing. Where Mary was the older sister to them, Camila was the little sister to Ava, the best friend who followed her every stride. The moment they met on their first day in their dorm, Ava learned what friendship truly meant.
“Of course and when we get the job, remind me to thank you for all the numbers we’re going to get,” arms interlocked as they entered the restaurant.
“Hi, welcome to Hooters, how many in your party?” now Ava had seen beautiful women before but wow, did this place hire smoke shows.
“We’re here for the interviews,” spoke up Camila, also entranced by the beauty in front of her.
“Oh, that’s right! Hi, I’m Shannon,” the taller woman spoke and shook their hands.
“Hey Lilla, do you mind manning the host stand, I forgot I had to do interviews,” to say Ava was surprised that Shannon was going to be their interviewer would be lying. Suddenly a sense of intimidation took over, this woman was gorgeous. She was lean, tall, and overall beautiful. Her loose brown locks reached the middle of her back; she wore light makeup as if she needed any. She exuded hotness levels that Ava could not believe were being used on men wanting to eat cheap wings and watch sports games on a random Tuesday.
Ava looked down at her attire and briefly wondered if they should have gone with Camila’s original outfit choice. Then again, Shannon was wearing incredibly small orange shorts and a tight white tank top with the Hooters logo displayed front and center.
Lilla, of course, another gorgeous brunette, nodded at Shannon and shooed her away. “Go ahead, we’re slow today anyway.”
Shannon led them both into a back office next to the kitchen. As they walked by, Ava could feel the humidity from the kitchen and the loud voices. “Better hurry up on those fries Charlie!”
“Through here,” Shannon led them inside a small tidy office. They shuffled into the chairs across from the desk. The office reminded Ava of the old janitor closets throughout the Psychology building that she may or may not have used for the occasional hook-up. Nothing like the smell of old wood and the sound of a creaky chair to turn you on and prepare you for any future interviews.
“I’m going to be straightforward with both of you. You’re the only ones who have shown up so far and from what I can tell right now, you’re both beautiful but this job has its downsides.”
“Creepy guys?” asked Camila almost hesitatingly. Shannon nodded solemnly. She slowly nodded her head and looked at them both. It was as if she was preparing to tell them something big.
“Truthfully, we do our best but people get handsy. Men who can’t take no for an answer. Women who think being queer gives them the right to touch and genuinely just assholes,” she spoke with a direct voice, her eyes almost glimmering with anger. Ava felt herself swallow, she just needed money. This all suddenly felt a lot more serious than she had expected.
“You will need to learn how to ask for help, how to lean on your team, and most importantly, to trust your team,” Ava found herself nodding, through her peripheral view she could see Camila doing the same though she also seemed to be chewing on her lip.
“I need you both to audibly confirm that you’re fine with that and we’ll continue with the interview.”
“Yes, we understand,” said Camila. Shannon smiled at her and shifted her gaze to Ava. “You?”
“I’ve never been one to back down,” the smile she received in response made her proud. Ava knew at that moment they nailed it. They’re going to work for Hooters. What could possibly go wrong?
XX
Beatrice Yin-Stanford had no game.
She had dated before, well actually no. She went on a date with a girl who left halfway through their meal because her ex called her. Then there was the time her date had gone well up until when they kissed. The other girl seemed to have thought a first kiss also meant getting aggressively handsy and Beatrice found herself rushing out.
So Beatrice Yin-Stanford had no game when it came to the ladies. Lilith and Shannon loved teasing her about it. Truth was Beatrice had given up. Dating apps never led to much besides a conversation starter and then getting ghosted. Anytime Lilith tried setting her up, something would go wrong, including the woman who left her for her ex in the middle of their date.
Maybe it’s bad luck , Shannon had said after Beatrice had arrived at their apartment head to toe wet. You see Beatrice had taken her date on a late-night stroll through the park, it was sweet. There were string lights on several tree branches and the air smelled of wet dirt as it had rained earlier that day. What Beatrice hadn’t expected was for a car to drive by at an alarming speed, cascading what felt like tons of water on herself and her date.
Beatrice had to walk her date back home and eventually return to her own apartment, wet and alone. She had felt miserable but Lilith had deemed it one of her top five favorite Beatrice moments.
She didn’t understand what it was about her that continuously led her into bad situations. Lilith and Shannon constantly reminded her she was a catch. Sure, it felt good to hear but after years of parent neglect, the trauma remained and the number of bad dates didn’t help.
Beatrice sighed to herself as she stretched her arms behind her back. She had been working on her essay for the past three hours. She didn’t need to turn it in for a couple more days but she wanted to finish early so Lilith could review it.
A tapping on her table caught her attention and she looked at a younger student. “Do you know if we still have to pay to use the 3B study room,” the student pointed towards one of the study rooms.
Beatrice sighs at the memory. Two juniors last year had the grand idea of charging other students to use the free library study rooms. Beatrice hadn’t been aware of this scheme until Lilith had announced one day being charged $10 to study for an hour in one of the rooms. To say she was angry when Beatrice told her they had always been free was an understatement. Beatrice would have hated to have been the one facing Lilith’s wrath.
“No, they’re all free,” the college student released a breath and smiled at Beatrice, “Thanks!”
Beatrice watched them go and then turned to her own work. A break would be nice around now , she thought to herself and soon started packing up her laptop and textbook. As she readied herself she heard her phone vibrate against the table.
She-Demon
Shannon said they have half-off wings
Beezlebee
Did we not just eat wings last week?
She-Demon
Sure, we also have eaten eggs every day this week
What’s your point?
We need the protein for the gym anyway
Beezlebee
Fine, but I’m getting the mango habanero.
You better not complain about the spice.
She-Demon
Enjoy your mouth being on fire then, see if I care
Beatrice placed her phone in her pocket and headed to her car. Like clockwork, once a week they ate at Hooters. Shannon had gotten the job freshman year, stating that I need a job and they were hiring. Shannon was great at the job though. She made sure all her coworkers felt safe and even went as far as teaching them self-defense. Beatrice had watched her move up the latter and create a working environment that she did not expect to see at a place like Hooters.
As she gathered her things, her mind went back to Shannon. Beatrice felt a kinship with both Shannon and Lilith but recently Shannon had taken it upon herself on trying to set up Beatrice. Lilith’s attempts had all resulted in misgivings so it came as no surprise that Shannon believed she could do better. Though Beatrice loved to remind them both that for people who claimed to have game, they sure were single for as long as she was.
Beatrice stepped out of her car as soon as she arrived at her apartment. She went to grab her keys from her pocket only to have the apartment door open in front of her.
“Finally, I’ve been starving,” stated Lilith as she stepped out and closed the door behind her. Beatrice watched as Lilith walked past her to the car and sighed.
“Hi Lilith, nice to see you too.”
“We live together, you see me every day, now come on. I’ve been starving for hours,” Lilith had a flair for the dramatics, something most people would find intimidating but just annoyed Beatrice.
“Fine but next time, let me please enter the premises before leaving,” Beatrice stated as she walked once more back to the car. Lilith smirked at Beatrice as she waited for the car doors to be unlocked.
“And waste time on you meandering around the place when I could be eating? Sure, I’ll think about it,” and with that, they were off.
Beatrice loved Shannon and she appreciated discounted food, they were college students after all. All three of them worked part-time jobs including Beatrice at the local bookstore BooKeepers. Though Lilith and Beatrice were brought up with money, they decided to leave their families when they were of age and soon met Shannon in their first year of school.
They were never ones to turn down cheap food and Shannon’s job provided just that. However, that didn’t mean Beatrice enjoyed visiting the place. Every time they visited, they had to witness gross men ogling at their friend and more than once Beatrice had to stop Lilith from violently attacking a customer.
Fortunately for them and Shannon, no interaction had gone further than vulgar words. Truth be told, Beatrice still wonders how an establishment built on such vulgar morals still ran today.
Lilith and Beatrice made their way inside and were greeted by Shannon and her coworker Tiffany.
“Hey! I was saving a table for you guys,” Beatrice removed her jacket and nodded toward Tiffany. Tiffany waved back and winked at her before taking over the hostess postion. Beatrice couldn’t help but blush, something about these women always left her flustered. Lilith claimed it was because Beatrice was a boobs girl, something that Beatrice never dignified in responding to.
Beatrice felt Lilith shoulder her lightly with a smirk on her face. Lilith claimed that if Beatrice had game she could have at least picked up one of Shannon’s coworkers by now but something about looking at them in that manner made her uncomfortable. Would she not be the same as the men who came to this establishment?
“Come on,” they followed Shannon to a booth, hidden from the rowdy group of men watching a football game at the bar. Beatrice and Lilith slid opposite of one another in the booth and watched as Shannon grabbed them their menus. “I know you guys are here for wings but in case you want to change your drink orders,” Beatrice never changed her drink order.
“I’ll have one of the newbies serve y’all, please be polite,” her stare was aimed at Lilith who simply shrugged.
“I make no promises,” Shannon turned her gaze to Beatrice who found herself nodding and giving her a small smile in hopes of reassuring her.
“Okay, come find me when you’re done!” and with that Shannon left them to their menus.
Beatrice and Liith scanned the menu as they had for what felt like hundreds of times. A sudden voice surprised Beatrice and soon she came face to face with someone so utterly gorgeous she thinks she’s lost all sense of speech.
“Hi, I’m Ava and I’ll be your waitress today, how can I get you started?”
Yeah, Beatrice was definitely a boobs girl.