Double Trouble || Draco Malfoy x Reader

life with my parents || chapter twenty

⚠️ TW: Alcohol, Abuse, Cat Calling ⚠️

The summer holidays. It's that time of year every kid longs for. After all, it means two full months of no school, no homework, and all countless days out with family and friends.

Though, for some others, me in particular, it's the time of year I dreaded most. I glanced down at the watch on my wrist, and watched as the tiny hour hand struck ten. Yet here I was, wandering the streets of England, with no home and no family to go to.

While it may sound horrible, it's actually quite... normal. It's the third time it's happened this summer, and hopefully the last, as I never plan on returning to the place I'm supposed to call "home."

An odd few cars whizzed by, but none thought to stop. They simply carried on down the road, a warm, summer breeze following. Just on the corner of a nearby street, was a lone shop, the inside of it brightly lit through the dark.

There was a quiet tinkle over my head as I pushed the door open.

"Ah, Y/N!" The man behind the counter called, "Haven't seen you in ages, pet! Where you been?"

"School," I shrugged, drifting towards the refrigerated section. The clerk watched me drag my feet, glanced down at the time, then looked back up with empathy in his gaze.

"Back for the summer holidays?" He tilted his head, trying to make conversation.

"Unfortunately."

The clerk dropped his shoulders and sighed. "Family kicked you out again?" He asked softly.

"Bingo." I murmured, pulling a bottle of Smirnoff from the shelf.

"I'm sorry." The clerk's fingers thrummed against the countertop. "I wish I'd seen you sooner, but I've been on holiday."

"Where you been?" I asked, glancing at him over my shoulder.

"America," The clerk beamed.

I placed the bottle of Smirnoff on top of the counter and reached into my back pocket. "How was it?" I asked, dropping a few golden, pound coins which I'd found on my way in. "America."

The clerk reached for the scanner and beeped the barcode. "Very sunny, darling. Not an ounce of rain in the sky." He smiled, "Oh, but their accents. I bet you'd love them, kid."

"I bet I would." I said, flashing him a weak smile. The clerk returned the gesture and counted the few coins I'd laid out on the countertop.

"This all you got?" He asked, glancing around the shop. "You know I really shouldn't be serving you as it is."

"Take it or leave it." I said, grabbing the bottle before he could swipe it away. The clerk eyed me for a moment, but shook his head and reached for something under the counter. "Here," he said, sliding over a protein bar and a five pound note. "Take care yourself, alrigh' pet?"

I looked up at him, nodding slowly. "Okay..." I agreed, my voice a near whisper. "Thank you, Steven."

I swiped the protein bar and fiver from the counter and stuffed them in my back pocket. He wore a gentle smile as I gazed up at him, and I returned it one last time before heading out.