When eighteen year old waitress Journey Tenkleson notices a pair of turquoise eyes in the bar where she works, for once she doesn't understand her feelings. She searches tirelessly for the man she saw, but every road seems to lead to a dead end. But...
On Monday morning, Journey woke up at 8:00 so that she could work at 9. She got dressed in a cute outfit that consisted of ripped jeans and a grey crop top, then she pulled her dark hair into a high messy bun.
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She told Adali bye, then drove to work. Rynn pulled into a parking space right after Journey, then hopped out and hugged her. She was wearing a lacy, white off-the-shoulder crop top, black and white Converse, and ripped jeans.
"You're lookin' fancy today." Journey remarked.
Rynn rolled her eyes and linked her arm through Journey's. "Oh come on." She leaned closer as they went inside and whispered, "Jack's coming today."
Journey raised her eyebrows. "Really?"
Rynn nodded. Jack had been Rynn's best friend since Elementary School, but he and his family had moved out of state several years ago. Since then, they hadn't been able to see each other.
Journey hugged Rynn. "Yay! That's so exciting! You have to bring him by."
"He's picking me up after I finish my shift. So you can meet him then!" Rynn replied.
"Hey, has anyone seen Sam today?" Raegan shouted from the kitchen. Togi, as usual, was at his normal seat, stationed at the end of the bar.
Another coworker, Edisi, shook his head. "He hasn't come in today."
"Really?" Rynn asked.
Jacob, the chef currently working, nodded. "I was the one who opened today, and he isn't in his office."
"Maybe he dropped down drunk last night at his place." Nadja joked.
"Maybe I should call the police to go over there." Jacob looked sweaty.
Journey nodded. "I guess we should, just to make sure he's okay."
Jacob headed over to the phone, but Raegan stopped him.
"I'll call. You need to keep cooking." She said. She picked up the phone and dialed the local police station. "Hi. I'm a waitress at Jobes' place, the bar, and Sam Jobes, the owner, hasn't come in today, so could an officer go over to his house? Just to make sure he's okay?" She nodded. "Okay. Thanks! And you'll call after? Alright, bye." She set down the phone and shrugged.
Justin, the resident bartender, strode over. "What's going on?"
"Sam just hasn't come in today." Raegan answered nervously. For some reason, it seemed that everyone was scared of Justin, except for Journey.
"That's no reason to call the cops to his house and make a big scene." He replied in his deep, rough voice.
"But what if something bad happened to Sam?" Journey asked. Only she and Sam ever argued with the tall, muscular man.
Justin Rhode was 6'2 and a former wrestler, even though he was only twenty. Rumor had it that he had been given the opportunity to join WWE, but had refused for a quieter life. He had golden brown hair and silvery eyes and was a bronze tan from being a part of a competitive, year-round swim team.
Justin frowned at Journey, but didn't say anything. Journey shrugged and turned away to go into the kitchen, but suddenly the parking lot outside was a blaze of flashing blue and white lights. Half-blinded, Journey was shoved into Justin as customers began jumping up and heading for the door.
Journey was nearly swept away by the flow of panicked humanity, but Justin latched onto her forearm just as three police officers burst through the door.
"Stay where you are and put your hands up where we can see them!" One commanded.
Justin pulled Journey next to him, then let go and lifted his hands. "What's this about?" He called to the officer.
