𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐧𝐚 | 𝐯.𝐡

t w e n t y - s e v e n

"oh, well that's unexpected" i feel the air slightly shift as vinnie gazes at me intensely.

"how'd you meet?" i question, tapping my fingers together.

"through friends"

"online" they say at the same time, glancing at each other and i narrow my eyes.
an awkward silence overtakes us as vinnie runs a hand through his hair.

"i'll see you later briar" eva blurts out, before walking away, her wavy long locks cascading down her back.

i sight out, very much confused.

"i'm just going to pretend that didn't happen" i mutter, burying my face into my sweaty palms.

-

"here you go" i say in a monotone voice, today has not been the best. i hand the customer their order before glancing at emily.

"this is so good" she rolls her eyes, sipping at the drink, savouring it almost.

i wipe some spilt coffee from the table, raking a hand through my hair before sighing.

"i know something happened between you and lucas" em gazes at me intensely, awaiting my answer.

"it's nothing" i shrug, heading into the back to grab something then coming back in.

jackson walks through the bakery's doors and sits next to emily.

"then why didn't you sit with us today?" she asks, i watch as jackson pulls a journal out from his bag and starts to write in it.

"hey jack" i half smile, while preparing a customers order.

"hi briar" he doesn't lift his head from the page and emily scoffs.

"i need answers!" she threads a hand through her blonde locks frustratedly.

"lucas kissed briar" he mumbles, and emily gasps, her manicured hands flying to her mouth.

"jackson!" i whisper yell, widening my eyes at his words.

"what? she was bound to find out anyway" he chuckles, hair falling at the sides of his face.

"true, but how do you know?"

"i have my ways"

"lucas told you?" em questions, head resting in the palm of her hand.

"maybe" he looks back down, continuing to scribble into the journal.

"did he say why he kissed you?" emily asks.

"not really, but i think it had something to do with his breakup" i shrug lightly, wiping down the countertops.

"was it good? did you kiss back?" emily rambles and i roll my eyes.

"i have a boyfriend, em" i breathe out, taking my apron off.

"oh yeah, kinda forgot about him. how's he doing?"

"same old" i bite my lip, gathering my belongings.

"let's go, my shift's over" i pull jackson out of the bakery and em follows.

"how's it going with your dad?" jackson asks, the wind messing his hair up a little.

"he has a girlfriend"

"fuck, that sucks" jack says, and emily nods.

"meh, i guess it's okay. i didn't have high hopes for his return, but i certainly didn't think he'd bring someone home"

"enough of the boring stuff, where are we going?" i realise we've just been walking, not taking account of where we're going.

"let's let our feet take us somewhere" emily suggests and i nod in agreement.

we walk for endless amounts of time, just until sunset. emily takes a selfie, for memories. it doesn't really feel the same without lucas, he should be here. although i'm not sure he'd want to be.

i get a text so i pull my phone out from my pocket.

it's from my dad.

*i would like you to come home this instant briar wilson, especially as it's a school night! and it is dark already!*

i widen my eyes at the message. my dad has never cared about what time i come home, so why has he started all of a sudden?

"i have to go guys, i'll see you both tomorrow" i stand up from the park bench, waving them goodbye.

i reach home, my dad is waiting for me at the doorstep. his hands are folded over his chest, and he glares at me as i walk into the house.

"where have you been?" he sternly questions, and i sigh out.

"it's not even that late dad" i slump against the wall, pressing my cold hands against the radiator.

"i don't care if it's not late! you're 16 years old, start acting like it!" he yells, as his girlfriend appears from the corner. i glance at her warily, watching as a smile curves at her lips.

"firstly, i'm 17. second, i've never had a curfew before, and third, why do you care so much? it didn't seem like you cared when you went away for months at a time!" i shout back, tears forming in the corners of my eyes.

"you will not raise your voice at your father, young lady" maryanne speaks up, and i curl my lip up at her.

"who the fuck asked you?" i spit, and she gasps.

"briar!" my dad yells up at me as i storm up the stairs.

i slam my door, letting them both know i've had enough.

i throw myself onto my bed, by now the tears are rolling, and i'm sobbing. i don't even know why i'm crying, i guess this past week has been a rollercoaster of emotions.