Rancorous

Chapter 7

PRESENT

Herlina

My alarm sounds off at exactly seven in the morning. I rub at my eyes and get ready for the day. After taking a shower and doing my makeup, I pick up my purse from my closet and head downstairs. Unsurprisingly, I find my dad in the kitchen serving himself a cup of coffee.

"Hey dad."

"Hey sweetheart." My dad picks up the snacks he has already gathered for me and drops them in my purse. "Your mom's in her office right now. She has a lot of work to get to."

I stifle a sigh and tuck my hair behind my ear. My dad always did that. Informed me of my mother even though I never asked.

If she truly cared about me and my dad, she'd eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with us. She'd spend more time with us. But that wasn't reality.

There was a time when I tried to get close to her, but I'd stopped when I realized it was no use. My father seems to still hang on to a thin thread of hope. It hurts to see him that way, even if he acts like it doesn't affect him.

I don't like to think about it, because when I do, I think about the times when it seemed like my mother constantly had a glow around her. It was a glow that shined on anyone that came in contact with her. Now, what remained was a shell of a person that once was my mother.

With a kiss on the cheek, I thank him for the yogurt, granola bars, gummy bears, and whatever else my dad stuffed in my bag.

"Have a fun day at work." My dad smiles warmly and takes a small sip of his coffee.

I smile back. "Ok dad. Love you."

"Love you too sweetheart."

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The bell chimes in the store as I walk inside. My heart feels a little lighter and my mind a little more peaceful at the scent of the bookstore.

"Herlina, today is the busy day." Mrs. Imani reminds me with a smile. I grin at the mention of the word busy. Distraction was my best friend at the moment.

Dropping my bag under the counter, my purple apron appears as soon as I slide off my jacket. I thought to wear it beforehand.

"Is Milo already stocking up the shelves?"

"Yes dear, he's in the comic book section. I have to go make myself a nice and warm tea." Mrs. Imani departs as I make my way to Milo. I walk with precaution, hiding behind the shelves and looking through the small spaces between books.

Spotting Milo, he looks lost in his own world as he fits thin and thick books into the shelves. I jump in front of him with a "Boo!" just like he did a few weeks ago.

He doesn't even flinch.

"Oh come on. I thought for sure I'd get you." I cross my arms. He laughs with a shake of his head.

"Seriously Herlina. You're too cute to be scary."

"Cute? I'm almost eighteen years old." I lightly slap his arm and help him by grabbing a huge chunk of books from the carboard box on the ground.

Milo laughs even louder. "It was a joke. You're more spunky than anything."

I hum in disagreement. "Presley's the spunky one."

"Actually, you're right. You're the boring one."

I glare at him to which he chuckles. "Yeah, go ahead. Keep laughing because I'm obviously 'boring' right?" I laugh along with him.