A/N: So this is my first story on here officially. If there are any mistakes its mostly because i haven't edited it yet. If the Spanish is messed up its because i'm relying on google translate. If you have any problems with it please tell me in the comments. Also please tell me constructively how you would make this story better in the comments! The above picture is Alex btw. Thank you so much for reading! xoxo
I can feel the silence, the type that reminds you of screaming but never saying anything, start to slip into my bones. The music coming through one limp headphone hanging in my ear does little to stop the strong attacker. It's heavy, relentless, and unregretful. The drooping headphone finally falls out, bothered by the fast motion of my sweeping. Red numbers look at me from the clock overhead. One more hour till I have my break. Sweeping the dirt and small candy wrappers out the back door, I hear the chime come from the front. Putting the broom back in the cleaning closet I head for the front to see who came in.
Two males about the extent of the empire state building walk around gathering some items before they stood waiting by the register. They both had their backs to me. The only other employee working was Michael, who operated the cash register. Tip toeing in the candy aisle I moved further down to see if he was there. I lowered down fast as they started to turn their head towards where they heard me knock into the candy shelves. Obviously they were waiting for someone to ring up their items and Michael wasn't there. He must have been out back unloading all the chip bags. This meant I had to work the rn cash register. I steadily collected and chastised myself for being such a baby. Smoothing my short light brown hair down, I strode around the corner of the aisle. They turned their heads towards me and muttered to each other something like, "finally." I kept my head downcast and walked around the counter as fast as I could. Lifting my head up to finally meet their judgments, I gulp mutely. They had bottomless rich blue eyes framed by lengthy eyelashes. their tan skin was much different than my lightly pale skin. Keeping their faces straight they stare back at my bluish green eyes. Clearing my throat I ask, "Would that be all today?" I fared a small smile. They both nodded in unification. There is silence again but not like earlier today. This silence was inquisitive. Now as I put their items in plastic bags I notice how much they look identical. Perhaps twins, possibly cousins? "Have a good day." I express to them as I hand them their bags. Taking them from my hands they hastily leave out the front door.
Exhaling, I take my apron off and get my bag, where I put my apron inside, from behind the customer counter. Finally walking out the back for my break. I sit on the large metal trashcan in the back of the building. My feet barely touch the ground, I pull out a pack of cigarettes from my black bag. Tapping them into my other hand, I pull one out and stick it between my chapped ruddy lips. Letting it hang between them as I search in my bag for a lighter. After looking for a while I pull one out. I cup my hand over the cigarette and try to light it, finding it hard to do with the cold wind. Finally lighting it I put away the navy lighter. When I take a drag the end burns brightly. I can hear the loud trucks and fast cars owned by rushed people drive by. I let out a breath of smoke as if I was a huge fire breathing dragon. Breathing out smoke instead of fire for the glowing embers inside my belly had been sedated. I think it might have been the hush that warranted it.
Michael backs out of the door next to me carrying boxes piled high in his arms. Not being able to see over them, he turns slightly and tries to set them down. The boxes start to tumble from his hands before he could catch them. Only managing to keep one from leaving his hands, he mutters something under his breath. I laugh slightly and say, "At least there isn't anything breakable in them, right?" He turns around and rubs the back of his neck laughing seemingly embarrassed. "Yeah, I guess so. Just some empty boxes." He replies slightly kicking a box next to him while still rubbing his neck. He seems to do this quite a lot when he's embarrassed. I chuckle and push the lit end of my cigarette into the brick wall making it go out. Black smudges form on the wall before I stop.
Kicking my right leg up slightly before letting the heel of my black chucks hit the trash can for the tenth time, I sigh loudly. Michael had went back inside about five minutes ago. I hop down from the metal trash can and pull my apron out of my bag before putting it on again. Finally getting back to sweeping the floors, even though I'm pretty sure they couldn't get any cleaner, I start to hum. The bell at the top of the door rings throughout the store, warning us someone had come in. I set he broom down and walk to the front of the store. A man stands at the counter. I, slightly annoyed that Michael isn't doing his job, walk around the counter where the cash register is. "Hola, me preguntaba si esta raod conduce a linewood?" the rough looking man asks me if this road leads to linewood, which is the city next to this one. Michael comes out of the back and stands next to us asking me what he wanted. "oh , lo siento , no hablas español?" Michael starts to answer for me by saying no she doesn't when I put a hand up to stop him mid sentence. "Sí. Por favor ignorarlo. y para responder a su pregunta , este camino va norht conduce a linewood." Telling the man to ignore Michael, I tell him it does indeed lead to linewood, which leaves Michael shocked and the old man leaves with a quick, " gracias" Annoyed I start to walk off but am I stopped when Michael wraps his hand on my bicep, effectively stopping me. "Hey, sorry about that. I didn't know you spoke Spanish. You never told me." Rolling my eyes I just tell him not to interrupt me no matter what he thinks I can and can't do. I don't want to fight right now. It's time to leave anyway.
Getting into my car I sit there pinching the bridge of my nose and leaning my head back. There's a headache forming in between my eyes. I think that I might be getting a cold or something. Great. I can't miss any more days of work. I have to be able to pay for my college books this summer. I turn on the car's heater and wait for it to warm up. The cold bothered me and I couldn't stand the weather at night. It's way too cold during the fall. I jump in my seat when there is a knock at my car window. I look to see one of the guys from earlier at my window. He was smiling and motioning for me to roll down the window. I roll it down slightly and look up at him questioningly. "Hey, my brother and I were wondering if you were okay?" he says with a little half smile. I hear another knock at my passenger window. I whipped my head to see his brother smiling. Yeah defiantly twins. "Umm I'm fine just feeling kind of under the weather. I'll be okay. Err thanks for asking though." I answered uneasily. Didn't they leave earlier? Were they here the whole time? Who were they waiting for? Me? No they just saw me and were being nice. They're probably friends with Michael or something. They smiled a little but their eyes looked kind of disappointed. "Well I guess we'll take our leave now." he said and looked up at his brother. They walked away and got into their car. They started to drive off when the other twin who didn't talk winked at me. What was wrong with those two? God, I just want to get home.
Bringing the hot chocolate to the coffee table I sat down on the couch and sighed. Jinx looked at me from his spot on the couch and meowed angrily for waking him up. He's such an ungrateful cat. I saved his sorry ass from the shelter. I named him jinx because when I first got him I was telling myself how life's going to get better from now on when I stepped in a puddle carrying him home. Jinx meowed one last time before going back to sleep. Even though he doesn't like me all that much I still love him with all my heart. There was a knock at the door and I jumped off the couch to go get the door. I ordered Chinese takeout earlier when I got home. I opened the door after getting my money off the counter. There was a guy standing there with the takeout. "An order for one Alex Dunlap?" "Yeah, that's me. Thanks dude. Here you go," I gave him the money, took the food, and continued talking," Have a nice night." He waved and left. I sat the food on the counter and walked back over to the door to shut it. Before I could shut the door someone stuck there black boot in the way. "What the-"before I could finish I was pushed back from the door and a man walked into my house followed by the twins from earlier. Jinx hissed and went into my bedroom instead of helping me. The man was wearing a suit. He looked very professional. His black beard was combed very nicely. I started to move backwards when I hit the back of my couch. I remembered I keep a gun behind the pillows for safety reasons. Go me! I reached behind the couch pillow for my gun when the man spoke up halting my movements. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Straightening up I glared at him before crossing my arms. "Who are you and what are you doing in my house?" He laughed before circling me. His black eyes looked deeply at me before stopping in front of me. Running a finger up my arm he whispered in my ear "Josiah, and I'm here for you."
