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Chapter 1

Alexander Rothwell couldn't have had a worse day.
To start with, he'd been slammed with two tons of homework in his classes that started at 7 am. But, he'd also ended up getting soaked by rain on his way out of class to his battered, old Honda Accord that had chosen to surprise him on his way to work with the check engine light and a flat tire which had made him late due to having to fill the replacement tire with air.
Now, he was faced with eight hours of mind-numbing retail work with barely half-dry hair clinging to his neck.
Xander works two jobs in hopes of helping his mom pay the bills as well as getting himself a better car, if not a small place of his own soon. The main job he works is in a small jewelry store. His weekend job is at the public library. On top of being a full-time college student, Xander hardly has time for himself, never mind peace to unwind.

So, as he slumps behind the brightly lit POS at the jewelry store two hours into his shift, Xander falls into a pit of exhaustion and depression. Nothing could possibly make his day any better. The store was quiet now, but it was only 3 pm. In two hours, a bunch of businessmen who'd forgotten their significant other's birthday or anniversary, the girls dreaming of proposals or expensive gifts from this person or that, the guys looking for a chain or watch to change up their already dumb looks would come streaming in and Xander and his coworker would have to handle the stampede with professionalism that Xander couldn't seem to muster right now. All he could think about was the studying and papers and math problems he'd have to handle when he got home with his parents arguing in the background.

Two more days until the weekend, Xander thought wistfully. The weekends at the library were his only blessing. The homework would still be there, and so would the arguments between his parents. But, from 12 pm-8 pm, Xander was always stuck between shelves of books in a consistently quiet place. His mind could wander, the smell of paper and ink filled his senses, and he was even allowed to work on homework or play games on the computer if he finished early. He wished it was his main job, but the jewelry store paid more and had more hours to delegate.

So, Xander busied himself by cleaning display cases and neatening up the chain boards as the usual trickle of daytime customers browsed the store. He greeted them kindly, of course, waiting patiently for them to either need his assistance...or leave. A few people made purchases without much interaction needed, which Xander was grateful for. Others, he'd had to put on his customer service voice and dig deep into the well of his patience as they asked endless questions before making a choice or leaving.

As the afternoon became evening, Xander's day slowly became worse. The store became busy with more people wanting Xander's attention - his stomach joining the line as well. He dealt with it as best he could, hoping for a lull in the tide of people so that he could go into the backroom to at least eat some small portion of his dinner. But, just when the tide began to slow, the worst part of his day came to slap him upside the head.

Dressed head to toe in Gucci - jacket, joggers, shoes, all matching - was Xander's archenemy since kindergarten: Dean Westbrook, striding right into Xander's store with a gleaming smile, black hair combed back from his face, hands in his pockets, Rolex gleaming on his left wrist. On that same left arm, following Dean into the store... was Nikita St. Claire. She walked into the store with a little skip in her step, her leather ankle boots clacking on the floor. Her cocoa brown ringlets bounced about her made-up face as she tossed her head in laughter. She, too, wore expensive brand-name clothes as she also came from a rich family like Dean. A cute forest green oversized sweater covered her hands, tight ripped blue jeans, and, of course, jingling silver bracelets on her right wrist with matching hoops in her ears, all of it coming together to give her a cute and casual date look.

Xander sighed internally at the sight of them. The couple had been the praised "power couple" through a solid chunk of high school. Though they'd separated whilst Nikita had gone backpacking in Europe, and Dean had opted to go to Berkeley, Xander supposed they'd taken the first opportunity that had presented itself to get together again.