THE FREAKS ~ Eddie Munson

Chapter Nineteen: Cheeto Crumb Keith

Veronica POV

I sighed as I kicked off the ground and zoomed down the street, the repetitive ticking sound of my bike's wheels filling my ears. I was on my way to that stupid job interview that Denise had set up for me this morning. I really did think she would have eventually came around and took back the whole 'you have to pay half the rent' thing, but she never did. In fact, she was just as quiet and calm this morning as she was last night...and it's fucking terrifying.

As I sped down the street, I finally reached town, the Family Video right around the corner. It was so dull and empty, there were a few cars and people walking, but for the most part it was extremely quiet.

I hopped off my bike and walked it along the sidewalk towards the store. I pushed it into a nearby bike rack then walked inside, a dainty sounding bell jingling as I did.

I immediately noticed two young people behind the counter, stacking cds into different piles and arguing about something. It was a boy and a girl, the boy having big, thickly gelled hair and the girl having short brown hair with bangs. They were to busy arguing to even notice I was there, so I cleared my throat to announce my presence. The pair both looked my way, the girl's jaw dropping.

"Woah...Veronica Ferguson?" The girl began, slapping the boy on the arm twice. "That's that new girl, Veronica. The one who had sex with Andy O'Doherty behind the school." She tried to whisper, but it came out louder than I suppose she'd wanted it to.

Wow, seems like that got around quick. I haven't even seen this girl before and she already knows my name and the stupid rumor Andy made up.

I pursed my lips, trying to keep the rage inside of me.

"Um...that most definitely did not happen," I walked over to the counter awkwardly. "I'm looking for Keith. Is he here?"

"Who looks for Keith?" The boy asked, the girl hitting his shoulder then looking back at me with a sarcastic smile.

"Keith's in the back. Make sure you knock before you go in...we learned that the hard way." The girl said, her lips curling with disgust.

Well, that's definitely what you want to hear when you're going in for a job interview.

I nodded and began walking to the back, grateful to get away from whatever that was. Once I reached the back of the store, I was met with a white painted door. It was shut and had a sign that read 'employees only' in big yellow letters. I hesitantly knocked, not even believing that I was actually in this situation right now.

I waited for awhile and looked back at the counter, the boy and girl both giving me a dramatic shrug and smile.

The door opened abruptly, startling me. I looked over to see a tall, greasy haired boy who had Cheeto crumbs sitting on his upper lip. He stared at me as if I was the most bothersome person on the planet and there didn't seem to be a single thought behind his eyes.

"Are you Veronica?" He asked flatly.

I hesitated before saying yes.

"Come in." He said, turning back around and walking into the once closed off room.

But did I want to go in though? He looked like the type of guy you wouldn't want to be alone with for too long.

Okay, but it was Cheeto crumb Keith or living under an overpass. I really did think about picking the overpass, but I figured this was surprisingly the safer option.

I walked in, sitting down in the seat across from Keith's. He stared me down intensely, not blinking once.

After a few moments, I couldn't do it anymore.