Charlotte's playlist (a Steve Harrington x OC fanfic)

004. The Lunatics -Fun Boy Three

My weekend started as it usually did. Saturday morning chores. I cleaned the entire house and did every chore that needed to be done and then I did all my homework for the weekend. Sunday however was work. I worked at a small café nearby called 'Rebecca's' and it was run by my aunt. She owned it and I worked there every Sunday and on other days if I asked. Aunt Rebecca was the only person in my life that I felt I could trust. She was my mother's younger sister, and they weren't close. They saw each other for special events and that was about it. My mother had been a mean sister just as she was a mean mother. Rebecca hated my father but was civil with him when she had to suffer his presence. She gave me this job so I could save up for things. Most of my money went towards cat food for Jett and new clothes when I needed them, but I did save for things I wanted sometimes. That's how I got my second-hand Walkman. I didn't have anything I really wanted at the moment, so I was just saving any leftover money for when I did find something.

I opened the door to the small café and placed my bag behind the counter. I usually only had a drink bottle and some money in my work bag, so it was small and fit nicely in a corner. I tried to dress a little nicer than I usually do for work. I had a sweater and plain blue jeans on. It wasn't professional attire, but it was nicer than my usual t-shirt and ripped jeans. Aunt Rebecca greeted me as she made coffee. I started cleaning up a bit as I waited for more customers to arrive.

We closed at 3pm and did clean up for about an hour. As we were stacking chairs, Aunt Rebecca started chatting with me. We spoke for a bit as we finished up the last few things we needed to do.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go to that little second-hand book shop around the corner before you go home?"

Aunt Rebecca knew I loved old books. I grinned and agreed enthusiastically. We locked up and walked off together. My aunt loved P.G. Wodehouse books and had a large collection. I never quite understood the obsession, but she told me that she read them as a kid. Second-hand bookshops had the older books, and they were cheaper. We stepped inside and found ourselves surrounded by tall shelves of books. Despite the fact that it was a small shop, they managed to make it a bit of a maze. Aunt Rebecca went off in search of her books while I went to find the poetry. I loved the book I'd borrowed from the library and wanted my own copy or at least a collection of Keats poetry. I looked around for a while until I found one. A small worn book with faded lettering on the cover. I grinned to myself. It wasn't the same as the one I borrowed from the library, but it had 'bright star' in it, so I was happy. I fished my money from my bag and counted out the amount. Aunt Rebecca had managed to find 2 books that weren't in her collection yet. It was a successful trip for both of us. We paid and walked out of the shop together. We said our goodbyes as she headed towards the trailer park where she lived. She had a good-sized trailer and was happy with it. She didn't feel the need to leave. Aunt Rebecca lived comfortably enough in her trailer. She even had a small spare room that she used as a storage room for a while, but it has sat mostly empty for months except for a single bed in case someone stays over. She told me I'm always welcome and I have slept over on occasion, but my parents didn't like it much.

I arrived home later than intended and woke up my father. He was in a bad mood. A very bad mood. I started on dinner but because I was so tense, I spilt boiling water on myself. I yelped and ran my hand under cold water. I stood at the sink, hoping it wouldn't be too bad, then I felt a weight on my side, and I was pushed into the cabinets. My father was yelling at me but all I could catch was the word 'stupid' I stood there, stunned. I felt the pain in my arm but tried to ignore it. Eventually he left and I finished making dinner. I scurried to my room without eating and looked at my arm. It was already starting to bruise. It was a big bruise too. I sighed and just went to bed, knowing I had to go to school in the morning.