a/n - very short chapter but I'm writing the next one now and it's way longer so you gotta do what you gotta do
"El, you're all good to go home now," her boss says, making her smile and head out from behind the bar, heading to the locker room and taking her pink duffel bag to the bathroom and changing into gym clothes.
Ellie's worked at the nearest hotel bar for a year or so now at night during the weekdays, and then slightly longer hours on the weekends. The bakery is nice and provides a good place to sleep, but it doesn't pay the college bills. The men are mean, but she's used to men in the worst way possible.
It's 1am, but hopefully Lorraine is downstairs in her office, she hasn't talked to her in a while.
Ellie makes her way downstairs, using her hairpin to unlock the door to the almost-silent abandoned gym. She gets in with ease, and turns on the barely-working lights, putting her hair up and dropping her duffel bag. "Lily-bell, is that you?!" Lorraine shouts.
"It's me, Ms. Grey." Lorraine comes out from her office, a crochet wand in her hand.
"Oh, Lily-bell, I've missed you!"
"Me too, Ms. Grey."
"How many times have I told you to call me Lorraine, young woman?"
"Too many times, Ms. Gre- Lorraine."
"There you go. Now, how's my favorite girl doing?"
"I'm great, how are you?" Lorraine gives her a look.
"Don't you lie to me, missy, you have a hard life, it's okay to say that you're tired. And it's 1 am for god's sake! I don't know how you can work out at this hour, or any hour honestly!"
"I actually took a nap today, so I'm feeling better than I have in a while."
"How did you find the time for a nap?"
"My professor let me sleep in his office."
"That's very nice, what's her name?"
"His name is Alexander. He comes into the bakery every day now, I think he really likes the croissants."
"I'm sure he likes the buns, too," Lorraine says, looking Ellie up and down.
"Lorraine!"
"I'm only teasing, why don't I come in tomorrow at the bakery and we can catch up without me disturbing your workout?"
"I'd love that, Lorraine."
"See you then, darling, don't forget to lock up!" With that, Lorraine leaves, and Ellie gets to work punching her favorite punching bag, which she painted pink with yellow roses one night, and punches away all her worries.
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Romance"Just let me take care of you," Alexander says as his hand moves across my thigh, his legs holding me in place on the couch. "I can't, it's too much-" I go to move his hand, but another set of hands stop mine. The rings and veins make it obvious wh...
