First Love | James Hetfield

"That's Fucked Up, Yo."

warning: mention of sexual assault, drug abuse

1984

Shifts at Mick's diner weren't always sunshine and rainbows.

Annie's dad showing up last Wednesday was a perfect example. Whether it was the bitchy waitresses, the bitchy customers, demanding more syrup, or the unannounced father appearances, something was always ticking her off.

Annie left to work that morning on foot, not even saying goodbye to anyone as she left. After coming off her high from the small beach party last night, reality hit her in the face like a ton of bricks. Her dad was still in town. And nobody knew. Not Beatrice, not Aurora, none of the guys— only James.

James usually drove her to work if he could beat Aurora to it, but that morning when he showed up at the house, Beatrice opened the door with confusion written all over her face.

"I thought you already picked her up." she rubbed her sleepy eyes, trying to adjust to the morning light.

"No." he sighed. "She must've walked. Sorry for waking you up." he shrugged, stepping off the porch.

"S'okay." she shook her head with a smile, shutting the door. James turned to face the neighborhood for a moment. The birds sang loudly— too loudly. He thought it was annoying. There were a few young children out playing in their front yards while their mother's picked weeds from the wet grass.

"Fuckin' weird shit, man..." he mumbled, stepping off the last step of the porch and going back to his truck. It was oddly quiet that morning. Even with the obnoxious birds and laughing children, the faint sound of sprinklers and lawn mowers, it was too quiet. Instead of psyching himself out, he tacked it up to one too many joints last night.

He sat in his idle truck for a few minutes, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel while Glenn Danzig's voice leaked through the stereo system.

Ooh, baby, when you cry...

He found himself scowling at a wandering squirrel while he pondered.

Your face is momentary...

Should he go to Mick's just to make sure Annie's okay?

You hide your looks behind these scars...

Clearly, if she left without a word to anyone, she wanted space.

In hybrid moments...

But was it a trick question? One of those weird things that girls do, leaving to see if he'd follow her?

In hybrid moments...

Was he overthinking it?

In hybrid moments...

Probably.

In hybrid mo-

"Yeah." he let out a breath, turning the key in the ignition so the truck rumbled to life. Before driving off, he slumped his shoulders again, knitting his eyebrows together.

He was going soft for Anneliese Buckley. Since when did he ever worry about her, or anyone, so much to the point that his fingers shook with anxiety?

But god, he was so worried about Annie. He knew better than anyone how much of a rash person she was. What if she didn't even go to work? What if she fled the country?

~

The bell above the door chimed, waking Annie up from her daze. "Oh." she blinked, rubbing her tired eyes.