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CHAPTER ONE: RATS IN THE KITCHEN ___________
IT WAS TRAGICthat on her summer break, Ophelia Newby had to waste such a beautiful day trapped in Scoops Ahoy. It was becoming hard to throw on a smile as she worked the cash register. She watched groups of friends her age walk in with damp hair and sun burn, ready for a refreshing cone after a few hours at the town pool. It made Ophelia's blood boil. She hated this job, she hated this building. All she had to do was get through the night and the rest of the week would be hers.
After handing a customer their change Ophelia made her way into the back. "What time is it?" She sat down at the break table across from Robin Buckley who had been enjoying a bowl of last nights leftover pasta.
"Time for you to get a watch" Steve Harrington chimed in, popping his head through the window.
"You are so unbelievably corny" Ophelia said, face twisted in disgust, "get back to work"
Ophelia was well acquainted with the Harrington boy. She'd shared just about every class with him since the first grade. She even sat through hours of him ranting, fueled by the heartbreak of Nancy Wheeler. But the one thing that tied them together was shared trauma. Something they swore to never speak of. Something they were trying so desperately to overcome.
It was often a thought for the girl that even though the two hated their job, it was the perfect distraction for them. This was real life, not monsters or scary dreams. This was going to make them money for college, give them a "working man's" experience as Mr. Harrington called it. Not once did they have to think about how they were going to survive or defeat. The only thing on their mind was scooping ice cream and planning their free days off.
"I swear we can never have a peaceful conversation together. Not when that thing is around" Robin proclaimed lifting her fork in the air.
"This thing is the reason you have extra time to eat. You're break was over ten minutes ago" Steve crossed his arms. Robin stuck her tongue out at him and rose from her seat, dumping her bowl into the trash.
"Lucky for you I'm full" the girl spoke, passing him to the front.
"Yeah, sure" he scoffed taking a seat beside Ophelia.
"It's not like we'll have many more customers anyway" Ophelia began with a frown, "Today has been so dead, everyone's at the pool"
"Only four more hours" Steve sighed. He ran a hand through his hair and layed his head on the table, letting out a groan.
"Four more hours of torture, yeah" Ophelia pouted.
