Her Street Fighter

24.

Chapter Twenty Four
Marebela

I placed the books back on the bookshelf.

They were supposed to be in alphabetical order by the author's last name. It was my first day on the job and so far it was a good start.

I could only feel hopeful about this job.

Mr. Burton was at the register behind the counter, checking out an old woman who seemed to be intrigued by what he was saying.

Even old people have a better love life than me.

My cheeks burned at the accident that happened earlier today.

Thankfully Gunn didn't see the scars that decorated my body. The towel was off for a few seconds before I quickly covered my body again. I couldn't imagine the disgust he felt when he saw my body.

Don't worry, you're not my type.

I wasn't sure why his words stung as much as they did. Did he not like my body because of the scars? I could've sworn he never saw them, but my stomach twisted in knots at the thought that he had seen them. I felt vulnerable at the fact that he could've seen what my stepmother has done to me all these years.

Maybe he didn't like what he saw. I felt my insides twist at the thought. Maybe he thought I was unlovable too.

The same way stepmother did.

I felt unsafe and insecure like I had at stepmother's house. Just as I thought he was changing, it was hot then cold again.

It made me hate him. I couldn't believe it because I had never hated anyone before. I always thought it was a strong word but strong words go with strong emotions and that was all I felt when I was around him and his cruel self.

The thing is I didn't think I could ever be as rude as he was to me. I felt like I would be like my stepmother and I want to be the farthest from that.

"Who are you?" A deep voice spoke from behind me.

I jumped up and the books I was sorting fell from my hands. I scrambled down to the floor, in fear that the person would get mad at me.

"I'm so sorry," I mumbled. My hands gathered all the books so they stacked up on each other and I stood up. The books almost fell again but he held a hand up to stop the books and balance them again.

"Hey, I didn't mean to scare you," he said. He took the books from my hands and I got a clear look at him. He had sandy blonde hair and tanned skin from being in the sun for so long. He looked like a surfer boy you would read in books.

He seemed nice, which was someone I needed in my life.

"No, it's okay," I smiled. My heart filled with joy at potentially meeting a new friend. "I'm Mare."

"Dolan." He stuck his hand out and I stared at it. He awkwardly put his hand down when I didn't do anything. I wasn't thinking. I didn't know why I didn't shake his hand.

"Sorry," I apologized.

This time I stuck my hand out, he put his hand in hers and they shook awkwardly.

Okay, maybe this was awkward, but it might be the start of a great friendship.

"Is this your first day? I would remember a face like yours," he said. Was he complimenting me? Or did he mean my face looked funny looking?

"Yes! It's my first day," I said. Maybe I seemed too happy about it. I should tone down before he thought I was weird. "But so far, I love working here."

"Well my dad is the owner, so I'll be seeing you a lot around here," he explained.

"Your dad is Mr. Burton?"

"Yep." His lips popped as he pronounced the 'p' at the end.

"You must be so lucky," I told him. He seemed like such a gentle man. I wished I had that growing up instead I had a wicked woman.

We fell silent. I was about to go back to my books that needed to be reshelved. There were a bunch of new ones in a pile beside the pile I had just done.

"I should get back to work. I don't want Mr. Burton to get mad at me," I admitted.

"Wait, why don't you give me your number?" Dolan asked.

My number? Why would he want that?

To call you, you idiot.

Oh right! My cheeks burned.

But what was it? I know that Gunn had bought me one. I hadn't gotten the chance to remember my number because Gunn was the one who put his number in my phone and that was it.

"I don't know it," I said truthfully.

"Is that a lie?"

I panicked. "What? No! I promise, look it's a new phone and I never had one before." I go to take it out of my pocket, and I waved the shiny phone into his face.

Oh God, he probably thought I was weird.

Even worse, now he definitely would get his father to fire me.

"I haven't really learned how to use it yet." I slumped my shoulders.

"Aren't you eighteen?" Dolan asked.

"Yes, my mom never allowed me to get one," I explained vaguely.

"Alright," he hesitated. "Why don't you let me add my number?"

"Okay," I smiled. I gave him my phone and he started tapping his videos along the screen.

His thumbs moved quickly and before I knew it, he returned my phone back to me.

"Make sure to text me," he said.

"Okay, I'll text you right now!" I exclaimed. I typed 'Hi' and pressed send.

He smiled to himself, before looking at his watch.

"Look, why don't I just see you again tomorrow. You're working, right?"

I nodded my head. I knew if I said something I would just dig myself into a deeper hole.

"Well, I have to leave now. My shift is done and I need to make dinner for when my father gets off work. He works himself too much, but he'll never admit it," he told me.

I felt pity for Mr. Burton, he seemed so old and fragile to work so much. Hopefully, me working here will help him out.

"Okay," I told him.

He smiled and I returned it before he slipped through the front door, the bell ringing as he did.

Some customer walked in and began asking me where a book was.

Since it was my first day, I asked them to be patient with me, but eventually I found it. Or should I say the lady did.

I was still new with where everything was. I looked over at Mr. Burton to see if he was angry, but he sat at the desk, looking tired and worn out.

My heart tugged at my heartstrings. It was heartbreaking to see.

The bell rang again as more customers waltzed in.

Today was going to be a busy day.