Love at First Sight

4. Nyssa

My family wasn't poor per se. But we weren't rich either, my dad owned a chain of diners in Crestwood, Lynderman, Selandra and Langmore. After we moved, he agreed to let me work in the Crestwwod diner, so that I could learn 'work ethic' and whatnot, but if i'm being honest, i'm only really doing this for the money. I can't cook to save my life, so i'm a waitress.

Brooke sat down at one of the tables and gave me a scrutinising glare as I grabbed some chips and sat opposite her.

"what?" I asked, through a mouthful of chips.

She glared some more. "You have a crush on Aiden Rhodes" She declared indignantly.

I choked "Wh-what!?" I spluttered "Do not!"

She laughed "Yes you do, it's written all over your face" Her tone was indignant. I didn't like it.

"I do not like blondie" I huffed, angrily shoving a chip in my mouth.

Brooke snorted, "then explain why you were looking at him ever five seconds" 

I huffed "First of all, I wasn't looking at him every five seconds" I mocked "and second of all, maybe i felt bad that he almost got concussed by some jerk who doesn't know how to play!"

Brooke gave me an annyoingly amused look. "You? feeling bad for someone other than me, yourself or your dad? yeah right" she snorted

I paused. Brooke had a point there. I never felt sorry for people.Feeling bad is for losers and empaths. I am neither. I'm Nyssa Abrahams for gods sake, I shouldn't feel bad! right!?

"Fuck you Brooke" I muttered resting my head in my hands. I didn't have a crush on some blonde, disney-type, golden retreiver-ass pretty boy. As if. And besides, I wasn't going to have a crush on anyone. Or date anyone. I need to focus on building a god damn life in this hellhole they call Crestwood, without my mom. I almost shuddered. Just the thought of that evil witch made me want to scream and hit something.

My mother had cheated on my dad a couple years after I was born, and after my dad found out, she ran away, and took everything with her, including his car, and some money they had in savings. That's partially why we moved here, and partially because everything in Langmore reminded dad of the witch. I wouldn't have minded burning every inch of it down for him, but apparently that was 'unethical.' I suppose another reason we moved here was because my dad thought I needed 'therapy' for my 'temper issues' he's not wrong. But I'm not telling him that, and i'm certainly not telling my new therapist that.

Brooke seemed to sense my thoughts, and she patted my shoulder. "Your mom isn't here anymore" she told me softly.

I looked up at her, unclenching my jaw and fists, "yeah I know" i mumbled, "God I hope she's dead"

Brooke gave me an unamused glare, "you should try to...learn things from your therapist, it might help you know"

I supressed a scoff. Help? Yeah right, "I don't need help, Brooke, I'm fine, who cares if I have anger issues? My mom certainly didn't, and if I had to take a wild guess, I would assume that my dad just wants to make sure I don't accidently kill someone in blind rage-" She interrupted me,

"Your mom isn't here anymore, and to be honest, your dad's right, remember what happened last time you got all...blinded by rage and stuff-?"

I winced. When we were sixteen, some kid had the audacity to insult Brooke just because she rejected him. Asshole. Anyway, so, after he called her a, quote: 'fat hoe' I punched him in the face. Multiple times. Until the he was calling for his mommy. I got suspended for two weeks, and the kid ended up with a broken nose and fractured jaw. Serves him right.

"I don't regret it" I said through gritted teeth, shoving more chips into my mouth.

"It's getting late" Brooke sighed, standing up "See ya Nyssie" she said, walking out the diner.

I looked at the clock, 9 pm, it was closing time. I got up, and went behind the counter to grab a towel to wipe down the tables, when the ding of the bell rang as the entire Crestwood hockey team waltzed in. Thirty minutes before closing. Great.