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It was 3 in the morning as I watched the store from my car. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly, casting a sickly glow on the empty street. She had locked up around midnight and reopened the store at 2 a.m. It was a slow night—nobody really came in except for the usual overnight workers and the occasional crack heads seeking late-night snacks. As I flipped through the radio stations, my phone buzzed insistently on the passenger seat. I sighed, glancing at the caller ID.
"Great," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "What?" "Is that any way to speak to your girl?" Daisy's voice flowed through the speaker, laced with that familiar warmth that often felt suffocating. "Don't even finish that sentence. We're not dating," I snapped, cutting her off. I could feel my pulse quicken; the whole mess with her had gotten out of hand. Just because we'd been sleeping together didn't mean she had any claim over me.
"Whatever. Come over; I miss you," she said, her tone bright with that all-too-familiar insistent cheer. "Can't. Right now, I'm busy," I replied tersely, my gaze returning to the store. I wasn't going anywhere until I knew this girl was okay; she was worth the trouble, unlike Daisy, who just didn't get it.
"What are you doing? I heard the meeting was tomorrow?" she said, frustration creeping into her voice."If you are busy, I'll just come over to your place," she continued, a hint of mischief creeping in."Naw, I'm not home and won't be for a while," I said. Just as I finished speaking, I caught sight of some commotion inside the store.
A drunk guy stumbled out, waving his arms and yelling at her. I could barely make out her words as she stood in the small window, shaking her head in disbelief. I could see her rolling her eyes as the guy spewed curses, clearly driving her up the wall."Arias!" she screamed into my ear, making me jerk back from the phone.
"What, Daisy? Why are you yelling?" I asked, annoyance creeping back in. How did she always manage to distract me from what mattered?"You should really come here! Are you even listening to me?" she continued, not picking up on my irritation.
"No, I'm focused on something else," I replied flatly, irritation mounting. Why couldn't she understand that she wasn't a part of my life? She was just a nice distraction, a temporary escape when the world became too heavy. She wasn't someone I saw a future with; she was just a rich girl blinded by her own privilege and her shallow desires.
"Whatever. Bye, Arias. Call me when you need me," she said, clearly upset, and then hung up. If she thought I'd be calling back, she was sorely mistaken.I watched as the drunk guy turned to leave, cursing under his breath. There was something in the way he shouted that made me anxious. But I just sat back and watch the man he walked off and left.
Jenna💜 Earlier Her job
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I walked inside my job, the familiar scent of cleaning supplies and stale coffee greeting me. As I approached the back room, I noticed Mr. Ross grabbing boxes from the inventory shelves. Great, it was inventory night, which meant I had to hustle to get everything stocked before we opened again tomorrow. I sighed and rolled my eyes. Just another late night.
"Hey Jen, how are you?" Mr. Ross asked, a friendly smile on his face."Good, ready to get this night over with," I replied, trying to mirror his enthusiasm."That's good! Tonight you only have to do inventory on the cigs; everything else I'll handle tomorrow," he said, moving boxes into the stockroom.
A wave of relief washed over me; at least I wouldn't have to tackle the whole store tonight."But please, still lock up till you're done, okay?" he added, and I nodded as he headed to the back. Just as he was coming out with more supplies, I took the opportunity. "Oh, Mr. Ross, did you think about giving me off tomorrow?" I asked, hoping for a sweet gesture.
I needed to study for this big exam and knew if I tried to prepare here, I wouldn't do my best."Yeah, that's fine, as long as you stay here till 8 so I can get some sleep before I stay all night," he replied. I nodded, relief mixed with gratitude. "Have a good night, Jenna," he said with that same warm smile. "Goodnight, Ross, see you in the morning."
I started my long shift, determined to finish before midnight. The clock crept slowly, and I finally wrapped up after about two and a half hours. The night drifted quietly, nothing too crazy, until Beck stumbled through the door.The moment I saw him, I rolled my eyes.
He looked disheveled, his eyes glassy and unfocused. "Why did you break up with me?" he asked, his slurred words barely making sense. "Get your things and get out of here," I said, annoyance creeping into my voice. I didn't understand why he kept coming back. He cheated on me, and now he wanted to act as if nothing happened.
"You shouldn't have left me; we were perfect together! I loved you with everything," he replied, trying to hold himself up against a shelf."Please take me back! Please!" he begged, desperation spilling from his words. I laughed humorlessly, shaking my head. "Beck, if you're not getting your things, get out of here."
His temper flared, and with a sudden move, he started yelling, knocking products off the shelves as panic bubbled in my chest. "GET OUT!!" I yelled, my voice firm, hoping to get through to him.Yet, he didn't take the hint. Frustrated,
I pulled out my phone and dialed the police. As I did, Beck clearly noticed my actions. "You're gonna regret this, Jenna! You're gonna get what's coming to you!" he slurred, backing away before storming out of the store.I walked to the window, watching him yell and curse from the sidewalk, my heart racing.
I felt a mix of anger and fear. He was manageable when he was sober, but when alcohol took over, he was a different person—volatile and unpredictable.With a deep breath, I turned away from the window, trying to shake off the encounter.
I headed back to tidy the mess he left behind and to prepare for opening. The store seemed quieter now, the hum of the fluorescent lights my only company. I reminded myself that I was strong, that I could get through this night, and that tomorrow would be a fresh start—even if Beck tried to ruin it again.
