Hooked

9

Heidi's loose hair whipped about her face from the currents of wind that flooded through her open window, decorating and framing her blank expression. Sitting in the passenger seat, I mindlessly peered outside the window, ignoring the clock that read well past one in the morning.

What'd I been thinking?

Heidi was obviously wondering this too, for she kept making discreet glances in my direction. I bit my lip and ignored my sister, confusion ripping my insides to shreds.

I was smart. I was careful. I knew not to dive headfirst into things, yet that was exactly what I'd done tonight. I'd thrown myself after a boy with dark, captivating eyes, not considering the outcomes. And in the end, it amounted to nothing beneficial. I should've seen that coming.

But why didn't I?

The store was quiet.

Dragging a finger along the glass of the icecream counter, I puffed out an annoyed breath. Heidi had taken to being in control of the main register for the remainder of the summer, and secretly I was thankful. Being at that register had gotten me into trouble in the first place.

Leaning against the icecream counter, I let my thoughts wander to the boxes back at home, piled in measly stacks in the confines of my bedroom. It was all items that I'd taken with me from my dorm room to use while at home; clothes, an alarm clock, shoes and a few books. Friends had begun messaging me with more fervor now that their summer internships were spinning to an end, and I was eager to leave.

It was apparent now more than ever that I was a ghost in this town.

I didn't know anyone, and I was just a blank face to them. Someone who might as well be passing through; which I was. Heidi had broken it to me that although the name Luci Quart was well known for belonging to the mysterious daughter of the Quarts, no one had ever bother putting the two together when I'd miraculously appear in the store at the beginning of every summer.

Like Brett had said: I was unknown.

A tinkling of the bell woke me from my thoughts, and I straightened, taking in the sight of the little blonde haired boy bounding towards me. His toothy grin forced the corners of my lips to twitch upwards, and I peered down at the tiny ball of energy.

"Why, hello there!" I greeted, earning a smile from the boy. He planted two ruddy hands on the glass of the icecream counter. "What would you like?"

"Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl." He stated smartly, proud of himself. I hummed a chuckle, nodding.

"Is there a way you can pay?" I inquired. The boy had no money on hand, and he peered down at the ground, deterred.

"My sister is coming." He answered.

"Soon?"

"She was right behind me." He frowned, looking over his shoulder in agitation. There was another twinkle of the bell. "See!"

Wide, brown eyes.

Perfectly styled brunette waves.

Shiny glossed lips set in a scowl.

I felt my jaw slacken at the sight of Ruby walking into the general store. Right as I'm becoming so close to leaving this town, everything just had to barrel in at the last minute.

Ruby's boots clomped over to the icecream counter, her displeased gaze firmly held on the little boy in front of me.

"Jack, that was not okay!" She hissed, grasping a hold onto his hand. "You should wait for me before crossing the street."

"But you were too busy with stupid Pat!" Jack howled, his lips set into a pout.

"I was just saying hi, Jack. Don't make a scene. Please." Ruby glanced up at me, an apologetic smile gracing her features. "Sorry. Did he make an order already?"

"Yes. I'll get it right now."

"Thank you." She breathed, gently dragging her rowdy sibling over the tiny table set up a few feet away. As they both sat down, I took in a deep breath and got to scooping chocolate peanut butter swirl into a child's cup.

Why was it that that night kept coming back to haunt me?