Overprotective

Chapter 3

I woke up from my troubled sleep with my dog licking my face and a headache. No matter how hard I tried last night, I just couldn’t fall asleep.  I tried it all, I tried going downstairs and making myself a cup of tea, but that didn’t work, then I tried to force myself to sleep but that didn’t work either. In the end, I just laid awake in bed, emptying my head of Liam as I said my thoughts out loud.  By the time I had finished, the clock read 3:45 am and I was overwhelmed with fatigue and I fell into a trouble sleep. 

 I reluctantly rolled out of bed to the bathroom, to read the clock that said 8:45 am. Work started at 9:30 so I had a little time to get ready.  I hopped in the scalding hot shower and washed my hair, hoping to relieve my headache and to sort out my thoughts.  As I got out of the shower, I eyed the love bite that was still prominent on my neck and applied probably the most concealer I have ever applied in the history of me putting on makeup ever. 

As I got out of the bathroom, wrapped in two towels, one on my head and one around my body and went in search for some undergarments in my closet. I hastily put them on, remembering Liam’s little surprise appearance last night. I unconsciously tightened the towel around my waist as I fast walked into my closet to put on some clothes for work. I was dressed in a plaid shirt and black leggings and then with some black sandals and let my naturally brown curly hair air dry. 

“There that should do it.” I said to myself in the mirror of my bathroom. I decided to only put on some mascara, minus the excessive amount of concealer I have on my neck. 

I then went downstairs and grabbed some toast and orange juice and my purse and was out the door. It was a good 15 minute walking distance from my house to my job at the dance supplies store. It gave me an excuse to clear my head of a certain 6 foot, light-brown eyed intimidator. 

As I walked through the doors of the dance store I was greeted by the store manager Ted as he was re-stocking the pointe shoes in the far right of the store.

“Hey Dani! Good morning.” He said enthusiastically. 

“Good morning Ted, new pointe shoes?” I said smiling warmly to him as I flipped the ‘Closed’ sign to say ‘Open’ and took my place behind the register. 

“Yes, a whole new shipment came in last night, there’s still a few boxes out back that I have to put out, but that can wait because… I have a surprise for you.” He said as he walked over to me with a box behind his back.

“Did my new shoes come in?” I said enthusiastically.

“They did, here you go.” He said as he placed the black lace pointe  shoes that I ordered 3 weeks ago on the counter. 

“Oh finally! I was waiting for these things. How much do I have to pay?” I said as I was reaching into my bag for my wallet when he stopped me. 

“No charge.” He said smiling making his green eyes crinkle at the sides. 

“You can’t be serious Ted. You’re joking right?” I said confused. 

“No I’m serious Danielle, between you and Laik, you’ve been working here for 2 years and you’re very good at your job. So think of this as a ‘thank you’ gift.” He explained.

“Oh my gosh Ted Thank you!” I said as I reached over the counter and gave him a hug. 

As I was hugging Ted the store bell chimed, indicating that someone walked into the store. 

“Hi, welcome to Dance-“my sentence was cut short as I looked at the customer who walked in. It was Liam, and he didn’t look too happy. 

“L-Liam? What are you d-doing here?” I tenuously asked him.