Midnight. ☆ [boyxboy]

Millionaires.

"Glad to have you aboard, Java Jam ship!" Mr. Penolli exclaimed happily as he patted me on the back and slapped a black apron to my chest that had Java Jam written on it in swirly lettering. Mr. Penolli muttered something about "work build up" and he disappeared into a back room, which was made out to be his office. I was left standing in the cramped hallway in the back of Java Jam, my new job. I smiled and tugged the apron over my head and smoothed it out in the front.

"Here we go.. " I mumbled and headed down the hallway, pushing through the doors to enter into the main Java Jam work area, a long counter with various machines and creamers, cups and straws. And in front was another long counter, which held multiple decorative racks, holding delicious looking pastries and cookies, which was protected by a rectangle glass cover. The red head girl was behind the counter again, he long hair was swept up into a long ponytail and she was attending to a family.

A large man, who had to be about 6'1, a small petite brunette woman and two younger boys who had to have been six or seven.

"Yeah.. Gimmie a coffee, large, 5 shots of French vanilla cream. A green tea for her" he moved his hand in her general direction as if referring to an inanimate object "Two chocolate chip jumbo muffins."

"..Honey, we're taking the kids to my mom's tonight..They'll never go to sleep for her if they eat all that sugar" she said hesitantly, her voice was as about as small as she was.

The man sighed and gripped the counter, he glared straight ahead "Karen..I know my kids and they'll go to sleep just fine at your moms. Stop trying to make this all about you" he said and the girl with the red hair shifted uncomfortably as she waited to tell them the total.

"Your total is 25.50" she said hesitantly and the man pulled out his wallet.

"He beats her"

I flinched and almost lost my balance leaning against the counter. I looked over to see Hunter, who was leaning up against the counter as well, so close our arms were almost touching.

"Shit.. you really -- " I began.

"Scared you? I know. Don't let Mr. P, hear you talkin' like that on your first day" he said and he turned his head to look directly at me, our faces were incredibly close and I couldn't help but sort of admire his perfect nose, dark lashes and full lips..

"..How do you know he--"

"Beats her?" he asked, but didn't give me a chance to answer because he was already speaking "I was taking out the trash, out back and he had pulled her around the corner, away from the kids and beat her. He comes in here all the time, He's scum" he had turned his head to briefly glare at the man who was now leaving the store with his wife and kids.

"Why didn't you tell anyone, or call the cops?" I said, instantly regretting it because I was a huge hypocrite, having witnessed a murder just last week.

He turned his head to look at me again, directly in the eyes "Are you gonna tell anyone now that I've told you he does?"

I lowered my eyes to the space between us, not saying a word.

"Exactly" he murmured and pushed himself away from the counter.

"I see you've met Hunter" the red headed girl said as she walked towards me.

I pushed myself up off the counter, not wanting to appear too casual for the first day. I nodded and glanced in the direction of where he'd gone and she smiled.

"I'm Irene" she said, giving me a genuine smile that even reached her eyes "I'd shake your hand..

but you know, Sanitation."