Libby and Matthew ✘

ONE | BAD NEWS ALREADY

[ this chapter is dedicated to the lovely imperialists- thanks for being an amazing friend!  I really couldn't have done any of this without you <3 ]

"...Have you ever just wished that you were a bird and you could fly off somewhere?"

"Um no! Could we just have the two ice-creams," an annoyed high pitch voice breaks my train of thought. I shake my head, damn it! I had been caught getting carried away with my day dreaming, again.

"Oh of course Mrs Dutch, I'll get them right now," I say quickly spinning around to grab two cones from the stack behind me. It's not the first time I've been caught daydreaming and it certainly won't be the last. I just hope it's not Mrs Dutch who catches me next time. "What were the flavours?" I ask her as I lift the glass up and get my scoop ready.

"Ugh I've already told you this twice," Mrs Dutch says glaring at me as she repeats the flavours. "Ben what I have told you about pulling your sister's hair," she adds to her two children beside her. I quickly scoop the two flavours into the cones and hand them to the kids who snatch them eagerly.

"That'll be six dollars fifty," I say as I open the cash register and hand her the change.

"You're lucky my kids only like this ice-cream otherwise I wouldn't be here spending my money at this stupid little shop, and dealing with silly girls like you," she spits as she grabs her children's hands and take them outside.

This is the only ice-cream shop here in this small seaside town but of course, I keep my mouth shut and watch them leave. Sighing I close the register, and start cleaning the bench.

"You're not scaring away the customers again, are you?"

"Of course she isn't, she's the best girl 'round here who knows her flavours."

I smile as I look up, seeing my two best friends walking in.

"Guys!" I yell in excitement, "Thank god you're here."

"What's up buttercup?" the dark hair boy asks as he takes a seat on one of the stools, the other blonde one takes a seat beside him and swings around.

"The sky, duh!" Logan the blonde one says, and Preston whacks him over the head laughing.

"Idiot!" he mumbles, turning to me and smiling. I smile back, these guys could brighten even the worse of my days.

"Today has been so boring," I tell them as I grab two bowls under the bench and dish up their usuals. A plain vanilla for Preston and a choc mint for Logan. "Plus Roxy didn't turn up for her shift, so I've had to cover for her this afternoon."

"The Roxy girl with the crazy pink hair?" Logan asks as he leans over and takes one of the spoons in its holder. I nod my head as I lean against the bench. "Strange!" he mumbles as he takes a big spoonful and shoves it in his mouth.

"We just saw her down at the beach with a group of kids, think they were setting up for a party or something," Preston adds, continuing Logan's story. I stare at the both of them, they had better be joking.

"You're kidding me!" I say rather loudly, their eyes go big as they shake their heads. That little.. I take my apron off and hang it up behind me, as I step around the counter.

"Wait! Where are you going Lib's?" Logan yells behind me as I walk to the door.

"To go and tell her that she better start searching for a new job," I say angrily. This is the fifth time this month that she's not turned up for work because she's been 'busy' or 'sick'. Like don't get me wrong, I love the little extra money I'm making but what if I want to go out and do something.

"What is this about Roxy I hear, and Libby dear don't you have to go and pick up your brother?" A fourth voice says from the opened doorway. Richard is the owner of this store and has been for the past fifty-six years when he first built this little place.

When I first moved here two years ago, Richard was the only one kind enough to offer me a job and probably because I knew what flavours people wanted. All in all, he's like a grandfather to me and he knows my family's troubles.

"That's just where I was heading Richard," I say smiling, the boys behind me start laughing.

"What's with those two?" he asks referring to the guys, I grin.

"Oh I just spiked their ice-creams with a little something," and with that I exit the cute little shop.

- - -

"Guess what we did at school today Libby?" my younger brother Seth asks me excitedly.

"Hmm does it have anything to do with paint?" I ask spotting the bright red paint spot on his top.

"Aw how did you know?" he asks me in a sad voice. I laugh as I look down at him, holding my hand. Seth has mum's big blue eyes and dark brown hair, he's also got these cute chubby cheeks which just makes him look even more adorable.

"A birdie told me," I tell him and his smile returns big and bright. "We just have to pass by my work before we head home, okay?"

"Do I get to have some ice-cream?" he asks me, before doing the puppy dog look.

"Hmm but it might spoil nan's cooking," I say as I pretend to think about it. I feel Seth pulling on my top, and I look down.

"I swear I'll eat all of nanny's cooking too, I'll just store the ice-cream in my belly like the bears do," he tells me matter of fact. I can't help but smile at how cute he is.

"Oh alright then baby bear, but you must not tell nanny," I say as he lets go of my hand and starts running ahead of me.

"Yay! Ice-cream, ice-cream!" he yells. I watch him closely as he weaves through the small crowd of people in front of us, it's then that I realise where the small crowd is gathering at.

"What's going on, Jimmy?" I ask one of the blokes who was holding his daughter's hand, they always came after school to order a strawberry milkshake.

"Richard just got a closing order," he says sadly, not looking me in the eye. He knew how badly I needed the money, as did most of the small seaside town. A closing order?

"What, why?" I ask shocked. If Richard's Sweets closed down then I've got no job to fall onto, and that means I won't be able to pay the bills, buy the groceries, pay the hospital bills and put money aside.

"It just isn't doing as well as it used too, sorry Lib's," he mumbles as he takes his daughters hand and walks off. Most of the people around us are starting to walk off now, leaving me standing in front of the shop.

"Libby?" a small voice asks, tugging my shorts. "May I have some ice-cream now? Please," Seth asks smiling up at me. How am I meant to look after this adorable little guy? Money is already tight as it is, now it's going to be even worse. I fake a smile and nod my head, taking his hand as we go inside.

"Of course, anything for you little guy." 

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Hello wonderful people :)

I know what you're all thinking, 'Amy why are you starting yet another story?' Well because I love writing duh! xD 

I'm still working to finish Lover Vs. Lover don't worry, I just need a bit of a break every now and then. Finding Leona will be on hold for quite a while as it is based on a true story and I just need a break from writing it. As for Beautiful Secrets however, I will still be updating that just not as often. 

Now with all that out of the way haha, what do you think of Libby and Matthew? Does it sound interesting? and should I continue writing it? I'll be posting the next chapter in a few days.

Don't forget to comment, follow and vote c:
Amy xxx