Branded

Chapter 2

Usually new folks are families or a couple getting food before a movie. This time, its a guy, about my age, by himself. His features are soft, but he wears a scowl along with a leather jacket and an eyebrow piercing. Everyone is silent as he walks in. He walks up to a booth and the people there quickly move out of it.

"Who is that?" whispers a co-worker. I shrug and look to see which table number he has. It's one of mine. I grab my order booklet and a pen and walk up to him.

"Hello, can I get you something to drink?" I ask

"Where's Andrea?" he asks rudely.

"She doesn't work here anymore. She got married and moved." I say

He rolls his eyes before looking up and down at me like he's sizing me up, "I suppose you'll do. I'll take a coffee. Black."

I nod and start to walk to get his drink, but he calls after me. 'I forgot to give him a menu,' I think to myself. I grab one real quick and hand it to him. He looks at up at me with a softer look in his eyes, "What's your name?"

As I'm walking away, I look back and answer, "Nichole."

~ *Lee's POV* ~

I sit at my desk and massage my temples. I glance over at the remaining pile of files left for me to check and send to the appropriate officers. Its not many, but its tedious work. My uncle pats me on the back as he walks passed, "You're doing good, Leanne. Most would have already completely lost their mind at this job."

I pause for a few moments more before continuing my dull work. 'Only three more hours before ballet,' I think to myself, 'You can make it that much longer and then ace try-outs tonight.' I finish the physical files and start to work on the last three typed ones. There's a chorus of sighs, tisks, and other assorted irritated noises. Two officers are escorting a boy, who looks to be about nineteen, towards the back where the holding cells are.

"Not him again," mutters someone.Others just shake their heads. The officers bring him over to my desk frowning.

"Enter Calum Hood in the database... again." says one. I quickly search his name and hold my tongue as his file comes up. He's been in here eighty-seven times since he was twelve years old. I enter him into the system quickly and nod when I've finished.

"Hey, baby girl, what's your name?" Calum asks.

"Oh, um, are you talking to me?" I look up confused.

"Well I ain't talkin' to the guy holdin' me, now am I?" he replies with a mischievous grin.

"I suppose not," I grumble before pausing, "And my name is none of your concern." I type away for a few more seconds, "Cell number nine for him." I say to the officers.

"See you in a few hours, babe" Calum says as he's escorted away. I can hear him laugh as he's taken down the hall.

With a few more grumbles, every one returns to their work. I walk up to my uncle's office and knock. After a few seconds, he let's me enter. He smiles, "Now, what can I do for you, Lee. Run outta work?"

I laugh a little, "No, not yet. I had a question about a detainee who was just brought into the station."

"I see. Who was it this time? Not that piece of crap Calum Hood, I hope."

I swallow a little and feel my face warm, "Yes, sir, that's who it is. I was wondering wh-"

"You were wondering what's his deal, right? Well that punks been in and out of here for years. Never stays more than one night because someone always posts his bail or something stupid. Personally, I think I should just let my officers shoot him one of these times and be done with him." my uncle says coldly.

"Uncle Tom, what does he do to get himself in here so often?"

"Stupid things like robbing convenient stores, carrying a gun without a license, DUI, and we think he might know who the mafia leader is. He won't crack on that one, but there's strong evidence suggesting he's involved with him somehow."

"Oh, I see." I say not knowing what else could be said.

"Stay away from him if you can. I don't want you around him, alright?" my uncle says.

"Yes, sir." I say before leaving his office.

I work as fast as I can to get finished and leave. Once my desk is cleaned and precisely the way I like it, I walk to the closet and slip my coat on. I sling my dance bag over my shoulder and do one last check to make sure I have everything. As I'm leaving, Calum is being released. I try to hurry myself along so he won't see me. I think I'm in the clear, but he catches me at the crosswalk.

"Hey, darling. Where you off to now?" he asks.

"Away from you." I retort coolly

He laughs a little, "Well I'm sure I'll see you in a few days when I'm back in the building." He gestures back towards the police station.

"Why are you always in there?" I ask.

He shrugs, "Because trouble loves to find me. It refuses to stay away."

I roll my eyes and secure my dance bag closer to my body. He looks at it and smirks, "What kind of dance do you do? You don't look like the ballerina type to me."

"For your information, I do dance ballet. I have for nearly six years. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to class now. You should stay here and wait for the next red light before you try to follow me." I say and hurry myself across the street. After about three blocks of walking, against my better judgement, I look back at him. He's still standing there. He smirks a little before turning and walking the opposite direction of me.