Once upon a time

Chapter 6: Pieces

"MORNING!!!!!" screamed May into my ear, loudly. I jolted awake, clutching my ear. Alec stirs beside me, sleeping peacefully. Nothing, hardly anything bothers him. He opens his brown eyes, sleepily. "Morning." he says, giving us a bright smile. He is always calm and nothing ever seems unsettle him. What person wakes up in a different world with that calm smile?
He runs his hand through his disheveled hair. It looks so soft and it takes all my effort to keep myself from reaching out. "Maddy! Mommy called, she's coming home." May said, her voice trembling. I took a quick glance at Alec, who was looking rather thoughtful. Soon he will connect the dots and will be disgusted. 

I looked at the clock, it was only then I noticed that I had barely just enough time to make it to work. "OH MY GOD!" was my extremely well-thought out reaction. I dashed into my room, changed into my work clothes and I grabbed an apple as I headed to the front door. Alec was leaning against the front door with an amused smile. "Going to work?" he asks, as calm as ever.

"Yes! Take care of May, please! I'll be back soon." I babbled, as he opened the door for me. I run out the door with no hesitation, I was going to make it. I had to. The outline of the shop was getting closer and closer, so I had arrived. The owner was there looking at his watch and gave me a sour look when he realised I had made it on time. I let out a relieved sigh. His eyebrows twitches as he looks at me. "Wash the dishes." is all he says.

"Yes, sir." I replied, making my way to the kitchen. The other workers barely look up from their work and give me a nod of acknowledgment. I roll up my sleeves and tie my hair up into a messy bun. I start washing the dishes.
Today's work was better than usual. I just had to take out the trash, clean the kitchen floor, chop vegetable and I only had about 30 minutes left. I smiled as I looked at the time.

"Isabella is missing! Where is she?!" bellowed the owner with a furious expression. His cheeks were puffed up like a chipmunk's, his mustache was purple and the vein on his forehead was pulsing. It would be a comical sight, if I was not so scared of the owner. As if on cue, the phone rings loudly. We all freeze and all eyes are on the phone as the owner answers it.

"Good morning, Isabella. Where the-" he cuts off, his mouth dropping open. The rest of us exchange bewildered looks. What on earth was going on? "You're eloping! What? Yes. No. Ok. Wait!" sputters the owner, the colour all drained from his usually pink face. He yells into the phone, pleading. But Isabella had already hung up. She was gone. The chefs grinned, they never liked Isabella.
She was . . . a . . . what to say?. . . human barbie. With her blond hair and blue eyes, she was gorgeous. She was the main waitress for the restaurant. Her job was to to wear a tight dress and flirt with the customers. I wondered who was going fill in for her. The manager looked at me with evil eyes. He held out the dress with a demanding look.
"Get the hell out of here and wear the damn dress." he snapped as I stared at him blankly. I nodded, taking the dress from him. I dashed to the bathroom and changed. I retied my ponytail and exited the bathroom, willing myself to be calm. The manager grinned as he looked at me up and down. "Who knew?" he jeered.

I rushed towards the customers, but not before getting a smack on my bottom. I let out a yelp. I take a deep breath and approach the nearest table. The guy sitting there gave me a smirk and a whistle. "Dang, you're new around here, aren't ya?" he said, with a breath of death. I gave him a polite smile.
"What would you like, sir?" I asked, taking out my notepad. The man licked his lips and sneered. He leaned towards me and grinned, showing his rotten teeth. "You know exactly what I want." he whispered. All of a sudden, I'm thrown over his shoulder. "STOP! PLEASE!" I pleaded, wriggling under his grip.
"Shut that pretty mouth of yours." he barks. I fall silent, my heart pounding like mad. He puts me down, roughly. I stumble to my feet. He shoves me against the wall with a menacing grin that makes me feel sick. "Please!" I pleaded, tears filling my eyes. "Shut up. I am your customer. You will serve me." he hisses, his rotten breath hitting me the face. I scream and try wriggle of out his grip. I see bruises starting to form.
Tears are streaming down my cheeks. He is looking at me with the same look my mother has in her eyes. The look that destroys me. His eyes taunt me. Voices in my head start talking all at once. You're useless. You're worthless. You shouldn't have been born. You disgust me. You- NO! Please stop. Please.

I scream and kick him, but he is much stronger than me. I face the familiar feeling of being useless and weak. I give up. I close my eyes. "Alec." I whispered under my breath. Then suddenly the man is ripped off of me. I see angry brown eyes, the tousled hair. I see . . . Alec. His usually happy face is nowhere. How? What? I sink to the ground, frozen. Unable to comprehend. A few minutes later, Alec dashes to me.
"Madison?" he calls my name and that breaks me. I burst into tears. I am pulled into his arms. His scent surrounds me and I feel . . . safe. I let my tears wash over me. He holds me, whispering sweet things. I cling to him for I knew that I was slowly breaking into pieces.