Faye
I woke up drenched in sweat, breathing heavily and shaking violently. If these nightmares were 'temporary after effects' and 'nothing to worry about', I couldn't wait for them to wear off.
"FAYE ELISE WHITE, YOU BETTER TURN THAT DAMN THING OFF IN THE NEXT THREE POINT FIVE SECONDS BEFORE I SET IT ON FIRE!" Ella's voice shouted from the next room.
I quickly switched off the loud and obnoxious ringing of my alarm clock and got out of bed, yawning.
"What's a girl got to do to get some painkillers around here?" Ella muttered, searching through the shelves frantically as I walked into the kitchen.
"Top shelf where they always are," I answered with an amused expression as she glowered at me, before attempting to climb on the counter to reach the painkillers. "Stepladders," I sang and she flipped me off. Chuckling, I rummaged in the cupboards for some cereal.
• • •
I walked down the familiar route to the bakery, humming to The Scientist as it blasted through my earphones. I had a nagging feeling at the back of my mind that I was being followed so I picked up the pace as I turned the corner. Ever since the incident, I had always been wary of strangers and this was quite a secluded street. I didn't want to take any chances.
When I looked back, there was no one there so I shook it off, believing it was my own paranoid self.
I had only walked a few more steps, however, when the feeling came back and this time I could spot someone walking directly behind me through the corner of my eye. My breathing picked up and I tried to remember all the self defence I knew. Hopefully the boxing would pay off.
I discreetly slipped my earphones from my ears and into my coat pocket. My breath hitched when I saw the person extend their arm to try and grab me.
Taking a deep breath, I spun around, bringing my fist back and punching this stranger squarely in the stomach. My eyes widened when I realised that this was no stranger.
"I'm so sorry!" I cringed, a wave of guilt rushing over me. He keeled over, holding his stomach and squeezing his eyes shut in pain.
"You sure can throw a punch," Harry mumbled, getting to his feet. "What is your fist made of?"
I smiled sheepishly. "I do boxing sometimes."
Harry groaned, rubbing his stomach.
"Sorry," I chuckled, "Don't sneak up on me next time."
Harry's eyes glinted with humour despite the obvious pain he was in. "Did I scare you?" he asked, grinning cheekily.
"No," I scowled, "You triggered my reflexes."
He chuckled. "Triggered your reflexes? You're funny."
I laughed along, until my gaze dropped to my watch. "Damn it." I muttered, jogging to the bakery over five minutes late. "See you later, Harry!" I called over my shoulder.
I was surprised though, when I burst through the door, to see Harry following me. I didn't question it; maybe he wanted something to eat.
"Tilly!" I called.
Tilly emerged from the large kitchen as I hung my coat up.
"Hi Faye," She smiled warmly, specks of flour covering her baby pink apron.
"Sorry I'm late Tilly, I lost track of time." I explained, putting on my apron and hairnet and washing my hands.
"It's fine, dear." She smiled. "Good morning sir, how may I help you?" She addressed Harry as I disappeared into the kitchen.
"Oh, I'm just here to see Faye." Harry's deep voice answered. I was very confused.
"Okay dear, let me whip up some brownies for you then; on the house. Any friend of Faye's is a friend of mine."
A few minutes later, Harry's tall frame wandered into the kitchen, looking around until he spotted me. As soon as his eyes met mine, amusement flashed through them before he doubled over laughing. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
"Faye, what is on your head?" He choked out, before dissolving into another fit of laughs. I rolled my eyes and waited for him to compose himself before replying.
"A hairnet."
"Why?" he chuckled.
"I don't think strands of hair lodged in a muffin sound very appetising, but that's just my opinion." I spoke flatly.
"I guess not," he cringed. "But it looks funny."
I scowled at Harry, putting the uncooked muffins into the oven.
"Shut up."
"Faye!" Tilly called, "Can you work the tills please?" Louise is here to take over in the kitchen."
"Alright!" I answered, taking off my apron and hairnet as Louise walked into the kitchen.
"Faby baby..." she trailed off as she caught sight of Harry. She locked eyes with me and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
I laughed, walking out of the kitchen. "There are muffins in the oven Lou, don't let them burn!"
Harry followed me out of the kitchen and walked over to an empty table as a customer entered, the bell above the door chiming.
Twenty minutes into my shift, I looked over at Harry who was still sitting there twiddling his thumbs.
"Harry?" I called. He looked up, raising his eyebrows. "Aren't you bored over there?"
"I have nothing better to do," he smiled.
• • •
"Faye, you can take your break now," Tilly called as Matthew, another employee, walked through the door.
I closed the till, grabbing my coat and walking over to Harry's table.
"Let's go somewhere," He told me, standing up.
