Promise

One

I groaned to myself as I awoke to the sunlight shining through my curtains. It was another Monday, meaning another day of work.

I pulled my comforter away from my body before making myself get out of my warm bed. I rubbed my heavy eyelids as I made my way out of my bedroom and downstairs to the kitchen. The smell of fresh breakfast floated through the air, making me wake up a little bit more with each step I took towards the stove. My mother stood in front of the stove, her back facing me, as she finished making breakfast, quietly humming to herself.

"Morning, Mom" I said while yawning, and taking a seat on a bar stool.

"Oh, good morning Rosalee! You scared me!" She said after jumping to turn around. We both let out a small laugh as she turned back around to finish putting the food on plates.

My Mom doesn't have a job, she takes care of her family for a living, therefore, she always has the time to make every meal for us. On the other hand, my Dad is a business man. He is always working. And my brother, Axel, is quickly learning the ropes from my father. It is my parents dreams for me to end up just like my mom, and for my older brother to end up just like my Dad. I love my parents, but I'm not sure if I am capable of staying home 24/7 cooking, cleaning, and minding my own business. That just seems boring, but I can't stand the thought of letting my parents down. They are old-fashioned people, I do not agree with everything they think but I will try. I will always try for my parents.

"Rosalee, are you listening to me?" I heard my fathers voice bringing me out of my daze of thoughts.

"Hmm?" I hummed back.

"I asked if you were working today, sweetheart." He chuckled.

"Oh, yeah. I start at noon and I don't get off until closing." I rolled my eyes.

"Darling why don't you just quit, and start learning more from your mother. " He asked my in an annoying, concerned way that parents do.

"Because I am about to start my gap year, and I want to be able to make the most of it before I go back to school. I want to travel and see the world. I need the money to do so. " I answered quickly. I just graduated high school, and am taking a year off to explore before I go off to college.

"You know my opinions on this."

"Dad, please.."

"Enough Rosalee. We will discuss this more later." He quickly turned me down.

My Dad doesn't like the thought of me working, traveling, or getting more schooling. And all I can do is continue to try to beg, every chance the conversation comes up.

~~Hours Later~~

I sighed while stacking shelves with my best friend.

"C'mon, you have to let us come over tomorrow, Rose!" Claire whined. 

"No Claire, I can't! My parents would kill me if they found out that I had you and Grayson over while they were out of town. You know how my parents are. "

"What about Axel? He'll be there though right?" She asked. 

"No, he's filling in for my Dad on a business trip. It'll just be me alone for a night. Axel is coming back the next day."

"Well if Gray and I leave before Axel gets back they'll never know!" She exclaimed. 

"Claire, no. I can't. I'm not going to go behind my parents back. We don't lie to each other."  I said hoping to end the discussion before I accidentally backed into someone. 

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry sir!" I turned around to see a man in a black zip up hoodie. His brown eyes were squinted at me while smirking and disappearing past me. 

"Who was that?" Claire asked while I shrugged my shoulders and walked back to the stock room. I heard Claire following behind me. I took a seat at a table with Grayson and Claire, the two of them both arguing with me over the fact that they can't come over tomorrow. I ignored both of them and just sat there quietly waiting for my shift to end. 

"Hey, will one of you fill in for me at the register? My husband just called and our daughter needs to go to the hospital, something's wrong with her..." A co-worker asked the three of us, looking scared. 

"I will! Go and take care of your daughter, let me know how everything turns out." I said while shooting up out of my seat. 

"Thank you Rosalee." her eyes softened as she smiled before rushing out. I made my way towards her aisle, mentally thanking her for saving me from my two best friends who love to pick on me. 

I don't get to work the register very often since I'm only eighteen. They normally give it to the employees who are older in age. I prefer to work the register more though because I enjoy greeting the customers. It brightens my day when I get to be kind to them. 

I smiled at the old lady making her way towards my aisle with a full cart. I looked up to see the other cashiers begin to close up. Only a few more minutes until closing. 

"Hi M'am, did you find everything okay?" I asked her while I began to scan her items. 

"Oh, yes sweetheart. Thank you." She replied back. 

"Your total will be $45.89, please." I told her slowly. I muffled a small laugh as I watched her pull out her checkbook, knowing my shift was going to be delayed a few minutes later because of this. I looked around again at another customer making his way towards my aisle, he looked similar to the man from earlier, sporting the same black hoodie. I looked away to see Claire, and Grayson smirking mischievously at me. I nodded my head towards the man, hoping that one of them would check him out for me. They both started laughing and backing away towards the exit.

"I hate you.." I mouthed silently to the two of them. 

"Here ya go!" The sweet old lady cheered as she gave the check to me. 

"Have a nice night!" I smiled.  "Hello sir, did you find everything okay?" 

No response. what is wrong with these men in the black hoodies. 

I scanned all of his items, before I noticed something standing by the doors. It was the same man from earlier. Obviously these two came together. I began to grow nervous, not only were they dressed mysteriously but the items they were buying were also strange. 

Duct tape, rope, female products, and cheap cloths. Weird combination. 

"Your total will be $18.75..." I said shyly to the man.

 Please don't rob me, please don't kill me, please don't kidnap me..

I sighed when I saw him handing me the exact amount before leaving with his friend. Now I just have to lock up, and then I can go home to my bed. 

As I walked towards my car I saw a vehicle with their lights on. I thought everyone would have made it home by now but I guess not. I drove home with the radio softly humming in the distance. 

I ran up the stairs trying not to be too loud for my sleeping family. I changed out of my work clothes before I went to close my curtains. I saw a car parked across the street with their lights still on before I quickly pulled my curtains closed. I jumped into my bed and pulled my blankets tightly around my body. It was probably just my neighbor getting home after her long shift at the hospital. Yeah, I'm sure that's what it is. 

~~

Yay, first chapter is done!! I hope it's okay, I haven't done this whole writing thing much :))

Ps. Rosalee's name is pronounced Rose-a-lee so you might see someone calling her Rose or Rosa (pronounced rose-a) for short :)

Like and comment what you think!!